27 Easy Summer Crockpot Meals That Are Dump and Go

Tired of heating up your kitchen (and yourself!) this summer? Say hello to your new best friend: the slow cooker! We’ve rounded up 27 incredible summer crockpot meals that let you enjoy delicious, healthy meals without breaking a sweat. Get ready to set it, forget it, and savor your summer! 

Scorching 100 degree summer heat means we don’t want to turn on the oven or a hot stove that will heat up the house.  A slow cooker saves the day even in summertime! 

Think slow cookers are just for hearty fall recipes like chili and pot roast? Think again! We’re breaking out the bright, fresh, and vibrant flavors that scream summer! 

Imagine coming home from a fun day at the beach, pool, or park to a delicious, healthy dinner that practically cooked itself. That’s the magic of summer slow cooking!

Even though it’s a slow cooker, don’t forget those fresh finishing touches! A squeeze of lime, a sprinkle of fresh herbs, or a dollop of Greek yogurt can elevate any dish from good to great!

27 Easy Summer Crockpot Meals You’ll Love!

What if I told you your slow cooker isn’t just for winter stews? This summer, we’re flipping the script and bringing you 27 unexpected, vibrant, and utterly delicious slow cooker recipes that will change the way you think about warm-weather cooking. Prepare to be amazed!

1. Easy Pork Carnitas

This light and tender slow cooker carnitas recipe is a great summer slow cooker recipe.  The slow roasted pork is cooked and seasoned to perfection.  Pile it high on a plate with your favorite fixings to create the ultimate meal!  These types of dinners go over REALLY well with my large crew because they get to choose all of their own toppings and create something they’ll actually enjoy! I like to set out lots of different toppings on the counter buffet-style, and my job is done!

2. Crockpot Egg Casserole

Similar to cabbage for affordability, eggs are another great economical option for big families, making this Crockpot Egg Casserole an easy brunch idea for entertaining a crowd or a simple “breakfast for dinner” solution for the family. This easy recipe is incredibly versatile because the vegetables, cheese, and milk options are all interchangeable, so feel free to use different peppers, onions, or mushrooms based on what you have on hand or what’s on sale. It’s a high-quality protein source that can be easily prepared in a slow cooker so you can get ahead of meals for the week!

3. Crockpot or Instant Pot Tuscan Chicken

This creamy Crockpot Tuscan Chicken is one of my FAVORITES. It’s comfort food at its finest while still being nutritious and clean eating approved! Your kids will beg for seconds, and I have no doubt this will be a staple meal for your family all summer long!

4. Healthier Crockpot ‘Baked’ Beans

Make these healthier crockpot “baked” beans ahead of time and show up to the summer BBQ with the absolute best side dish! These baked beans taste just like the original, but we are using healthier ingredients like nitrate free bacon, a homemade sauce, and maple syrup as a natural sweetener. Don’t worry vegetarians, you can make this without the bacon and it’s just as delicious.

5. Slow Cooked Jambalaya

When you get home late from the pool or the beach, who wants to cook dinner on the stove?  Packed with protein, complex carbohydrates, and of course, flavor, this Slow Cooker Shrimp Jambalaya is the crockpot meal idea you need for a relaxing summer dinner idea.  Add a side of broccoli, Brussel sprouts, or fresh summer corn on the cob and this becomes a complete meal.

6. Slow Cooker Zucchini Lasagna

Skip the heavy carbs this summer and instead make this Slow Cooker Zucchini Lasagna!  This is more of a classic lasagna recipe, but using a slow cooker . . . and zucchini as noodles!  I use my crockpot all summer because I find it SO convenient to throw a few ingredients together in the morning when I’m full of energy, then we have a meal ready to eat whenever we’re ready for it later in the day . . . no matter what the day happens to throw at me.

7. Slow Cooker Garlic Parmesan Chicken + New Potatoes

Crockpot chicken recipes are some of the easiest and most versatile dishes to make during the summer because everyone loves chicken in our house!  Not only is this Slow Cooker Garlic Parmesan Chicken + New Potatoes an incredibly SIMPLE way to ensure dinner is ready-when-you-are BUT it’s also so wonderful  to smell the delicious aroma filling your whole house throughout the day.

8. Green Salsa Verde Chicken

Its bright flavor will have you making Green Salsa Verde Chicken all summer long.  This chicken is AWESOME for meal prepping ahead, to add into soups, salads, enchiladas, or casseroles, or to just eat as a summer meal.  Shred-it, squeeze a little lime, then eat some with a few slices of avocado. As simple as it gets! Plus the leftovers are super easy to use up.

9. Slow Cooker Enchiladas

I love enchiladas in the summer!  They are such a nice light way to enjoy chicken, cheese and Mexican flavors all rolled up in a sprouted grain tortilla.  And now, with this Slow Cooker Enchiladas recipe, you can assemble them first thing in the morning and enjoy them in the evening when you don’t feel like cooking.  Easy Peasy.

10. Orange Sesame Shredded Chicken

I LOVE the bright citrus flavors, and the simplicity of the crock pot for busy work days or lazy summer days.  Reminiscent of Chinese orange chicken with liquid aminos, garlic, and sesame seeds, this Orange Sesame Shredded Chicken will be in our weekly rotation all summer long!

11. Mexican Chicken Bowls

This is another favorite chicken crockpot meal in the summer.  This Mexican Crockpot Chicken Bowls recipe couldn’t be simpler! On top of simplicity it’s SUPER SATISFYING too!  You can really add or subtract any ingredients to your personal preference…allow everyone to top their own bowls at dinnertime, OR divide these up into food prep containers for your work-week lunches.

12. Chicken Vegetable Packed Soup

Staying hydrated during the summer months is important, and eating this Chicken Vegetable Packed Soup can help with that.  This broth based recipe is EXCELLENT for cleaning out the fridge and using up any veggies you may have on hand. You can easily adapt soup recipes to fit your personal tastes. I often add extra meat and vegetables, depending on what I need to use up in the fridge.  I love the high protein + veggie combo here! Hope you love it too!

13. Spicy Chinese Chicken

When you get a craving for Chinese food, don’t reach for the take out menu, reach for this easy summer crockpot recipe.  All the tender chicken, healthy veggies, and clean ingredients mean you don’t have to wake up feeling bloated and full of salt tomorrow!  Serve over brown rice, cauliflower rice, or quinoa for a perfect summer meal.

14. Melty Italian Chicken

This Melty Crockpot Italian Chicken is super simple to dump and go when you have a million things going on in the summer months.  Lean chicken breasts, garlic cloves and Italian seasoning bring the flavors of Italy, while tomato sauce and mozzarella cheese make it an ooey gooey family favorite!  Serve it over zucchini zoodles or spaghetti squash!

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15. Barbacoa Beef Tacos

This is another slow cooker shredded meat recipe everyone’s going to love!  Forget Chipotle, these Barbacoa Beef Tacos are going to save you time and money.  Throw everything in the crockpot in the morning, set it, forget it, and you’ll have the perfect light taco dinner for summer.

GEt the Recipe

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16. Chicken Tikka Masala

This slow cooker Chicken Tikka Masala with brown rice is a healthy, filling meal and one of those perfect summer crock-pot recipes.  The low, slow slimmer creates tender chicken chunks and a tomatoey Indian spiced sauce that comes together as it cooks throughout the day.  Serve alongside some crockpot veggies and you have a complete meal.

17. Chicken Burrito Bowls

Not only are these Chicken Burrito Bowls perfect for making in the crockpot, but they also serve as a wonderful way to meal prep throughout the summer months.  These bowls are filled with fresh corn, black beans, shredded crockpot chicken, and a homemade Pico de Gallo.  Serve it all over brown rice, cauliflower rice, or quinoa for a light but filling summer meal idea.

18. Chicken Tacos

When things get busy and kids are hungry, these Crockpot Chicken Tacos are so incredibly easy to get on the table!  Lean chicken breasts become perfectly cooked and flavored in the slow cooker, then are shredded and added to sprouted tortillas for a clean ingredient dinner.  Top with all the taco toppings you and your family love for a fun summer taco dinner.

19. Crockpot Sesame Chicken

This savory Crockpot Sesame Chicken is practically life changing!  Slow cooker Chinese food, who knew it could turn out so delicious!  And all you need is chicken breasts, brown rice, and our tangy sesame chicken sauce to make this dream meal come true.  For a complete meal, serve this with broccoli or steamed carrots.

20. Crockpot Maple + Mustard Chicken Drumsticks

Having SIX teenagers in our home, they request drumsticks quite often!  THESE tangy Crockpot Maple + Mustard Chicken Drumsticks couldn’t be simpler! I throw everything into my slow cooker and forget about it until way later in the day! THIS I can do!The sweet mustard sauce will have you licking your fingers, and you’ll basically be the hero of your meat-loving family members!

21. Chicken Tortilla Soup

Our Crockpot Chicken Tortilla Soup recipe (as with most soup recipes) is very versatile! You can leave things out if you want, and always add “extras” or more of your favorite ingredients!  Soup always tastes better over the next few days after sitting in the fridge, so double or triple for future meals.  This soup freezes well, too! Stored in freezer safe containers it will last in your freezer for 2 months.  This soup is even surprisingly great during the hot Summer months when you want a warm meal, but definitely do not want to heat up the whole kitchen to cook it.

22. Slow Cooker Meatballs

These Homemade Tender & DELICIOUS Crockpot Meatballs are so darn good!  LOADS of flavor happening here!  Tender meatballs (thanks to the slow cooking process) filled with herbs and spices that come together to create an ultra-satisfying, EASY, and fun meal idea.  These are FAB to serve at parties! Keep the slow cooker on “warm” and allow guests to serve themselves.  I served these on top of mashed potatoes.

23. Slow Cooker Corn Chowder

This Slow Cooker Corn Chowder works well for a big family since everyone can pile on their own toppings to create something they enjoy. It is incredibly filling and the ingredients are typically quite budget-friendly, aligning with the goal of creating affordable meals without compromising health or flavor. Made with chicken thighs (use whatever is on sale!), potatoes, celery, carrots and coconut milk, this chowder tastes even better the next day!

24. Crockpot Pineapple Chicken

Absolutely delicious *tender* Crockpot Pineapple Chicken prepared in my most favorite kitchen appliance: the crockpot. The slow cooker does the work and we don’t need to babysit!  Sweet & Tangy homemade pineapple sauce, made of fresh pineapple, coconut aminos, fresh garlic, and fresh ginger. It’s very simple, but so good you’ll be making this sauce often and putting it on everything!

25. French Onion Chicken

Crockpot French Onion Chicken  is an ultra-flavorful easy recipe that’s perfect for meal prep and packed with nutrients.  A high protein, incredibly flavorful, hands-off dinner that’s ready when you are all summer long!  Serve over mashed potatoes, mashed cauliflower, quinoa or brown rice with a side of vegetables.

26. Pork Chili Verde

This Pork Chili Verde recipe is made up of delicious pork tenderloin, fresh garlic, poblano peppers, salsa verde; these all sound like the flavors of summer to me!  This meal is incredibly affordable and versatile allowing you to serve it with beans, corn, rice, or whatever you have on hand.  To really make it a crowd favorite, let everyone add their own toppings.

27. Teriyaki Chicken

This summer meal favorite is Teriyaki Chicken made in the crockpot. The Slow Cooker does the work and we don’t need to babysit!  Ditch the store-bought Teriyaki for a healthier homemade sauce, made of coconut aminos, honey, fresh garlic and fresh ginger. VERY simple, but so good you’ll be making this sauce often!  Works extremely well for meal prep too! Double up the recipe, and store in sealed meal prep containers for up to 3-4 days.

Keep Cool and Feast Easy All Summer Long

Keep your house cool in the summer heat + come home from a fun day at the pool to a delicious & healthy dinner ready! With these 27 easy summer crockpot meals in your recipe arsenal, beating the heat while enjoying wholesome, flavorful dinners has never been simpler. Whether you’re juggling busy days at the pool, hosting friends, or just craving no-fuss meals, your slow cooker is the ultimate summer sidekick. So go ahead, dump, set, and forget…then come home to delicious, healthy dishes that let you savor every sunny moment without breaking a sweat!