Easy Slow Cooker Glazed Carrots

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Side dishes don’t have to be complicated to be good. In fact, some of my favorite recipes are the ones that let me walk away and forget about them for a while. That’s exactly why these slow cooker glazed carrots have become a regular in my kitchen rotation.

I like to get these started right after lunch, especially on busy weeknights when I know I’ll be running around helping with homework or tackling my to-do list. The slow cooker does all the work, and by dinner time, we’ve got perfectly tender carrots that everyone at the table actually wants to eat. No standing over the stove, no constant stirring, just set it and forget it simplicity.

Whether you’re making these for a holiday meal or just trying to get more vegetables onto your family’s plates, this recipe has never let me down. And the best part? Your hands are free to work on the main dish or just put your feet up for a bit.

What Kind of Carrots Should I Use?

For slow cooker glazed carrots, you’ve got several good options when it comes to choosing your carrots. Baby carrots work great and save you prep time, while regular whole carrots cut into 2-inch pieces will give you a more traditional look and slightly better flavor. If you’re using whole carrots, look for ones that are firm and bright orange without any cracks or splits – and don’t worry too much about those funny shapes, they’ll taste just as good. For the most even cooking, try to cut your carrots into similar-sized pieces, about 2 inches long and roughly 1/2 inch thick. If you spot carrots with their tops still attached at the farmer’s market or store, those are usually super fresh and make an excellent choice for this recipe.

Options for Substitutions

This simple carrot recipe can be adapted with several easy substitutions:

• Small carrots: Regular large carrots work just fine – just cut them into 2-inch pieces. Baby carrots are another good option if you want to skip the peeling and cutting.
• Brown sugar: Out of brown sugar? Mix regular white sugar with a teaspoon of molasses. You can also use coconut sugar, though the flavor will be slightly different.
• Maple syrup: While real maple syrup gives the best flavor, you can use honey as a substitute. Agave nectar works too, but you might need to adjust the amount as it’s sweeter than maple syrup.
• Butter: For a dairy-free version, try coconut oil or a plant-based butter substitute. Just keep in mind that coconut oil might add a slight coconut flavor to the dish.
• Cinnamon: Feel free to swap cinnamon with pumpkin pie spice or apple pie spice for a different flavor profile. You could also use nutmeg, but use only 1/4 teaspoon as it’s stronger than cinnamon.

Watch Out for These Mistakes While Cooking

The biggest mistake when making slow cooker glazed carrots is cutting your carrots in different sizes, which leads to uneven cooking – try to keep all pieces roughly the same thickness (about 1/2 inch) for consistent tenderness. Another common error is lifting the slow cooker lid too frequently to check on the carrots, as this releases essential heat and moisture, adding unnecessary cooking time – resist the urge to peek more than once during cooking. To prevent your carrots from becoming mushy, avoid cooking them longer than 4-5 hours on low or 2-3 hours on high, and remember to check their tenderness with a fork about 30 minutes before the recommended cooking time ends. For the most flavorful results, wait until the last 30 minutes of cooking to add the maple syrup and brown sugar, as this prevents the sugars from burning and creates a perfectly sticky glaze.

What to Serve With Glazed Carrots?

These sweet and buttery slow cooker carrots make an excellent side dish that pairs perfectly with classic main courses like roasted chicken, grilled steak, or baked ham. Since they have a sweet flavor profile, they work really well alongside savory dishes – try them next to a herb-crusted pork loin or turkey breast for a nice balance. I often serve these carrots when I’m making a Sunday roast, and they’re especially good with dishes that have simple seasonings since the carrots bring plenty of flavor to the plate. For a complete meal, add some fluffy mashed potatoes or rice to soak up all that delicious maple-butter sauce.

Storage Instructions

Keep Fresh: These sweet and tender slow cooker carrots will stay good in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. They make great leftovers for busy weeknight dinners, and the glaze keeps them nice and flavorful even after storing.

Make Ahead: You can prep these carrots a day in advance – just toss all the ingredients in your slow cooker insert, cover it, and pop it in the fridge overnight. The next morning, just place it in your slow cooker and turn it on. It’s perfect for holiday meal prep when you want to get ahead of the game!

Warm Up: To enjoy your leftover glazed carrots, simply warm them up in the microwave for 1-2 minutes, stirring halfway through. You can also heat them in a covered pan on the stovetop over medium-low heat until they’re heated through. The glaze might thin out a bit when reheated, but it’ll still taste great!

Preparation Time	10-15 minutes
Cooking Time	180-360 minutes
Total Time	190-375 minutes
Level of Difficulty	Easy

Estimated Nutrition

Estimated nutrition for the whole recipe (without optional ingredients):

• Calories: 1200-1400
• Protein: 5-10 g
• Fat: 70-80 g
• Carbohydrates: 150-160 g

Ingredients

• 2 pounds small carrots
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon powder
• 1/4 cup tightly packed brown sugar
• 1/4 cup authentic maple syrup
• 1/3 cup butter, diced

Step 1: Prepare the Carrots and Seasoning

Add the baby carrots to the insert of a 6-quart slow cooker.

Sprinkle in the salt, cinnamon, and brown sugar.

Stir well to ensure the carrots are evenly coated with the seasoning mixture.

Step 2: Add Maple Syrup and Mix

Pour the maple syrup over the seasoned carrots.

Toss the carrots well to ensure the syrup is well distributed and each carrot gets a nice coating.

Step 3: Add Butter and Start Cooking

Spread the coated carrots out evenly in the slow cooker.

Place the cubes of butter on top of the carrots, which will melt during cooking to enhance the flavor and create a glaze.

Add the lid to the slow cooker and set it to cook on “high” for 3 hours, or on “low” for 5-6 hours.

If you have the chance, stir the carrots 1-2 times during this cooking time to ensure even cooking and coating.

Step 4: Thicken the Glaze

To thicken the glaze, you have two options.

First, you can remove the lid for the final 30 minutes of cooking and switch to “high” to allow the glaze to thicken.

Alternatively, for a more controlled thickening process, transfer the carrots to a large bowl and cover with a plate to keep warm.

Then, pour the liquid from the slow cooker into a saucepan.

Bring it to a simmer over medium-high heat and whisk continuously, cooking until it thickens, which should take about 5 minutes.

Using the saucepan method gives you the best control over the thickness of the glaze.

Step 5: Serve the Carrots

Once the glaze has reached your desired thickness, return it to the bowl with the carrots (if using the saucepan method) and mix well to coat the carrots thoroughly.

Serve your glazed carrots as a delightful side dish, and enjoy the sweet and savory flavors.