Summer Slow Cooker Meals That'll Keep Your Kitchen Cool

Skip the store-bought barbecue sauce and dress up your succulent, shredded meat with this date-sweetened, just-so-happens-to-be-Paleo mixture. One drop and you'll never want to buy a bottle again. This slow cooker summer dinner recipe isn't just about the tomato-based blend, though. The real star of the show is the smoky and ultra-savory pork shoulder that practically falls apart after cooking low and slow. 

Equal parts light and hearty, this summer meal slow cooker-style is designed to be prepped ahead, so try this for a make-ahead dinner or a meal prep lunch idea. While the slow cooker preps the wheat berries, shake together the citrusy dressing, then toss with leftover shrimp or rotisserie chicken. 

Rather than choosing one or the other, keep the peace with this comfort food concept. This slow cooker summer meal will please all of the kids (and kids at heart) in your family. But most importantly, it's like a mash-up of two school lunch favorites, chili and mac and cheese—which will cure all the cravings until the bell rings again. 

The spice is right in this summer slow cooker recipe. Cilantro, lime, tomatillos (those tasty green tomatoes in season come summer), and garlic give the simmer sauce loads of Mexican flair. Allow that green salsa to infuse into each ounce of the chicken during its two-hour shift in the slow cooker, then serve it up as a wrap or sandwich. 

You're just 15 minutes of effort away from getting this summer meal slow cooker-style all set to "barbecue" itself. The secret for these saucy ribs lies in the rub that calls for brown sugar, dry mustard, smoked paprika, and garlic salt for blue ribbon-worthy meat. Simmer in an easy molasses- and mustard-forward homemade barbecue sauce for finger-licking results. 

Put your bumper crop of tomatoes, zucchini, and sweet corn to good use by whipping up this veggie side dish. Serve this summer slow cooker recipe at a potluck or a backyard barbecue for a produce-centric play on a shrimp boil. Everything from grilled steak to smoked chicken work marvelously to round out the seasonal meal. 

Instead of assembling sandwiches one by one for your picnic, pack this summer slow cooker meal that serves eight in one. Slather ciabatta bread with pesto mayo and layer on the slow-cooked chicken, mushroom, and zucchini blend. Slice and split for a recipe that will likely change your definition of "chicken sandwich." 

Unlike many grilled, barbecued, and smoked meats, after just 15 minutes of prep time, this summer slow cooker meal is ready to set and forget. A cup of Dr. Pepper soda lends a sweet counterpart to the spicy barbecue sauce that drips from each and every bite of the pulled pork. Stack it between toasted crostini for slider-like snacks or stuff it between sandwich buns to make a main dish. 

Come warm weather, little tastes better than a juicy fresh peach. Here's a remarkably easy recipe to show off the stone fruit du jour: upside-down cake with a crunchy graham cracker crust. And since peaches and cream is one of the best combos of all time, top this summer slow cooker recipe idea with ice cream, custard, or frozen yogurt. 

Get ready for a loaded bowl of Southern-style goodness. This easy slow cooker summer meal features sweet and creamy corn topped with melty Monterey Jack cheese and crispy bacon. One BH&G home cook deems this, "easy, creamy, and delicious! Before serving, I stir the bacon and tomatoes into the corn and then top it with more to make sure everyone gets some." 

Jam-packed with tomatoes (canned or fresh) this slow cooker summer dinner recipe feeds 12. You know what that means? Your summer potluck menu is solved; simply dump and simmer for 4 hours on high or 2 hours on low. Weather you make it with hot or sweet sausage or with a little or a lot of crushed red pepper depends on the spice preference of your crowd. 

Tex-Mex takeout has met its easy-make match. This easy slow cooker summer meal idea is surrounded by fresh ingredients to pep up the meat mixture. Come mealtime, create a salad buffet with all of the fixings (including toppings like salsa, cheese, and sour cream) and allow everyone to build their own bowl. 

Related: 27 Must-Try Mexican Recipes to Spice Up Your Weekly Menu

Try this quick and easy slow cooker summer meal for a fresh summer entrée with minimal effort. Jamaican jerk seasoning infuses slow-cooked pork shoulder with bold Caribbean flavor that's tempered with a creamy lime mayo. Fresh mango salsa and crisp red pepper add sweetness and crunch to the shredded meat wraps. 

Skip the store-bought loaves for all your picnic sandwiches and swap in this summer slow cooker recipe for light and flavorful homemade bread instead. Leave it in the slow cooker for the day—while you enjoy the beautiful weather—for a fresh loaf that's ready by dinnertime. For a dose of garden flavor, this carb creation calls for fresh thyme, basil, or rosemary. Pick your favorite from the herb garden. 

Little says "summer" more than a big bowl of berries. While we call for a bag of frozen mixed berries from the supermarket, you could absolutely use fresh to make this the ultimate summer slow cooker dessert. A box of muffin mix makes the cobbler uber-easy. Just be sure to have Greek yogurt, whipped cream, or ice cream handy to crown each serving!

Who says you need a grill to make a better-than-ballpark batch of bratwursts? Set-and-forget the summer staple in garlic and bubbly apple cider, then top with cool broccoli slaw for a crisp, crunchy finish. Just add a baseball game on TV and a package of in-the-shell peanuts to this slow cooker summer meal and you'll have the quintessential summer sports experience. 

If you're attending a potluck, consider these light and fresh Greek pita sandwiches. They're ideal for lunch on the go or events where most guests eat while mingling and can benefit from handheld food. Slow-cooked garlicky lamb and veggies, including summery tomatoes, join perfectly with tangy feta cheese for only 300 calories per serving. 

No need for brushing and basting. These tangy pork ribs are here to save time and cut down on stress for your next backyard bash. The sweet heat of the slow cooker summer meal, made with apricot preserves, chili sauce, and chipotle in adobo, will keep all your potluck pals coming back for more. Just be sure to pair with plenty of napkins to mop up that sauce. 

Get on a roll with this party-perfect summer slow cooker recipe. One bite is all it will take to convince you that chicken tastes even better when it has sizzled in spicy brown mustard and feisty fajita seasonings. Scoop up the slow cooker summer recipe onto warm tortillas alongside crisp, seasonal sweet peppers and green onions for bite-size shareable wraps no one will be able to resist. 

Enjoy all of the wing flavors, minus the mess and the fry time. Party guests will line up at the table to satisfy their craving for a crunchy, savory snack with a hint of spice via buffalo chicken. Assemble a platter with this summer meal slow cooker recipe at the center and surround it with stacks of seasonal vegetables such as sweet pepper strips and cucumber coins. 

A bubbly can of cola transforms ordinary pulled pork into a saucy sandwich filling. The hint of sweetness from the soda balances the smoky kick of the chipotle peppers. Stack on fresh avocado slices for a creamy, summery crown. Craving more zip in your slow cooker summer dinner recipe? Top each torta with a pile of grapefruit-infused red onions. 

Here's a light, lower-carb, and refreshing alternative to heavy sandwiches on a particularly scorching day of summer. Prep your favorite restaurant dish at home with this slow cooker summer meal that's a healthier take on the chicken lettuce wraps you might order out. Savory teriyaki sauce and spicy mustard give a burst of Asian flavor to every bite. 

There's little better than a juicy steak eaten outdoors on a beautiful evening as the sun sets. But this isn't your basic beef. Instead, this slow cooker summer dinner recipe features beef chuck simmered in a savory garlic sauce. Seasonal fresh mushrooms, onions, and jalapeños join the spiced up party.

Colorful and sweet fruit kabobs make for a dreamy warm-weather dessert. The fresh fruit beautifully complements the summer slow cooker recipe featuring rich, dark chocolate fondue made with a splash of hot coffee and whipped dessert topping. Drizzle or dunk—you can't go wrong with this dark chocolate dessert.