Is it just me or do you also forget about your slow cooker when the weather heats up? I get this idea in my head every summer of long, leisurely days spent gardening and harvesting fresh vegetables to prepare in the kitchen. Apparently I live in a little house on the prairie in my daydreams.
I’m all about summer’s delicious fresh foods, but some how the days feel more jam-packed than ever with fun things to do and places to go. Swim lessons, for example.
Believe it or not, that is her tired face.
Yesterday was a full day and I’ll tell you I’ve never been more thrilled to pull in at 5 pm and have the aroma of dinner waft into the garage as I got the girls out.
Nothing says ‘too busy’ (ok, ok, laziness) quite like settling for an iPhone picture when my real camera is right on the counter.
As you can see, it was nothing fancy. I had thrown half an onion, sliced, in the slow cooker that morning with two large chicken breasts that had come marinated in chimichurri sauce. Shred, add guac, salsa and cilantro. That’s about as simple as it gets.
It made me wonder why I don’t do it more often. Sure, the slow cooker is great for soup, chili and stew, but it has some great summertime uses as well. Here are some of my favorites…
Taco Slop from Rachel Cooks – it’s taking basic salsa crockpot chicken and kicking it up a notch. David LOVES it.
Simple Slow Cooker Brisket – you could also use this recipe for pulled pork or chicken. The flavor is great!
Vegetarian Enchilada Quinoa Bake from Cooking Classy- those colors and veggies- YUM!
Crockpot Black Bean Corn and Basil Toastadas from Crockpot Gourmet- a great combo for kids
Paleo Crockpot Beef & Broccoli from Mom as RX – This one may not scream summertime, but it really is a delicious recipe that is good at anytime of year!
Do you use your slow cooker during the warmer months?
What are you favorite go-tos?
(Links welcomed and encouraged for taste-tasted favorites!)
Brynn says
I am with you, I always neglect the slow cooker when it warms up. Which is silly because what is better than being out playing in the sun and sand and then coming home to dinner?!
JD says
This recipe from Kath at KERF is one of my family’s favorites. It’s delicious as-is, and we’ve discovered it’s also great with some substitutions since learning that my daughter is allergic to pineapple, rice, and soy (among others). I use frozen chicken breasts because it’s simply easier for me (no trimming), and here are the standard substitutions we make:
Pineapple: 2/3c orange juice + 1/3 c lemon juice
Soy sauce/Tamari: coconut aminos (equal proportions)
Turmeric: cumin (equal proportions)
Bell pepper: 2 heaping Tbs green chiles (we like the added heat from the chiles, but omit the red pepper flakes because of this swap)
Rice: roasted veggies of choice (carrots, cauliflower, and Brussels sprouts go great with this recipe)
Garlic: we up the content (what can I say, we have a love for garlic in my house) 5-6 cloves instead of the 1 called for
Avocado: omit 🙁 (another one of my daughter’s allergies. I remember this being such a delicious addition!)
So clearly we adapt the recipe pretty extensively in order to accommodate my daughter’s food allergies, but both the original recipe from Kath and the adapted version I’ve concocted are wonderful. The sweet and spice from this recipe are a welcome summertime addition for us- not too heavy and bursting with flavor. Maybe it’ll be a recipe your family will love, too?
http://www.katheats.com/favorite-foods/crockpot-pineapple-chicken
Karen says
We would probably starve in the summer months without our slow cooker. I use it at least one if not twice a week. I simply have no time or energy left after playing and caring for three kids under the age of three all day every day.
These recipes will come in handy for me….thank you for sharing them:)
Kelli H (Made in Sonoma) says
MMM…I’ve made that beef & broccoli a couple times. It is delicious! I love using my crock pot in the summer so I don’t have to spend a warm evening in the kitchen. Last Friday we had shredded pork tacos with mango, cilantro, and avocado. It was so nice to be able to come home from a long day at work and have the meat perfectly cooked.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
My slow cooker is still going full force!
Danica @ It's Progression says
I love using the slow-cooker during the summer – I’m much less interested in cooking in the evenings when it’s hot. I’m actually planning to through some salsa chicken into ours for taco salads tonight!
Erin @ Her Heartland Soul says
That quinoa bake! I need it to be lunchtime soon!
Erin @ The Grass Skirt says
I always forget to use my slow cooker in the summer. I guess that I associate it with winter comfort foods, but I’ll have to drag it back out! 🙂
The Mini Skirt
Natalie @ The Ravenous Mommy says
Saving this post! Last time I used my slow cooker was about a month ago. I love to use it anytime… hot or cold.
christine says
I love my slow cooker and ever since having our first child, I’ve used it alot more! And it hasn’t seem to slow down in these warmer months. My go to is Pork Carnitas! We usually make two dinners of it: tacos, nachos, rice bowls, salads, etc. My 7.5 month old loves eating it as well! Here is the recipe I use and I just absolutely love it!
http://teaspoonsf.com/2015/05/slow-cooker-carnitas-tacos/
Sherri @ Adventures of Love and Marriage says
The crockpot paleo beef and broccoli sounds delish! I am definitely putting that on my to-do cook list. I tend to not use it as much in the summer months but I do love doing BBQ chicken in there because the flavor really gets deep in the chicken.
Nicole says
I love this Balsamic Pork Tenderloin. I serve it with steam in bag veggies and rice.
It’s a great dinner because if Pork Tenderloin is in the freezer, I know I have the other ingredients on hand.
Yum!
Heather@hungryforbalance says
We love our crock pot year round! I made a zucchini Mexican quinoa bake last week that turned out really well. I also like to throw a bunch of sweet potatoes whole in the crock pot and turn it on low for a few hours; perfectly baked without having to turn the oven on!
Jen says
I made your slow cooker pulled pork and loved it! I’ve been trying to find a good pulled pork recipe for a while and my husband loved it too!
Robin S says
Quick question. Would you mind doing a post sometime about different options for the “base” of a meal? For example, we are a pasta or rice family. I’ve tried couscous and quinoa but what are your thoughts on other grains such as millet or barley. Just trying to branch out. Thanks!
Brittany Dixon says
Hey Robin! I like rice and pasta too, often switching up the type/shape of past for fun (quinoa past is pretty good too FYI). For meal bases (and soups) I really like the nutty, chewy texture of barley. Millet isn’t bad, but a little too fine for my taste. If you like rice, I also recommend trying ‘riced’ cauliflower to switch things up. Just put raw cauliflower in the food processor, pulse a few times until rice-sized, then saute it in a little oil. It makes a great base for dishes!