Summer's here, and it's time to kick back with some delicious meals that won't heat up your kitchen. Slow cookers are your best friend for easy, mouthwatering recipes that let you enjoy the sunny days. Imagine sinking your teeth into BBQ Pulled Pork or revitalizing Mediterranean Chickpea Salad without breaking a sweat. Ready to spice things up? Let's plunge into these five best summer slow cooker recipes that will have everyone asking for seconds!
Slow Cooker BBQ Pulled Pork
Slow Cooker BBQ Pulled Pork is a mouthwatering dish that's perfect for summer gatherings or a cozy family dinner. The beauty of this recipe lies in its simplicity, allowing the slow cooker to work its magic while you enjoy your day.
With tender, flavorful pork that falls apart with a fork and the rich taste of BBQ sauce, this dish is sure to become a favorite in your household. Serve it on buns, with coleslaw, or alongside your favorite sides for a delicious and satisfying meal.
Ingredients:
- 3-4 pounds pork shoulder (or pork butt)
- 1 cup BBQ sauce (your choice)
- 1 onion, sliced
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- Buns for serving (optional)
- Coleslaw for topping (optional)
Instructions:
Begin by placing the sliced onions and minced garlic at the bottom of the slow cooker.
Rub the pork shoulder with the brown sugar, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper, then place it on top of the onions and garlic.
Pour the apple cider vinegar and BBQ sauce over the pork, ensuring it's well coated.
Cover the slow cooker and cook on low for 8 hours or on high for 4-5 hours, until the pork is tender and easily shredded with a fork.
Once cooked, remove the pork from the slow cooker, shred it with two forks, and mix it back with the sauce in the cooker before serving.
Extra Tips:
For an even richer flavor, consider marinating the pork in the BBQ sauce overnight before cooking.
You can also experiment with different types of BBQ sauce to customize the flavor profile.
If you like a bit of heat, add some cayenne pepper or your favorite hot sauce to the mix.
For leftovers, pulled pork can be stored in the refrigerator for up to three days or frozen for later use.
This dish also pairs beautifully with a variety of sides, so feel free to get creative with your meal presentation!
Mediterranean Chickpea Salad
Mediterranean Chickpea Salad is a revitalizing and nutritious dish perfect for summer gatherings or a light lunch. This vibrant salad combines the earthy flavors of chickpeas with fresh vegetables, tangy feta cheese, and a zesty dressing. The best part is that it can be prepared in a slow cooker, allowing the flavors to meld beautifully while you enjoy your day.
Serve it chilled for a delightful meal that's both filling and packed with protein.
Ingredients:
- 2 cans (15 oz each) chickpeas, drained and rinsed
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 cucumber, diced
- 1 red bell pepper, diced
- 1/2 red onion, finely chopped
- 1/2 cup Kalamata olives, pitted and halved
- 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- Salt and pepper to taste
Cooking Instructions:
In a slow cooker, combine the chickpeas, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, red bell pepper, red onion, olives, and parsley.
In a separate bowl, whisk together the olive oil, red wine vinegar, lemon juice, oregano, salt, and pepper to create the dressing.
Pour the dressing over the salad ingredients in the slow cooker, gently tossing everything together to guarantee an even coating.
Cover and cook on low for about 2 hours, allowing the flavors to blend. Once done, stir in the crumbled feta cheese and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving.
Extra Tips:
For added flavor, consider marinating the chickpeas in the dressing for a few hours before adding the other ingredients. This will improve the taste and make sure that every bite is delicious.
You can also customize the salad by adding other vegetables like zucchini or carrots, or incorporating grilled chicken for extra protein.
If you're preparing it for a gathering, it's best served chilled, so make sure to keep it in the refrigerator until you're ready to serve.
Enjoy your Mediterranean Chickpea Salad as a healthy side dish or a satisfying main course!
Sweet and Spicy Pineapple Chicken
Sweet and Spicy Pineapple Chicken is a delightful and easy-to-make dish perfect for summer days when you want a burst of tropical flavor without heating up the kitchen.
This slow cooker recipe combines tender chicken with a sweet and tangy pineapple sauce, offering a delightful contrast of flavors that will have your family and friends coming back for seconds.
Just set it and forget it, letting the slow cooker do all the work while you enjoy your summer activities.
Ingredients:
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 cup pineapple chunks (fresh or canned)
- 1/2 cup sweet chili sauce
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic
- 1 tablespoon minced ginger
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (adjust to taste)
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Chopped green onions and sesame seeds (for garnish)
Cooking Instructions:
In your slow cooker, place the chicken breasts at the bottom and season them with salt and pepper.
In a separate bowl, mix together the pineapple chunks, sweet chili sauce, soy sauce, brown sugar, minced garlic, minced ginger, and red pepper flakes until well combined.
Pour this mixture over the chicken, ensuring it's well coated.
Cover and cook on low for 4-6 hours or on high for 2-3 hours, until the chicken is tender and cooked through.
Once done, shred the chicken using two forks and mix it back into the sauce before serving.
Extra Tips:
For an even more flavorful dish, consider marinating the chicken in the sauce for a few hours before cooking.
You can also add bell peppers or snap peas to the slow cooker for added texture and color.
Serve the Sweet and Spicy Pineapple Chicken over rice or quinoa to soak up the delicious sauce, and don't forget to garnish with chopped green onions and sesame seeds for an extra touch of flavor and presentation!
Zesty Lemon Garlic Shrimp
Zesty Lemon Garlic Shrimp is a vibrant and invigorating dish that's perfect for summer. This slow cooker recipe combines succulent shrimp with a zesty lemon and garlic sauce, making it a light yet flavorful meal that can be served over rice, pasta, or with a fresh salad.
The slow cooking process allows the flavors to meld beautifully, making sure each bite is packed with zest and goodness. Enjoy this dish for a hassle-free weeknight dinner or a leisurely weekend gathering.
Ingredients:
- 1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon lemon zest
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
- Lemon slices (for garnish)
Cooking Instructions:
In your slow cooker, combine the minced garlic, lemon juice, lemon zest, olive oil, red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper.
Add the shrimp, making sure they're well coated in the mixture. Cover and cook on low for about 2 hours or until the shrimp are pink and opaque. Stir occasionally to make sure of even cooking.
Once done, garnish with fresh parsley and lemon slices before serving.
Extra Tips:
For the best flavor, try to use fresh shrimp instead of frozen, as they'll have a better texture and taste.
You can adjust the amount of red pepper flakes depending on your spice preference. Serve the dish immediately after cooking for the best experience, and consider pairing it with crusty bread to soak up the delicious lemon garlic sauce.
Additionally, if you want to add more vegetables, consider tossing in some cherry tomatoes or spinach during the last 30 minutes of cooking.
Creamy Tomato Basil Soup
Creamy Tomato Basil Soup is a delightful and comforting dish that's perfect for warm summer days. This easy slow cooker recipe allows the flavors to meld beautifully, creating a rich and creamy soup without much effort. With the fresh taste of tomatoes, fragrant basil, and a touch of cream, this soup isn't only delicious but also a great way to use seasonal produce. Serve it with crusty bread for a satisfying meal that can be prepared with minimal hassle.
Ingredients:
- 2 cans (14.5 oz each) diced tomatoes
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup vegetable broth
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 cup fresh basil leaves, chopped
- 1 cup heavy cream or coconut milk
- Optional: grated Parmesan cheese for serving
Instructions:
In your slow cooker, combine the diced tomatoes (with their juices), chopped onion, minced garlic, vegetable broth, oregano, sugar, salt, and pepper. Stir to combine, then cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours until the vegetables are tender.
Once cooked, add the chopped basil and cream (or coconut milk) to the slow cooker, then use an immersion blender to puree the soup until smooth, adjusting seasoning as needed.
Extra Tips:
For a richer flavor, consider roasting the tomatoes and garlic before adding them to the slow cooker. This can improve the sweetness of the tomatoes and add depth to the soup.
If you prefer a chunkier texture, blend only half of the soup and leave the rest as is. Additionally, this soup can be stored in the refrigerator for up to a week or frozen for later use, making it a great option for meal prep during the busy summer months.
Don't forget to garnish with fresh basil or a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese before serving for an extra touch of flavor!