It’s almost too hot to turn your oven on. The thought of using the grill on a weekday makes you sweat.

We’ve reached the point of summer where sandwiches count as dinner, right?

There’s nothing wrong with a good sandwich every now and then, but your family may enjoy a cooked meal most nights. What’s a parent to do? Bust out the crockpot, that’s what.

Crockpots are the kitchen gadget that will never go out of style. Instant Pots have had their day, but a good crockpot will always be a go-to. If you haven’t upgraded yours in a decade (or are using your grandmother’s hand-me-down), go ahead and invest in a large one! You’ll use it for soups all fall and winter, and it will be your saving grace during the heat waves.

Summer Crockpot Meals for Families

A good crockpot meal can be as simple and easy or complex as you make it. A package of chicken thighs/breasts and a jar of salsa is all you need for Taco Tuesday! If you are looking for a few new ideas to toss into the pot, pull from our list this week.

Cheaters’ Rotisserie Chicken.

Dump a whole chicken in the pot with half of a lemon, a bunch of garlic, and your favorite blend of seasonings. Set the timer for 6 hours, basting the bird if you can every few hours. You’ll have fall-off-the-bone chicken everyone will love. (Save the bones and make homemade broth afterward!)

Poached Salmon.

Did you know that you can make fish in the crockpot? A little white wine, lemon, seasoning, and salmon filets go a long way. They only take an hour in the crockpot! (Don’t forget to use parchment paper.)

Tortilla Soup.

This recipe is definitely more time consuming, as you need to prep veggies. But it is worth it. Soup traditionally is saved for the fall; however, the tortilla chips that accompany this recipe make it ok for any season.

BBQ Pork.

Ketchup and brown sugar make this pulled pork irresistible for everyone over the age of 2. You’ll be licking your fingers and needing extra napkins. Drop a pork butt (or shoulder) into your crockpot with the homemade sauce and give it 7-8 hours before stacking those BBQ sandwiches as high as you can!

Honey Pork Chops.

You only need about 8-10 minutes to get everything in the crockpot, and then you are set. It only takes about 4 hours to cook pork chops, so make sure you don’t dry them out!

Slow Cooker Ribs.

Technically, this recipe shouldn’t be here, but it’s too good not to be. It requires 15 minutes of over time before tossing the ribs in the crockpot. Trust us, though, you’ll be making them more than once this summer.

Peach Cobbler.

We couldn’t forget dessert. With only 3 ingredients (including boxed cake mix), you’ll have all afternoon free to spend at the pool while this tasty treat bakes.