The Secret to Summer Cooking Without the Heat
It’s a blazing hot day and you still want a warm, comforting soup for dinner – sounds crazy, right? Actually, slow cookers are essential during the hot months and offer the perfect solution for making delicious soups without turning your kitchen into a sauna. A slow cooker gives off very little heat, so you’re not cranking up the stove and heating the house that you’re spending good money to keep cool.
The numbers tell a compelling story about energy efficiency. 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. While ovens can consume between 2,000 to 5,000 watts of energy, most slow cookers operate at a modest 200 watts on average. The math is simple – less heat generated means less strain on your air conditioning and a more comfortable cooking environment.
Classic Chicken Noodle Comfort
There’s something magical about coming home to the aroma of chicken noodle soup wafting through your house. This timeless favorite transforms easily in a slow cooker, where homemade chicken soup works so well at keeping everyone healthy during any season. The slow cooking process allows the chicken to become fall-apart tender while infusing the broth with deep, rich flavors.
Start by placing bone-in chicken pieces directly into your slow cooker along with carrots, celery, onions, and herbs. The beauty of this method is that you don’t need extra steps like sautéing or browning – the chicken goes right in the pot with the spices and other ingredients. After several hours of gentle cooking, simply shred the chicken and add your favorite noodles during the last 30 minutes of cooking time.
Mexican-Inspired Chicken Tortilla Fiesta
Spice up your summer evenings with a vibrant chicken tortilla soup that’s everything you love about Taco Tuesday in one bowl, topped with cooling sour cream and creamy avocado. This soup brings together tender shredded chicken, black beans, corn, and a medley of Mexican spices in perfect harmony. The slow cooker method allows all these flavors to meld beautifully over hours of gentle cooking.
It’s packed with juicy shredded chicken, pinto beans, corn, plus savory taco seasoning and enchilada sauce to tie it all together. The versatility of this soup means you can customize it with your favorite toppings – think crispy tortilla strips, fresh cilantro, jalapeños, or a dollop of Greek yogurt for extra cooling power. The slow cooker does all the heavy lifting while you’re out enjoying summer activities.
Refreshing Summer Vegetable Medley
Simple to make and bursting with fresh summer flavors, this summer soup is made simple in the crockpot with chicken, and plenty of vegetables – a mostly hands-off recipe, just chop, drop, and dinner’s done! This vegetable-packed soup celebrates the bounty of summer produce without heating up your kitchen. Zucchini, tomatoes, corn, and fresh herbs come together in a light, nourishing broth that’s perfect for warm weather.
The cooking process is remarkably simple – sauté onions and garlic in olive oil in a big Dutch oven, add the remaining ingredients, then bring the liquid to a boil and reduce heat. When using a slow cooker, you can skip even this minimal prep and simply layer everything into your pot. The key is to serve it like the Italians do, at room temperature, with a drizzle of extra-virgin olive oil and sprinkling of grated Parmesan.
Hearty Split Pea with Bacon
Don’t let the hot weather fool you into thinking hearty soups are off the table. Split pea soup becomes even more appealing when you consider that split peas don’t need to soak before cooking, making this an incredibly easy slow cooker meal. The bacon adds a smoky depth that transforms humble split peas into something extraordinary.
Split pea soup thickens and develops flavor when simmered in the slow cooker, and it’s easy to prepare ahead. Simply throw in your split peas, diced vegetables, bacon pieces, and broth, then let the slow cooker work its magic. The long, gentle cooking process breaks down the peas naturally, creating that characteristic thick, creamy texture without any additional thickeners.
Creamy Broccoli Cheese Delight
Sometimes you crave comfort food even when it’s sweltering outside. This slow cooker broccoli cheese soup satisfies those cravings without heating up your kitchen. Shortcut ingredients like frozen broccoli florets, canned cream of celery soup, and gooey Velveeta are the secrets to this super easy soup – the only prep you’ll need to do is chop an onion and a carrot.
The slow cooker method ensures that the cheese melts smoothly without the risk of scorching that comes with stovetop preparation. The gentle heat allows the flavors to blend perfectly while maintaining the broccoli’s bright color and texture. This soup proves that you don’t need to sacrifice comfort food just because the temperature outside is climbing.
Protein-Packed Lentil Power Bowl
Slow-cookers love a lentil, and you probably already have everything you need for this ridiculously simple soup in the kitchen – brown lentils, stock, onion, tomato paste, olive oil, and spices. Lentils are nutrition powerhouses that cook beautifully in slow cookers, breaking down just enough to create a satisfying, protein-rich meal.
This vegetarian option is perfect for those looking for a lighter summer soup that still provides substantial nutrition. Made with onions, garlic, carrots, olive oil, squash, and of course, protein-rich lentils, this soup offers complete nutrition in a single bowl. The slow cooking process allows the lentils to absorb all the flavors while maintaining their shape and texture.
Italian Sausage and Tortellini Feast
Transport your taste buds to Italy with this hearty soup that combines the convenience of slow cooking with sophisticated flavors. Add sausage, vegetables, seasoning, and broth to the slow cooker and stir to combine, then cover and set slow cooker to high for 4-5 hours or low for 6-8 hours. The Italian sausage infuses the broth with rich, savory flavors while the tortellini adds satisfying substance.
This soup is particularly appealing because the house smells incredible as this simmers away in the slow cooker, with directions included for Instant-Pot and stove-top variations. The combination of Italian seasonings, tender vegetables, and cheese-filled tortellini creates a restaurant-quality meal with minimal effort. Just add the tortellini during the last 30 minutes to prevent overcooking.
Asian-Inspired Chicken and Ginger Healing Broth
Beat the heat with a soup that actually helps cool your body down. Hot soups can be one of the best foods to have on a hot day because when we consume hot foods, it raises our body temperature, which signals our body to cool us down through sweating, and that sweat evaporates to naturally cool our body.
Lots of grated ginger and garlic perfume this aromatic broth, then razor-thinly sliced fennel and scallions join the party, with shredded cooked chicken adding protein. Zucchini cools your body off and makes you feel better during those hot days of summer, helping your body release excess heat. This healing soup combines the wisdom of traditional Asian cooking with the convenience of slow cooker preparation.
Loaded Potato Comfort Classic
Who says potato soup is just for winter? This slow cooker version transforms humble potatoes into creamy comfort without the traditional heavy cream. This comforting soup is loaded with creamy mashed potatoes, then garnished with cheddar cheese, chopped chives, and bacon, with prep taking just 20 minutes.
The slow cooker method allows the potatoes to break down naturally, creating that signature creamy texture through the cooking process rather than added dairy. While potato soup may sound heavy, this vegetarian version is light and full of vegetables like spinach, leeks, and fresh herbs. Top with your favorite garnishes and enjoy comfort food that won’t heat up your kitchen.
Energy-Smart Summer Cooking
The science behind slow cooker efficiency is compelling for summer cooking. A crockpot uses less heat than an oven or stovetop and doesn’t heat up the environment the same way, meaning you don’t need to crank up the air conditioning to compensate for additional kitchen heat.
The humble slow cooker takes the crown as the cheapest appliance to run – costing around 8-16p per hour, and even if you leave it on for eight hours, you’re only looking at around 64p-£1.28 per day compared to an oven which would cost almost £2. This makes slow cooker soups not just convenient for summer cooking, but also economically smart. The convenience of slow cooker meals allows you to spend more time enjoying summer activities while knowing a home-cooked meal will be waiting for you.
