Slow-Cooker Recipes You'll Want to Make All Summer

When it's too hot to turn on your oven, don't! Your slow cooker can handle everything from weeknight dinners to family barbecues. It might even be the best-kept secret for making fabulous summer desserts.

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Slow-Cooker Barbecue Ribs

Yes, you can cook ribs in a 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.

Get the Recipe: Slow-Cooker Barbecue Ribs

Slow-Cooker Peach Cobbler

This slow-cooked cobbler is a great use for frozen peaches and so easy to make. Add some toasted, chopped pecans for a little Southern flair.

Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Peach Cobbler

Slow-Cooker Corn Dip

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!

Get the Recipe: Slow-Cooker Corn Dip

Slow-Cooker Berry Cobbler

This colorful cobbler is very juicy, but the sweetened berry "sauce" is so delicious it's worth spooning up. If you don't have time to make the sour cream topping, a sprinkle of confectioners' sugar or a dollop of vanilla yogurt works well, too.

Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Berry Cobbler

Slow-Cooker Georgia Pulled Pork Barbecue

Barbecue is serious business in a lot of Southern families, and Trisha's is no exception. Throughout her childhood in Georgia, her father's pulled pork-an all-day project-was a must at summer get-togethers. Now Trisha has figured out a way to adapt her dad's recipe for the slow cooker, so she won't have to keep disappearing to tend to the meat.

Get the Recipe: Slow-Cooker Georgia Pulled Pork Barbecue

Slow-Cooker Teriyaki Ribs

Ree cooks her ribs in a slow cooker, then uses the juices as the base for her mouthwatering sauce, flavored with honey, soy sauce and rice vinegar.

Get the Recipe: Slow-Cooker Teriyaki Ribs

Summer Slow-Cooker Cobbler

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.

Get the Recipe: Summer Slow-Cooker Cobbler

Slow-Cooker German Potato Salad

Potato salad may never be the same after you make it in a slow cooker. Crispy bacon adds flavor and texture to this summertime staple.

Get the Recipe: Slow-Cooker German Potato Salad

Slow-Cooker Chipotle Ribs

Season the ribs with brown sugar and chipotle chile powder before slow-cooking, then brush them with chipotle barbecue sauce, sweetened with a touch of agave, under the broiler. No one will be able to resist the finger-licking-good meat.

Get the Recipe: Slow-Cooker Chipotle Ribs

Slow-Cooker Shrimp Boil

You don't have to live by the shore to enjoy a good old-fashioned New England-style shrimp boil. Use a slow cooker to cook potatoes and seasonings, then add the corn, shrimp and sausage to cook in the flavorful broth at the end.

Get the Recipe: Slow-Cooker Shrimp Boil

Slow-Cooker Plum Cobbler

Keep your oven (and home) cool this summer with a seasonal fruit cobbler baked in the slow cooker. Sprinkle with toasted almonds for some extra crunch.

Get the Recipe: Slow-Cooker Plum Cobbler

Slow-Cooker Pulled Pork Sandwiches

This 5-star recipe is so good fans say you'll make it again and again. Best of all, it requires only 15 minutes of hands-on work.

Get the Recipe: Slow-Cooker Pulled Pork Sandwiches

Slow-Cooker Creamed Corn

Hosting a summer BBQ? Prepare this simple creamed corn ahead of time and let the slow cooker do its job while you tend to the grill.

Get the Recipe: Slow-Cooker Creamed Corn

Perfect Baby Back Ribs

This recipe turns amazing ribs into an easy-to-prepare meal. Let the slow cooker do all the work all day, then just finish them in minutes on the grill.

Get the Recipe: Perfect Baby Back Ribs

Slow-Cooker Brown Sugar Cheesecake

The moist environment of a slow cooker works double duty on cheesecake: It prevents cracks from forming and helps achieve a smooth and creamy texture. We love this dessert topped with ripe summer peaches.

Get the Recipe: Slow-Cooker Brown Sugar Cheesecake

Slow-Cooker Turkey Mole Tacos

Why wait till Thanksgiving to fill up on turkey? With this recipe, you can turn a bone-in turkey breast into tacos any night of the week. Prep the meat in the morning, then sit down to a ready-to-eat meal at the end of your day.

Get the Recipe: Slow-Cooker Turkey Mole Tacos

Slow-Cooker Bread

Although this dough has no color, it is light and airy, like the soft inside of a loaf of French bread. The other surprising part is there's no need to let it rise. You can go directly from making the dough to baking with no waiting around. Magic.

Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Bread

Slow-Cooker Chicken Curry

Coconut milk and curry paste provide the flavorful base for this easy dinner. Don't be surprised if slow-cooking becomes your new favorite way to cook boneless chicken thighs!

Get the Recipe: Slow-Cooker Chicken Curry

Slow Cooker Macaroni and Cheese

When a recipe calls for almost 5 cups of Cheddar, you know it'll be filled with cheesy goodness. Evaporated milk and whole milk add creaminess to this fan-favorite, and a dash of paprika on top lends Southern flair.

Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Macaroni and Cheese

Slow-Cooker Vegetable Lasagna

Busy families, this recipe is for you. Enjoy the comfort of homemade lasagna, without the lengthy assembly time that often accompanies the dish. The slow cooker makes the entire process really simple.

Get the Recipe: Slow-Cooker Vegetable Lasagna

Slow-Cooker Baked Beans

Put the days of store-bought baked beans behind you. Dress up dried beans with Ree's easy recipe, featuring molasses, brown sugar and bacon.

Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Baked Beans

Fajita-Filling Onions and Peppers

These slow-cooked onions and peppers will upgrade your next fajita night like no other. Seasoned with cumin, smoked and sweet paprika, and sugar, they go with chicken as well as they do beef.

Get the Recipe: Fajita-Filling Onions and Peppers

Italian Slow Cooker Beef Sandwiches with Giardiniera Aioli

The key to Valerie's shredded beef sandwiches is her Italian seasoning. It's filled with everything you'd expect, like basil, oregano and parsley, but she includes a surprising addition to spice things up just a little.

Get the Recipe: Italian Slow Cooker Beef Sandwiches with Giardiniera Aioli