{"id":41984,"date":"2015-08-05T11:15:05","date_gmt":"2015-08-05T15:15:05","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/dailyburn.com\/life\/?p=41984"},"modified":"2021-05-13T09:23:43","modified_gmt":"2021-05-13T13:23:43","slug":"easy-slow-cooker-recipes-summer","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dailyburn.com\/life\/recipes\/easy-slow-cooker-recipes-summer\/","title":{"rendered":"11 Easy Slow Cooker Recipes for Summer"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Everyone knows that slow cookers<\/a> are great for hearty winter meals. But they\u2019re also ideal for those steamy summer days when it\u2019s just too hot to turn on the stove<\/a>. Set that slow cooker to run while you\u2019re out of the house and you won\u2019t even have to deal with the small amount of heat that does <\/em>come out of your CrockPot.<\/p>\n

RELATED:<\/strong> 15 Healthy Recipes for No-Bake Desserts<\/a><\/p>\n

11 Summer Slow Cooker Recipes to Beat the Heat<\/h3>\n

While traditional slow cooker dishes (think: pot roast) might seem too heavy to enjoy in August, with the right recipe you can have a light, low-calorie meal on the table with very little prep<\/a>. Plus, many of these recipes can also be made ahead of time<\/a> and enjoyed cold or at room temperature. Just toss in your ingredients, then head out to cool down at the pool. From breakfast to dinner (and everything between), check out these low-effort recipe ideas below.<\/p>\n

Breakfast Recipes (Under 300 Calories)<\/strong><\/h3>\n

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1. Slow Cooker Quinoa Oatmeal<\/a> <\/strong>(203 calories)
\nJust because school\u2019s out doesn\u2019t mean your morning breakfast routine should suffer. With this recipe, oats and quinoa bake overnight to offer a protein and fiber-rich meal. Each pot yields six servings \u2014 so if you\u2019re cooking for one<\/a> portion it into individual containers to enjoy all week long. Don\u2019t forget to add toppings, either. We suggest fresh summer berries, cinnamon and a drizzle of maple syrup. Photo and Recipe: Chelsea \/ <\/em>Chelsea\u2019s Messy Apron<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n

 <\/em>RELATED: <\/strong>9 Easy Overnight Oats Recipes<\/a><\/p>\n

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2. Slow Cooker Zucchini, Tomato and Feta Frittata<\/a> <\/strong>(178 calories)
\nRather than baking your frittata<\/a> in the oven, make this protein-packed dish<\/a> in your slow cooker. In addition to being in-season, shredded zucchini helps your eggs hold their shape. Don\u2019t have any on hand? Spinach, sweet potato<\/a> or broccoli would work well, too. Dish out your eggs alongside a slice of whole-grain bread or a small salad for a well-rounded meal. Photo and Recipe: Eleni \/ <\/em>The Foodie Corner<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n

Snacks & Side Recipes (Under 200 Calories)<\/strong><\/h3>\n

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3. Slow Cooker Quinoa Energy Bars<\/a> <\/strong>(157 calories)
\nToo busy shuttling kids to the camp to sit down for a snack<\/a>? These energy bars offer the perfect combination of protein and fiber to keep bellies full while on-the-go. Once cooked, the almond butter, quinoa and chia seeds come together to create a thick and gooey bar. Dried fruit adds just enough sweetness, and roasted almonds<\/a> bring the crunch. Photo and Recipe: <\/em>Food Faith Fitness<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n

RELATED: <\/strong>11 No-Bake Energy Bite Recipes<\/a><\/p>\n

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4. Slow Cooker Bread<\/a> <\/strong>(172 calories)
\nWhen it\u2019s 90 degrees and humid, the last thing on anyone\u2019s mind is baking bread. Luckily, it\u2019s easy to make a homemade loaf in a slow cooker without turning your kitchen into a sauna. After it\u2019s done, slather a slice with a scoop of nut butter<\/a> or some chia jam for a hearty snack. Photo and Recipe: Emma Christensen \/ <\/em>The Kitchn<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n

Dinner Recipes (Under 400 Calories)<\/strong><\/h3>\n

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5. Healthy Quinoa Chicken Curry Bowls<\/a> <\/strong>(315 calories)
\nIf you rely on bland chicken<\/a> dinners to justify your summer ice cream cravings<\/a>, we\u2019ve got a treat for you. This low-cal dish is a winner, thanks to its rich mix of curry paste, garam masala, ginger, garlic, onion and tomato paste. Just simmer it in a slow cooker for six hours for a dinner that will be flavor and <\/em>satisfying. Photo and Recipe: Lindsay \/ <\/em>Pinch of Yum<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n

RELATED: <\/strong>9 Foil Packet Recipes for Easy Summer Dinners<\/a><\/p>\n

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6. Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken Quinoa Sloppy Joes<\/a><\/strong> (234 calories)
\nSloppy joes are an easy go-to for summer BBQs<\/a>. But most versions are far from healthy. This one defies that stereotype by packing in 13.5 grams of lean protein per serving, thanks to quinoa and ground turkey breast. Instead of a traditional bun<\/a>, try serving your \u2018joe between two slices of roasted sweet potato instead. Photo and Recipe: Ashley \/ <\/em>The Recipe Rebel<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n

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7. Korean Beef Lettuce Wraps with Sesame Cucumber Salad<\/a> <\/strong>(374 calories)
\nThere\u2019s nothing like a crisp lettuce wrap<\/a> to cool (and fuel) you on a hot night. The slow cooker works magic by infusing your beef with soy sauce, honey, brown sugar, rice vinegar, sesame oil and garlic chili paste over the course of eight to 10 hours. Don\u2019t skip out on the radish and cucumber salad \u2014 the freshness and crunch completes each bite. Photo and Recipe: Denise \/ <\/em>Sweet Peas and Saffron<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n

RELATED: <\/strong>9 Delicious Watermelon Recipes for Summer<\/a><\/p>\n

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8. Slow Cooker Kalua Pig<\/a><\/strong> (379 calories)
\nYes, this recipe has to cook at least 16 hours. But we promise it\u2019s worth the wait. Plus, it doesn\u2019t get simpler than this: All you need is pork butt, salt and bacon. Even better, leftovers are practically guaranteed. A five-pound roast can easily make 12 servings or more, depending on how you use it. Photo and Recipe: Michelle Tam \/ <\/em>Nom Nom Paleo<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n

\"Spaghetti
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9. Spaghetti Squash Thai \u201cNoodle\u201d Bowl<\/a> <\/strong>(145.9 calories)
\nThis noodle bowl boasts all the same flavors as Pad Thai, but with a fraction of the work (and calories!). Instead of rice noodles, low-carb spaghetti squash is topped with steamed broccoli and Thai peanut dressing. Customize the toppings however you like \u2014 chopped peanuts, lime wedges, cilantro or Sriracha are sure to satisfy. Photo and Recipe: Amanda Plott \/ <\/em>The Skinny Fork<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n

RELATED: <\/strong>9 Creative Low-Carb Noodle Recipes<\/a><\/p>\n

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10. Slow Cooker Beef Tostadas<\/a> <\/strong>(324 calories)
\nThis Mole-spiced beef tastes just as delicious as it looks \u2014 and we bet it pairs well with your favorite summer cocktail<\/a>, too. Cocoa powder, chipotle chiles, coriander and cumin give the recipe deep, rich flavor. Serve your beef with fresh corn tortillas, or atop a bed of lettuce, and garnish with salsa, avocado and bell peppers. Photo and Recipe: Regan Jones \/ <\/em>Healthy Aperture<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n

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11. Slow Cooker Sesame Chicken<\/a> <\/strong>(334 calories)
\nIt\u2019ll be easier to resist the urge to camp out in front of the AC and order takeout with this recipe in your back<\/a> pocket. Thanks to a few hours in a slow cooker, the simple sauce (garlic, ginger, soy sauce and lime) infuses protein-rich chicken breasts with a ton of flavor. Pair it with steamed broccoli or cauliflower rice<\/a> for a low-carb, high-fiber meal. (Pro tip: The recipe calls for store-bought garlic-ginger pur\u00e9e, but you can opt for freshly grated garlic and ginger instead.) Photo and Recipe: <\/em>Skinny Ms.<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

When it\u2019s too hot to turn on the oven, these simple summer slow cooker recipes might just save the day (without breaking the calorie bank!). <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":44,"featured_media":42008,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_seopress_robots_primary_cat":"","_seopress_titles_title":"","_seopress_titles_desc":"","_seopress_robots_index":"","site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"","ast-site-content-layout":"","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"default","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"ast-content-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"footnotes":""},"categories":[423,425,27,9,427],"tags":[33,155,51,87,90,341,380],"class_list":["post-41984","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-breakfast","category-dinner","category-healthy","category-recipes","category-snacks","tag-breakfast","tag-dinner","tag-food-choices","tag-snacks","tag-summer","tag-tax1living-well","tag-tax2diet-advice"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/dailyburn.com\/life\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/41984","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/dailyburn.com\/life\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/dailyburn.com\/life\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dailyburn.com\/life\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/44"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dailyburn.com\/life\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=41984"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/dailyburn.com\/life\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/41984\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dailyburn.com\/life\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/42008"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/dailyburn.com\/life\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=41984"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dailyburn.com\/life\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=41984"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dailyburn.com\/life\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=41984"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}