These Slow Cooker Glazed Carrots are the best set it and forget it crock pot side dish with 10 minutes of prep time. They’re easy to add to any meal whether it’s a holiday or weeknight dinner and also a veggie that even the pickiest eaters will enjoy!
Slow cooker glazed carrots are my new favorite way to make carrots, hands down. They’re sweet, buttery, and perfectly tender, with only a few minutes of prep and absolutely no babysitting required.
These carrots are truly toss-and-go, which is exactly why I love them so much. You can absolutely make them with baby carrots, but I strongly prefer using whole carrots (organic if possible) for the best texture, flavor, and presentation.
Best of all, they’re perfect for holidays, because they don’t take up a single inch of stovetop or oven space! If you love easy side dish recipes like this one, I highly recommend you try my Southern-Style Green Beans or Balsamic Brussels Sprouts, too!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Only 10 minutes of prep. All you need to do is slice the carrots, whisk together the glaze, and toss everything into the slow cooker. Even though they can look fancy, these easy glazed carrots are one of my favorite side dishes for a busy weeknight!
- Set-it-and-forget-it slow cooker side dish. Once everything is in the slow cooker, it does all the work for you. No stirring, no checking, and no hovering over the stove! The whole family will love these!
- Perfect for holidays and feeding a crowd. These glazed carrots are ideal for Thanksgiving dinner, Easter, Christmas, or any large gathering. They stay warm in the slow cooker and free up valuable oven and stovetop space. Plus, they are a great way to add veggies to your plate!
- Warm, cozy flavors with brown sugar and spices. Brown sugar, honey, cinnamon, ginger, and a pinch of allspice create a glaze that’s sweet, buttery, and comforting without being overly sugary. It’s a classic flavor combination that pairs well with almost any main dish.
- Great make-ahead vegetable side. These carrots reheat beautifully and can be made a day or two in advance. In fact, the glaze gets even better as it sits.
Ingredients
- Carrots: Regular carrots, peeled and sliced into even pieces give the best texture and presentation, but baby carrots work in a pinch!
- Salted Butter: Adds richness and helps form the glaze!
- Brown Sugar: Light or dark both work, depending on how deep you want the sweetness.
- Honey: Adds a smooth sweetness and shine to the glaze!
- Kosher Salt: To enhance the overall flavor.
- Spices: You need cinnamon, ginger and allspice to season the carrots. This combo lends a warm and cozy flavor without being overwhelming!
- Vanilla extract: Stirred in at the end for added flavor.
- Fresh thyme: Optional garnish for a pop of color and freshness at the end!
Get the full recipe in the recipe card below.
How to Make Slow Cooker Glazed Carrots
Step 1 – Prep the Carrots
Place the carrots at the bottom of a slow cooker crock (make sure your crockpot is large enough to stir your carrots).
Step 2 – Prep the Glaze
Whisk together the butter, brown sugar, honey, salt, cinnamon, ginger, and allspice.
Step 3 – Combine and Slow Cook
Pour the butter mixture over the carrots, tossing to coat.
Cook on HIGH for 3 hours or until carrots are tender. Stir in the vanilla extract and fresh thyme before serving. I prefer these cooked on high, if preferred, you can cook 6-8 hours on LOW.
If desired, thicken the glaze by removing the lid and cooking on HIGH for an additional 15 minutes, watching closely!
Expert Tips
- Use whole carrots for best flavor, texture, and presentation. Whole carrots hold their shape better and have a fresher, sweeter flavor compared to baby carrots. Organic carrots are especially great if you can find them!
- Other carrot options work too. Baby carrots or rainbow carrots can be used if that’s what you have on hand, just keep the pieces uniform for even cooking.
- Slice carrots evenly. Cutting the carrots into similar-sized pieces ensures they cook at the same rate and prevents some from turning mushy while others stay firm. And slice at an angle for prettier presentation.
- Use a large crockpot, if possible. A larger slow cooker allows the carrots to cook evenly and makes stirring easier, which helps distribute the glaze.
- Cooking on HIGH yields the best texture. Cooking on HIGH keeps the carrots tender but intact, while LOW heat can sometimes make them overly soft!
- Add vanilla at the end. Stirring in vanilla just before serving keeps the flavor bright and prevents it from dulling during the long cook time.
Variations & Substitutions
- Adjust the salt: If using unsalted butter, increase the salt to 1 teaspoon. If desired, add a few grinds of fresh black pepper.
- Use the spices you like: If you don’t like a spice, don’t use it. This is also delicious with nutmeg!
- Add bourbon: Try adding a tablespoon of bourbon with the melted butter for a smoky hint of flavor.
- Garnish: Instead of thyme, use fresh parsley or rosemary instead.
- Gluten-Free! Naturally!
- Dairy-Free & Vegan: Use your favorite dairy-free butter, I like Miyokos! Replace the honey with real maple syrup.
What to Serve With Crock Pot Glazed Carrots
These crockpot carrots go right along with both holiday mains and easy dinners! Here are some of my favorite things to serve them with as the perfect side dish:
Storage
Store leftover slow cooker carrots in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 4–5 days. Reheat leftovers gently on the stovetop or in the microwave, stirring occasionally.
These carrots are great for make-ahead meals and can be prepared 1–2 days in advance. If the glaze thickens, add a splash of water or butter when reheating.
Freezing is possible for up to 2 months, though the carrots may soften slightly once thawed.
FAQs
Yes! You can use any carrots you have on hand. I just prefer whole carrots for the texture and presentation.
HIGH is recommended for the best texture, but LOW works if you need a longer cooking window before serving.
Yes, especially if you cook them on LOW. Cooking too long can cause the carrots to become mushy instead of perfectly cooked with a slight bite!
The best way to thicken the glaze is to remove the lid and cook on HIGH for 10 to 15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the glaze thickens. Alternatively, you could add a cornstarch slurry by combining 1 tablespoon of cornstarch with about 2 tablespoons of water and mixing, then adding it to the carrots. Let it cook on high for 10 to 15 minutes to cook the cornstarch! Or remove the carrots and keep warm, transfer the sauce to a saucepan and simmer over low heat for a thicker glaze.
Yes, if you have a crowd to feed, double the recipe, you could probably get away with a half recipe for the glaze. Make sure you are using at least a 6-quart crockpot and stir at the 2 hour mark to ensure all the carrots are cooking evenly.
More Easy Slow Cooker Recipes
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Ingredients
- 2 pounds carrots baby carrots or whole carrots, peeled and sliced into ½ – 1-inch pieces
- ¼ cup salted butter melted
- ¼ cup brown sugar packed (use light or dark)
- 2 tablespoons honey swap with maple syrup for vegan
- ¾ teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon ginger
- 1 Pinch allspice
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract added at the end of cooking
- Fresh thyme chopped for garnish optional
Instructions
- Place the carrots at the bottom of a slow cooker crock (make sure your crockpot is large enough to stir your carrots).2 pounds carrots
- Whisk together the butter, brown sugar, honey, salt, cinnamon, ginger, and allspice.¼ cup salted butter, ¼ cup brown sugar, 2 tablespoons honey, ¾ teaspoon kosher salt, ½ teaspoon cinnamon, ¼ teaspoon ginger, 1 Pinch allspice
- Pour the butter mixture over the carrots, tossing to coat.
- Cook on HIGH for 3 hours or until carrots are tender. Stir in the vanilla extract and fresh thyme before serving. I prefer these cooked on high, if preferred, you can cook 6-8 hours on LOW, just note your carrots might end up a bit mushier.1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- If desired, thicken the glaze by removing the lid and cooking on HIGH for an additional 15 minutes, watching closely. Or transferring liquid to saucepan and simmer on low until thickened, pour over carrots.
- Set the slow cooker to warm until ready to serve, stirring well before serving.Fresh thyme chopped for garnish
Notes
- If using unsalted butter, increase the salt to 1 teaspoon.
- If you don’t like a spice, don’t use it. This is also delicious with nutmeg!
- Try adding a tablespoon of bourbon when you add the melted butter for a smoky hint of flavor.
- Instead of garnishing with thyme, use fresh parsley or rosemary instead.
- Gluten-Free! Naturally!
- Dairy-Free & Vegan: Use your favorite dairy-free butter, I like Miyokos! Replace the honey with maple syrup.
- Feeding a crowd? Double up the recipe, just make sure you are using a 6-7 quart crockpot and stir the carrots at the 2 hour mark to ensure even cooking.
Nutrition
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