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    Home » Recipe Roundups

    28 Delicious Crockpot Summer Meals That Simmer While You Play

    By Emmeline Kemperyd on May 9, 2025, updated April 28, 2025 - Leave a Comment

    Summer is the perfect time to enjoy delicious meals without spending all day in the kitchen. With a crockpot, you can prepare a variety of dishes that simmer while you enjoy outdoor activities. From hearty stews to Mediterranean favorites, these 28 recipes will keep you satisfied and let you make the most of your summer days.

    Crockpot Chuck Roast

    Crockpot Chuck Roast.
    Photo Credit: Lemons & Zest.

    A big pot roast with hearty vegetables is always a comforting meal. This easy chuck roast takes just 5 minutes to prep, and after slow cooking, the meat becomes so tender it practically falls apart.

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    Slow Cooker Sour Cream & Onion Chicken

    Slow Cooker Sour Cream & Onion Chicken.
    Photo Credit: The Quicker Kitchen.

    Sour cream and onion chicken in the slow cooker is an easy dish that packs a lot of flavor without much work. It's perfect for anyone who enjoys the familiar taste of sour cream and onion chips.

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    Crockpot Steak Bites with Mushrooms

    Crockpot Steak Bites with Mushrooms
    Photo Credit: Kitchen Fun With My 3 Sons.

    Crockpot Steak Bites with mushrooms are packed with flavor, featuring beef broth, butter, onion, garlic, beef, and mushrooms. Simply toss everything into the slow cooker for a tasty meal that requires minimal effort.

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    Slow Cooker Whole Chicken

    Slow Cooker Whole Chicken.
    Photo Credit: 4 Sons R Us.

    Slow cooker whole chicken brings the deliciousness of a Sunday roast to any night of the week. It’s simple to prepare and lets you enjoy a comforting dinner with minimal effort.

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    Slow Cooker Teriyaki Chicken

    Slow Cooker Teriyaki Chicken.
    Photo Credit: Chew Out Loud.

    Slow cooker teriyaki chicken is a simple dish that’s even better than takeout. It’s perfect for a busy weeknight and goes well with all your favorite sides.

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    Slow Cooker Brown Sugar Chicken

    Slow Cooker Brown Sugar Chicken.
    Photo Credit: The Magical Slow Cooker.

    This recipe combines Italian dressing, brown sugar, and chicken breasts in the crockpot for a simple meal that everyone will love. Serve it with your favorite sides for a delicious dinner.

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    French Onion Beef Short Ribs

    French Onion Beef Short Ribs.
    Photo Credit: Supergolden Bakes.

    Braised beef short ribs are incredibly tender and full of flavor. You can make them in the oven or the crock pot, and they’re sure to impress everyone at the table.

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    Slow Cooker Whole Chicken

    Slow Cooker Whole Chicken.
    Photo Credit: Little Sunny Kitchen.

    Slow cooking a whole chicken is simple and anyone can do it. Using a slow cooker gives you a juicy, tender chicken that tastes just like it came from a rotisserie.

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    Slow Cooker Chipotle Chicken Meatballs

    Slow Cooker Chipotle Chicken Meatballs.
    Photo Credit: The Magical Slow Cooker.

    Homemade chicken meatballs get a flavorful boost when they’re cooked slowly in a spicy chipotle sauce. This dish is sure to have everyone coming back for more.

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    Slow Cooker Beef Gyros

    Slow Cooker Beef Gyros.
    Photo Credit: Like Mother, Like Daughter.

    Slow cooker beef gyros feature tender beef that cooks to perfection in the slow cooker. Wrapped in warm pita bread and topped with fresh veggies and tzatziki sauce, this is a great meal for any day.

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    Slow Cooker Teriyaki Chicken

    Slow Cooker Teriyaki Chicken.
    Photo credit: Dinner at the Zoo.

    Chicken breasts are slow-cooked with garlic, ginger, soy sauce, and honey until they're tender and easy to shred. This dish is perfect served over rice for a simple and filling dinner.

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    Crockpot Tomato Soup

    Crockpot Tomato Soup.
    Photo Credit: Recipes from a Pantry.

    Crockpot Tomato Soup is a creamy and comforting dish that you'll love. With just a few simple ingredients from your pantry, you can enjoy a hearty bowl of slow-cooked tomato soup without much effort.

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    Slow Cooker Land Your Man Baked Beans

    Slow Cooker Land Your Man Baked Beans.
    Photo Credit: The Magical Slow Cooker.

    This easy meal features hearty ingredients like ground beef, bell peppers, and onions. The seasonings really bring these classic beans to life and make them stand out.

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    Slow Cooker Turkey Meatballs

    Slow Cooker Turkey Meatballs.
    Photo Credit: Simple Everyday Recipes.

    These meatballs are full of flavor and are easy to make. Just let the crockpot handle everything, and you'll end up with tender, juicy meatballs in a delicious tomato sauce.

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    Slow Cooker Chicken Corn Soup

    Slow Cooker Chicken Corn Soup.
    Photo Credit: The Rustic Foodie.

    This Slow Cooker Chicken Corn Soup is a healthy option that's gluten and dairy free. It's prepared in the crockpot with poblano peppers in a flavorful Southwest broth.

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    Beef and Barley Stew

    Beef and Barley Stew.
    Photo Credit Chew Out Loud.

    This stew is cooked in a slow cooker, resulting in a tender and tasty meal that's simple to prepare. It's perfect for summer nights when you want a satisfying dinner without spending too much time in the kitchen.

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    Slow Cooker V8 Chili

    Slow Cooker Lasagna Recipe With Ravioli.
    Photo Credit: The Magical Slow Cooker.

    This chili is packed with vegetables from the V8 juice in the sauce. It's a large batch, perfect for freezing or sharing with friends.

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    White Chicken Chili with Salsa Verde

    White Chicken Chili with Salsa Verde.
    Photo Credit: Haute & Healthy Living.

    Slow cooker White Chicken Chili with Salsa Verde is a healthy and filling dish that's great for meal prep. Make a large batch and freeze the extras for an easy dinner option for the whole family.

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    Crockpot Tuscan Chicken

    Crockpot Tuscan Chicken.
    Photo Credit: Gypsy Plate.

    Crockpot Tuscan Chicken is covered in a rich, creamy sauce filled with tasty Mediterranean flavors. This dish is perfect for a simple and satisfying weeknight dinner.

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    Slow Cooker Chicken Chili

    Slow Cooker Chicken Chili.
    Photo Credit: Primavera Kitchen.

    Slow Cooker Chicken Chili is a hearty and tasty dish that's super simple to prepare. Just toss everything into the slow cooker and let it work its magic.

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    Slow Cooker Balsamic Chicken

    Slow Cooker Balsamic Chicken.
    Photo Credit: The Magical Slow Cooker.

    Transform simple chicken breasts into flavorful balsamic chicken using just a handful of ingredients. With the rich taste of balsamic vinegar, Italian seasoning, and garlic, this dish is sure to please everyone at the table.

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    Slow Cooker Pulled Pork

    Slow Cooker Pulled Pork.
    Photo Credit: The Kitchen Girl.

    Slow cooker pulled pork is made with well-seasoned pork shoulder that cooks slowly for great flavor. This juicy dish is perfect for feeding a crowd without much work.

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    Chicken Cacciatore

    Chicken cacciatore with pasta.
    Photo credit: Scarlati Family Kitchen.

    This is a flavorful dinner that's perfect for a weeknight or a relaxed Sunday meal. This classic Italian dish cooks slowly and can be enjoyed over pasta, polenta, or mashed potatoes.

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    Slow Cooker Rosemary Lemon Chicken Thighs

    Slow Cooker Rosemary Lemon Chicken Thighs.
    Photo Credit: Mommy Evolution.

    Lemon and rosemary come together to create a delicious flavor in these slow cooker chicken thighs. This dish is sure to be a favorite at dinner any night of the week.

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    Slow Cooker Coq Au Vin

    Slow Cooker Coq Au Vin.
    Photo Credit: The Magical Slow Cooker.

    This recipe effortlessly combines tender chicken, savory bacon, and herbs for a deliciously convenient twist on this classic French dish.

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    Meaty Cabbage Soup

    Meaty Cabbage Soup.
    Photo Credit: Gypsy Plate.

    This dish is perfect for when you want something warm and comforting, especially on a summer day. With just a few basic ingredients like meat and cabbage, it’s easy to prepare and enjoy.

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    Slow Cooker Queso Chicken

    Slow cooker queso chicken tacos.
    Photo Credit: Maria's Mixing Bowl.

    This dish features tender chicken in a creamy, cheesy sauce with a kick of flavor. It's great for making quesadillas or sandwiches, making meal prep a breeze.

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    Slow Cooker Taco Soup

    Slow Cooker Taco Soup.
    Photo Credit: The Magical Slow Cooker.

    This soup is simple to make in the slow cooker and packed with flavor. It features fire roasted corn, fresh salsa, and whole black olives.

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    More Recipe Roundups

    • Chicken noodle soup.
      19 Grandma Approved Pasta Dinners You Can Just Dump, Cook and Enjoy
    • Taco soup.
      24 Deliciously Lazy Beef Dinners Made for Your Spring Menu
    • Ground beef hot pot.
      16 Easy Ground Beef Recipes to Make Mom's Day Special
    • Dipping chicken in ketchup.
      22 Stress-Free Chicken Recipes for the Exhausted Cook

    About Emmeline Kemperyd

    Emmeline Kemperyd is a writer, food blogger, recipe creator and food photographer and the founder of alwaysusebutter.com. She has more than 20 years of experience creating and simplifying recipes so they taste good, and are quick, easy, and approachable. She is a regular contributor to MSN  and her work has been featured by The Guardian, Well+Good, Vulture, SheKnows, Good Men Project, Daily Kos, The Grio, The Asian Parent, and The Feed Feed, among others.

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