77 Slow Cooker Recipes to Make This Summer

Slow-Cooker Salsa Chicken

This is a go-to recipe when I know I’ll be having a busy day. My family loves salsa, so I came up with this recipe for something to throw into a slow cooker and simmer on low. We love it served over rice or noodles, and then top it with tortilla chips and sour cream. —Deborah Pennington, Falkville, Alabama

Also, check these mouthwatering crock pot appetizers which is super easy to make and perfect for a party or a Sunday afternoon get togethers.

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Mexican Street Corn Chowder

Corn is one of my all-time favorite vegetables, so when it’s in season, I always make this super easy soup in the slow cooker. —Rashanda Cobbins, Food Editor, Taste of Home

Slow-Cooker Memphis-Style Ribs

After my dad and I had dinner at the legendary Rendezvous Restaurant in Memphis, I was inspired to create a slow-cooked version of tasty dry-rub Memphis ribs. Smoked paprika in the rub mimics the flavor that the ribs would get from being grilled over hot coals. —Matthew Hass, Ellison Bay, Wisconsin

Peachy Baby Back Ribs

It's easy to get a smoky outdoor barbecue flavor from your slow cooker. Trust me, I've fooled many people on more than one occasion with these ribs. —Mary Louise Lever, Rome, Georgia

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

Slow-Cooker Buffalo Chicken Salad

My husband and sons love chicken with blue cheese, so I created this salad. You can even make the chicken the day before and reheat when ready to serve. —Shauna Havey, Roy, Utah

Slow-Cooked Peach Pork Chops

I played around with many variations of this recipe until I came up with one that was just right. The warm peaches make an excellent side dish for the pork. — Bonnie Morrow, Spencerport, New York

Chuck Roast Tacos

Making tacos from ground beef is quick and convenient, but chuck roast tacos are slow and convenient. They take just a few minutes of active prep, and your slow cooker takes care of things from there!

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

Sticky Chicken Wings

You’ll want to keep an extra stack of napkins nearby once people start reaching for these sweet and sticky wings. The brown sugar marinade makes every bite finger-lickin’ good! —Laura Mahaffey, Annapolis, Maryland

Orange-Chipotle Chicken

Big on flavor and easy on the cook's time, this orange-chipotle chicken recipe is appealing. The sweet-yet-hot sauce gets its heat from the chipotle pepper. I serve this dish with a side of rice. —Cittie, Tasteofhome.com Community

Chicken Cordon Bleu Sliders

Sandwiches are my favorite food, so I’m always searching for new ideas. I like sloppy joes and wondered if I could make a sloppy joe of sorts even better. My family approved of these chicken cordon bleu sliders immediately! —Carolyn Eskew, Dayton, Ohio

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

Carnitas Huevos Rancheros

When I was in college, I was a church counselor in Colorado and had my first taste of Mexican food. Recently, I've learned to make more authentic dishes, like these pork huevos rancheros. It's one of my favorite recipes to serve for dinner with eggs. —Lonnie Hartstack, Clarinda, Iowa

Pizza Quinoa Casserole

If you like pizza night, give this healthy quinoa casserole a try! It's a fun way to sneak in a healthy meal packed with protein and veggies. —Julie Peterson, Crofton, Maryland

Slow-Cooker Breakfast Burritos

Prep these tasty, hearty burritos the night before for a quick breakfast in the morning or let them cook while you are away on a weekend afternoon for an easy supper. —Anna Miller, Churdan, Iowa

Ranch Chicken Sliders

When my grandson was younger, we always joked that nothing could make ranch chicken taste better. Then one day Avery’s eyes lit up and he suggested we fry it! Our fried chicken burger was born. You won’t believe how good these little sliders are. —Tamara Hire, Decatur, Illinois

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

Pressure-Cooker Philly Cheesesteak Sandwiches

These sandwiches are melt-in-your-mouth delicious! Everybody loves a good cheesesteak smothered with onions and peppers, then topped with cheese. —Kimberly Wallace, Dennison, Ohio

Raspberry Coconut French Toast Slow-Cooker Style

I put the ingredients in the slow cooker crock the night before, refrigerate it, then pop the crock into the slow cooker in the morning. You can use regular milk or half-and-half, include your favorite jam, and substitute almond extract instead of vanilla. —Teri Rasey, Cadillac, Michigan

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

Coconut-Mango Malva Pudding

My friend shared this amazing malva pudding recipe with me. Malva pudding is a dense, spongy cake drenched in a rich, sticky butter sauce. My slow-cooker, tropical spin incorporates a creamy coconut sauce and juicy mangoes! —Carmell Childs, Orangeville, Utah

Spicy Lime Chicken

I've been turning this spicy lime chicken into tacos for years, but it was my son Austin who put it on cooked rice with all his favorite taco toppings. A family favorite was created out of leftovers! —Christine Hair, Odessa, Florida

Bourbon Barbecue Chicken Tacos

I wanted to try a different take on taco night and decided on a barbecue theme. Even my father enjoyed this meal, and he doesn’t usually care for tacos. —LaDale Hymer, Cleveland, Oklahoma

BBQ Bacon Pulled Chicken Sandwiches

This simple recipe tastes amazing. We prefer putting mayo on the bun and adding cheddar or Muenster cheese, lettuce, tomato and onion. Several of us put ranch dressing on our sandwiches, too. —Jennifer Darling, Ventura, California

Slow-Cooker Orange Chicken

This is a family-friendly recipe that even the kids will like. It's easy to prepare and flavorful enough to share with dinner guests. — Sherry Kozlowski, Morgantown, West Virginia

Slow-Cooker Dump Cake

Our crockpot dump cake combines the classic flavors of pineapple upside-down cake with the ease of slow-cooking. Just dump the ingredients in and let them simmer—it doesn’t get much better than that!

Slow-Cooker Polenta

This Italian classic is so simple to make, you can now make it any night of the week. —Elisabeth Matelski, Boston, Massachusetts

Slow-Cooker Pina Colada Bananas Foster

I took bananas Foster one step further and combined it with the flavors of my favorite tropical drink: a pina colada. Make sure you use underripe bananas, as their firm texture works best in this recipe. —Trisha Kruse, Eagle, Idaho

Lemon-Roasted Chicken

This lemon-roasted chicken is perfect for spring gatherings. It's light and pairs well with a variety of sides. —Courtney Stultz, Weir, Kansas

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

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

Hawaiian Pulled Pork Lettuce Wraps

We love this easy slow-cooker recipe on Sunday afternoons. It's equally comforting and light for lunch or dinner. We serve ours with sweet potato oven fries and roasted green beans. —Arlene Rakoczy, Gilbert, Arizona

Hot Spinach Artichoke Dip

One taste of this outrageously delicious hot spinach artichoke dip and your guests will not stop eating it until it’s gone. The savory blend of artichokes, spinach and Parmesan cheese is positively addictive! It tastes even better if you make it the night before and chill it in the fridge before baking. —Michelle Krzmarzick, Torrance, California

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.

Orange Blossom Mint Refresher

I came up with this recipe because I'm not a fan of regular iced tea. This version has the perfect combination of freshness and sweetness, and the orange blossom water gives the tea a distinctive flavor. People always request the recipe. —Juliana Gauss, Centennial, Colorado

Slow-Cooker Tropical Orange Cake

Inspired by the fruity tropical flavors of my all-time favorite yogurt, this makes for a fresh, fun and comforting treat. Try it for a beautiful dessert that is ridiculously easy to prepare! —Lisa Renshaw, Kansas City, Missouri

Mango & Coconut Chicken Soup

I love preparing dinner in a slow cooker because it's "carefree cooking." This chicken dish uses ingredients that I love, such as coconut milk, edamame and fresh ginger. The Asian-style entree is perfect for a potluck party. —Roxanne Chan, Albany, California

Slow-Cooker Barbecue Pulled Pork Sandwiches

Foolproof and wonderfully delicious describe my barbecue pork recipe. Just four ingredients and a slow cooker make a fabulous dish with little effort. —Sarah Johnson, Chicago, Illinois

Overnight Peach Oatmeal

Hearty oatmeal combined with bright, sweet peaches make this slow-cooker recipe a perfect breakfast or brunch. This is an excellent make-ahead meal for busy mornings. —Rachel Lewis, Danville, Virginia

Pulled Turkey Tenderloin

Not your ordinary pulled turkey sandwich, this one shines thanks to its unique yogurt sauce. Serve the turkey by itself or stack on sweet pickle slices and jalapenos to echo the dressing.

Slow-Cooker Vegan Baked Beans

This version of vegan baked beans doesn’t need an oven. The slow cooker makes it the ultimate hands-off party dish. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Tender Salsa Beef

This is my Mexican-style twist on comfort food. To keep it kid-friendly, use mild salsa. —Stacie Stamper, North Wilkesboro, North Carolina

Chipotle Beef Sandwiches

A jar of chipotle salsa makes it easy to spice up beef sirloin for these mouthwatering sandwiches. Keep this no-stress recipe in mind the next time you have to feed a hungry crowd.—Jessica Ring, Madison, Wisconsin

Blueberry Cobbler

This simple slow-cooked dessert comes together in a jiffy. If you'd like, you can substitute apple or cherry pie filling for the blueberry. —Nelda Cronbaugh, Belle Plaine, Iowa

Slow-Cooked Mac ‘n’ Cheese

Slow-cooked mac and cheese—the words alone are enough to make mouths water. This is comfort food at its best: rich and extra cheesy. —Shelby Molina, Whitewater, Wisconsin

Brats and Sauerkraut

Our contest-winning brats and sauerkraut are not only easy to make, they're delicious too. A slow cooker unites the sausage and sauerkraut with chopped apples, bacon, ground mustard, brown sugar and onion for a treat so tasty you'll want to eat the drippings with a spoon.

Slow-Cooked Italian Chicken

With its nicely seasoned tomato sauce, this enticing chicken entree is especially good over pasta. My father loved this dish. —Deanna D’Auria, Banning, California

Slow-Cooker Potluck Beans

It was the morning of our family potluck and I still needed something to bring. I threw together this recipe while drinking my morning coffee. By the end of the gathering, the beans were all gone and someone had even washed the slow cooker for me! —Mary Anne Thygesen, Portland, Oregon

Bandito Chili Dogs

These deluxe chili dogs are a surefire hit at family functions. Adults and children alike love the cheesy chili sauce, and the toppings are fun! —Marion Lowery, Medford, Oregon

Bacon Lima Beans

An unusual twist on traditional baked beans, this sweet and spicy version is easy to make and is a surefire crowd pleaser at any time of the year! —Bette Banjack, Norristown, Pennsylvania

Cuban Pulled Pork Sandwiches

I lived in Florida for a while and loved the pork I ate there, so I started making it for myself. The flavorful meat makes amazing Cuban sandwiches, but you can also use it in traditional pulled pork sandwiches or tacos. —Lacie Griffin, Austin, Texas

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, Texas

Deluxe Walking Nachos

This slow-cooked potluck chili makes an awesome filling for a little bag of walk-around nachos. Cut the bag lengthwise to make loading your fork easier. —Mallory Lynch, Madison, Wisconsin

Mexican Turkey Meat Loaf

Here's a zesty, flavorful meat loaf you can really sink your teeth into! Pair this with black beans, rice, green salad with lime vinaigrette or any of your favorite Tex-Mex sides. —Kristen Miller, Glendale, Wisconsin

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

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, Minnesota

Minister's Delight

A friend gave me this recipe several years ago. She said a local minister's wife fixed it every Sunday, so she named it accordingly. —Mary Ann Potter, Blue Springs, Missouri

Buffalo Chicken Lasagna

This recipe was inspired by my daughter’s favorite food—Buffalo wings! It tastes as if it came from a restaurant. —Melissa Millwood, Lyman, South Carolina

Slow-Cooker Berry Cobbler

I adapted my mom's yummy cobbler recipe for slow cooking. With the hot summers here in Arizona, we can still enjoy this comforting dessert, and I don't have to turn on the oven. —Karen Jarocki, Yuma, Arizona

Slow-Cooked Reuben Brats

Sauerkraut gives these beer-simmered brats a big flavor boost, but it’s the special chili sauce and melted cheese that put them over the top. Top your favorite burger with some of the chili sauce; you won't be sorry. —Alana Simmons, Johnstown, Pennsylvania

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

Hot Spinach Artichoke Dip

One taste of this outrageously delicious hot spinach artichoke dip and your guests will not stop eating it until it’s gone. The savory blend of artichokes, spinach and Parmesan cheese is positively addictive! It tastes even better if you make it the night before and chill it in the fridge before baking. —Michelle Krzmarzick, Torrance, California

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

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

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

Sweet 'n' Tangy Chicken Wings

I love the convenience of slow-cooker recipes for get-togethers. Start these sweet and sour chicken wings a few hours ahead of time and you’ll have fantastic appetizers ready when your guests arrive. —Ida Tuey, South Lyon, Michigan

Shredded Steak Sandwiches

I received this recipe when I was a newlywed, and it's been a favorite since then. The saucy steak barbecue makes a quick meal served on sliced buns or even over rice, potatoes or buttered noodles. —Lee Deneau, Lansing, Michigan

Mini Teriyaki Turkey Sandwiches

Preparing the pulled turkey in a delicious teriyaki sauce for these snack-size sandwiches is a breeze using a slow cooker. Serving them on lightly-toasted sweet dinner rolls is perfection made easy.—Amanda Hoop, Seaman, Ohio

Farm-Style BBQ Ribs

Inspiration struck when I saw a recipe similar to this one in a newspaper. My version was an instant hit with my husband and our friends. It got even better when I discovered how easy it is to make in the slow cooker. —Bette Jo Welton, Eugene, OR

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 Washington

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

Nacho Dip

This zesty nacho dip is great for any get-together and allows me to spend more time with my guests. I always have requests to bring it when my husband and I attend parties. —Sally Hull, Homestead, Florida

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

Barbecue Chicken Sliders

Barbecue chicken sliders are perfect for game-day parties. To get exceptionally flavorful, juicy chicken, brine the meat overnight, then slow cook it until it's fall-apart tender.