Description
This Slow Cooker Maple Glazed Carrot recipe is a simple, comforting side dish featuring tender carrots coated in a rich, sweet maple syrup glaze enhanced with brown sugar, butter, and warm spices. Perfect for holiday meals or everyday dinners, the slow cooker method ensures perfectly cooked carrots with minimal effort and a luscious, flavorful finish.
Ingredients
Scale
Carrots
- 2 pounds baby carrots (or 1 1/2 pounds whole carrots, peeled and sliced)
Glaze
- 1/4 cup packed brown sugar
- 1/4 cup maple syrup
- 1/3 cup butter, cubed
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/8 teaspoon pepper
Garnish
- Fresh thyme (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare the Slow Cooker: Place the baby carrots into a 5 or 6-quart slow cooker, ensuring an even layer for consistent cooking.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a small bowl or directly in the slow cooker, combine brown sugar, salt, ground cinnamon, and pepper. Stir well with the carrots to evenly distribute the seasoning.
- Add Maple Syrup and Combine: Pour the maple syrup over the carrots and toss gently to coat the carrots evenly with the glaze mixture.
- Add Butter: Cut the butter into cubes or pats and spread them evenly over the top of the glazed carrots in the slow cooker.
- Slow Cook the Carrots: Cover the slow cooker and cook the carrots on high for 3 hours or on low for 5 to 6 hours, until the carrots are fork-tender. Stir the carrots once or twice during cooking if possible to redistribute the glaze.
- Thicken the Glaze (Optional – Method 1): For a thicker glaze, remove the lid during the last 30 minutes of cooking and switch the slow cooker to high to allow excess liquid to evaporate.
- Thicken the Glaze (Optional – Method 2): Alternatively, transfer the cooked carrots to a serving bowl and cover to keep warm. Pour the remaining cooking liquid into a saucepan, then simmer over medium-high heat for about 5 minutes while whisking continuously until the glaze thickens.
- Garnish and Serve: If desired, sprinkle fresh thyme over the glazed carrots before serving warm, adding a subtle herbal note to complement the sweetness.
Notes
- You can use either baby carrots or peeled and sliced whole carrots based on availability or preference.
- Stirring the carrots during cooking helps coat them evenly and promotes uniform glaze absorption.
- To make the glaze thicker, use one of the suggested methods after cooking.
- Fresh thyme garnish is optional but adds a nice fragrant touch.
- This recipe is perfect for holiday gatherings or as a comforting side dish with any meal.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/6 of recipe (about 4.5 oz / 128 g)
- Calories: 130
- Sugar: 14 g
- Sodium: 310 mg
- Fat: 6 g
- Saturated Fat: 3.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 21 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 1 g
- Cholesterol: 20 mg
