21 Super Easy Summer Crockpot Dump Meals for Hot Days

Easy summer crockpot dump meals! These healthy slow cooker recipes have bright, fresh flavor that’s perfect for hot days.

When it comes to cooking dinner in the summer …

… keeping the kitchen cool can be a real challenge.

It’s fun to make dinners on the grill, but don’t forget the humble slow cooker too!

Letting the crockpot work its magic means no need to babysit the grill or stove in the summer heat.

And what makes slow cooking even easier are dump and go recipes!

You literally just toss all the ingredients into the crockpot, turn it on, and arrive at dinnertime with the meal already made.

I put together a list of the absolute easiest summer crockpot dump meals – so you have tons of simple and inexpensive meals to add to your summer meal plan.

These delicious meals will:

Please even the pickiest eaters
Keep your grocery budget in check with minimal ingredients
Be full of flavor
Take all the work out of making dinner

There are recipes with beef, chicken, pork and even a vegetarian option.

Let’s check ‘em out!

BBQ Chicken

This Crockpot BBQ Chicken features tender chicken, soaking up tangy, sweet barbecue sauce, for juicy, flavor-packed bites perfect for sandwiches or salads. It’s a summer classic without heating up the grill.

Ingredients:

4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
1 cup BBQ sauce
¼ cup apple cider vinegar
1 tbs brown sugar
1 tsp smoked paprika
Salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

In a bow, stir together BBQ sauce, apple cider vinegar, brown sugar, smoked paprika, salt and pepper.
Layer chicken in bottom of slow cooker, and pour sauce mixture over chicken evenly.
Cover and Cook on Low for 4-6 hours until chicken shreds easily with two forks.
Mix shredded chicken into sauce, and serve on buns, tostadas, over rice, or on a salad.

Pineapple BBQ Ribs

These Pineapple BBQ Ribs come out fall-off-the-bone tender with a tropical twist of pineapple juice mixed into the barbecue sauce.

The combo of sweet and smoky flavors gives those vacation vibes to your dinner table.

Ingredients:

2 lbs pork ribs
1 cup BBQ sauce
½ cup pineapple juice
1 tbs soy sauce
1 tsp garlic powder
Salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

In a bowl, combine BBQ sauce, pineapple juice, soy sauce, garlic powder, salt and pepper.
Place ribs in crockpot, and pour sauce evenly over them.
Cook on Low for 7 hours until ribs are tender.
Optional: For a carmelized finish, broil ribs in the oven for 3-5 minutes before serving.

Greek Lemon Chicken

This Greek-inspired Chicken is bright, tangy, and effortlessly flavorful thanks to lemon juice, garlic, and oregano.

Everything simmers together for juicy, tender chicken that tastes like a Greece vacation on your plate.

Ingredients:

4 chicken breasts or thighs
1 lemon, sliced
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 tsp dried oregano
½ cup chicken broth
Salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

Salt and pepper each piece of chicken, and place in crockpot.
Add garlic, lemon slices, oregano, and chicken broth.
Cook on Low for 5 hours until chicken is cooked through.
Spoon juices over chicken and enjoy with veggies, salad, or rice, or inside a pita.

Summer Vegetable Ratatouille

For a healthy, veggie-filled vegetarian meal, Summer Ratatouille is fresh, colorful, and full of garden vibes, perfect for summertime dinners.

Just dump the veggies in and let the slow cooker do the rest.

Ingredients:

1 eggplant, diced
2 zucchini, sliced
1 red bell pepper, chopped
1 yellow pepper, chopped
1 can diced tomatoes
3 garlic cloves, minced
1 tsp dried basil
Salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

Place all ingredients into the crockpot, and sprinkle with salt and pepper.
Cook on Low for 4 hours, until the veggies are soft and flavors have combined.
Serve over rice, quinoa, or crusty bread.

Jerk Chicken

The bold spices of Jerk Chicken are easy with this crockpot version, no grilling needed. The spicy, smoky seasoning soaks in, giving you all the island vibes with a little kick.

Ingredients:

4 chicken thighs or breasts
2 tbs jerk seasoning
1 small onion, roughly chopped
½ cup chicken broth
1 tbs lime juice
Salt to taste

Directions:

Rub jerk seasoning all over chicken.
Place onion on bottom of crcokpot, then add chicken on top.
Pour chicken broth and lime juice over chicken.
Cook on Low for 6 hours, until chicken is tender.
Serve with rice, plantains, or your favorite sides.

Honey Garlic Meatballs

Meatballs take a deliciously sticky and sweet twist with honey garlic sauce that’s totally dump-and-go.

They’re perfect for a fun dinner or summer parties when you want something tasty to nibble on without fussing over the stove.

Ingredients:

1 bag frozen meatballs (or make your own)
1 clove garlic, minced
½ cup honey
½ cup soy sauce
¼ cup ketchup

Directions:

Mix together honey, soy sauce, ketchup and garlic
Place meatballs in sauce, stirring to coat.
Cook on Low for 4-6 hours.
Serve with rice, potatoes, or on a sub bun.

Pulled Pork

Pulled Pork is an all-time favorite that gets easier with the crockpot. The meat comes out super, and you’ll have plenty of leftovers for sandwiches or salads all week.

Ingredients:

3 lbs pork shoulder
1-2 cups BBQ sauce
1 onion, sliced
½ cup apple cider vinegar
Salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

Rub pork shoulder with salt and pepper.
Place pork and sliced onion in the crockpot, and pour apple cider vinegar and half the BBQ sauce over top.
Cook on Low for 8 hours.
Shred pork with forks, then add in remaining BBQ sauce and stir all together.
Serve on buns, over rice, baked potatoes, on nachos, or with your favorite sides.

Chicken Tikka Masala

Creamy, spicy Chicken Tikka Masala feels fancy but is crockpot simple.

Tender chicken simmers in an amazing tomato and cream sauce infused with warming spices that fill your kitchen with those amazing aromas all day.

Ingredients:

1.5 lbs chicken breast, cubed
1 onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tbs garam masala
1 can diced tomatoes
1 cup heavy cream or coconut milk
Salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

Put chicken and onion in crockpot, and stir in garlic, garam masala, and tomatoes.
Cook on Low for 7 hours.
Add cream, stir well, and cook 15 minutes more.
Serve over rice with Naan bread

Stuffed Peppers

A great use for those summer bell peppers, Crockpot Stuffed Peppers are healthy, inexpensive, and take about 10 minutes to prep.

Leftovers taste great as lunches throughout the week too!

Ingredients:

4-5 large bell peppers, with tops cut off and seeds removed
1 lb ground beef, turkey, or chicken
1-2 cups cooked rice (the microwaveable packets are so easy!)
1 can diced tomatoes
Optional: 1 can black beans, drained
1 packet taco seasoning

Directions:

Cook ground meat in a pan
Add tomatoes, black beans (if using) and taco seasoning packet with a splash of water to cooked meat. Stir in cooked rice.
Fill peppers with mixture and place in slow cooker, standing up.
Add about 1/2 cup water or broth to bottom of slow cooker so it’s not dry.
Cook on Low for hours or High for 3 hours, until peppers are tender, and serve warm.
Optional: Sprinkle peppers with shredded cheese, then replace lid until melted.

Caprese Chicken

Who says you can’t enjoy the taste fresh caprese with basically zero effort?

Crockpot Caprese Chicken cooks gently in tomatoes and basil before topping off with melty mozzarella for an easy, summery dinner that feels fancy.

Ingredients:

4 chicken breasts
2 cups cherry tomatoes, halved
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tsp dried basil
8 oz fresh mozzarella, sliced
Salt and pepper to taste
Optional: Fresh basil leaves for garnish

Directions:

Add chicken to crockpot, and top with cherry tomatoes and garlic.
Sprinkle dried basil, salt and pepper over everything.
Cook on Low for 4-6 hours.
Top chicken with mozzarella slices in the last 10 minutes of cooking.
Serve with rice, potatoes, or veggies, with optional fresh basil garnish.

Mexican Shredded Beef

This Mexican Shredded Beef is simple but packs serious flavor with taco seasoning and tomatoes. The meat turns tender and juicy, perfect for tacos, burritos, or over a fresh salad.

Ingredients:

1 lbs beef chuck roast
1 packet taco seasoning
1 can dived tomatoes with green chiles
1 onion, sliced
Salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

Place beef roast in crockpot and season with salt and pepper.
Sprinkle taco seasoning over beef, then cover with diced tomatoes and sliced onion.
Cook on Low for 8 hours.
Remove beef, shred with forks, and return to crockpot to soak in juices.
Serve as tacos, nachos, or in bowls with rice and veggies.

Teriyaki Chicken

Crockpot Teriyaki Chicken has a sweet and savory punch that tastes great on on rice or noodles for a satisfying summertime dinner that tastes better than takeout.

Ingredients:

4 chicken thighs
½ cup soy sauce
½ cup brown sugar
¼ cup pineapple juice
2 cloves garlic, minced
¼ tsp ground ginger
Optional garnish: sesame seeds and green onions

Directions:

Whisk together soy sauce brown sugar, pineapple juice, garlic and ginger in a bowl.
Place chicken in crockpot and pour sauce over top.
Cook on Low for 4 hours.
Serve over rice with option green onions and sesame seeds.

Lemon Garlic Shrimp and Rice

Shrimp usually demands attention, but this crockpot version makes it no-fuss, with bright lemon, garlic, and a cozy bed of rice. Perfect for a laid-back dinner that still feels special.

Ingredients:

1 lb raw shrimp, peeled and deveined
1 cup white rice
2 cups chicken broth
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 lemon, zested and juiced
Salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

Add rice and chicken broth to crockpot.
Stir in garlic, lemon zest and juice, salt and pepper.
Cover and cook on low for 2.5 hours.
Add shrimp, stir gently, cover and cook another 30 minutes until shrimp are pink and cooked through.
Fluff rice and serve with extra lemon wedges.

Chicken Ranch Tacos

Set it and forget it Chicken Ranch Tacos are always a hit! The chicken can also be used for quesadillas, enchiladas, or nachos.

Ingredients:

1 lb chicken breasts
Jar of salsa
Packet of ranch seasoning mix
Packet of taco seasoning mix
Tortillas and your favorite taco toppings

Directions:

Add chicken, salsa, and seasoning packets to crockpot
Cook on Low for 6 hours
Shred chicken and serve with your favorite toppings

Italian Sausage and Peppers

Sausage and Peppers get lazy summer vibes with this crockpot recipe that lets smoky sausages mingle with sweet bell peppers and onions.

It’s hands-off but hearty, perfect for warm afternoons when you want dinner ready with zero wait time once you get home.

Ingredients:

1 lb Italian sausage links
3 bell peppers, sliced (assorted colors)
1 onion, sliced
1 can diced tomatoes
2 cloves garlic, minced
Salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

Add sausages to crockpot, then layer sliced peppers, onions, garlic, and diced tomatoes over top.
Cook on Low for 5 hours.
Slice sausage and serve with peppers and sauce over rice or potatoes, or on sub buns as sandwiches.

Balsamic Chicken and Veggies

A full meal in one pot, sweet, tangy, and savory Balsamic Chicken Veggies cooks all day while you’re out doing fun summer things.

Ingredients:

1 lb chicken breasts or thighs
1/2 cup balsamic vinegar
2 tbs brown sugar
2-4 garlic cloves, minced (or garlic powder)
Baby carrots
Small potatoes, or 1-2 Russet potatoes, cut into chunks
¼ cup water

Directions:

In a small bowl, whisk together balsamic vinegar, brown sugar, garlic and water.
Drizzle a little of the sauce over bottom of slow cooker, then add chicken, potatoes, and carrots, and pour remaining sauce over.
Cook on Low for 6-8 hours

Italian Beef Sandwiches

Italian Beef Sandwiches are packed with tender beef and Italian seasoning.

The juicy shreds of beef soaked in savory juices, makes “meat and potato” eaters happy when piled onto rolls, or served with mashed potatoes.

Ingredients:

3 lbs beef chuck roast
1 packet Italian seasoning
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 cup beef broth
Salt and pepper to taste
Hoagie rolls for serving

Directions:

Rub roast with salt, pepper, garlic and Italian seasoning.
Place beef and broth in crockpot.
Cook on Low for 8 hours.
Shred roast, then mix with juices before serving on rolls.

Thai Peanut Chicken

This Crockpot Peanut Chicken combines creamy, nutty peanut sauce with sweet coconut milk and tender chicken for a healthier takeout alternative.

The spice of the ginger hits just right for an easy summer dinner with a little zip.

Ingredients:

1.5 lbs chicken thighs or breasts
1 cup coconut milk
½ cup peanut butter
2 tbs soy sauce
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tbs lime juice
⅛ tsp ground ginger
Optional garnish: Chopped peanuts and green onion

Directions:

Whisk together coconut milk, peanut butter, soy sauce, garlic, lime juice, and ginger.
Place chicken in crockpot, and pour sauce mixture over top.
Cook on Low for 4-6 hours.
Serve over rice or noodles with optional garnish.

Teriyaki Meatballs

Meatballs get glazed in sweet and tangy teriyaki sauce and juicy pineapple. Great for parties or casual dinners, these meatballs deliver big flavor with minimal effort.

Ingredients:

1 bag frozen meatballs (or make your own)
1 cup teriyaki sauce
8 oz pineapple chunks, drained
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tbs soy sauce

Directions:

Whisk together teriyaki sauce, garlic, and soy sauce
Add meatballs and pineapple to crockpot, and pour sauce over top.
Stir all together, and cook on Low for 6 hours.
Serve over rice, noodles, or potatoes.

Moroccan Chickpea Stew

This year-round stew is chock full of spices and chickpeas for a light yet satisfyingly hearty dish. The crockpot blends tomatoes, sweet potatoes, and warm Moroccan spices to create an exotic and budget-friendly meatless meal.

Ingredients:

1 can chickpeas, drained and rinsed
2 sweet potatoes, peeled and cubed
1 can diced tomatoes
1 onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tsp cumin
1 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp paprika
Salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

Add all ingredients to crockpot and stir
Cook on Low for 6 hours
Serve with bread, or rice, couscous, or potatoes

Chicken Enchilada Soup

Soup can be enjoyed in the summer if it has enough flavor. This recipe taste just like chicken enchiladas in a bowl, no rolling of tortillas required!

Ingredients: