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Maple Glazed Carrots are the sweet, buttery side dish that disappears first at every holiday table, with tender carrots coated in a caramelized maple and brown sugar glaze, and I love that the slow cooker does all the work while I focus on the rest of dinner. They are the same crowd-pleaser as our brown sugar candied carrots, just easier and totally hands-off.
Just five simple ingredients and a slow cooker turn plain carrots into a glossy, glazed side everyone asks for.
Maple Glazed Carrots Quick Look
- 🕒 Prep Time: 10 minutes
- 🌡️ Cook Time: 3 hours
- ⏳ Total Time: 3 hours 10 minutes
- 🍽️ Serving: 6 servings
- ⚡ Calories: 185kcal
- 🌶️ Flavor Profile: Sweet, buttery, and caramelized with maple and brown sugar
- ✋ Difficulty: Easy, on par with our brown sugar candied carrots
Quick Answer
Add sliced carrots to a slow cooker, then top with brown sugar, maple syrup, salt, and pats of butter. Cover and cook on high for 2.5 to 3 hours, stirring halfway through, until the carrots are tender and coated in a glossy glaze. Garnish with fresh parsley and serve warm.
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Why This Recipe Works
Click to see the technique science
- The slow cooker does the work. Everything goes in one pot and cooks hands-off, freeing up your oven and stovetop for the rest of the meal.
- Two sweeteners double the glaze. Brown sugar and pure maple syrup together build a deeper, more caramel-like flavor than either one alone.
- Butter makes it glossy. Pats of butter melt into the carrots and give the glaze its rich, shiny finish.
- No precooking needed. Raw sliced carrots go straight into the slow cooker and turn tender as they soak up the glaze.
- Stirring halfway coats every piece. A quick stir partway through makes sure every carrot is evenly glazed and tender.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- It is a completely hands-off side, just add everything to the slow cooker and walk away.
- The sweet, buttery glaze is a guaranteed win even with the veggie skeptics, the same way our savory mashed sweet potatoes get devoured.
- It frees up your oven and stovetop, which is perfect for busy holiday cooking.
Key Ingredients
Here is what you need for these sweet and buttery maple glazed carrots.
- Carrots are the star, peeled and sliced into rounds so they cook evenly and soak up the glaze.
- Light brown sugar melts into a rich, caramel-like coating.
- Pure maple syrup adds cozy, deep sweetness you cannot get from sugar alone.
- Butter makes the glaze glossy and rich.
- Fresh parsley adds a pop of color and freshness right at the end.
See recipe card for exact quantities.
Variations and Substitutions
Make them your own with these easy ideas.
- Add a pinch of cinnamon or nutmeg for a warm, spiced version.
- Use honey in place of maple syrup, like the glaze on our brown sugar candied carrots.
- Stir in a splash of orange juice or some zest for a citrusy twist.
- Sprinkle chopped pecans over the top before serving for a little crunch.
- Add a pinch of cayenne or red pepper flakes for a sweet and spicy kick.
How to Make Maple Glazed Carrots
- Add the sliced carrots to the bottom of a 5-quart slow cooker and sprinkle the brown sugar over the top.
- Drizzle the maple syrup and salt over the carrots, then scatter the sliced butter on top.
- Cover and cook on high for 2.5 to 3 hours, stirring halfway through, until the carrots are tender.
- Garnish with fresh chopped parsley and serve warm.
Recipe Tips & Tricks
- Slice the carrots evenly so they cook at the same rate.
- Stir halfway through to coat every piece in the glaze.
- Do not skip the butter, it gives the glaze its glossy richness.
- Use a 5-quart or larger slow cooker so the carrots have room to cook evenly.
- To thicken the glaze, leave the lid off for the last 20 minutes or stir in a cornstarch slurry.
- Pair them with a holiday main like our glazed ham for an easy feast.
Serving Ideas and Suggestions
These maple glazed carrots belong on every holiday plate, from Thanksgiving to Easter. They are sweet, glossy, and always one of the first sides to disappear.
Serve them alongside our glazed ham with a side of savory mashed sweet potatoes for a classic holiday spread.
Round out the table with crispy oven roasted brussel sprouts and our malt vinegar smashed potatoes.
Maple Glazed Carrots FAQs
A 5-quart or larger slow cooker is ideal so the carrots have room to cook evenly. A smaller one will work for a half batch, just stir a little more often.
Cook with the lid off for the last 20 minutes to let it reduce, or stir in a slurry of 1 teaspoon cornstarch mixed with a tablespoon of water and cook until glossy.
Yes. Make them a day ahead and store in the fridge, then reheat gently on the stovetop or in the slow cooker on low until warm and glossy again.
Absolutely. Whole baby carrots work well, just know they may take a little longer to turn fully tender than sliced rounds.
Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to four days. Reheat on the stovetop or microwave until warm, adding a splash of water if the glaze thickened.
Yes. Simmer everything in a covered skillet for 15 to 20 minutes, or roast at 400 degrees for about 25 minutes, stirring once, until tender and glazed.
Looking for more easy sides? Try our crispy oven roasted brussel sprouts or sweet brown sugar candied carrots next.
Maple Glazed Carrots
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 pounds whole carrots peeled and sliced into ½ rounds
- ⅓ cup light brown sugar packed
- 1 tablespoon pure maple syrup
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ cup unsalted butter thinly slices
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Add the carrots to the bottom of a 5-quart or similar-sized slow cooker.2 pounds whole carrots
- Sprinkle the brown sugar on top.⅓ cup light brown sugar
- Drizzle the maple syrup and salt on top of the carrots, and place the sliced butter on top.1 tablespoon pure maple syrup, ½ teaspoon salt, ¼ cup unsalted butter
- Cover and cook on high for 2 ½ – 3 hours, stirring halfway through, until the carrots are tender.
- Garnish with parsley and serve immediately.1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
Notes
- Use Fresh Carrots: For the best flavor, use fresh, whole carrots. They have a natural sweetness that works perfectly with the maple glaze.
- Cut Evenly: Make sure to slice the carrots into even pieces to ensure they cook evenly in the slow cooker.
- Don’t Skip the Parsley: Fresh parsley adds a nice pop of color and a fresh flavor that balances the sweetness of the glaze.
- Cook Time: Keep an eye on the carrots as they cook. Depending on the size of your carrots and your slow cooker, they might cook a little faster or slower, so check for tenderness.
- Use Real Maple Syrup: For the best flavor, use real maple syrup, not pancake syrup. It makes a big difference in the taste of the glaze.
- Perfect for Holidays: This recipe is a great way to free up oven space during big holiday meals since it’s made in the slow cooker.
Nutrition
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