24 Summer Slow-Cooker Recipes You'll Want to Make Year-Round

As much as we love a no-cook dinner, there are times when the heat just can’t take away our craving for certain dishes. (We’re looking at you, pulled pork.) Luckily, there’s an easy fix: break out your handy, dandy slow cooker. You can whip up everything from family-friendly chicken dishes to no-fuss desserts with ease—and without heating up your entire kitchen. You can even make ribs in the slow cooker! In this easy recipe, the seasoning paste transforms into a savory dipping sauce. Slather it on the ribs and pop them on the grill just before serving for a final char. They’re the summer weeknight dinner everyone will devour.

Using up your garden haul of bell peppers has never been simpler, thanks to your slow cooker (and this stuffed peppers recipe)! Just stir all the filling ingredients together (raw ground beef included), then stuff the mixture into the peppers and let the cooker do the rest. Top with sour cream for a nourishing dinner your whole family will love.

It takes little more than peaches, mixed berries and some sugar to whip up the filling for this fruity dessert, and the pecan-studded topping is the perfect complement.

The hardest part about making this creamy corn dip is having to wait (and smell it!) while it’s in the slow cooker. Simply mix together the frozen corn, cream cheese, jarred pimentos, diced jalapenos and spices, then get your tortilla chips ready!