A plate of Carnitas Tacos

9 off-season simple slow cooker recipes

Cooking during the summer gets hot! And at times you might even feel like you’re in a sauna. Instead of being cooped up in your kitchen sweating, look to your handy-dandy slow cooker for help. Slow cookers weren’t just made for cold weather comfort foods like stews and chilis — these recipes show you why.

Asian-Style Shredded Pork Wraps

Place pork roast, teriyaki marinade, and water into your slow cooker; let it cook for 8 hours; pull it apart; and wrap some in a tortilla. Simple and tasty.

Carnitas Tacos

Who said Mexican can’t be done in a slow cooker? Get your weekly Mexican food fix right in the comfort of your own home and with your own twist by adding a bit of orange juice.

Slow Cooker Chicken Tortilla Soup

Slow-cooked chicken and noodles with the smoky heat of chipotle peppers ramps up the flavor without bringing the heat into the kitchen.  

Slow Cooker BBQ Pulled Pork Sandwiches

Prepare this delicious BBQ meal with a few simple ingredients and with the help of your slow cooker — it will taste so good no one will know you didn’t use a grill for this recipe.

Kettle-Cooked Baked Beans with Smoked Sausage

As you prepare your main dish, whether on the grill or on the stove, save time by also cooking a side dish like this sweet and savory baked beans recipe. Time is money, so use it wisely on simple slow cooker recipes.

Slow Cooker Chicken Enchiladas

Summer nights can be busy, but that doesn’t mean you should miss out on a full meal. Let your slow cooker be your side kick for the night by preparing this oven-baked ethnic recipe with a unique twist.

Breakfast Bread Pudding

Everything that goes into a slow cooker doesn’t have to be savory. French bread, dried cherries and toasted almonds put your slow cooker to use in a different, yet sweet way. Use this recipe as a fun and different kind of brunch idea.

Slow Cooker Beef and Broccoli

No need for takeout tonight. Make this Chinese restaurant classic anytime you want and with the same great taste — the only thing you’ll miss out on is the fortune cookie.

 Slow Cooker Vegetable Lasagna

Create this vegetarian recipe by placing fresh spinach, fresh mushrooms, seasoned tomato sauce and cheese into a slow cooker and presto — one delicious vegetarian meal cooked with minimum supervision.