Slow Cooker Glazed Carrots

These slow cooker carrots combine maple syrup and brown sugar for a sweet glaze, while butter and cinnamon add richness. Perfect hands-off holiday side dish.

Featured in Vegetable and Grain Sides.

Fatiha
Updated on Sun, 05 Jan 2025 01:30:25 GMT
A close-up of glazed baby carrots sprinkled with seasoning in a dark bowl. Pin it
A close-up of glazed baby carrots sprinkled with seasoning in a dark bowl. | zestplate.com

Slow Cooker Maple & Brown Sugar Glazed Carrots

These Slow Cooker Maple & Brown Sugar Glazed Carrots are the ultimate holiday side dish—sweet, buttery, and perfectly spiced. With baby carrots cooked to tender perfection in a luscious maple and brown sugar glaze, this recipe is perfect for Thanksgiving, Christmas, or any festive occasion. Plus, it’s incredibly easy and hands-free!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

This recipe is a holiday staple, and here’s why:

  • Stress-Free Cooking: Prepared entirely in the slow cooker, freeing up oven and stove space.
  • Rich, Comforting Flavors: The maple syrup and brown sugar create a sweet glaze with warm hints of cinnamon.
  • Perfect for Sharing: Great for potlucks, gatherings, and family dinners.
  • Make-Ahead Friendly: Ideal for prepping in advance and reheating.

Ingredients for Maple Glazed Carrots

  • Baby Carrots: A convenient and tender base for the dish. You can also use peeled, chopped whole carrots.
  • Maple Syrup: Real maple syrup for the best flavor, though substitutions like honey or pancake syrup work too.
  • Brown Sugar: Adds a deep sweetness to complement the maple syrup.
  • Butter: Salted butter adds richness and balances the sweetness.
  • Cinnamon: Brings warm, cozy fall flavor.
  • Salt: Enhances the flavors and balances the sweetness.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Prep the Carrots
Grab those baby carrots and tumble them into your 6-quart slow cooker. I like to give them a quick rinse first just to make sure they're perfectly clean.
Season with Love
Sprinkle a nice pinch of salt evenly over the carrots then add that warming cinnamon and rich brown sugar. Give everything a good toss until each carrot is coated in all that goodness.
Add the Sweet Touch
Now drizzle that gorgeous maple syrup all over making sure it gets into all the nooks and crannies. Spread your carrots into an even layer then dot the top with those butter cubes they'll melt into pure magic.
Let Them Cook
Cover and set your slow cooker depending on your timeline - "high" for a quicker 3-hour cook or "low" if you've got 5-6 hours to spare. If you're around give them a gentle stir once or twice to help everything cook evenly.
Perfect the Glaze
Want that glaze extra thick and glossy? Either pop the lid off for the last half hour of cooking or pour all those amazing juices into a saucepan and let them bubble away until they're syrupy. Pour this liquid gold back over your carrots just before serving.

Tips for Success

  • Choose Real Maple Syrup: For authentic flavor, real maple syrup is best. If unavailable, increase brown sugar for sweetness.
  • Fresh Carrots: Use fresh whole carrots peeled and cut into strips or coins for a more rustic presentation.
  • Don’t Skip the Glaze: Thickening the glaze adds a rich, glossy finish to the dish.
  • Keep Warm: Use the slow cooker’s “warm” setting to maintain perfect serving temperature for gatherings.
A black bowl filled with glossy, glazed cooked carrots. Pin it
A black bowl filled with glossy, glazed cooked carrots. | zestplate.com

Substitutions and Variations

Dairy-Free: Replace butter with butter-flavored coconut oil or a dairy-free alternative.

Refined Sugar-Free: Swap brown sugar for coconut sugar or additional maple syrup.

Honey Option: Substitute maple syrup with honey for a different sweet note.

Nuts for Crunch: Add toasted pecans or walnuts before serving for added texture.

A Perfect Holiday Side

These Slow Cooker Maple & Brown Sugar Glazed Carrots bring irresistible flavor to any table. Sweet, buttery, and spiced just right, they pair beautifully with roasted turkey, ham, or any festive main dish. Whether for a cozy family dinner or a holiday gathering, this side dish is sure to become a new tradition.

Frequently Asked Questions

→ Can I use regular carrots?

Yes, peel and cut into strips or coins - cook until tender.

→ What can replace maple syrup?

Use honey, corn syrup or increase brown sugar to 3/4 cup.

→ Why thicken glaze separately?

Saucepan method works better than slow cooker for thickening.

→ Can I make these ahead?

Keep warm in slow cooker up to 2 hours on low setting.

→ Why stir during cooking?

Helps carrots cook evenly and distribute glaze.

Glazed Carrots Recipe

Sweet and tender slow cooker carrots glazed with maple syrup, brown sugar, and cinnamon. An easy holiday side dish.

Prep Time
10 Minutes
Cook Time
360 Minutes
Total Time
370 Minutes
By: Fatiha

Category: Side Dishes

Difficulty: Easy

Cuisine: American

Yield: 8 Servings (1)

Dietary: Vegetarian, Gluten-Free

Ingredients

01 2 pounds baby carrots.
02 1/2 teaspoon salt.
03 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon.
04 1/4 cup brown sugar, packed.
05 1/4 cup real maple syrup.
06 1/3 cup butter, cubed.

Instructions

Step 01

Place baby carrots in 6-quart slow cooker insert, spreading them evenly across bottom.

Step 02

Sprinkle salt, cinnamon, and brown sugar evenly over carrots, stirring to coat completely.

Step 03

Pour maple syrup over seasoned carrots and toss thoroughly to ensure even distribution.

Step 04

Arrange coated carrots in even layer across slow cooker bottom for consistent cooking.

Step 05

Distribute cubed butter pieces evenly across top of carrot layer.

Step 06

Cover slow cooker with lid and set temperature according to timing needs.

Step 07

Cook on high setting for 3 hours or low setting for 5-6 hours.

Step 08

Stir carrots 1-2 times during cooking if possible to ensure even glazing.

Step 09

For final glazing, either remove lid and cook 30 minutes more on high.

Step 10

Alternatively, transfer carrots to bowl and cover to keep warm.

Step 11

Pour liquid into saucepan and simmer over medium-high heat.

Step 12

Whisk continuously while simmering until glaze thickens, about 5 minutes.

Step 13

Return thickened glaze to carrots and stir to coat evenly.

Step 14

Taste and adjust seasonings if needed before serving.

Step 15

Serve hot, garnishing with additional fresh herbs if desired.

Notes

  1. Perfect holiday side.
  2. Hands-off cooking.
  3. Make ahead friendly.
  4. Easy preparation.

Tools You'll Need

  • 6qt slow cooker.
  • Saucepan.
  • Whisk.
  • Measuring cups.

Allergy Information

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.
  • Dairy (butter).

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.
  • Calories: 155
  • Total Fat: 8 g
  • Total Carbohydrate: 22 g
  • Protein: 1 g