17 Cookout Foods You Can Easily Make In A Slow Cooker
Summer’s here, and that means cookout season is in full swing! But who wants to stand over a hot grill all day when you could let your trusty slow cooker do the work?
I’ve rounded up my favorite set-it-and-forget-it cookout dishes that’ll free you up to enjoy the sunshine with your guests.
From mouthwatering meats to delectable sides, these slow cooker recipes will revolutionize your backyard gatherings.
1. Fall-Off-The-Bone BBQ Ribs
Perfectly tender ribs without babysitting a smoker? Yes, please! Season a rack with your favorite dry rub, then let the slow cooker transform them into melt-in-your-mouth magic over 6-8 hours on low.
I discovered this method after a rainy day ruined our planned cookout, and now it’s my go-to technique. Finish with a quick broil and brush of sauce for that authentic charred exterior everyone craves.
2. Smoky Pulled Pork Sandwiches
Rub a pork shoulder with brown sugar, paprika, and spices, then cook on low for 8-10 hours until it shreds effortlessly with two forks. The slow, gentle heat breaks down tough connective tissue, creating juicy, flavorful meat.
Serve on soft buns with coleslaw for the perfect balance of sweet, savory, and crunch. Your guests will never guess this cookout classic came from a countertop appliance rather than a smoker!
3. Crowd-Pleasing Mac and Cheese
Dump pasta, milk, butter, and three types of cheese into your slow cooker, and watch ordinary ingredients transform into the creamiest, dreamiest side dish at your cookout.
My family fought over the last spoonful at our reunion last summer! I add a secret dash of mustard powder to enhance the cheese flavor without tasting mustardy.
Let it cook for 2-3 hours on low, stirring occasionally, and you’ll have the ultimate comfort food with zero oven time.
4. Sweet and Tangy Baked Beans
Combine navy beans, molasses, brown sugar, bacon, and a splash of apple cider vinegar for that perfect sweet-tangy balance. The slow cooker gently melds these flavors into the quintessential cookout side dish.
No more scorched beans on the bottom of the pot! Add chopped jalapeño for a spicy kick or keep it classic. These beans develop incredible depth of flavor during their 4-5 hour simmer on low.
5. Juicy Italian Sausage with Peppers
Layer Italian sausages with colorful bell peppers, onions, and a splash of marinara in your slow cooker. The sausages release their savory juices while cooking, infusing the vegetables with incredible flavor.
I stumbled upon this recipe when planning my son’s graduation party and needed to feed thirty hungry teenagers without missing the ceremony!
Serve on crusty rolls or alongside pasta salad for a no-fuss cookout option that’ll have everyone asking for seconds.
6. Corn on the Cob with Herb Butter
Wrap each husked corn cob in foil with a slather of herb-infused butter, then stack them in your slow cooker with 1/4 cup water. Cook on high for 2-3 hours for perfectly tender kernels that pop with sweetness.
No more standing over a boiling pot in summer heat! The slow cooking method allows the corn to retain all its natural sugars while the herb butter creates a flavor explosion. This hands-off approach frees up valuable grill space.
7. Sticky Chicken Wings
Toss wings with your favorite spice blend, then arrange in a single layer in your slow cooker for 3 hours on high. The magic happens when you transfer them to a baking sheet for a quick broil, creating that irresistible crispy exterior.
Glaze with honey-sriracha sauce for sweet heat or classic buffalo for traditionalists. My poker buddies demolished three batches of these during last year’s championship game! The slow cooker renders out the fat, leaving perfectly tender meat.
8. Loaded Potato Casserole
Slice potatoes thinly, layer with crumbled bacon, green onions, and copious amounts of cheese, then let your slow cooker work its magic for 4-5 hours on low. The result? A bubbling masterpiece of comfort food glory.
No need to heat up the kitchen with the oven! This crowd-pleaser pairs perfectly with grilled meats or stands alone as a vegetarian main.
The slow cooking method ensures every potato slice absorbs the savory goodness surrounding it.
9. Melt-In-Your-Mouth Beef Brisket
Rub a beef brisket with a mixture of brown sugar, paprika, garlic powder, and black pepper. Pour a blend of beef broth and liquid smoke around (not over) the meat, preserving that beautiful spice crust.
I once made this for a neighborhood block party and received marriage proposals from three different people! Cook on low for 8-10 hours until fork-tender, then slice against the grain.
The slow cooker maintains the meat’s moisture while breaking down tough fibers.
10. Zesty Mexican Street Corn Dip
Combine frozen corn kernels, diced jalapeños, cream cheese, sour cream, lime juice, and cotija cheese in your slow cooker. Let it all mingle on low for 2 hours until creamy and fragrant with Mexican spices.
Sprinkle with cilantro and a dusting of chili powder before serving. Guests will hover around this addictive dip with tortilla chips in hand!
11. Bourbon-Spiked Meatballs
Mix ground beef with breadcrumbs, egg, and spices, then roll into bite-sized meatballs. The sauce—a tantalizing blend of bourbon, brown sugar, and ketchup—transforms these ordinary meatballs into cookout royalty.
The bourbon’s oakiness mellows beautifully during the 3-4 hour cook time on low. Whenever I make these for tailgates, they’re the first thing to disappear!
Serve with toothpicks for easy grabbing or pile onto slider buns for heartier appetites.
12. Buttery Garlic Mushrooms
Toss whole button mushrooms with melted butter, minced garlic, thyme, and a splash of white wine. The slow cooker gently bathes these fungi in flavor for 2-3 hours on low until they’re tender and deeply savory.
My vegetarian sister-in-law practically claimed the entire batch at our last family barbecue! These umami bombs make a fantastic side dish or can be served on toothpicks as an elegant appetizer. The butter sauce is perfect for bread-dipping too.
13. Caramelized Onion Dip
Slice sweet onions thinly and let them slowly transform into golden, caramelized perfection in your slow cooker with just butter and a pinch of sugar. After 4 hours on low, mix with sour cream, cream cheese, and a dash of Worcestershire sauce.
This dip puts the store-bought version to absolute shame! The patient cooking process develops complex sweetness without any burning. I serve this with ridged potato chips for maximum scooping efficiency at every summer gathering.
14. Cola-Braised Pulled Chicken
Pour cola (yes, the soda!) over chicken breasts in your slow cooker, add a splash of liquid smoke, and your favorite BBQ sauce. The soda’s sugars caramelize during cooking while its acids tenderize the meat to perfection.
After 6 hours on low, shred the chicken and mix with the reduced sauce. My teenage nephew, who claims to hate “grown-up food,” devoured three sandwiches of this at our last cookout!
Serve on buns with pickles for an easy crowd-pleaser.
15. Cheesy Jalapeño Cornbread
Mix cornbread batter with diced jalapeños, corn kernels, and plenty of cheddar cheese, then pour into a parchment-lined slow cooker. The gentle, consistent heat creates a perfectly moist interior with a surprisingly crisp edge.
I started making this when our oven broke during a Fourth of July party, and now it’s requested at every cookout! Cook on high for 2-3 hours until a toothpick comes out clean. The slow cooker method prevents the cornbread from drying out.
16. Teriyaki Pineapple Meatballs
Combine frozen meatballs, pineapple chunks, bell peppers, and a homemade teriyaki sauce in your slow cooker. The sauce—a mixture of soy sauce, brown sugar, ginger, and garlic—infuses every bite with sweet-savory perfection.
These tropical-inspired meatballs bring unexpected flair to traditional cookout spreads! I created this recipe while dreaming of canceled Hawaiian vacations during lockdown.
Cook on low for 4 hours, and the sauce will thicken beautifully around the tender meatballs.
17. Creamy Scalloped Potatoes
Layer thinly sliced potatoes with a velvety sauce of heavy cream, garlic, and Gruyère cheese in your slow cooker. Each potato slice becomes infused with rich flavor during the 4-5 hour cooking process on low.
The edges get delightfully crispy while the center remains lusciously creamy. My mother-in-law, who criticizes everything I cook, actually asked for this recipe last summer!
No need to monitor an oven when you’re hosting a cookout with this foolproof method.