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I’ve got a carrot recipe for you that will level up your side dish game. Bring on the Slow Cooker Maple Glazed Carrots!
Maple Glazed Carrots are sweet, buttery, and have just the right amount of maple syrup to make them absolutely irresistible.
Serve them at a holiday dinner, a weeknight meal, or just as a delicious side dish. They’re always tasty!
With just a handful of ingredients and minimal effort, you can create a side dish that feels special but is easy enough for everyday meals.
The natural sweetness of the carrots is enhanced by the brown sugar and pure maple syrup. Don’t forget to save the recipe card!
Lily thinks these things are her main course. She seriously eats them like someone is going to take them away, haha!
This flavorful side dish is perfect for the holidays, like Thanksgiving dinner and Christmas dinner, but they’re also a great way to add some extra flavor to your weeknight meals.
So whether you’ve got a big turkey or a roast chicken on the dinner table, these Maple Glazed Carrots are just the thing!
Some of our other favorite SIDE DISH RECIPES we have on our site include: Roasted Fingerlings Recipe with Rosemary, Southern Fried Okra Recipe, and Sausage Stuffed Mushrooms with Cream Cheese.
Jump to:
- WHY THIS RECIPE WORKS:
- INGREDIENTS NEEDED (SCROLL TO THE BOTTOM OF THIS POST FOR THE FULL RECIPE CARD):
- HOW TO MAKE MAPLE GLAZED CARROTS:
- FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT THIS RECIPE:
- WHAT SIZE SLOW COOKER DO I NEED?
- HOW TO THICKEN THE GLAZE?
- ANY ADDITIONS?
- ANY SUBSTITUTIONS?
- HOW TO STORE:
- DANA’S TIPS AND TRICKS:
- Slow Cooker Maple Glazed Carrots Recipe
WHY THIS RECIPE WORKS:
- Natural Sweetness of Carrots: The natural sweetness of the carrots is enhanced by the brown sugar and pure maple syrup, creating a delicious glaze that’s both sweet and savory.
- Easy to Make: With simple ingredients and a slow cooker, this recipe requires minimal effort, making it perfect for busy weeknight dinners or holiday meal prep.
- Perfect Side Dish: These tender carrots make a great side dish for any meal, whether it’s a holiday feast or a regular dinner. They pair well with a variety of main courses and are sure to be a hit with everyone at the table.
INGREDIENTS NEEDED (SCROLL TO THE BOTTOM OF THIS POST FOR THE FULL RECIPE CARD):
- Whole carrots
- Unsalted butter
- Light brown sugar
- Maple syrup
- Salt
- Fresh parsley
HOW TO MAKE MAPLE GLAZED CARROTS:
- Add the carrots to the bottom of a 5-quart or similar-sized slow cooker.
- Sprinkle the brown sugar on top.
- Drizzle the maple syrup and salt on top of the carrots, and place the sliced butter on top.
- Cover and cook on high for 2 ½ – 3 hours, stirring halfway through, until the carrots are tender.
- Garnish with parsley and serve immediately.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT THIS RECIPE:
WHAT SIZE SLOW COOKER DO I NEED?
For this maple glazed carrots recipe, a 5-quart slow cooker or larger is ideal.
If you’re doubling the recipe or using larger carrots, you might want to use a 6-quart slow cooker to ensure everything cooks evenly.
HOW TO THICKEN THE GLAZE?
If you prefer a thicker glaze, simply remove the lid from the slow cooker during the last 15-20 minutes of cooking and turn the heat to high.
This will help evaporate some of the liquid, leaving you with a thicker, more concentrated glaze. Simple!
ANY ADDITIONS?
I think this easy side dish is practically perfect the way it is.
Maybe you wanna change things up, though. Totally up to you!
- Fresh thyme: Add a sprig of fresh thyme for a subtle, savory flavor.
- Garlic powder: Sprinkle a little garlic powder over the carrots for a hint of garlic.
- Red pepper flakes: For a touch of heat, add a pinch of red pepper flakes.
- Sea salt: Finish with a sprinkle of sea salt to enhance the flavors.
- Orange zest: Add some orange zest for a citrusy twist.
- Cinnamon: A dash of cinnamon can add a warm, comforting flavor.
- Honey: Drizzle a little honey over the carrots for extra sweetness.
- Chopped pecans: Sprinkle some chopped pecans on top for a crunchy texture.
- Fresh rosemary: Add a few sprigs of fresh rosemary for a fragrant herb flavor.
ANY SUBSTITUTIONS?
Let me know in the comments how these turn out for you. I love hearing about it!
- Baby carrots for whole carrots: If you prefer, you can use baby carrots instead of slicing larger carrots.
- Olive oil for butter: Substitute olive oil for butter to make the recipe vegan or for a slightly different flavor.
- Dark brown sugar for light brown sugar: Use dark brown sugar if you prefer a richer, molasses flavor.
- Honey for maple syrup: If you don’t have maple syrup, honey can be used as a substitute.
- Dried parsley for fresh parsley: If you don’t have fresh parsley, dried parsley works just as well.
- Black pepper for salt: For a spicier kick, you can add a little black pepper instead of or in addition to salt.
- Vegan butter: Use vegan butter for a dairy-free version of this recipe.
HOW TO STORE:
Refrigerator: Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
They reheat well, making them a great option for meal prep or leftovers.
Freezer: You can also freeze these carrots for up to 1-3 months.
Place them in a freezer-safe container or a ziplock bag, making sure to remove as much air as possible.
When you’re ready to enjoy them again, thaw them in the refrigerator overnight and reheat them in the microwave or on the stovetop.
DANA’S TIPS AND TRICKS:
- 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.
Maple Glazed Carrots are the perfect combination of sweet and savory, making them a delicious side dish for any meal.
The natural sweetness of the carrots, combined with the rich, buttery glaze, makes this a side dish that you’ll want to make again and again.
Give them a try at your next dinner, and enjoy the simple, delicious flavors that this easy recipe has to offer!
If you like this recipe, you might also like:
If you’ve tried these MAPLE GLAZED CARROTS, let me know how it turned out in the comments! You can follow me over on PINTEREST, INSTAGRAM OR FACEBOOK to find some more of our mouthwatering recipes!
Slow Cooker Maple Glazed Carrots Recipe
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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