I know what you're thinking: "Use the slow cooker during the summer—have you lost your dang mind?" To paraphrase Billy Joel—which, believe me, I try not to do—you may be right. I may be crazy. But it just might save your sanity on a hot day to let the slow cooker simmer away on the countertop versus (*shudder*) turning on the oven, or even getting it together enough to grill outdoors. (Hello, mosquitoes.)
So, to that end, we've rounded up 31 slow-cooker recipes that are perfect for summer. They all use fresh, seasonal flavors and many are on the lighter side. Fire up the slow cooker and enjoy!
Main Dishes
Summer Slow Cooker Lasagna with Zucchini and Eggplant
Slow Cooker Smoky Refried Beans and Self-Serve Tostadas
Crock-Pot Barley and Bean Tacos with Avocado Chipotle Cream [Cookie Monster Cooking]
Slow Cooker Brown Rice and Lentil Tacos [Melanie Makes]
Crock-Pot Bulgogi Jackfruit [Namely Marly]
Slow Cooker Black Bean Ragout on Roasted Sweet Potatoes [Eats Well with Others]
Vegetarian Crock-Pot Stuffed Peppers [Blue Ridge Babe]
Crock-Pot Black Bean and Sweet Potato Enchiladas [Simple Healthy Kitchen]
Crock-Pot Red Thai Veggie Curry [Edible Experiments]
Soups, Stews + Chilis
Slow Cooker Corn & Red Pepper Chowder
Slow Cooker Quinoa White Chili with Roasted Poblanos [Kitchen Treaty]
Crock-Pot Spinach Soup with Cucumber and Basil [365 Days of Crock-Pot]
Slow Cooker Tomato Basil Soup [Noshing with the Nolands]
Kitchen Sink Crock-Pot Soup [Food Confidence]
Sides
Slow Cooker Red Lentil Dal [Cafe Johnsonia]
Bourbon Mango Slow Cooker Baked Beans
Crock-Pot Black Beans [Home Sweet Jones]
Smoked Paprika Popcorn Cauliflower [Busy in Brooklyn]
Slow Cooker BBQ Sticky Rice [It's Yummi]
Crock-Pot Mexican Quinoa [Food Faith Fitness]
Mediterranean Eggplant Salad [Apron Strings]
Slow Cooker Vegetarian Boston Baked Beans [The Lemon Bowl]
Sweets
Overnight Steel Cut Oatmeal with Almond Butter and Honey [The View from Great Island]
Slow Cooker Banana-Nut Oatmeal [The Lemon Bowl]
Turmeric Rice Pudding [The Organic Dietitian]
Slow Cooker Strawberry-Rhubarb Crisp [Betty Crocker]
Slow Cooker Berry Cobbler [Chef in Training]
Crock-Pot Blueberry Pie Steel Cut Oatmeal [Hummusapien]
Slow Cooker Peach Cobbler [Spicy Southern Kitchen]
Becca from ItsYummi.com says
Such delicious looking reasons to keep my slow cooker out this summer! Thanks for sharing my sticky rice recipe, Dana.
Anna says
everything looks soo delish!! thanks for sharing 🙂
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Melanie | Melanie Makes says
Love that I now have new Meatless Monday options for the Summer thanks to this great list! Thanks for including my taco recipe. 🙂
Emelie says
the Smoked Paprika Popcorn Cauliflower recipe is in the oven and not the slow coker/crock pot. It does sound delish tho!