Think you have to put your slow cooker away just because it’s hot outside?

WRONG!

You’d be doing yourself a disservice if you did.

Sure, the days are longer and the temps are warmer, and many think it’s mostly a cold-weather small appliance -- but by using this trusty kitchen tool, that means you DON’T HAVE TO TURN ON YOUR STOVE.

YAY!

Think of it this way -- it might feel odd to some to wear white pants before Memorial Day (even though that silly rule has been thrown out the window), but why should your slow cooker be held to the same seasonal rules?

Now let’s toss out the misconception that slow cookers can’t be used unless it’s chili/football season so you can head out in your bright white pants and keep your cool. Here are three summery recipes from the one and only Sunny Anderson that you can make in your slow cooker (in a heat wave and all). (Plus, here are five more recipes, perfect for Fourth of July!)

Slow-Cooker Sunset Park Corn

Sunny Anderson's Slow-Cooker Sunset Park Corn

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When fresh corn is in season, there’s only one thing you MUST do.

EAT IT!

Eat it plain, eat it with a pad of butter, eat it straight off the grill, slap some hot sauce on it! Or… try THIS version of sweet and salty street corn.

One thing you need to know though -- your slow cooker isn’t just for “cooking” -- it’s also great for steaming -- which is what Sunny did to make these juicy corn cobs!

Slow-Cooker Al Pastor Tacos

Sunny Anderson's Slow-Cooker Al Pastor Tacos

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It’s raining tacos! Hallelujah! It’s raining tacos… HALLELUJAH!

Seriously what screams summer fun more than TACOS and tequila?! (Amirite?!) Just make some pulled pork in your slow cooker, shred that beautiful piece of juicy meat up and pile it high on corn tortillas with your favorite fixins’!

Slow-Cooker Cuatro Leches Bread Pudding

Sunny Anderson's Slow-Cooker Cuatro Leches Bread Pudding

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It’s ooey, it’s gooey, it’s warm, and it’s a freaking delight! Sunny does bread pudding HER way using cinnamon-raisin challah bread, some fruity coconut -- and FOUR milks (not three -- hence the “Cuatro,” get it?).

You COULD top it off with some fresh whipped cream, but we say go all out with a nice big scoop (or two) of ice cream. Yum, yum!


More No-Cook/No-Bake/Anti-Oven Recipes:

Summer Rolls

No-Bake Unicorn Cake

3 No-Cook Meals So You Don’t Have to Break a Sweat Over the Stove This Summer