The hottest summer days have a way of wearing everyone out. After a day in the sun, running errands, or chasing the kids around, I want dinner to be ready without heating up the kitchen all over again. That's why I keep coming back to my slow cooker.
These 21 recipes let me get dinner started early and come back to a comforting meal later, so I can spend more time enjoying the evening instead of cooking through the hottest part of the day.
Crock Pot Pork Roast with Potatoes and Carrots
There is something satisfying about coming home to a meal that's completely finished. The pork turns fork-tender as it slowly cooks with onions and seasonings, while the potatoes and carrots soak up all those savory juices. It's a full dinner in one pot, which is exactly what busy summer days call for.
Get the Recipe: Crock Pot Pork Roast with Potatoes and Carrots
Slow Cooker Pork Loin in Crock Pot
Pork loin can be tricky to keep juicy, but the slow cooker makes it almost effortless. Apple juice and herbs gently flavor the meat as it cooks, creating tender slices and a light pan sauce at the same time. It's the kind of hands-off dinner that's especially welcome when the last thing you want is a hot oven running for hours.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Pork Loin in Crock Pot
Sweet Hawaiian Crockpot Chicken
Sweet and savory flavors come together so well in this chicken that it's hard not to go back for another spoonful. Pineapple, soy sauce, and the slow cooker work together to create a sticky glaze that coats every bite while keeping the chicken juicy.
Get the Recipe: Sweet Hawaiian Crockpot Chicken
Thai Chicken Curry Crock Pot
This curry starts with coconut milk, ginger, garlic, and warm spices that slowly blend into a smooth, creamy sauce. As the chicken cooks, it stays juicy while soaking up all those rich flavors without any extra work from you. Finish with fresh lime and serve it over rice for a dinner that feels cozy without making the house any hotter.
Get the Recipe: Thai Chicken Curry Crock Pot
Crockpot Sausage and Peppers
Every bite of this classic dinner gets better as the sausage and peppers slowly cook together. The peppers become sweet and tender while the sausage fills the whole dish with savory flavor. Pile everything into toasted rolls or serve it over rice when you want a hearty meal that doesn't make the kitchen any hotter.
Get the Recipe: Crockpot Sausage and Peppers
Slow Cooker Greek Chicken
This is one of those dinners that somehow tastes light and filling at the same time. Lemon, garlic, and herbs slowly soak into the chicken, giving every bite a fresh, bright flavor that doesn't feel heavy on a hot day. Serve it with rice, roasted potatoes, or a cucumber salad for an easy meal you'll want to make again.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Greek Chicken
Slow Cooker Beef and Broccoli
Beef and broccoli is one of those meals that's always worth making at home because it's even better fresh from the slow cooker. The beef turns melt-in-your-mouth tender while the broccoli goes in near the end, so it stays bright and just a little crisp. Serve it over fluffy rice for an easy dinner that satisfies the takeout craving without heating up the kitchen.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Beef and Broccoli
Slow Cooker Tex Mex Pulled Pork
Bright citrus gives this pulled pork a fresh twist that sets it apart from the usual barbecue version. Orange, lime, and warm spices slowly work their way into the meat until it's tender enough to shred with a fork. Spoon it into tacos, burrito bowls, or nachos for a dinner that feels fun without keeping you tied to the stove.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Tex Mex Pulled Pork
Crockpot Garlic Parmesan Chicken
Garlic and parmesan are always a winning pair, especially when they come together in a creamy sauce like this. Baby potatoes cook right alongside the chicken, soaking up all that rich flavor as they soften. By the time dinner rolls around, you've got a complete meal waiting without heating up the house.
Get the Recipe: Crockpot Garlic Parmesan Chicken
Easy 5-ingredient Crockpot Chicken and Rice
Five simple ingredients are all it takes to turn out a dinner that feels warm and comforting at the end of the day. The chicken cooks until it's juicy while the rice soaks up every bit of the flavorful broth, so nothing tastes plain. It's a great recipe to start in the morning when the last place you want to be later is standing in a hot kitchen.
Get the Recipe: Easy 5-ingredient Crockpot Chicken and Rice
Slow Cooker Birria Tacos
Rich, slow-cooked beef is what makes these tacos so hard to forget. As the meat cooks, the broth becomes packed with smoky chiles and spices that are just as important as the filling itself. Dip each taco into that flavorful broth, and you'll see why this recipe is worth the wait without ever turning on the oven.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Birria Tacos
Slow Cooker Chicken Spaghetti
Some dinners disappear before everyone even sits down, and this cheesy chicken spaghetti is one of them. The chicken stays juicy while the creamy sauce brings everything together into one comforting meal that the whole family will happily dig into. Since the slow cooker handles most of the work, you won't have to deal with a big pot of boiling water on a hot evening.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Chicken Spaghetti
Slow Cooker 4-Ingredient Enchilada Meatball
It doesn't take a long shopping list to make something everyone gets excited about. These meatballs simmer in enchilada sauce until they're full of bold flavor, then finish with plenty of melted cheese on top. They're just as welcome over rice for dinner as they are served with toothpicks for an easy appetizer.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker 4-Ingredient Enchilada Meatball
Crockpot BBQ Pulled Pork Sandwich
Few things beat a pile of juicy pulled pork tucked inside a soft sandwich bun. The pork slowly cooks until it falls apart with barely any effort, while the barbecue sauce becomes sweet, smoky, and thick enough to coat every bite. Add crunchy slaw if you like, and you've got an easy dinner that's made for laid-back summer evenings.
Get the Recipe: Crockpot BBQ Pulled Pork Sandwich
Slow Cooker Creamy Sun Dried Tomato Chicken
If creamy dinners are your comfort food, this one belongs on your list. Sun-dried tomatoes melt into a rich garlic cream sauce that coats every piece of juicy chicken, giving it plenty of bold flavor without much work from you.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Creamy Sun Dried Tomato Chicken
Slow Cooker Pepper Steak
Pepper steak is one of those takeout favorites that's surprisingly easy to make at home. Thin slices of beef slowly cook in a rich soy-based sauce until they're tender, while the peppers stay bright enough to add a little freshness to every bite. Spoon it over rice, and you've got a comforting dinner without spending the evening over the stove.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Pepper Steak
Easy Weeknight Slow Cooker Chicken Marinara
When it's already too warm to think about cooking, this chicken marinara feels like the easy answer. The chicken slowly cooks in a rich tomato sauce until it's tender enough to pull apart with a fork, and the sauce gets even better as it simmers. Spoon it over pasta, tuck it into sandwich rolls, or serve it with crusty bread for a dinner that practically makes itself.
Get the Recipe: Easy Weeknight Slow Cooker Chicken Marinara
Crockpot Sausage and Potatoes
Smoked sausage gives this simple dinner so much flavor that the potatoes and green beans don't need much else. Everything cooks together in one pot, so the vegetables soak up those savory juices while they turn perfectly tender. It's an easy meal to start before the day gets busy, especially when it's too hot to think about turning on the oven.
Get the Recipe: Crockpot Sausage and Potatoes
Slow Cooker Baked Beans With Bacon
Homemade baked beans take time, but the slow cooker lets you skip standing over the stove. The bacon slowly flavors the beans while the sweet and smoky sauce thickens into something you'll want to scoop onto everything. They're great next to grilled burgers, but don't be surprised if you're sneaking cold spoonfuls from the fridge the next day.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Baked Beans With Bacon
Slow Cooker Olive Garden Chicken Marsala
This recipe brings those restaurant flavors home without asking you to spend the evening cooking. Chicken and mushrooms slowly simmer together until they're tender, while the sauce becomes rich enough to spoon over mashed potatoes, pasta, or rice.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Olive Garden Chicken Marsala
Slow Cooker French Onion Meatballs
Hot summer afternoons leave zero energy for standing over a stove caramelizing onions for hours. Let your slow cooker melt the Gruyère and rich broth while you stay cool in the shade.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker French Onion Meatballs
When the heat has taken everything out of you, it's nice to know dinner already has itself covered. Which recipe is going into your slow cooker first?
