Slow Cooker Glazed Carrots Recipe

Introduction

Slow Cooker Glazed Carrots are a simple and delicious side dish that brings out the natural sweetness of baby carrots with a warm cinnamon and maple glaze. Perfect for busy days, this recipe lets your slow cooker do the work while you enjoy a tender, flavorful vegetable treat.

Ingredients

• 2 pounds baby carrots
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 cup packed brown sugar
• 1/4 cup real maple syrup
• 1/3 cup butter (cubed)

Instructions

1. Step 1: Add the baby carrots to the insert of a 6-quart slow cooker.
2. Step 2: Sprinkle in the salt, cinnamon, and brown sugar. Stir well to combine all the ingredients evenly.
3. Step 3: Pour in the maple syrup and toss the carrots to distribute it thoroughly.
4. Step 4: Spread the coated carrots evenly in the slow cooker.
5. Step 5: Top the carrots with the cubed butter and place the lid on the slow cooker.
6. Step 6: Cook on “high” for 3 hours, or on “low” for 5 to 6 hours. If possible, stir the carrots 1 to 2 times during cooking to ensure even glazing.
7. Step 7: To thicken the glaze, remove the lid for the last 30 minutes of cooking and switch to “high”. Cook until the glaze thickens. Alternatively, transfer the carrots to a large bowl and cover with a plate to keep warm. Pour the cooking liquid into a saucepan and simmer over medium-high heat, whisking until thickened, about 5 minutes. This method usually works best to achieve a perfect, glossy glaze.

Tips & Variations

• For a bit of zing, add a pinch of ground ginger or a splash of orange juice to the glaze mixture before cooking.
• If you prefer a less sweet glaze, reduce the brown sugar to 2 tablespoons.
• Use regular carrots cut into evenly sized pieces if baby carrots aren’t available.

Storage

Store leftover glazed carrots in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, warm gently in a saucepan over low heat or in the microwave until heated through, stirring occasionally to redistribute the glaze.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use frozen carrots for this recipe?

While fresh baby carrots are best for texture, you can use frozen carrots. Just reduce the cooking time by about 30 minutes and check for tenderness to avoid overcooking.

Can I prepare this dish ahead of time?

Yes, you can assemble everything in the slow cooker insert, cover it, and refrigerate overnight. When ready to cook, bring the mixture to room temperature before starting the slow cooker to ensure even cooking.

Slow Cooker Glazed Carrots Recipe

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★★★★★

4.6 from 114 reviews

• Author: Charlotte
• Total Time: 3 hours 10 minutes (high) or 6 hours 10 minutes (low)
• Yield: 6 servings 1x
• Diet: Vegetarian

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Description

Slow Cooker Glazed Carrots are a sweet and buttery side dish perfect for any meal. Baby carrots are slow-cooked with cinnamon, brown sugar, maple syrup, and butter to create a tender, flavorful glaze that complements a variety of main courses. This effortless recipe requires minimal prep and uses the slow cooker to develop deep, rich flavors while keeping the carrots tender and perfectly glazed.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Carrots

• 2 pounds baby carrots

Seasonings and Sweeteners

• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 cup packed brown sugar
• 1/4 cup real maple syrup

Fat

• 1/3 cup butter, cubed

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Instructions

1. Prepare the carrots: Place the 2 pounds of baby carrots into the insert of a 6-quart slow cooker, ensuring they are spread evenly to allow uniform cooking.
2. Add dry seasonings: Sprinkle the salt, ground cinnamon, and brown sugar over the carrots. Stir well to combine all ingredients thoroughly with the carrots, coating them evenly.
3. Add maple syrup: Pour in 1/4 cup of real maple syrup over the carrots and toss again to distribute the syrup evenly throughout the mixture.
4. Arrange in slow cooker: Spread the coated carrots out evenly in the slow cooker to create a flat layer for even cooking.
5. Add butter: Top the carrots with cubed butter, distributing them evenly on top of the carrots to slowly melt and enrich the glaze as it cooks.
6. Slow cook: Cover the slow cooker with its lid and cook on HIGH for 3 hours or on LOW for 5-6 hours. Stir the carrots 1-2 times during the cooking process, if possible, to ensure even flavor absorption and cooking.
7. Thicken the glaze: For a thicker glaze, remove the lid during the final 30 minutes of cooking and switch the slow cooker to HIGH, allowing the glaze to reduce and thicken. Alternatively, transfer the carrots to a large bowl and keep warm. Pour the cooking liquid into a saucepan and simmer over medium-high heat while whisking continuously for about 5 minutes until thickened. Pour the thickened glaze over the carrots before serving.

Notes

• Make sure to stir the carrots occasionally during cooking for even flavor.
• Using real maple syrup enhances the natural sweetness and provides a richer flavor than artificial syrups.
• For a dairy-free option, substitute butter with vegan margarine or coconut oil.
• This dish can be kept warm in the slow cooker on the ‘keep warm’ setting until ready to serve.
• To add a bit of zest, try a small pinch of ground nutmeg or ginger along with the cinnamon.
• Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated gently.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 3 hours on high or 5-6 hours on low
• Category: Side Dish
• Method: Slow Cooking
• Cuisine: American

Keywords: slow cooker glazed carrots, glazed carrots recipe, slow cooker carrots, maple glazed carrots, sweet slow cooker side dish