Summer Slow-Cooker Recipes

By Southern Living
Photo: Becky Luigart-Stayner

It's too hot to turn on the oven! Kick back, relax, and let your slow cooker do all the work. 

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Slow-Cooker Corn Chowder

This creamy soup makes an indulgent but not too heavy meal on a hot summer day.

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Slow-Cooker Chicken with 40 Cloves of Garlic

Photo: Hector Sanchez

Recipe: Slow-Cooker Chicken with 40 Cloves of Garlic

Look for jars of peeled garlic in the refrigerated cases in the produce section at most major supermarkets. While there, grab a package of poultry herbs, which includes fresh thyme, rosemary, and parsley and can substitute for the individual herbs. Add dried apricots to infuse the rich sauce with a fruity back note, and serve over couscous for a North African-inspired supper.

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Slow-cooked Barbecued Chicken

Photo: Becky Luigart-Stayner

Recipe: Slow-cooked Barbecued Chicken

Start with a whole chicken, cut up, and simmer in a homemade barbecue sauce of ketchup, cola, cider vinegar, and a splash of bourbon for a Southern barbecue flavor. Enjoy this slow-cooked chicken by itself or as a sandwich piled with Pickled Peppers & Onions atop Sweet Potato Cornbread.

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Slow-Cooker Chicken Lettuce Cups

Photo: Alison Miksch

Recipe: Slow-Cooker Chicken Lettuce Cups

These cups pair the freshness of a salad with the heartiness of a taco. Serve as an appetizer or light dinner. 

 

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Brisket Tacos with Summer Salsa

Photo: Alison Miksch

Recipe: Brisket Tacos with Summer Salsa

Fresh salsa, warmed tortillas, and a spicy brisket filling make these tacos one winner of a dinner. 

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Rosemary-Garlic Chicken Quarters

Photo: Hector Sanchez

Recipe: Rosemary-Garlic Chicken Quarters

The key to this dinner-party-worthy dish is to brown the chicken before it goes into the slow cooker.

Cooking Video: How To Make Rosemary-Garlic Chicken Quarters

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Slow-Cooker Pork Tacos Al Pastor with All the Fixings

Photo: Greg Dupree

Recipe: Slow-Cooker Pork Tacos Al Pastor with All the Fixings

Start by slow-cooking pork shoulder in an aromatic bath of pineapple, beer (try a floral, spiced white ale like Hoegaarden or Blue Moon), and canned chipotles in adobo. Then shred the meat and set out a taco bar full of fresh flavors, bright colors, and crunchy textures. You can't go wrong here. We like bowls of crumbled cheeses, sliced radishes, chopped onions, avocado, shredded cabbage, and plenty of fresh cilantro.

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Tangy Slow-Cooker Pork Shoulder

Photo: Hector Sanchez

Recipe: Tangy Slow-Cooker Pork Shoulder

Of all the Crock Pot recipes out there, this one will easily become your new go-to pork shoulder slow-cooker recipe, thanks to the sweet and tangy soy-and-vinegar flavor profile. Pull the pork, and serve it Southern-style over grits or sandwiched between buns, and ladle on plenty of sauce.

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Slow-Cooker Beef Nachos

Photo: Laurey W. Glenn

Recipe: Slow-Cooker Beef Nachos

You can also serve the delicious Slow-Cooker Beef in slider buns with crowd-favorite sandwich toppings for a heartier meal.

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Slow-Cooker Grits

Photo: Iain Bagwell

Recipe: Slow-Cooker Grits

Host a grits-bar brunch, and start with these simplified grits (or a cheesy twist). Then, offer a variety of toppings so that everyone can make their favorite combination.

Great Grits Combos

  • Boiled Shrimp + Easy Creole Sauce
  • Bourbon Mushrooms + Spinach + Swiss + Bacon
  • Chopped Ham + Shredded Cheddar
  • Caramelized Onions + Shredded Smoked Gruyère
  • Shredded Barbecued Pork + BBQ Sauce + Sautéed Spinach

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Slow-Cooker Beef Sliders with Pickled Peppers

Photo: Hector Sanchez

Recipe: Slow-Cooker Beef Sliders with Pickled Peppers

Rev up your slow cooker the night before. On game day, tote it to the game, plug it in, and let your crowd build their own sandwiches.

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Chicken-and-Squash Casserole

Photo: Iain Bagwell

Recipe: Chicken-and-Squash Casserole

Get all the satisfaction of a hearty casserole with none of the messy cleanup. Preparing it in a slow cooker will ensure an even more tender bite.

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Easy BBQ Ribs

Photo: Hector Sanchez

Recipe: Easy BBQ Ribs

Savory, tender, juicy, and slow-cooked to perfection, this recipe for Easy BBQ Ribs is our newest and best. Made with our homemade Rib Rub and Fancy Barbecue Sauce, this dish is finger-licking good.

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Slow-Cooker Beef Brisket

Recipe: Slow-Cooker Beef Brisket

Serve shredded brisket on top of tortillas with your choice of toppings for a creative taco night.

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Slow-cooked Barbecued Chicken Sandwiches

Photo: Becky Luigart-Stayner

Recipe: Slow-cooked Barbecued Chicken Sandwiches

Barbecued chicken served atop Sweet Potato Cornbread with Pickled Peppers & Onions makes for a delicious and satisfying sandwich.

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