Grab your crockpot, because this list is full of budget-friendly dinners that make summer cooking feel a whole lot easier. From tacos and burrito bowls to BBQ chicken, pasta, and other simple favorites, this collection of cheap summer crockpot recipes has something for everyone to enjoy!
I gathered the best recipes you can make this summer in the crockpot, always trying to stay close to $2 per serving. That can be a little tricky, I know, but there are some really good ones here that still feel easy and family-friendly (because cheap dinner should still feel like dinner, haha).
And if you’re like me, the last thing you want on a hot evening is the oven making the kitchen even warmer. So what’s better than letting the crockpot do its thing while you get on with your day, and dinner is basically ready when you get home?
So go ahead and scroll through! Pick your favorite and save a few more for later. That sounds like a good plan to me.
1) Slow Cooker Chicken Burrito Bowl by Joyous Apron
First up, here’s one that just makes sense for summer. You’ve got tender chicken, rice, beans, corn, and avocado all in one bowl, so it feels filling without being too much. And since everyone can add their own toppings, dinner feels a lot easier too!
Per Serving:
- Calories: 645
- Protein: 56g
- Carbs: 64g
- Fiber: 8g
- Fat: 21g
2) Slow Cooker Chicken Tacos by Taming Twins
Taco night in the summer? Always a good idea! The chicken turns nice and tender in the slow cooker, then all you need are tortillas, cheese, and that creamy avocado lime sauce on top. It’s simple and fun, and if you’re eating with your family, I’m sure they will love it too!
Per Serving:
- Calories: 777
- Protein: 57g
- Carbs: 62g
- Fiber: 11g
- Fat: 35g
3) Salsa Chicken and Rice Bowls by Fit Foodie Finds
Here’s the thing, meals like this are so helpful when you want dinner to be easy but still feel good. The salsa chicken, rice, beans, corn, and peppers come together into a bowl that feels fresh and filling. I also love that this one stretches well, which is always nice when you’re trying to keep dinner cheap!
Per Serving:
- Calories: 392
- Protein: 37g
- Carbs: 42g
- Fiber: 5g
- Fat: 9g
4) Slow Cooker Peach Chicken with Basil by Real Food Whole Life
Now this one really feels like summer! The peaches add a little sweetness, the basil keeps it fresh, and the whole recipe feels lighter than a lot of slow cooker chicken dinners. It’s a great one for warm nights when you want something easy, but still a little different.
Per Serving:
- Calories: 196
- Protein: 18g
- Carbs: 26g
- Fiber: 3g
- Fat: 2g
5) Slow Cooker Salsa Verde Chicken Tacos by Olivia Adriance
Need a dinner that keeps things nice and easy? The salsa verde gives the chicken a bright, tangy flavor that works so well in summer, and the short ingredient list makes it even better. It’s great for tacos, and the leftovers are really good in bowls the next day too!
Per Serving:
- Calories: 245
- Protein: 31g
- Carbs: 4g
- Fiber: 1g
- Fat: 11g
6) Slow Cooker Baked Ziti by Kristine’s Kitchen
I always like having one easy pasta on my plan. And this dish is saucy, cheesy, and really easy to pull together, which is a big help when it’s hot out and you do not want to turn on the oven. It is a little more cozy than some of the other recipes here, but it still works really well for a cheap crockpot dinner!
Per Serving:
- Calories: 515
- Protein: 21g
- Carbs: 55g
- Fiber: 5g
- Fat: 24g
7) Chicken Enchiladas by Taming Twins
If your family gets excited for cheesy dinners, this one is going to be a hit, haha! The slow cooker makes the chicken nice and tender, so putting everything together feels a lot easier. Add your favorite toppings and dinner is ready.
Per Serving:
- Calories: 634
- Protein: 54g
- Carbs: 57g
- Fiber: 11g
- Fat: 22g
8) Slow Cooked Summer Beef Casserole by Kitchen Sanctuary
Sometimes you still want a beef dinner, even when it is warm outside, right? This one brings in peppers and courgette, which gives it a fresher feel and makes it work nicely for summer. It’s simple and a good choice when you want something a little more filling.
Per Serving:
- Calories: 305
- Protein: 30g
- Carbs: 11g
- Fiber: 1g
- Fat: 13g
9) Crockpot White Chicken Chili by Real Food Whole Life
Here’s a good one for nights when you want dinner to be easy and comforting. The chicken, white beans, and green chiles make it nice and filling, and the creamy broth brings it all together. Serve it with your favorite toppings, and you have a dinner that feels really easy to pull off!
Per Serving:
- Calories: 331
- Protein: 34g
- Carbs: 30g
- Fiber: 9g
- Fat: 8g
10) Crock Pot Brown Sugar Bourbon BBQ Chicken by I Heart Eating
You really can’t go wrong with BBQ chicken in the summer! The sauce is sweet, smoky, and the chicken turns nice and tender as it cooks. Spoon it onto buns, serve it with slaw or corn, and you’ve got a dinner people will be very happy to see.
Per Serving:
- Calories: 310
- Protein: 40g
- Carbs: 18g
- Fiber: 1g
- Fat: 5g
11) Honey Barbecue Pulled Chicken by Taming Twins
Pulled chicken is always a handy one to have in your back pocket, especially in hot days! You can pile it into rolls, serve it with salad, or put it next to some wedges and call dinner done. The honey barbecue flavor keeps it sweet and really easy to like.
Per Serving:
- Calories: 311
- Protein: 33g
- Carbs: 36g
- Fiber: 1g
- Fat: 4g
12) Summer Slow-Cooker Ratatouille by Tesco Real Food
It is full of summer vegetables, tomato sauce, and all those simple flavors that taste so good when produce is at its best. Add some crusty bread on the side and it turns into one of those easy meals that feels a little extra nice.
Per Serving:
- Calories: 168
- Protein: 4.4g
- Carbs: 16.7g
- Fiber: 6.4g
- Fat: 8g
13) Slow Cooker Sausage and Potatoes by Meatloaf and Melodrama
Now this is the kind of dinner that saves you on those what-are-we-even-making nights! Smoked sausage, potatoes, and green beans are not complicated, but they always seem to do the job. It is simple and made with ingredients that do not cost a fortune, which is a big win.
Per Serving:
- Calories: 449
- Protein: 15g
- Carbs: 15g
- Fiber: 2g
- Fat: 36g
14) Feta and Tomato Pasta by Taming Twins
Here’s one for those warm evenings when you want pasta, but nothing too heavy… The tomatoes cook down into a simple sauce, the feta adds a creamy salty finish, and the whole thing comes together with very little fuss. It’s a lovely vegetarian one, and on hungrier nights, a little shredded chicken on top works really well too!
Per Serving:
- Calories: 451
- Protein: 19g
- Carbs: 67g
- Fiber: 4g
- Fat: 12g
15) Slow-Cooker Chicken and Creamed Corn by New York Times Cooking
Chicken and corn are such a good match this time of year, right? This one comes out creamy and comforting, but still has that soft summer feel from the corn and lime. It is a nice pick for nights when you want something warm and easy, but not too heavy.
Per Serving:
- Calories: 460
- Protein: 30g
- Carbs: 18g
- Fiber: 2g
- Fat: 28g
16) Slow Cooker Gochujang Chicken Sandwiches by Ambitious Kitchen
Here’s a fun one to shake things up a bit! The chicken cooks low and slow, then gets piled onto buns with crunchy slaw, which makes dinner feel casual (and a little lazy, haha). It has a little heat and a little sweetness, so this is a good one for summer nights when plain chicken just is not going to cut it.
Per Serving:
- Calories: 477
- Protein: 41g
- Carbs: 48g
- Fiber: 3g
- Fat: 13g
17) Light Slow Cooker Florentine Chicken by Sweet Savory and Steph
Light? Check. Protein? Big check! Haha. This one has tender chicken, a creamy sauce, spinach, and roasted red peppers, so it feels a little lighter than some other slow cooker dinners. And if you have kids, it’s a nice way to get a few veggies onto the plate too.
Per Serving:
- Calories: 415
- Protein: 55g
- Carbs: 12g
- Fiber: 2g
- Fat: 15g
18) Slow Cooker Beef and Broccoli by Well Plated
Not every summer dinner has to be all lemon and tomatoes, right? Sometimes you just want something saucy and really good over rice. The beef turns nice and tender, and the whole thing tastes like a takeout night that somehow took less effort (love that!).
Per Serving:
- Calories: 405
- Protein: 48g
- Carbs: 35g
- Fiber: 8g
- Fat: 10g
We went looking for the best cheap crockpot recipes to make this summer and I really hope you found a few here that are worth saving!
There is just something so nice about having a list of easy dinners ready to go when it is hot out and nobody feels like doing too much in the kitchen. And if you liked this roundup, don’t forget to save it for later and show a little love to the recipe creators too.
And if you want a little more dinner inspo next, take a peek at these Fresh Light Meal Ideas for Hot Days, Things to Grill for Dinner This Summer, and High-Protein Salad Recipes.
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