Grab the family, head outside and have all the 4th of July fun you want. You can still feast on festive recipes, straight from your slow cooker.
Our Best 4th of July Recipes for Your Slow Cooker
Updated May 03, 2024
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Slow-Cooked Peachy Spareribs
Canned peaches make a delightful addition to my flavorful sparerib sauce. Served over rice, the sweet-tangy ribs make a sensational meal any time of the year. —Jeanne Brino, Woodbury, Minnesota
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Pineapple RumChata Shortcakes
This deliciously different dessert is made in the slow cooker instead of in the oven. When done, add final touches to the cooled pineapple shortcake jars and serve. —Joan Hallford, North Richland Hills, Texas
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Beergarita Chicken Tacos
I was at my friend's bachelorette party the first time I had a beergarita, and I loved it! It was the inspiration for these delicious chicken tacos. I love that they have traditional taco flavors with a fun twist from the margarita! —Ashley Lecker, Green Bay, Wisconsin
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Slow-Cooker Meatballs
This idea came to me while sitting on my back porch. The combination of meats and ingredients in the sauce produces slow-cooker meatballs unlike any I've ever had. —Justin Boudreaux, Walker, Louisiana
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Slow-Cooked Chicken Caesar Wraps
I first created this recipe for our daughter who loves Caesar salads, then later for our extended family on vacation. It's such an easy meal—perfect for vacations when you'd rather be outside than inside cooking all day. —Christine Hadden, Whitman, Massachusetts
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Slow-Cooker Crab & Green Onion Dip
This creamy dip reminds me of my dad, who took us crabbing as kids. Our fingers were always tired after those excursions, but eating the fresh crab was worth it. —Nancy Zimmerman, Cape May Court House, New Jersey
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Slow-Cooker Bananas Foster
The flavors of caramel, rum and walnut naturally complement fresh bananas in this version of a dessert classic. It's my go-to choice for any family get-together. —Crystal Bruns, Iliff, Colorado
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Slow-Cooked Baked Beans
My friend suggested this recipe when I needed a new dish to bring to a barbecue. It was an incredible success, and I've been making it ever since. —Jodi Caple, Cortez, Colorado
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Slow-Cooker Cheese Dip
I brought this slightly spicy cheese dip to a gathering with friends and it was a huge hit. The spicy pork sausage gives the dip plenty of zip! —Marion Bartone, Conneaut, Ohio
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Sweet and Spicy Pineapple Chicken Sandwiches
My kids often ask for chicken sloppy joes, and this version has a bonus of sweet pineapple. It is a perfect recipe to double for a potluck. Try topping the sandwiches with smoked Gouda cheese. —Nancy Heishman, Las Vegas, Nevada
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Slow-Cooker Strawberry Soda Cake
When you want a sweet cake without the heat of the oven, this slow-cooked strawberry spin on cola cake comes in handy. The topping smells divinely like chocolate-covered strawberries. (Remember this one for Valentine’s Day!) Delicious served with whipped cream or powdered sugar. —Laura Herbage, Covington, Louisiana
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Buffalo Chicken Sliders
Our easy buffalo chicken sliders are made in a slow cooker with minimal ingredients. It's a perfect recipe for gatherings and game-day celebrations.
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Slow-Cooker Peach Cobbler
Unlike conventional cobblers, the "topping" of this Crock-Pot peach cobbler is on the bottom. Placing the batter underneath the peaches helps it cook through evenly in the slow cooker. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
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Barbecue Pork Cobb Salad
My lunchtime salad gets way more interesting topped with barbecue pork, cheddar cheese and creamy avocado. It's as satisfying as it is scrumptious. —Shawn Carleton, San Diego, California
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Tropical BBQ Chicken
Here is my favorite slow-cooker recipe. The delicious, slightly spicy sauce will win you over, too! —Yvonne McKim, Vancouver, Washington
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Slow-Cooked Peach Pork Chops
“I played around with many variations of this recipe until I came up with one that was just right,” Bonnie Morrow writes from Spencerport, New York. “The warm peaches make an excellent side dish for the pork.”
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Butter Pecan Syrup
This pecan butter syrup is sweet, nutty and easy to make. Pour it over pancakes, waffles or ice cream for a tasty treat.
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Pulled Pork Taters
This recipe is as hearty as it gets—part barbecued pork, part potatoes, but completely delicious. My family can't get enough of this comforting, warm-you-up baked potato dish. —Shannon Harris, Tyler, Texas
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Bacon Dip
This crowd-pleasing cheesy bacon dip won't last long on your appetizer table. Best served hot with tortilla chips or toasted French bread, this dip is versatile and filling.
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Slow-Cooked Potatoes with Spring Onions
I love the simplicity of this recipe, as well as its ease of preparation with my slow cooker. Everyone always enjoys roasted potatoes, even my pickiest child! If desired, top with shredded or crumbled cheese. —Theresa Gomez, Stuart, Florida
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Creamy Jalapeno Corn
This comforting and creamy corn side dish is appealing to almost everyone. It gets its spicy kick from jalapeno peppers.—Judy Carty, Wichita, Kansas
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Cherry Upside-Down Bread Pudding
I've always loved bread pudding, and I enjoy fixing this for my family on a chilly day. You could use a different flavor of pie filling and omit the chocolate chips to make a completely different dessert. It's always delicious! —Ronna Farley, Rockville, Maryland
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Chili Coney Dogs
From the youngest kids to the oldest adults, everyone in our family loves these hot dogs. Inspired by the classic Coney dog, they’re so easy to throw together in the morning or even the night before. —Michele Harris, Vicksburg, Michigan
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Refried Bean Dip
This five-star refried bean dip is one of our most popular appetizer recipes. After one dreamy bite, you'll understand why. It's spicy, a little creamy and extremely cheesy.
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Barbecue Chicken Sliders
Brining the meat overnight helps make these BBQ chicken sliders taste exceptionally good. Plus, they're so tender, they melt in your mouth. —Rachel Kunkel, Schell City, Missouri
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Easy Slow-Cooker Mac & Cheese
My sons always say I'm the best mom in the world when I make this creamy mac-and-cheese perfection. Does it get any better than that? —Heidi Fleek, Hamburg, Pennsylvania
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Slow-Cooked Blueberry Grunt
If you love blueberries, then you can't go wrong with this easy dessert. For a special treat, serve it warm with vanilla ice cream. —Cleo Gonske, Redding, California
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Slow-Cooker Creamed Corn with Bacon
Every time I take this super rich corn to a holiday potluck or work party, I leave with an empty slow cooker. It's decadent, homey and so worth the splurge. —Melissa Pelkey Hass, Waleska, Georgia
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Slow-Cooked Salsa
I love the fresh taste of homemade salsa, but as a working mother, I don't have much time to make it. So I came up with this slow-cooked version that practically makes itself! —Toni Menard, Lompoc, California
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Slow-Cooker BBQ Chicken
Of all the recipes I make in my slow cooker, this Crock-Pot BBQ chicken is my most treasured. If you enjoy your BBQ sweet with a little spice, this will be your new favorite, too. —Yvonne McKim, Vancouver, Washington
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Slow-Cooker Buffalo Chicken Dip
Slow-cooker Buffalo chicken dip will be the hit of the party. The combo of shredded chicken, cheese and wing sauce is melty, gooey and delicious.
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Italian Beef Sandwiches
With only a few ingredients, this roast beef is a snap to throw together. And after cooking all day, the meat is wonderfully tender. —Lauren Adamson, Layton, Utah
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Brenda's Baked Beans
When I was a kid, my mom made baked beans all the time. Sometimes we'd turn this side into a main dish by adding sliced hot dogs. —Brenda Brooks, Bowie, Maryland
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Parsley Smashed Potatoes
I love potatoes but hate the work involved in making mashed potatoes from scratch. So I came up with a simple side dish that was made even easier thanks to my slow cooker. Save the leftover broth for soup the next day! —Katie Hagy, Blacksburg, South Carolina
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Tangy Barbecue Wings
I took these slow-cooked wings to work, and they vanished before I even got a bite! The tangy sauce is lip-smacking good. —Sherry Pitzer, Troy, Missouri
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Slow-Cooker Cherry Buckle
I saw this recipe on a cooking show and came up with my own version. When the comforting aroma of this homey dessert drifts through the house, it’s hard not to take a quick peek inside the slow cooker —Sherri Melotik, Oak Creek, Wisconsin
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Southwestern Nachos
Guests will go crazy when you serve this cheesy nacho casserole with tender chunks of slow-cooked pork. The recipe makes two heaping pans, and you don’t need to worry about filling the chip bowl—the tortilla chips are conveniently baked right in the dish! —Kelly Byler, Goshen, Indiana
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Black-Eyed Peas & Ham
Every New Year's Day we have these slow-cooked black-eyed peas to bring good luck for the coming year. —Dawn Legler, Fort Morgan, Colorado
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Crazy Delicious Baby Back Ribs
My husband craves a good ribs recipe, so we cook them multiple ways. This low and slow method with a tangy sauce is the best we’ve found. —Jan Whitworth, Roebuck, South Carolina
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Slow-Cooked Strawberry Rhubarb Sauce
This tart and tangy fruit sauce is excellent over pound cake or ice cream. I have served this topping many times and have gotten rave reviews from friends and family. —Judith Wasman, Harkers Island, North Carolina
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Simple Vegetarian Slow-Cooked Beans
When I have a hungry family to feed, these tasty beans with spinach, tomatoes and carrots are a go-to dish. This veggie delight is frequently on our menu. —Jennifer Reid, Farmington, Maine
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Southwestern Pulled Pork Crostini
As a different take on crostini, these apps are fantastic for tailgating and casual parties alike. —Randy Cartwright, Linden, Wisconsin
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Slow-Cooked Peach Salsa
Fresh peaches and tomatoes make my salsa a winner over store-bought versions. As a treat, I give my coworkers several jars throughout the year. —Peggi Stahnke, Cleveland, Ohio
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BBQ Brats
In Wisconsin, brats are a food group! We are always looking for new ways to cook them. This recipe is easy and a hit at any tailgate party or cookout, any time of year. —Jessica Abnet, DePere, WisconsinOriginally Published: June 12, 2020
