15 Summer Slow Cooker Recipes So You Can Skip The Stove
Rum and coke pulled pork. (Photo: Roberto Caruso)
Slow cookers aren't just a winter-time gadget. You can use yours to make all sorts of summery, picnic-ready dishes, from grain-filled salads to juicy pulled pork sliders. (And don't forget breakfast and dessert!) Here's how you can put your trusty slow cooker to work all year long.
Rum And Coke Pulled Pork Sandwich
Inspired by the ubiquitous mixed drink, this slow cooker dish is sweet, spicy and perfectly sandwich-worthy. Get this rum and coke pulled pork recipe.
Southwest corn and bean cream cheese dip
A hot and cheesy dip is a winner any time of year, at any gathering. Set it out within easy reach of a bowl of tortilla chips, hand out a few cocktails and enjoy. Get this southewest corn and bean dip recipe.
Slow cooker beef wraps with tahini
These wraps, complete with quick-pickled carrots and radishes, are made low-carb by substituting lettuce for pitas. Get this slow cooker beef wraps with tahini recipe.
Spanish-inspired potato and chorizo tortilla
Patatas bravas — cubed fried potatoes in spicy sauce — are served all over Spain as a tapa or bar snack. Add eggs and cured sausage like we did here, and it's perfect for breakfast. Get this Spanish-inspired tortilla recipe now.
Jerk chicken with mango slaw
Spicy chicken and sweet mango mix it up, bringing a perfect balance to this fun family meal. Get this jerk chicken with mango salad recipe.
Zucchini and artichoke summer lasagna
Go vegetarian with your slow cooker tonight. This fresh lasagna will tease everyone’s taste buds with creamy, zesty flavour. Get this zucchini and artichoke summer lasagna recipe.
Pulled pork tacos
Enjoy tender pork tacos tonight in (almost) no time; the pressure cooker setting is easy, promise. Get this Instant Pot big-batch pulled pork tacos recipe.
Cheese and mushroom strata
Never throw out stale bread! Store it in the freezer to make this fabulous dish. It’s terrific for a weekend family brunch, and it packs nicely in a lunch box too. Get this cheese and mushroom strata recipe.
Wheatberry tabbouleh salad
Keep things cool in the kitchen tonight with a hearty vegetarian salad that lets your slow cooker do all the heavy lifting. Sweet apple adds a sweet crunch and salty feta brings a savoury creaminess to each bite. Get this wheatberry tabbouleh salad recipe.
Glazed Ginger-Garlic Slow Cooker Ribs
Have ribs for dinner—on a weeknight! Your slow cooker can whip up this summertime favourite while you’re at work. Get this glazed ginger-garlic ribs recipe.
Juicy pork carnitas
Slow-cooked pork with cilantro rice and crema rounds out this flavourful Mexican-inspired meal. Get this juicy pork carnitas recipe.
Maple-bacon French toast
Challah bread is ideal for this recipe—it’s sturdy enough to stand up to a long cooking time. This dish is best served with lots of maple syrup and a side of fresh fruit. Get this maple-bacon French toast recipe.
Pulled pork with ginger-bourbon sauce
An easy (and tasty) dish you can make just by popping in the ingredients! Get this pulled pork with ginger-bourbon sauce recipe.
Homemade oatmeal
If breakfast falls by the wayside on busy mornings, cut down on the prep time and put your oatmeal in the slow cooker the night before! Top with seasonal fresh fruit, yogurt and a sprinkling of brown sugar and you’re good to go until lunch. Get this homemade oatmeal recipe.
Apple-berry brown betty
Throw the ingredients in your slow cooker while you put the final touches on dinner, and when everyone is ready for a bit of something sweet, you’ve got a warm, fruit-filled dessert to serve (a la mode of course). Get this apple-berry brown betty recipe.
The very best of Chatelaine straight to your inbox.
Chatelaine celebrates, inspires, informs and empowers. We know that Canadian women contain multitudes, and we cover all of the issues—big and small—that matter to them, from climate change to caregiving, Canadian fashion and what to cook now.
Subscribe to Chatelaine!
Want to streamline your life? In our Spring 2025 issue, we’ll show you how—whether it’s paring down your wardrobe, decluttering your messiest spaces or spending way less time cooking thanks to an easy, mostly make-ahead meal plan for busy weeknights. Plus, our first annual Pantry Awards.