The dog days of summer are here. Make them bearable with the ultimate slow cooker recipes for main dishes, sides and desserts to enjoy all August long.
The Ultimate Slow Cooker Meal Plan for August
Updated Nov. 28, 2023
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Day 1: Butter Chicken Meatballs
My husband and I love meatballs, and we love butter chicken. Before an appetizer party, we had the brilliant idea to combine these two loves, and the new creation got rave reviews! Want them as a main dish? Just serve with basmati rice. —Shannon Dobos, Calgary, AlbertaDessert: Warm Rocky Road Cake
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Day 2: Luau Pork Lettuce Wraps
I first made this recipe when our family took a trip to a beach house in Florida. On my night to cook, I did a luau theme and used this recipe as the appetizer. These are still a favorite today! —Joyce Conway, Westerville, OhioDessert: Pineapple Upside-Down Dump Cake
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Day 3: BBQ 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, MissouriSide Dish: Simple Vegetarian Slow-Cooked Beans
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Day 4: Beer Brat Chili
My husband and I love this chili because it smells so good as it simmers in the slow cooker all day. I can't think of a better way to use up leftover brats. He can't think of a better way to eat them! —Katrina Krumm, Apple Valley, MinnesotaDessert: Slow-Cooked Blueberry Grunt
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Day 5: Fabulous Fajitas
I've enjoyed cooking since I was a girl growing up in the Southwest. When friends call to ask me for new recipes to try, I suggest these flavorful fajitas. It's wonderful to put the beef in the slow cooker before church and come home to a hot delicious main dish. —Janie Reitz, Rochester, MinnesotaSide Dish: Creamy Jalapeno Corn
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Day 6: Makeover Slow-Cooked Mac 'n' Cheese
This recipe is a clear example of comfort food at its finest; it's rich, hearty and extra cheesy. And because it's made in the slow cooker, it's also extremely easy. —Shelby Molina, Whitewater, WisconsinDessert: Slow-Cooker Lava Cake
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Day 7: Fiery Sweet Chicken Thighs
This dish combines my love of spicy Thai food with a sweet, almost barbecue-like sauce. You can't beat the slow-cooker convenience! —Eve Gray, Marietta, GeorgiaSide Dish: Smoky Baked Beans
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Day 8: Peppered Meat Loaf
I came up with this easy dinner one day while experimenting in the kitchen. Everyone who tries it, loves it! —Laura Burgess, Mount Vernon, South DakotaSide Dish: Corn and Broccoli in Cheese Sauce
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Day 9: Pot Roast Hash
I love to cook a Sunday-style pot roast on a weeknight. Make it into pot roast hash for any day of the week. —Gina Jackson, Ogdensburg, New YorkDessert: Slow-Cooked Bread Pudding
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Day 11: Slow-Cooked Flank Steak
My slow cooker gets lots of use, especially during the hectic summer months. I can fix this flank steak in the morning and forget about it until dinner. Serve with noodles and a tossed salad. —Michelle Armistead, Keyport, New JerseyDessert: Slow-Cooker Peach Crumble
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Day 12: Beef & Veggie Sloppy Joes
I’m always looking for ways to serve my family healthy and delicious food, so after I started experimenting with my favorite veggies and ground beef. I came up with this favorite that my three kids actually request! This healthy take on sloppy joes reminds me of my own childhood. —Megan Niebuhr, Yakima WashingtonSide Dish: Cowboy Calico Beans
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Day 13: Simmered Turkey Enchiladas
I discovered a different way to serve economical turkey thighs. I simmer them in tomato sauce, green chiles and seasonings until they're tender and flavorful, then serve them in tortillas with our favorite fresh toppings. —Stella Schams, Tempe, ArizonaSide Dish: Cheesy Slow-Cooked Corn
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Day 14: Tender Barbecued Chicken
After a long day at work, a slow-cooked meal is a great help. One of my family's favorites is this moist slow-simmered chicken. For an appealing look, choose a darker brown barbecue sauce. —Jacqueline Blanton, Gaffney, South CarolinaSide Dish: Stewed Zucchini and Tomatoes
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Day 15: Super Easy Country-Style Ribs
I'm a die-hard rib fan. When we were growing up, our mom made these for us all the time, and we still can’t get enough of them. —Stephanie Loaiza, Layton, UtahDessert: Apple Pie Oatmeal Dessert
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Day 16: 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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Day 17: Chicken Soft Tacos
My family loves these tacos. The chicken cooks in the slow cooker, so it’s convenient to throw together before I leave for work. Then we just roll it up in tortillas with the remaining ingredients and dinner’s ready in minutes. —Cheryl Newendorp, Pella, IowaSide Dish: Slow-Cooker Polenta
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Day 18: Blackberry Sriracha Chicken Sliders
Dump everything in a slow cooker and then watch these spicy-sweet sliders become an instant party-time classic. —Julie Peterson, Crofton, MarylandDessert: Fudgy Peanut Butter Cake
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Day 19: Fruited Pork Chops
Here's one of my favorite slow-cooker recipes. I often prepare these tender chops with pineapple sauce for guests and serve them with brown rice. —Cindy Ragan, North Huntingdon, PennsylvaniaSide Dish: Sweet and Tangy Beets
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Day 20: Soy-Ginger Pot Roast
My husband really likes roast beef, and I really like my slow cooker. I brought in Asian influences for an all-day pot roast with some oomph. —Lisa Varner, El Paso, TexasDessert: Slow-Cooker Chocolate Pots de Creme
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Day 21: Squash & Chicken Stew
We created a satisfying stew that’s nutritious, loaded with flavor and family-friendly. Slowly simmer chicken thighs with stewed tomatoes, butternut squash, green peppers and onion for meal-in-one convenience. —Taste of Home Test KitchenDessert: Old-Fashioned Tapioca
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Day 22: Slow-Cooked Beef Brisket
When my husband and I were both working full time, we loved this recipe's 10-hour cook time. The beef brisket tastes so good after simmering all day in the crockpot, and the chili sauce adds a unique touch to the gravy.— Anna Stodolak, Volant, PennsylvaniaSide Dish: Simple Saucy Potatoes
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Day 23: Pork Burritos
As a working mother, I depend on my slow cooker to help feed my family. We all love the spicy but slightly sweet flavor of these tender burritos. —Kelly Gengler, Theresa, WisconsinSide Dish: Spaghetti Squash with Tomatoes and Olives
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Day 24: Slow Cooker French Dip Sandwiches
These slow-cooker French dip sandwiches make a standout addition to any buffet line. Make sure to have plenty of small cups of broth for everyone to grab. Dipping perfection! —Holly Neuharth, Mesa, ArizonaSide Dish: Slow-Cooked Bean Medley
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Day 25: 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, WashingtonSide Dish: Slow-Cooked Corn on the Cob
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Day 26: 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, IndianaDessert: Strawberry-Banana Pudding Cake
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Day 27: Tropical BBQ Chicken
Here is my favorite slow-cooker recipe. The delicious, slightly spicy sauce will win you over, too! —Yvonne McKim, Vancouver, WashingtonDessert: Tropical Compote Dessert
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Day 28: Barbecue Brats & Peppers
We live in brat country, and this barbecue-style recipe feeds a crowd. The sauce gives it a welcome change from the same old grilled bratwurst. — Maria Zrucky, Kronenwetter, WisconsinSide Dish: Buffalo Wing Potatoes
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Day 29: 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.”Dessert: Peachy Summer Cheesecake
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Day 30: Slow Cooker Chickpea Tagine
While traveling through Morocco, my wife and I fell in love with the complex flavors of the many tagines we tried. Resist the urge to stir it—doing so will break down the veggies. Add shredded cooked chicken in the last 10 minutes, or serve with grilled fish. —Raymond Wyatt, West St. Paul, Minnesota
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Day 31: Texas Chili Fries
The delicious chili goes together in minutes and then cooks while you run errands. The only way to make it even better is to pour it over crisp french fries and sprinkle with cheese to make Texas chili fries. —Joan Hallford, North Richland Hills, TexasOriginally Published: July 24, 2019
