Summer Slow Cooker Recipes

It’s been a hot summer over here and I have relegated any recipes that require the oven to the back of my mind. It’s just too much to stand in the kitchen next to a 400 degree oven when I really want to stick my head in the fridge! Not to mention all of that summer fun that’s calling my name. I don’t want to feel tied down by dinner, and sometimes that even includes the grill. I love using the slow cooker in the summer time for that reason, exactly. Making these summer slow cooker recipes frees me up to do whatever else needs doing, and I’m not heating my house up even more in the process. Win!

Ditch that preconceived notion that slow cookers are for the colder months, and join me on the road to a less overheated dinner routine!

Summer slow cooker recipes that win!:

Stuffed Peppers

Halve or remove tops and de-seed peppers. Mix prepared rice, jarred sauce, and any chopped veggies and chopped cooked chicken sausage until all ingredients are moistened. Stuff peppers with mixture and place in crock pot that has been lined with a layer of sauce; top with additional sauce. Cook on low until easily pierced with a fork; approximately 4 hours.

Teriyaki Meatballs

Place plain meatballs into crock pot. Feel free to use pre-cooked or prepared raw meatballs; adjust cooking times accordingly. Cover with prepared teriyaki sauce, and 1/3 the amount of warm water. Mix gently, and cook on low heat to avoid scorching. Epic shortcut? Serve with steam-in-bag rice and veggies!

Turkey Burrito Bowls

Brown ground turkey in skillet and transfer to crock pot. Add taco seasoning packet, 1.5 cups water, three heaping spoonfuls of prepared salsa, chopped tomatoes, peppers, corn, and drained black beans. Stir to combine and cook on low for 4 hours.

Ways to serve:

• Over rice
• Burrito filling
• Salad topping
• Over smashed baked sweet potato

Sausage & Peppers

Brown bulk sweet (or hot) Italian Sausage in a skillet and transfer to crock pot. Alternately, you can use fully cooked chicken sausage that has been cut into bite-size pieces. Combine chopped green peppers and onions, 2 tbs of butter, and season with garlic powder, salt & pepper. Cook on low for 4 hours. If using pre-cooked sausage, adjust cooking time accordingly.

Ways to serve:

• Over rice
• Mixed with cooked pasta (add additional butter or olive oil to coat; season to taste)
• Spooned onto hoagie rolls

Whole Chicken

Rinse chicken and remove innards. Pat dry and season with your favorite dry rub or seasoned salt. Place in crock pot and cook on low for 4-6 hours. Done! Serve as is, or pull the meat from the bone and use one of the serving suggestions below.

Ways to serve:

• Add prepared BBQ sauce and shred meat for pulled chicken
• Chop and add to big dinner salads
• Add prepared salsa and shred meat for chicken taco, burrito, or quesadilla filling
• Toss with pasta, and your favorite sauce

Now that you know how easily you can keep your kitchen cool, and your family full with these awesome summer slow cooker recipes, here’s another fantastic reason to get these in your rotation: LEFTOVERS! Every one of these ideas make fantastic leftover lunches, and work really well in the freezer, too! I almost always make a double batch to freeze when I make these. Talk about a time saver. Your bellies, and your thermostat, will thank you!

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