Simmer Your Way to Dinner This Summer With Our Seasonal Slow-Cooker Meals

Savory, fork-tender beef is brightened with summery crunch from pickled veggies. The low, even heat of the slow cooker helps flavor powerhouses like miso, sesame oil, and soy sauce impart tenderizing moisture, umami depth, and savory personality to common pot roast.

Skip the canned baked beans in favor of our fuss-free version, which saves up to 300mg sodium per serving. Adobo sauce and bacon build a smoky backbone, while peak-season peaches offer sweet contrast. Bonus: The beans will stay warm in a covered slow cooker for up to 2 hours after being unplugged.

For slow-simmered flavor without the hassle, reach for your handy slow cooker. Habaneros contain more capsaisin (the compound that contributes spicy heat) than jalapeños, but removing the seeds and membranes lessens that heat considerably.

Marinated chicken simmered in an aromatic coconut broth = flavor building at its finest. This Southeast Asian-inspire bowl is all about big flavor with minimal effort. When working with lemongrass, give the stalk a couple of whacks with the back of a knife before chopping to release its flavorful oils.

Smoked paprika comes from a centuries-old tradition in which chile peppers are slowly dried over low-burning fires of Spanish oak and then ground into powder. In the slow cooker, this earthy, aromatic spice adds outdoor smoked barbecue flavor.

We love the slight tartness of ripe, juicy peaches with this fuss-free, no-stir pudding, but a blend of plump summer berries would be equally delicious.

Our rich and brothy seafood stew keeps prep time to a minimum while maxing out savory flavor.

This global mash-up of a summer classic borrows the ideas of red lentils and maple syrup from celebrated Montreal restaurant Joe Beef and replaces the standard chili sauce of Korean Gochujang for a bit of "what is that flavor?" flair.

You already love pulled chicken, so why not try it in a slow cooker? Savor this tender, melt-in-your-mouth chicken sandwich with ketchup-based sauce for lunch or dinner.

Serve this dip with assorted vegetable dippers. It's also tasty as a condiment spread on turkey burgers.

If you can't find Italian rolls, substitute a sturdy bread that will soak up the juices in this moist, delightfully messy sandwich.

Small pearl tapioca combined with coconut milk and fresh pineapple makes a simple tropics-inspired treat. The key to success is using small pearl tapioca, not instant or minute tapioca. Fresh mango or papaya works equally well as a substitute for the fresh pineapple.

The meat sauce can be made ahead and then served over mafaldine, a flat noodle with ruffled edges. You can substitute spaghetti.

Soft tortillas wrap savory pork, fresh tomatoes, garlic cloves, and citrus juices blending to make the perfect slow-cooker delicacy. Serve with black beans and rice, if desired.

Assemble the sliders before dinner. Or, consider showcasing a slider assembly station for your family or friends to make their own.

The grated fresh ginger in this classic Chinese recipe makes the chicken extra sweet. Substitute pork tenderloin in place of chicken thighs, if desired.

Black beans are a staple side to any Mexican dish. Serve these beans warm and tender after 10 hours in the slow cooker.

Heating the chicken drummettes in the oven helps to brown them. You can also brown them, in batches, in a skillet on the cooktop.

Freshly sliced bananas and pineapple meet soft vanilla ice cream and a savory cinnamon-flavored sauce to give you one decadent dessert. Fresh fruit is always best, but for the sake of convenience, the precut variety is also worth reaching for.

The garlic becomes creamy and mellows as it cooks. Spread it on chunks of crusty French baguette and soak up the fabulous sauce as you enjoy every morsel of this super-tender chicken. If you're tight on time, substitute 3 pounds of chicken pieces rather than cut up the whole chicken. Also, look for garlic cloves that are already peeled.

Make peak-of-the-season preserves without even stirring. A slow cooker makes it possible. Another great use: Brush on grilled chicken or pork for a sweet finish.

Before there were nachos, there were chilaquiles. Tomatoes and spices simmer with any kind of meat to make the ideal topping for tortilla chips. Here, chipotle, chicken, and cilantro meld in this filling Mexican favorite.

This rustic dish takes its cue from the typical fare served in Provence, a region in the southeastern part of France that is known for dishes highlighting fresh, local ingredients such as garlic, tomatoes, olive oil, olives, and sweet bell peppers. Be sure to use bone-in chicken breasts for this recipe, or substitute bone-in chicken thighs.

This cheesy crab dip makes a savory party appetizer with minimal preparation time. Serve warm with pita chips or whole-grain crackers.

This creamy custard is about as simply delicious as it gets. Using evaporated milk helps the custard stabilize and not curdle.

Pulled pork is an instant classic and slow-cooking it is simply genius. Use packaged cabbage and carrot coleslaw to shave off prep time.

Loaded with grains and vegetables, these burritos make a complete one-dish meal.

This high-flavor dish combines fresh vegetables with curry, cumin, cayenne, and chutney.

Make your friends "green" with envy at your slow cooker savvy by serving up this savory Southwestern-style entrée, loaded with tomatillos, onion, and roasted poblano and jalapeño peppers. Corn tortillas and a simple green salad round out the menu.

Serve with jasmine rice to help soak up some of the sauce. Snow peas make a great side dish for rounding out your meal.

Brandy-spiked dried plums bejewel this delicious vanilla-infused bread pudding, putting a decadent spin on comfort.

Guaranteed to heat up any meal, this corn pudding is a tasty menu item for a Mexican-themed buffet.

Think outside the "dish." You can enjoy the flavor and texture of enchiladas in a slow cooker; just stack the tortillas instead of rolling them. We suggest lining your slow cooker with a slow-cooker bag so you can easily remove the stack from the cooker.

With their crisp texture and sweet flavor, bell peppers are a nice complement to the pork in this dish. If you plan to use peppers within a day or two, keep them at room temperature for better flavor.

Cheesecake in a slow cooker is a brilliant idea for a heavenly dessert. Top with fresh raspberries to complete your sweet treat.