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    Home » Blog » Crockpot Recipes

    15 Easy Summer Crockpot Recipes

    Published: Jun 22, 2023 by Tiffany Dahle · This post may contain affiliate links.

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    These easy summer Crockpot recipes are the perfect way to get dinner on the table and enjoy longer days at the pool or in the park with your kids. Keep your kitchen cool and meal prep fast and easy by using this awesome kitchen appliance all year long.

    The photo collage shows a Crock Pot next to 3 photos of easy recipes.

    When we head to the coast for our annual family vacation, I love to make summer Crockpot meals so I can enjoy more time at the beach and less time in the kitchen.

    But easy summer Crockpot recipes aren't just for family vacations, they're a brilliant dinner solution to use back at home while the kids are off on summer break.

    I love knowing we can enjoy our adventures during the day and come home to a dinner that's already made.

    BONUS: Using a slowcooker means I'm not heating up the kitchen when the temps outside are soaring!

    Why the Crockpot is Perfect for Summer

    Most people think of their slowcookers in the fall and winter for cozy stews but I think a Crockpot is the perfect summer kitchen tool.

    A Crockpot helps you keep your house cool since you don't need to turn on the oven and heat up the whole kitchen.

    But when you're trying to enjoy summer vacation with your kids, a slowcooker is even better because you can enjoy your family time all day long and come home to an easy homemade dinner that is waiting for you.

    Now THAT feels like a break!

    Easy Summer Side Dishes

    The list of Crockpot meals below all cook the main dish for you.

    To round out your meal plan, just add a few of the following easy side dishes:

    1. Fresh Summer Fruit: Watermelon, peaches, pineapple, strawberries, whatever you can find locally will taste even better!
    2. Tortilla Chips & Salsa: There are a lot of taco-inspired meals on the list that would taste great with chips and salsa.
    3. Frozen Potatoes: Tater tots, frozen french fries or potato wedges, or even prepared mashed potatoes would be an easy fix.
    4. Rice: Buy bags of rice from the freezer section and you could just pop them right into the microwave.
    5. Bagged Salad & Dressing: Buy a big bag of salad, a package of croutons, some cherry tomatoes, and your favorite prepared dressing for easy salads all week.
    6. Raw Veggies & Dip: Grab a bag of baby carrots, raw broccoli, celery, or bell peppers and a container of your favorite veggie dip.

    More Easy Summer Meals

    Are you planning a week at the beach for your family, too? Don't miss my easy vacation meals for beach rentals, I've put together the entire meal plan plus shopping list for you.

    If you're heading out for a family reunion at the beach, you may prefer my 40 easy meals for large groups on vacation.

    Summer Crockpot Recipes

    Keep your kitchen cool and dinnertime easy with these delicious Crockpot recipes for summer. Pop everything in the slowcooker in the morning and spend more time enjoying your summer break with family.

    Crockpot Chicken Tacos

    Chicken tacos are a lighter way to do Taco Tuesday during your beach trip. Add this shredded chicken meat to a tortilla or rice bowl or use it for a taco salad. Pair it with my favorite pineapple salsa right on top or a spicy peach salsa with tortilla chips for an easy side dish.

    Slowcooker Jambalaya with Rice

    This easy slowcooker jambalaya is perfect for summer with the spicy sausage and tender shrimp.

    You can eat it as a low carb stew or serve it over jasmine rice for a heartier meal.

    Slow Cooker Corn Chowder

    This easy slow cooker corn chowder has crispy bacon and sweet corn kernels on top. You could enjoy it as a light dinner now or freeze it for later!

    Slowcooker Pulled Pork

    Serve a southern classic pulled pork bbq platter with ease. Shred the slowcooker pulled pork and serve it as sandwiches or on a plate with your favorite easy side dishes like baked beans, crispy coleslaw, or chilled potato salad.

    Crock Pot Sloppy Joes

    Sloppy joes are always a great choice, but this slowcooker version keeps them heated up and ready so when the kids are starving after a day at the pool, dinner is all ready to be served! Serve with potato chips or toss a bag of frozen french fries.

    Crockpot Chicken Taco Chili

    This crockpot chicken chili is perfect for using with plenty of fresh summer produce for toppings. You could eat it as a rice bowl with fresh corn, tomatoes, or even bell peppers and top it with sour cream and shredded cheese. Don't forget the fresh green onions for sprinkling over the top!

    Crockpot Spicy Shrimp Stew

    Another delicious slowcooker shrimp recipe for summer is this spicy stew loaded with summer corn and peppers. Serve it alongside fresh baked biscuits or a batch of cornbread for an easy going dinner.

    BBQ Crockpot Chicken Thighs

    You can enjoy this tender shredded chicken tossed in your favorite BBQ sauce by itself as a barbecue platter or you could turn it into:

    • BBQ Chicken Rice Bowls
    • Barbecue Chicken Pizza
    • Barbecue Chicken Sandwiches

    Crockpot BBQ Chicken Sliders

    These awesome bbq chicken sliders start with the slowcooker bbq chicken I just mentioned. These sliders are one of my favorite ways to use that tender, sweet chicken.

    Saucy Crockpot Bourbon Chicken

    I love this sweet slowcooker bourbon chicken when I'm not in the mood for a traditional taco. You could wrap this up in a pita, serve it over rice, or even make a fun variation on nachos with a sprinkle of blue cheese crumbles and green onions.

    Slow Cooker Tuscan Chicken Pasta

    I love sundried tomatoes during the summer. This cream Tuscan chicken pasta is a satisfying pasta dinner that won't heat up the kitchen.

    Crock Pot Italian Beef Sandwiches

    Pile up the tender shredded Italian beef on crispy sub rolls with provolone cheese and sandwich relish. This spicy sandwich is just what you need to go with a cold beer or chilled glass of wine after a day in the hot sun.

    Crockpot Creamy Chicken {Mexican Style}

    This delicious spicy Crockpot creamy chicken makes the absolute best Mexican rice bowls when topped with pico de gallo or salsa, extra sweet corn, and fresh green onions or cilantro.

    17 Crock Pot Sandwiches

    Summer dinners are meant to be easy, why not use one of these Crock Pot Sandwiches for the main dish and just serve a big platter of fresh watermelon and a bag of chips?

    Crockpot Funeral Potatoes

    These family-favorite cheesy potatoes have a crispy cornflake topping and pair well as a side dish for most of the meals on this list but could even bulk up something easier like plain hot dogs or hamburgers on the grill.

    Slow Cooker Sweet Potatoes

    Make these easy sweet potatoes so you can enjoy a stuffed potato with pulled pork, BBQ chicken, or the chicken taco filling.

    Use them as an easy side dish for your summery dinner with butter and brown sugar added to the filling.

    More Easy Cooking Tips

    If you want to get dinner to the table faster and easier, don't miss these other great family dinner tips:

    • A black air fryer has just finished baking frozen french fries.
      Best Kitchen Appliances for Real Family Dinners
    • The photo collage shows several one pot dinner ideas using a skillet or dutch oven.
      60 One Pot Dinner Ideas for Busy Nights
    • A photo collages shows several easy dinner ideas kids could make.
      Easy Dinner Ideas for Yo-Yo Nights {You're On Your Own!}
    • A bag of groceries sits on the kitchen counter.
      Cooking Without a Recipe: Easy Dinner Idea
    The photo collage shows a colorful crockpot next to 3 photos of easy recipes.

    More Crock Pot Recipes

    • A bowl of sausage dip sits next to a plate of tortilla chips.
      Sausage Cream Cheese Dip {Crock Pot or Skillet}
    • A slowcooker has an aluminum foil lining and is filled with baked scalloped potatoes with fresh chives sprinkled over the top.
      Crock Pot Scalloped Potatoes
    • A white bowl of corn chowder sits on a blue plate. There is chunks of corn and bacon floating on top of the soup.
      Slow Cooker Corn Chowder
    • The white serving bowl is filled with sweet and sour meatballs in a rich glaze.
      Sweet and Sour Meatballs in the Crockpot

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    Hi, I'm Tiffany!
    I believe a great family recipe is one that makes everyone at the table happy, not just the kids. I'm the author of two bestselling cookbooks for kids that are chock full of recipes everyone in your family will love. I'm also the hostess of the best online book club for women.

    More about me →

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