The Best Slow Cooker Maple Brown Sugar Glazed Carrots

Get ready for the easiest and most delicious side dish that will steal the show at any meal. These Slow Cooker Maple Brown Sugar Glazed Carrots are the perfect combination of sweet and savory, with tender carrots slow-cooked to perfection in a rich, buttery maple and brown sugar glaze. This is the ultimate “set it and forget it” recipe, freeing up your oven and stovetop space and making it an absolute must-have for holiday feasts like Thanksgiving and Christmas, or for a simple weeknight dinner.

Why This is the Ultimate Holiday Side Dish

This recipe is a game-changer for easy, flavorful side dishes. Here’s why you’ll love it:

• Incredibly Easy: With just 5 minutes of prep time, you simply toss everything in the slow cooker and let it work its magic.
• Frees Up Oven Space: Making your side dishes in the crockpot is the ultimate hack for a stress-free holiday meal.
• Rich and Flavorful Glaze: The combination of butter, brown sugar, and real maple syrup creates a luscious, sweet glaze that perfectly complements the natural sweetness of the carrots.
• A Family-Friendly Favorite: The sweet, comforting flavor is a guaranteed hit with both kids and adults, making it the perfect way to get everyone to eat their veggies.

Your Simple Ingredient Checklist

This recipe uses a handful of simple pantry staples to create a spectacular side dish.

The Ingredient Lineup:

• 2 pounds of baby carrots (or whole carrots, peeled and sliced)
• ¼ cup of packed brown sugar
• ¼ cup of pure maple syrup
• ⅓ cup of unsalted butter, cubed
• ½ teaspoon of ground cinnamon
• ½ teaspoon of salt
• For Garnish (Optional): Fresh chopped parsley

Step-by-Step Slow Cooker Instructions

Get ready for the easiest, most delicious carrots you’ve ever made.

Part 1: Combine and Cook

1. Add Carrots to Crockpot: Place the baby carrots (or sliced whole carrots) into the insert of your slow cooker.
2. Add Seasonings: Sprinkle the brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt over the carrots. Stir everything together to coat the carrots.
3. Add Liquids and Butter: Pour the maple syrup over the carrots and toss well to distribute it evenly. Spread the coated carrots out in an even layer and top them with the cubes of butter.
4. Slow Cook: Cover the crockpot and cook on LOW for 5-6 hours or on HIGH for 3 hours, until the carrots are tender and can be easily pierced with a fork. If possible, give them a stir once or twice during the cooking time.

Part 2: Thicken the Glaze and Serve

1. Thicken the Glaze (Optional): For a thicker, more concentrated glaze, you can remove the lid for the final 30 minutes of cooking and turn the slow cooker to the HIGH setting. This will allow some of the liquid to evaporate.
2. Serve Hot: Serve the carrots and their delicious glaze hot. Garnish with fresh parsley for a pop of color, if desired.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. Can I use whole carrots instead of baby carrots? Yes, absolutely! If you use whole carrots, be sure to wash, peel, and then chop them into uniform pieces (either coins or sticks, about ½-inch thick). This will ensure that they all cook evenly and become tender at the same time.

2. What is the best way to get a really thick glaze? The quickest and most effective way to get a thick glaze is to use the stovetop. Once the carrots are tender, use a slotted spoon to remove them from the slow cooker. Pour the remaining liquid from the crockpot into a small saucepan. Bring it to a simmer over medium-high heat and let it bubble, whisking occasionally, for about 5 minutes, or until it has reduced and thickened into a beautiful glaze. Then, simply pour the glaze back over the carrots before serving.

3. Can I make these glazed carrots dairy-free? Yes, this recipe is easy to adapt. To make it dairy-free, simply substitute the unsalted butter with your favorite brand of dairy-free butter substitute or with a butter-flavored coconut oil.

4. How do I store and reheat leftovers? Store any leftover glazed carrots in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4-5 days. To reheat, you can simply warm them in the microwave until heated through.

The Best Slow Cooker Maple Brown Sugar Glazed Carrots

These Slow Cooker Maple Brown Sugar Glazed Carrots are tender, buttery, and coated in a luscious maple-brown sugar glaze. With just 5 minutes of prep and a crockpot doing the work, this is the easiest holiday side dish ever—perfect for Thanksgiving, Christmas, or even a simple weeknight dinner.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 5 minutes mins

Cook Time 5 hours hrs

Total Time 5 hours hrs 5 minutes mins

Course Side Dish

Cuisine American

Servings 6 servings

Calories 185 kcal

Equipment

• Slow cooker Any 4–6 quart crockpot works well
• Wooden spoon For stirring carrots during cooking
• Small saucepan (optional) To reduce glaze on stovetop

Ingredients

  

• 2 lbs baby carrots (or whole carrots, peeled and sliced)
• 1/4 cup packed brown sugar
• 1/4 cup pure maple syrup
• 1/3 cup unsalted butter, cubed
• 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp salt
• Fresh chopped parsley, for garnish (optional)

Instructions

 

• Place the baby carrots (or sliced whole carrots) into the insert of your slow cooker.
• Sprinkle the brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt over the carrots. Stir to coat evenly.
• Pour the maple syrup over the carrots, toss well, then top with the cubed butter.
• Cover and cook on LOW for 5–6 hours or HIGH for 3 hours, stirring once or twice, until carrots are fork-tender.
• For a thicker glaze, remove lid during last 30 minutes on HIGH or reduce liquid on stovetop. Garnish with parsley and serve hot.

Notes

For the richest flavor, use real maple syrup instead of pancake syrup. To make ahead, cook fully, then refrigerate and reheat gently in the slow cooker or microwave.

Keyword christmas vegetable side, holiday side dish, maple brown sugar carrots, slow cooker glazed carrots, thanksgiving carrots