Here's a Slow-Cooker Recipe for Every Day in July (2024)

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Here's a Slow-Cooker Recipe for Every Day in July (1)Sue StetzelUpdated: Feb. 10, 2022

    Beat the July heat by letting your slow cooker do the work. With these simple sandwiches, easy sides and even desserts, menu planning couldn't be easier.

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    Taste of Home

    Day 1: Slow-Cooked Peachy Spareribs

    Canned peaches make a delightful addition to my flavorful sparerib sauce. Served over rice, the sweet-tangy ribs make a sensational meal any time of the year. —Jeanne Brino, Woodbury, Minnesota

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    2/31

    Day 2: Beergarita Chicken Tacos

    I was at my friend's bachelorette party the first time I had a beergarita, and I loved it! It was the inspiration for these delicious chicken tacos. I love that they have traditional taco flavors with a fun twist from the margarita! —Ashley Lecker, Green Bay, Wisconsin

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    3/31

    Day 3: Slow-Cooker German Bratwurst

    I created this old-world favorite based on a dish I had during my travels. The flavorful entree is perfect for weeknights or special occasions. I like to serve this slow-cooker bratwurst with pasta. —Gerald Hetrick, Erie, Pennsylvania

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    4/31

    Day 4: Slow-Cooked Blueberry Grunt

    If you love blueberries, then you can't go wrong with this easy dessert. For a special treat, serve it warm with vanilla ice cream. —Cleo Gonske, Redding, California

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    5/31

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    Day 5: Tangy Barbecue Sandwiches

    Since I prepare the beef for these robust sandwiches in the slow cooker, it's easy to fix a meal for a hungry bunch. The savory homemade sauce assures I come home with no leftovers. —Debbi Smith, Crossett, Arkansas

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    6/31

    Day 6: Hawaiian Kielbasa Sandwiches

    If you are looking for a different way to use kielbasa, the sweet and mildly spicy flavor of these sandwiches is a nice change.—Judy Dames, Bridgeville, Pennsylvania

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    7/31

    Day 7: Saucy Scalloped Potatoes

    For old-fashioned flavor, try these scalloped potatoes. They cook up tender, creamy and comforting and chopped ham adds a hearty touch. —Elaine Kane, Keizer, Oregon

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    Day 8: Sweet-and-Sour Chicken Wings

    These slow cooker wings are a fun appetizer for gatherings. I sometimes like to serve the saucy chicken over rice as a main dish. Either way you do it, these Asian-inspired wings will be a hit! —June Eberhardt, Marysville, California

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    9/31

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    Day 9: Slow-Cooked Mandarin Chicken

    Oranges and olives are elegantly paired in this different but delicious dish. The chicken is marinated, then cooked slowly in a flavorful sauce, so it stays moist. —Aney Chatterson, Soda Springs, Idaho

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    10/31

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    Day 10: Lemon Red Potatoes

    Butter, lemon juice, parsley and chives enhance this simple side dish. I usually prepare these potatoes when I'm having company. Since they cook in the slow cooker, there's plenty of room on the stove for other dishes. —Tara Branham, Austin, Texas

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    11/31

    Day 11: Meat Loaf Burgers

    These hearty meat loaf sandwiches are delightful for potluck dinners. Served on hamburger buns, the beefy patties get extra flavor when topped with the seasoned tomato sauce. —Peggy Burdick, Burlington, Michigan

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    12/31

    Day 12: Barbecued Beans

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    Day 13: Italian Meatball Subs

    This is one of those recipes you always come back to. A flavorful tomato sauce and mildly spiced meatballs make a hearty sandwich filling, or they can be served over pasta. I broil the meatballs first to quickly brown them. —Jean Glacken, Elkton, Maryland

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    14/31

    Day 14: Caribbean Curried Chicken

    Having grown up in the Virgin Islands, I've eaten my fair share of authentic curried chicken. This recipe hits the mark with big, bold flavors. It's delicious served over rice. —Sharon Gibson, Hendersonville, North Carolina

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    15/31

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    Day 15: Cheesy Spinach

    My daughter often serves this cheese and spinach blend at church suppers. Even people who don't usually eat spinach like this flavorful dish once they try it. There are never any leftovers. —Frances Moore, Decatur, Illinois

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    16/31

    Day 16: Sweet 'n' Sour Ribs

    If you're looking for a change from typical barbecue ribs, you'll enjoy this recipe my mom always prepared on birthdays and special occasions. The tender ribs have a slight sweet-and-sour taste that my family loves. I usually serve them with garlic mashed potatoes and a salad or coleslaw. —Dorothy Voelz, Champaign, Illinois

    17/31

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    Day 17: Melt-in-Your-Mouth Sausages

    My family loves this recipe. It’s such a good all-around dish, either for sandwiches like these or served with hot spaghetti. —Ilean Schultheiss, Cohocton, New York

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    18/31

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    Day 18: Stuffed Sweet Peppers

    Italian sausage and feta cheese give zest to the rice filling in these tender peppers I've prepared often over the years. When I was married in 1970, slow cookers were the rage. In our home, it's one appliance that's never gone out of style. —Judy Earl, Sarasota, Florida

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    19/31

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    Day 19: Slow-Cooker Bananas Foster

    The flavors of caramel, rum and walnut naturally complement fresh bananas in this version of a dessert classic. It's my go-to choice for any family get-together. —Crystal Bruns, Iliff, Colorado

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    20/31

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    Day 20: Root Beer Pulled Pork Nachos

    I count on my slow cooker to do the honors when I have a house full of summer guests. Teenagers especially love DIY nachos. Try cola, ginger ale or lemon-lime soda if you’re not into root beer.—James Schend, Dairy Freed

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    21/31

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    Day 21: Four-Bean Medley

    This side dish always gets compliments. It’s easy to make ahead and simmer in the slow cooker, so it’s super convenient to take to potlucks and church get-togethers. —Susanne Wasson, Montgomery, New York

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    22/31

    Day 22: Saucy Italian Roast

    This tender roast is one of my favorite set-and-forget meals. I thicken the juices with a little flour and add ketchup, then serve the sauce and beef slices over pasta. —Jan Roat, Red Lodge, Montana

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    23/31

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    Day 23: Slow-Cooked Broccoli

    This family-favorite side dish is quick to fix and full of flavor. Because it simmers in a slow cooker, it frees up my oven for other things. That's a tremendous help when I'm prepping a big meal at home. —Connie Slocum, Antioch, Tennessee

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    24/31

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    Day 24: Slow-Cooker Caponata

    This Italian eggplant dip preps quickly and actually gets better as it stands. Serve it warm or at room temperature. Try adding a little leftover caponata to scrambled eggs for a savory breakfast. —Nancy Beckman, Helena, Montana

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    25/31

    Day 25: Creamy Red Potatoes

    This rich and creamy potato side dish is my go-to for potlucks. It’s super easy to double, so I usually do. Folks almost always take seconds, and I almost always get compliments. —Shelia Schmitt, Topeka, Kansas

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    26/31

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    Day 26: Slow-Cooker Buffalo Chicken Salad

    My husband and sons love chicken with blue cheese, so I created this salad. You can even make the chicken the day before and reheat when ready to serve. —Shauna Havey, Roy, Utah

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    27/31

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    Day 27: Green Chili Beef Burritos

    Recipes that are leaner in fat and calories—like this one for beef burritos—helped me lose 30 pounds! The meat is so tender and delicious. —Shirley Davidson, Thornton, Colorado

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    28/31

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    Day 28: Bandito Chili Dogs

    These deluxe chili dogs are a surefire hit at family functions. Adults and children alike love the cheesy chili sauce, and the toppings are fun! —Marion Lowery, Medford, Oregon

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    29/31

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    Day 29: Slow Cooker Berry Cobbler

    I adapted my mom's yummy cobbler recipe for slow cooking. With the hot summers here in Arizona, we can still enjoy this comforting dessert, and I don't have to turn on the oven. —Karen Jarocki, Yuma, Arizona

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    30/31

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    Day 30: Slow-Cooked Chicken Caesar Wraps

    I first made these slow-cooker chicken Caesar wraps for our daughter who loves Caesar salads, then later for our extended family while on vacation. It's such an easy meal—perfect for times when you'd rather be outside than inside cooking all day. —Christine Hadden, Whitman, Massachusetts

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    Day 31: Slow-Cooked Smokies

    I like to include these little smokies smothered in barbecue sauce on all my appetizer buffets since they're popular with both children and adults. —Sundra Hauck, Bogalusa, Louisiana

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    Originally Published: June 22, 2020

    Here's a Slow-Cooker Recipe for Every Day in July (32)

    Sue Stetzel

    Sue has been working with Taste of Home since 2011. When she isn’t writing, she’s answering your burning cooking questions and working with our team of Community Cooks. She spends her free time cooking, crafting, and volunteering for various organizations in her home town.

    Here's a Slow-Cooker Recipe for Every Day in July (2024)

    FAQs

    What is best to cook in a slow cooker? ›

    Slow cookers are great for cooking cheaper cuts like beef brisket, pork shoulder, lamb shoulder and chicken thighs. You can also use less meat, as slow cooking really extracts a meaty flavour that permeates the whole dish. Bulk up with vegetables instead.

    Is a slow cooker good for the summer? ›

    It's hot enough outside so let's keep it as cool as possible inside. Slow cookers will help you save money both inside and outside the home. This small appliance is much more energy-efficient than your oven and stove, while also keeping your AC bill down by not heating up your home.

    How do I get the best results from a slow cooker? ›

    Avoid overcrowding: For the best results, fill a slow cooker between one-half and two-thirds full. Go ahead and cook big roasts and whole chickens; just make sure you use a large crock and that the lid fits snugly on top. Trim fat: For silky sauces and gravies, take a minute or two and cut the excess fat from the meat.

    Do you put water in the bottom of a slow cooker? ›

    Never ever put liquid into the base of a slow cooker. It was not designed for that and clearly states not to immerse the base in water. The heating element and components are not in a waterproof environment. You will quickly ruin the heating element and risk injury from electrical leakage into the metal base.

    What is the difference between a slow cooker and a crockpot? ›

    However, Crockpots generally have ceramic or porcelain pots, while most slow cookers have a metal pot. As with a lot of cooking appliances, the biggest difference comes from the distribution of heat.

    What piece of meat is best for slow cooker? ›

    Some of the best cuts of meat for slow cooking include:
    • Lamb Shank. ...
    • Short Ribs. ...
    • Brisket. ...
    • Slow Cooker/Crockpot. ...
    • Braising. ...
    • Oven Roasting. ...
    • Slow Cooker Beef Stew. Ingredients:
    • Slow Cooker Lamb Shank. Ingredients:
    Mar 26, 2023

    Is it OK to leave a slow cooker on overnight? ›

    Is it safe to leave a slow cooker on for 12 hours? Yes, you can use your slow cooker for longer than eight hours, as long as you keep an eye on it. Many slow cookers do have an automatic shutoff after 24 hours.

    Is it OK to leave slow cooker on all day? ›

    But is it safe to leave a crockpot on all day? Yes! Since crockpots cook at a much lower temperature, it's often necessary to run the appliance for 4-8 hours.

    Is it OK to leave slow cooker on warm overnight? ›

    Don't leave it on 'warm' all day

    Most appliances will automatically shut off after 20 or so hours on this setting, but you shouldn't leave food in a slow cooker for an extended length of time. The general rule of thumb is that 2-4 hours is the maximum length of time you can leave food in a slow cooker on warm.

    Is 4 hours on high the same as 8 hours on low in a slow cooker? ›

    The difference between "High" and "Low" on slow cookers seems to differ with every brand and model. One thing that is consistent, though, is that food takes seven to eight hours to reach a simmer point (around 210°) on low; versus three to four hours on high.

    Is it better to start CrockPot on high or low? ›

    If possible, turn the cooker on the highest setting for the first hour of cooking time and then to low or the setting called for in your recipe. Foods take different times to cook depending upon the setting used. Certainly, foods will cook faster on high than on low.

    Can you put raw meat in a slow cooker? ›

    Yes, you can add raw steak to a slow cooker to cook it to your desired doneness level.

    Is it OK to put raw chicken in slow cooker? ›

    Yes, you most certainly can cook raw meat in the slow cooker! You put it in “cold”, with whatever liquid your recipe calls for, turn it on either “low” or “high” depending on your recipe (I usually start it on “high” for a couple hours, then turn it to “low”), and in 6–7–8 hours, it's now COOKED meat!

    Should you stir a slow cooker? ›

    Due to the nature of a slow cooker, there is no need to stir the food unless it specifically says to in your recipe. In fact, taking the lid off to stir food causes the slow cooker to lose a significant amount of heat, extending the cooking time required. Therefore, it is best not to remove the lid for stirring.

    Can I open a slow cooker while cooking? ›

    Don't open the lid during cooking!

    Follow this tip: Unless it's noted in the recipe, there's no need to remove the lid.

    Is it better to use a slow cooker on high or low? ›

    Foods take different times to cook depending upon the setting used. Certainly, foods will cook faster on high than on low. However, for all-day cooking or for less-tender cuts, you may want to use the low setting.

    Why would you use a slow cooker? ›

    Slow cookers are great for parties and gatherings because they free up oven and stovetop space and keep food warm for hours. You can spend more time actually enjoying the company of your mates and less time getting stressed in the kitchen.

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