35+ Easiest Summer Slow Cooker Recipes
If you’re looking for ridiculously easy summer slow cooker recipes, you’re in the right place! These are the best slow cooker recipes to keep things simple, healthy and kid-friendly, too. Use your crock pot during the warm months to keep your kitchen cool and spend more time enjoying the sunshine while dinner and sides cook away at home!
Don’t put away that slow cooker just yet, because I’ve got the best (and easiest!) summer crockpot dump meals you’ll find just about anywhere.
Crockpot For Summer Recipes: Table of Contents
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Summer is Still Slow Cooker Season
As an expert on time-saving meals, I’m here to help you put these healthy summer crockpot recipes to use this season to keep your kitchen cool and to create hands-off slow cooker meals that will allow you to play all day and still come home to a delicious, healthy, easy dinner.
To get you inspired, I’ve rounded up my favorite fresh, healthy whole food summer slow cooker recipes!
Remember, there’s no reason to miss out on the convenience & ease that comes with just throwing a bunch of real food ingredients into your crockpot and having more time to spend enjoying the sunshine. All you need to do is switch up the flavors a little bit!
These are simple, vibrant slow cooker recipes perfect for a cookout that are inspired by farmer’s market produce & classic BBQ flavors.
Use these easy summer crockpot kid-friendly recipes on hot nights when you can’t stand to turn on the oven, busy weekends when you’re enjoying time outdoors, or for gatherings like cookouts, BBQs & potlucks.
Planning Tip
These recipes are great for weekly meal prep or whenever you need to feed a crowd simply & easily.
Simple Recipes That are Fast & Easy to Make
Just like my spring, fall and winter crock pot recipe collections, all of these recipes have easy to find ingredients and simplified prep steps.
They’re designed to help you make the most of fresh summer produce – like corn, basil, tomatoes, and fresh fruits – while it’s in season (and at it’s most affordable price).
There’s so many things my family & I love to cook in our crockpot, but here’s a few of our favorites we look forward to enjoying every summer!
The Slow Cooker I Use
Here’s the slow cooker (affiliate) I use for all my recipes, this size works great for our family and I love how easy it is to use!
These Recipes are All…
I’ve included some paleo friendly, whole 30 friendly, and vegetarian options too. Each recipe has simple adaptations and tips waiting for you, like ingredient swaps and making these meals kid-friendly.
Soups & Stews
Easy Slow Cooker Chicken and Corn Soup
Brimming with sweet corn, succulent chicken, and hearty potatoes, this easy slow cooker chicken and corn soup is a simple dump-and-go recipe. Since you can use fresh or frozen corn, this soup is perfect for any time of year!
Ingredients: chicken breasts (or chicken thighs), sweet corn (fresh or frozen), chicken stock, celery, carrots, onions, yellow waxy potatoes, garlic, cream cheese (traditional or plant-based) and salt.
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Slow Cooker Corn Chowder (Dump and Go!)
This easy slow cooker corn chowder is a breeze to prep, and is a hearty vegetarian and vegan recipe that’s luxuriously creamy without a drop of cream. A surprisingly simple yet delicious dairy free meal to enjoy all year round!
Ingredients: russet potatoes, sweet potatoes, corn, broth, coconut milk, onion, garlic, white wine vinegar and other spices
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Crockpot Loaded Mexican Chicken Soup
Simple to make and bursting with fresh summer flavors, Crockpot Loaded Mexican Chicken Soup is perfect any time of year. A great recipe for all your farmer’s market finds, and paleo and Whole30 friendly, too!
Ingredients: chicken breasts (or thighs), chicken stock, zucchini, tomato sauce, leafy greens, onion, chili powder, cumin and other seasonings
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Slow Cooker Chicken, Veggie, and Quinoa Stew
This simple recipe for Slow Cooker Chicken, Veggie, and Quinoa Stew is healthy, hearty and so delicious!
Ingredients: chicken breast (or thigh), stock, quinoa, zucchini, corn, garlic, onion, carrots, chickpeas, tomato sauce, Italian seasoning and other spices
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Sunshine Lemon Chicken Chowder (Crockpot, Instant Pot, Stovetop!)
Light, healthy, and bursting with flavor this Sunshine Lemon Chicken Chowder makes for an easy weeknight dinner or for anytime. Can easily be made in the slow cooker, Instant Pot, or stovetop.
Ingredients: chicken breasts (or thighs), baby potatoes, celery, cauliflower, onion, chicken stock, coconut milk (or cream), lemon juice, turmeric and other seasonings
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Slow Cooker Taco Soup (Easy Prep!)
This easy, low effort recipe for slow cooker taco soup is made with cooked and crumbled ground beef. It’s hearty, filling and flavorful! Using canned black beans and pinto beans, plus frozen corn (or fresh corn if you have it) means this recipe requires minimal prep time. It's a terrific weeknight meal. Top it with fresh cilantro, crunchy tortilla chips, and shredded cheese before serving!
Ingredients: ground beef, black beans, pinto beans, tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, diced green chilis, corn, chicken stock, lime juice, onion, olive oil, garlic powder, cumin, mild chili powder, smoked paprika and salt.
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Slow Cooker Hamburger Soup
Simple and hearty, slow cooker hamburger soup is loaded with vegetables and ground beef, and can be simmered all day in the slow cooker or made in 35 minutes on the stovetop.
Ingredients: lean ground beef, onion, carrots, celery, tomato paste, chicken stock (or beef stock), olive oil, potatoes, red & yellow bell peppers, red wine vinegar, water, garlic powder, Italian seasoning and salt.
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Sides & Snacks
Slow Cooker Carrots
Elevate everyday carrots with slow cooker carrots, an incredibly easy recipe that’s packed with flavor! Makes an elegantly simple side for every day dinners, brunch, and special holiday spreads.
Ingredients: carrots, butter, lemon zest, maple syrup and salt.
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Slow Cooker Potatoes
These slow cooker potatoes are the definition of simple and delicious. All you need are a handful of pantry ingredients and a crockpot. Easy prep for weeknight dinners, but this classic, cozy recipe makes a great addition to the holiday table too!
Ingredients: small potatoes, garlic, extra virgin olive oil, and salt.
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Slow Cooker Barbecue Chickpeas
This recipe for slow cooker barbecue chickpeas tastes as good as classic meat barbecue! It combines traditional flavors of a sweet and spicy homemade barbecue sauce and meaty chickpeas in the slow cooker for a plant-based twist on barbecue.
Ingredients: chickpeas, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, kosher salt, tomato paste, maple syrup (or honey), brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, and water.
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Easy-Prep Slow Cooker Baked Beans (Refined Sugar-Free)
Baked beans are a simple side dish everyone loves. These Easy-Prep Slow Cooker Baked Beans are a cinch to make at home, contain no refined sugar, and require minimal prep time. They are perfect for potlucks, barbecues, or make an easy side dish any night of the week.
Did you know you can use your crockpot to cook dried beans too? I'll show you how to do it in this recipe for slow cooker refried bean tacos (another great vegetarian dinner option).
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Slow Cooker 5-Ingredient Fire Roasted Marinara
Make your own pasta sauce at home the easy way with this simple recipe for Slow Cooker 5-Ingredient Fire Roasted Marinara. You’ll love the homemade flavor, how easy it is to prepare, and that there’s none of the processed stuff!
Ingredients: fire-roasted tomatoes, tomato paste, garlic, onion, smoked paprika.
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Slow Cooker Spinach Artichoke Dip (Dairy-Free, Gluten-Free)
Rich, creamy, and oh-so delicious, Slow Cooker Spinach Artichoke Dip (Dairy-Free, Gluten-Free) will be the hit of your next party or gathering!
Ingredients: frozen spinach, artichoke hearts, raw cashews, almond milk, nutritional yeast, lemon juice, mayo or veganaise
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The Best Dairy-Free Salsa Cheese Sauce
Dairy-Free Salsa Cheese Sauce is an ooey-gooey, totally delicious alternative to traditional cheese sauce. Packed with veggies, and totally dairy-free, you’ve got to try this one to believe it!
Ingredients: Russet potatoes, carrots, chicken or vegetable stock, cashews, nutritional yeast, olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, chunky salsa, and salt.
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Easy Slow Cooker Baked Potatoes
Yes, you can make perfect baked potatoes in the slow cooker! The easiest hands-off way to feed a crowd, create an effortless baked potato bar, or an easy side dish for weeknight dinners or special occasions.
Ingredients: Russet potatoes, olive oil and salt.
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Main Dishes
Crockpot BBQ Chicken (2-Ingredients!)
This wildly easy 2-ingredient crockpot bbq chicken can be prepped in no time using store-bought or homemade sauce, yielding deliciously tender and versatile pulled chicken. Perfect for meal prep on busy weeks!
Ingredients: chicken breasts (or chicken thighs) and chipotle BBQ sauce (or store bought barbecue sauce).
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Slow Cooker Balsamic Chicken with Tomatoes and Basil
This healthy slow cooker balsamic chicken with tomatoes and basil is a fresh, easy meal that draws on the flavors of bruschetta for a simple, flavorful meal everyone will love. It’s one of those recipes that we find ourselves making on repeat week after week!
Ingredients: chicken, roma or cherry tomatoes, garlic, basil, balsamic vinegar, olive oil and salt.
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Slow Cooker Tropical Pulled Chicken
Naturally sweet, tangy and oh-so delicious, Slow Cooker Tropical Pulled Chicken is a breeze to throw together and makes for a healthy dinner everyone will love!
Ingredients: chicken breasts or chicken thighs, gluten-free tamari, honey, grated ginger, canned crushed pineapple, tomato paste, garlic powder, onion powder and salt.
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6-Ingredient Slow Cooker Enchilada Chicken
This easy recipe for shredded chicken for enchiladas is totally simple, completely delicious and the perfect weeknight crockpot recipe. Plus this chicken recipe is gluten-free and dairy-free, Paleo and Whole30 compliant too!
Ingredients: chicken breasts (or chicken thighs), onion, garlic powder, cumin, lime juice, tomato sauce, chili powder and salt.
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Slow Cooker Peach Chicken with Basil
Slow Cooker Peach Chicken with Basil combines juicy peaches, balsamic vinegar, and fresh basil for an easy, flavorful dinner anytime. Easy enough to throw together on a weeknight, this one’s bound to become a new family-favorite recipe!
Ingredients: chicken breasts (or chicken thighs), onion, balsamic vinegar, peaches, basil, garlic powder and salt.
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5-Ingredient Slow Cooker Fajita Salsa Chicken
The perfect recipe for when you’re short on time but still want a delicious, real food dinner, 5-Ingredient Slow Cooker Fajita Salsa Chicken is a snap to prep and requires just a handful of ingredients.
Ingredients: chicken, onion, bell pepper, salsa, lime juice and salt
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Slow Cooker Ranch Chicken & Veggies
A versatile, filling, one-pot meal, slow cooker ranch chicken and veggies is made with a simple homemade ranch seasoning blend, chicken, carrots, and potatoes; making for an easy dinner recipe everyone will love!
Ingredients: chicken breasts, chicken stock, potatoes, carrots, yogurt (traditional or plant-based), mayo, apple cider vinegar, homemade ranch seasoning.
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Slow Cooker Carnitas
This slow cooker carnitas recipe is super easy to prepare and yields wildly delicious, succulent results everytime. Serve the carnitas warm as a filling for tacos, burritos or in bowls for an easy weeknight dinner win!
Ingredients: pork loin roast (or pork shoulder), orange juice, lime juice, cumin, mild chili powder, garlic powder and salt.
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Slow Cooker Citrus Chicken (Pollo Asado)
Slow Cooker Citrus Chicken (Pollo Asado) yields bright citrus flavors and tender, juicy, fall-off-the-bone chicken. A super easy recipe with delicious results!
Ingredients: bone-in chicken thighs and legs, orange juice, lemon juice, lime juice, garlic, onion, honey (optional) and salt.
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Slow Cooker Refried Bean Tacos
With just 2 ingredients and minimal prep, you can whip up a batch of homemade refried beans. Fold into a warm tortilla, pile on the toppings, and you’ll have yourself quick and delicious Slow Cooker Refried Bean Tacos for dinner in no time!
Ingredients: dry pinto beans, water, salt and any taco toppings you like.
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Crock Pot Sausage and Peppers
Wildly easy to prepare with crowd-pleasing results, Crock Pot Sausage and Peppers requires no browning and makes a simple weeknight dinner. It’s a party go-to, that’s guaranteed to please!
Ingredients: sweet Italian sausage, bell peppers, onions, and jarred marinara sauce.
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Crock Pot Taco Meat
Crock pot taco meat is an easy dump-and-go recipe made with just a few simple ingredients, perfect for busy weeknights or for feeding a party crowd.
Ingredients: ground beef, salsa, garlic powder, cumin, smoked paprika, mild chili powder, and salt.
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Mexican-Inspired Shredded Beef
Perfectly spiced and incredibly easy to prepare, Mexican-Inspired Shredded Beef is super versatile and makes the best shredded beef tacos!
Ingredients: boneless beef chuck-eye roast, onion, tomato paste, cumin, mild chili powder, smoked paprika, lime juice and salt.
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Crock Pot Spaghetti Sauce
Easy dinner recipes are my specialty, and this hearty and flavor-filled crock pot spaghetti sauce with ground beef, diced onions, and two types of canned tomatoes is a keeper! The slow-cooked meat sauce is rich in flavor and perfectly seasoned. It’s also great to make in large batches and perfect for freezing.
Ingredients: ground beef, onion, olive oil, tomato paste, crushed tomatoes, diced tomatoes, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, honey (optional) and salt.
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Pineapple Teriyaki Meatballs
Pineapple Teriyaki Meatballs are a quick 30 minute or easy make-ahead crockpot dinner with ground chicken, crushed pineapple, and a homemade naturally sweetened teriyaki sauce. Includes simple swaps to easily make this recipe nut-free!
Ingredients: ground chicken (or pork or turkey), green onion, garlic, ginger, coconut aminos, crushed pineapple, pineapple juice, honey, arrowroot powder (or corn starch), almond flour (or oat flour) and water.
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Buffalo Turkey Meatballs
Tender, juicy, and super delicious, buffalo turkey meatballs are a healthy appetizer or main dish, made with no breadcrumbs, and easy to prepare in the crockpot or in the oven.
Ingredients: ground turkey, grated onion, almond flour (or oat flour), nutritional yeast, granulated garlic powder, cayenne pepper sauce, butter (traditional or dairy-free) and salt
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Slow Cooker Turkey Sloppy Joes
Made with ground turkey meat, tomato paste, ketchup, and simple spices, slow cooker turkey sloppy joes is a crowd-pleasing dinner that can also be made paleo and Whole30.
Ingredients: ground turkey, tomato paste, ketchup, mustard, olive oil, garlic powder, onions, red bell peppers, water and salt.
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Easy Slow Cooker Turkey Tacos
These easy slow cooker turkey tacos combine ground turkey meat with tomato sauce & a few simple spices for the perfect, easy prep taco filling. Make tonight taco night!
Ingredients: ground turkey, tomato sauce, olive oil, cumin, chili powder, granulated garlic powder, paprika and salt
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Slow Cooker Turkey Meatballs
These easy and healthy slow cooker turkey meatballs use ground turkey for an easy-prep meal that requires not pre-browning!
Ingredients: ground turkey, marinara sauce, basil, spinach, onion, garlic powder, nutritional yeast and salt.
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35+ Easiest Summer Slow Cooker Recipes, plus Peach Chicken with Basil
This healthy Slow Cooker Peach Chicken with Basil is super simple to make & tastes amazing! I love how quickly this sweet & savory dish comes together. Plus 35+ more summer slow cooker recipes that'll save you from having to turn the oven on during the warmer months!
Ingredients
- 1 lb boneless skinless chicken breasts, or thighs
- 1 large white or yellow onion, very thinly sliced
- ¼ cup plus 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 6 peaches, no need to peel, sliced
- ¼ cup tightly packed basil leaves, thinly sliced
- hot sauce to taste, optional
Equipment
Instructions
- Place the sliced onions in the bottom of the slow cooker, 1 teaspoon salt, garlic powder, and vinegar. Stir in peach slices from 4 peaches, then nestle the chicken breasts into the mix making sure they’re covered with some of the peach-onion mixture. Do not add the basil—that goes in at the end.
- Cook on low for 6 hours or high for 4-5 hours.
- When ready to serve, turn off the heat, remove the chicken breasts, and stir in the remaining 1 teaspoon salt and 1 tablespoon vinegar. Stir to combine.
- Shred the chicken with two forks, then return to the slow cooker, stirring to combine.
- Top with the remaining sliced peaches and plenty of basil. Add hot sauce to taste and serve. Serve the shredded chicken over rice, greens, or on its own.
Notes
This recipe serves 4-6
Omit the onions from the recipe if you have an onion-hater. The dish will be fine without them.
Nutrition Information:
Serving: 1 (of 6), Calories: 163kcal, Carbohydrates: 18g, Protein: 18g, Fat: 2g, Saturated Fat: 1g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g, Monounsaturated Fat: 1g, Trans Fat: 1g, Cholesterol: 48mg, Sodium: 866mg, Potassium: 612mg, Fiber: 3g, Sugar: 15g, Vitamin A: 565IU, Vitamin C: 12mg, Calcium: 23mg, Iron: 1mg
Nutrition disclaimer
Did you make this recipe?If you do, be sure to share it on Instagram and tag me at @realfoodwholelife so I can see!
More Seasonal Slow Cooker Recipe Collections
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Love this post (35+ easiest summer crockpot recipes) since i love the simplicity of crock put recipes. BUT why can’t i add recipes i want directly from the post. One has to go to the recipe, actually find the recipe, then add it to their board, mine being pinterest. I know you make money from links but damn, I’m looking for recipes. Don’t want to know your life story, what you do every day, i just want some recipes, and maybe find some tools you really like.
Terry, sorry you don’t like the way this recipe round-up is structured. I agree it can be cumbersome to click back and forth to pin, but I’m constrained by the website template, so in order to provide a full recipe round up with lots of options to select from, this is our best option. Also, I don’t make money off of links, and I haven’t included anything about my life story in this post (just a few helpful notes to help you make the most of the free recipes), so I’m not sure where you’re getting that. Regardless, I do hope you’re able to find a few summer recipes to enjoy!
When do you add the 1/4 cup of balsamic vinegar?
Thank you!
I realize you add it at the beginning. I was reading it as you add a teaspoon of the vinegar, like the salt and the garlic
powder.
Thanks!
Oh good, glad you figured it out, Holly, I hope you enjoy!