10 Summer Slow Cooker Recipes for a Cool Kitchen

July 25, 2024

Courtesy of Real Food Whole Life

You may think of your slow cooker mostly in colder months, for warming soups and stews. But we also love it on boiling summer days, to make vibrant, nutrient-dense meals without heating up the kitchen. Head out for an adventure for the day (or to work), knowing that your set-it-and-forget-it dinner will be ready when you get home. Keep these summer slow cooker recipes handy for healthy, convenient, delicious meals everyone will love.

1. Slow Cooker Ratatouille

Ratatouille is a classic French dish packed with vegetables like eggplant, zucchini, bell peppers, and tomatoes. In this recipe, rich in fiber and nutrients, slow cooking brings out the natural sweetness of the vegetables. Serve it hot, warm, or cold (it’s even better after a day or two in the fridge).

Try this recipe from Real Food Whole Life.

2. Slow Cooker Chicken Tacos

Chicken tacos are always a crowd-pleasing dish. Using the slow cooker makes the chicken tender and flavorful — plus, this is the perfect dish for summer gatherings since you make it ahead. Bonus: This recipe is free of many allergens, including gluten and dairy (and it’s Whole30 friendly). Serve it with your favorite taco fixings.

Try this recipe from The Real Food Dietitians.

3. Low Carb Lasagna

When you think of summer slow cooker recipes, lasagna may not be the first thing to come to mind — but this low-carb version utilizes zucchini and eggplant instead of pasta, so it won’t weigh you down. With 23 grams of protein and 6 grams of fiber per serving, it’s filling and so satisfying.

Try this recipe from Well Plated.

4. Slow Cooker Fiesta Ranch Chicken Wraps

You had us at “ranch.” With slow cooker chicken loaded with pantry spices and yogurt, whole-grain tortillas, and fresh vegetables, these wraps are bursting with flavor. Plus, you can enjoy them warm or cold, and they have 25 grams of protein and 8 grams of fiber. So they’re perfect to fuel your fun summer days (or evenings).

Try this recipe from Jar of Lemons.

5. Vegan Crockpot Quinoa & Black Bean Chili

Chili is a favorite year round, and this plant-based version is sure to become one of your fave summer slow cooker recipes. Take it to a cookout and watch everyone devour it. With quinoa and black beans for protein and fiber, plus bell peppers, corn, tomatoes, and tons of spices, it’s filling and full of great flavor.

Try this recipe from Jessica in the Kitchen.

6. Slow Cooker Sriracha Meatballs

Here’s another dish that easily doubles for a potluck dish or dinner at home. Make these spicy, savory meatballs with ground pork, as written, or swap in ground turkey, if you prefer. We use coconut sugar in place of the brown sugar. They’re delicious with rice and stir-fried vegetables, on top of a salad, or in lettuce wraps.

Try this recipe from FoodieCrush.

7. Slow Cooker Vegetable Curry with Sweet Potato and Chickpeas

When you’re looking for summer slow cooker recipes, be sure to include spicy dishes like curries. They can make you sweat, which in turn cools you down — perfect for hot days. This plant-based curry is loaded with veggies and sweet potatoes, along with chickpeas for protein and fiber, so it’s full of good nutrition.

Try this recipe from Cookin’ Canuck.

8. Slow Cooker Healthy Sloppy Joes

Summer nights are made for casual, easy dinners, and sloppy joes are just the thing. These are a little sweet, a little savory, with veggies along with lean ground beef for a satiating meal. We love the idea of serving it over baked sweet potatoes, but you can have them on whole-grain buns, if you prefer.

Try this recipe from What Molly Made.

9. Slow Cooker Chicken Posole

We’re all for soup year round — especially this posole, a Mexican version featuring hominy, chewy kernels of field corn. This recipe also has chicken, zingy tomatillos, chilies, onion, and spices, so it’s a flavorful bowl that’s both light and satisfying.

Try this recipe from Damn Delicious.

10. Slow Cooker Blueberry Crisp

We had to include at least one dessert in this collection of summer slow cooker recipes — and this one, full of blueberries, is easy and so delicious. It’s also gluten free, and very low in carbs, since it includes monk fruit and no added sugar. Have it with a little unsweetened whipped cream, or even a dollop of Greek yogurt with a little vanilla extract stirred in.

Try this recipe from Kalyn’s Kitchen.