18 Summer Slow-Cooker Recipes For When It's Too Hot To Turn On The Oven

When sweltering summer temperatures return to the South, the last thing our energy bills need is a hot oven steaming heat into the whole house. It's a season when we look to simple, cool dishes that don't require much, or any, heat to be satisfying. And when that's not quite enough, we take our cooking outside. Our grill becomes our guide to making it through the heat while keeping the family fed.

But when you're eager to enjoy the pool or a sprinkler session in the yard with the kiddos instead of actively cooking, look to your slow cooker to help you through the summer months. You're used to relying on this handy kitchen tool to do the hard work for you come back-to-school season and chilly winter nights, but that doesn't mean it should collect dust when the temperatures hit double digits. Keep your kitchen calm and your days spent in the sun while your slow cooker does the heavy lifting. From tacos to barbecue, here are some of our favorite summer slow-cooker recipes you can enjoy any time.

Chicken Biscuit Sandwiches

These Chicken Biscuit Sandwiches trade your favorite fast food joint's fried center for slow-cooked meat with a creamy white barbecue sauce that covers every piece. Top it with tangy red cabbage and a few pickles, and you're ready for a tasty sandwich for lunch or dinner.

Slow-Cooker Pork Tacos with Fresh Tomato Salsa

These party-worthy pork tacos will get your back porch summer barbeque started. These tacos are easy enough to make any night of the week. Preserve the fresh herb flavoring by adding it to this dish after removing the meat from the slow cooker.

Slow-Cooker Chipotle Brisket Sliders

A little spicy and a little sweet, these sliders are a welcomed addition to any spread, especially on game day. Light brown sugar and cumin combine to create a sweet and salty flavoring. Add this brisket to toasted Hawaiian rolls, and you are ready to feed a crowd.

BBQ Brisket

This brisket cooks in a vinegar-based barbecue sauce for about eight hours to help you serve your most tender slice yet. It's perfectly seasoned with brown sugar, chile powder, cumin, salt, garlic powder, and cayenne pepper. With only 25 minutes of active cooking time, this BBQ brisket is ideal for serving alongside your favorite summertime sides.

Carolina Pulled Pork Sandwiches

Be sure to seal in the flavor of your pork by browning it before placing it in the slow cooker. Serve with a Carolina-style vinegar sauce and pickles, sliced onions, and coleslaw for a dinner the whole family will enjoy.

Slow-Cooker Corn Chowder

Make the most out of your fresh summer corn. This creamy soup is indulgent but still light enough for a hot summer day. This corn chowder recipe, full of bacon, potatoes, and onions, will become your new favorite.

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. This slow cooker recipe is as simple as it gets. Remember to save the juices to pour over the chicken when serving.

Slow-Cooker Sloppy Joes

We promise this recipe is an upgrade to your elementary school cafeteria days. It's the easiest way to get your kids' favorite dish on the table any night of the week. Swap out hamburger buns for sliders to make this an appetizer.

Slow-Cooker Carnitas Tacos

Combine the pork shoulder with chicken broth, orange juice, garlic, pepper, and salt in your slow cooker. Set it in the morning and forget it. Serve these pork carnitas with traditional toppings like shredded cabbage, diced avocado, queso fresco, cilantro, and lime wedges.

Slow-Cooker Salsa Chicken

There are countless ways to serve this recipe, from kid-friendly quesadillas or melty enchiladas. With only five ingredients, this versatile recipe will help you prepare dinner any night of the week. Serve with chopped, fresh cilantro and lime wedges.

Corn and Jalapeño Dip

This simple, cheesy appetizer will have everyone at the barbecue raving. With only eight ingredients and minimal prep time, this recipe will be creamy and bubbling in no time. Stir in crumbled bacon slices and garnish with extra scallions.

Easy Slow-Cooker Pulled Pork

This simple recipe will leave you with enough leftover meat to have a bit of BBQ pulled pork to snack on all week. It only requires 10 minutes of hands-on time to prepare, making it an ideal recipe for busy weeknights. Try this pulled pork as a baked sweet potato topping for another dinner idea.

Tangy Slow-Cooker Pork Shoulder

Meet your go-to pork shoulder slow-cooker recipe. Thanks to the sweet and tangy soy-and-vinegar flavor profile, it's sure to become an instant favorite. Pull the pork, serve it Southern-style over grits or sandwiched between buns, and spoon on plenty of sauce.

Slow-Cooker Beef Nachos

Slow-cooker beef brings serious flavor to these nachos, which make a great barbecue starter. Brown the roast in a skillet before adding it to the slow cooker for best results. Top with black beans, tomatoes, onion, and cheese.

Meatball Sliders with Tomato Sauce

This fun dish has two recipes: delicious, easy meatballs and a slow-simmered tangy tomato sauce. Use the extra sauce on top of green vegetables or creamy grits. Garnish with fresh basil leaves.

Brisket Tacos with Summer Salsa

Fresh salsa, warmed tortillas, and a spicy brisket filling make these tacos a winner. It's the perfect blend of savory and sweet. This well-seasoned brisket only takes 20 minutes of hands-on time to prepare.

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. Arrange toppings such as crumbled cheeses, sliced radishes, chopped onions, avocado, shredded cabbage, and plenty of fresh cilantro.

Slow-Cooker Chicken Tacos

Taco night just got a lot easier (and tastier). For a restaurant-worthy bite, serve on corn tortillas with fresh toppings like red cabbage, tomatoes, radishes, and cilantro. Leave out the chipotle chile in adobo sauce if you prefer less heat.

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