Slow Cooker Maple Glazed Carrots
What I love about this glazed carrots recipe is how hands-off it is. You toss the carrots, maple syrup, a touch of brown sugar, and some butter into your slow cooker, set it on low, and forget it for a few hours.
Equipment
- Slow Cooker (Crockpot)
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Mixing Bowl
- Wooden Spoon or Silicone Spatula
- Serving dish or platter
Ingredients
- 2 pounds baby carrots or peeled and sliced regular carrots
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- ¼ cup pure maple syrup
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon optional, for a warm touch
- 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves optional, for garnish
Instructions
Prepare the Carrots
- Wash and peel your carrots if needed. Baby carrots can go straight in; larger carrots should be sliced into evenly sized sticks or rounds.
- Pat the carrots dry with a paper towel so the glaze sticks better.
- Pro Tip: Evenly sized pieces cook uniformly, so no carrot ends up mushy while others are underdone.
Make the Glaze
- In a small mixing bowl, combine the maple syrup, brown sugar, butter, salt, pepper, and cinnamon (if using).
- Whisk everything together until smooth and fully combined.
- Pro Tip: If the butter is cold, cut it into small pieces before whisking so it melts evenly into the syrup and sugar.
Combine Carrots and Glaze
- Place the prepared carrots in the slow cooker.
- Pour the glaze over the carrots.
- Toss gently with a spoon or spatula until every carrot is coated in the sweet mixture.
- Pro Tip: Be gentle when tossing so you don’t break the carrots, especially if they’re tender.
Cook the Carrots
- Cover the slow cooker and set it to low heat for 3–4 hours, or until carrots are tender when pierced with a fork.
- Check occasionally after 3 hours to prevent overcooking.
- Pro Tip: Avoid opening the lid too often; it extends cooking time. Only peek if you’re checking for tenderness.
Serve and Garnish
- Once cooked, transfer the carrots to a serving dish.
- Spoon any leftover glaze from the slow cooker over the carrots.
- Sprinkle fresh thyme leaves on top for a pop of color and added flavor.
- Pro Tip: Serve warm for the best flavor and glossy presentation. Leftovers reheat beautifully in the microwave or on the stovetop.
Notes
Estimated Nutritional Value (per serving)
- Calories: ~120 kcal
- Carbohydrates: 28 g
- Sugar: 16 g
- Protein: 1 g
- Fat: 3 g
- Saturated Fat: 1.5 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Sodium: 250 mg