I’m always on the lookout for simple side dishes that feel a little special without a ton of fuss, and this Slow Cooker Maple Glazed Carrots Recipe fits the bill perfectly. The carrots come out so tender and sweetly glazed with that warm maple syrup and brown sugar combo—every bite feels cozy and a little indulgent. It’s one of those dishes that works beautifully for holiday meals or any time you want to add a sweet vegetable side that everyone will actually look forward to.

What I love most about this recipe is how hands-off it is. You just toss everything in the slow cooker, set it, and come back to a caramelized, flavorful side that tastes like you’ve been stirring and watching all day. If you’ve been searching for a reliable, delicious way to serve carrots that feels homemade but effortless, this Slow Cooker Maple Glazed Carrots Recipe is absolutely worth trying out.

Ingredients You’ll Need

The ingredients in this Slow Cooker Maple Glazed Carrots Recipe come together beautifully to balance sweetness, earthiness, and a touch of spice. Each ingredient plays a role in transforming simple carrots into a rich, glazed delight that’s both familiar and a little special.

Baby carrots or whole carrots: Baby carrots keep things quick and uniform, but peeling and slicing whole carrots gives the dish a fresh, rustic feel.
Brown sugar: Adds deep, molasses-like sweetness that complements the maple syrup perfectly.
Maple syrup: This is the star glaze flavor—go for pure maple syrup for authentic richness.
Butter: Cubed so it melts evenly, butter adds lush creaminess to the glaze.
Salt: Essential to balance all the sweetness and bring out the carrot’s natural flavors.
Ground cinnamon: Just a hint so your carrots smell warmly inviting.
Pepper: Adds a gentle bite to keep things interesting.
Fresh thyme (optional): A sprinkle at the end for a lovely herbal note and a pop of color.

Variations

One of the things I love about this Slow Cooker Maple Glazed Carrots Recipe is how easy it is to personalize. Depending on what you’re craving or what’s in your pantry, you can switch things up without losing that cozy, sweet glaze vibe.

Spiced Up: I sometimes add a pinch of ground ginger or nutmeg for a little extra warmth, especially in the fall.
Herb Twist: Fresh rosemary or sage can replace thyme if you want a different herbaceous note.
Orange Zest: Adding a bit of orange zest at the end gives it a fresh, bright lift—perfect for holiday dinners.
Vegan Version: Swap butter for coconut oil or vegan margarine, and you’re all set for a plant-based option.

How to Make Slow Cooker Maple Glazed Carrots Recipe

Step 1: Prep Your Carrots

If you’re using whole carrots, peel and slice them into evenly sized pieces so they cook uniformly and look attractive when served. Baby carrots are a great shortcut here and don’t require any prep beyond a quick rinse. The goal is tender carrots but not mushy, so even sizing really makes a difference.

Step 2: Combine Ingredients in Slow Cooker

In your slow cooker, add the carrots, brown sugar, maple syrup, cubed butter, salt, ground cinnamon, and pepper. Give everything a gentle stir to make sure the carrots get coated with the sweetness and spices without breaking apart. This is where your slow cooker will work its magic—slowly melting the butter and melding the flavors.

Step 3: Cook Low and Slow

Set your slow cooker on low for about 3 to 4 hours. Check at the 3-hour mark by poking a carrot with a fork—it should be tender but still hold its shape well. Avoid cooking it too long, or the carrots may become too soft and lose their lovely texture. If you’re short on time, cooking on high for 1.5 to 2 hours works, but I personally prefer the low and slow method for depth of flavor.

Step 4: Stir and Serve

Once the carrots are tender and beautifully glazed, give them one last gentle stir to coat with the syrupy sauce. Taste and adjust salt or spice if needed before plating. If you want to add fresh thyme, sprinkle that on just before serving for a burst of fresh herbal aroma.

How to Serve Slow Cooker Maple Glazed Carrots Recipe

Slow Cooker Maple Glazed Carrots Recipe - Recipe Image

Garnishes

I usually top these glazed carrots with a handful of fresh thyme leaves—I love how the green looks against the warm orange glaze. Toasted pecans or sliced almonds are a delightful crunchy addition if you want to add texture. Sometimes a sprinkle of flaky sea salt right before serving brings out the sweetness beautifully.

Side Dishes

This Slow Cooker Maple Glazed Carrots Recipe pairs wonderfully with roasted chicken, glazed ham, or even as part of a Thanksgiving spread alongside mashed potatoes and green beans. I’ve also served it with quinoa or brown rice bowls when I’m in the mood for something lighter but still hearty.

Creative Ways to Present

For special occasions, I like to present these carrots piled high in a rustic wooden bowl with fresh sprigs of thyme laid across the top. You could also serve them in individual ramekins garnished with nuts and herbs for a more elegant look. The glossy glaze naturally catches the light, making them look as delicious as they taste!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Any leftovers from this Slow Cooker Maple Glazed Carrots Recipe store well in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. I find that the carrots hold their glaze nicely without getting soggy. Just give them a gentle stir when reheating, as the syrup may settle a bit.

Freezing

I’ve frozen glazed carrots before with decent results. Just cool them completely, portion into freezer-safe bags, and freeze for up to 3 months. When thawed, the texture softens slightly, but the flavor stays lovely—perfect for a quick, comforting side.

Reheating

To reheat, I prefer warming these carrots gently in a saucepan over low heat, stirring occasionally until they’re heated through. You can add a splash of water or a tiny bit more butter to refresh the glaze if it’s thickened too much. Microwaving works too if you’re in a hurry, just cover and heat in short bursts to avoid drying them out.

FAQs

Can I use frozen carrots for this Slow Cooker Maple Glazed Carrots Recipe?

Frozen carrots can work in a pinch, but they might become softer and less firm during the slow cooking process. If you do use frozen, reduce the cooking time slightly and keep an eye on the texture to avoid mushiness.
How sweet is the Slow Cooker Maple Glazed Carrots Recipe? Can I adjust the sweetness?

It strikes a nice balance of natural carrot sweetness with a gentle maple-brown sugar glaze. If you prefer less sweet, simply cut back on the brown sugar or maple syrup slightly; I often start with a bit less and add more after tasting toward the end.
What slow cooker size is best for this recipe?

A 4 to 6-quart slow cooker works perfectly—big enough to give the carrots space but not so large that the glaze won’t evenly coat them. If you have a smaller slow cooker, you might want to cut the recipe in half.
Can I double this Slow Cooker Maple Glazed Carrots Recipe?

Absolutely! Just make sure your slow cooker is large enough to hold the extra carrots without overcrowding. You may need to increase cooking time slightly, but the low and slow method ensures everything gets tender and flavorful.
What if I don’t have ground cinnamon?

If you’re out of cinnamon, you can skip it or substitute a tiny pinch of ground nutmeg or ginger for a different but still warm spice note. The dish will still taste delicious!

Final Thoughts

This Slow Cooker Maple Glazed Carrots Recipe has become one of those easy go-to sides that I find myself reaching for anytime I want something a little different but totally comforting. It’s simple enough for busy weeknights yet special enough for holiday dinners, and the slow cooker makes magic with minimal effort. I really hope you give it a try—you’ll enjoy the sweet, tender carrots with that rich maple glaze as much as I do. Trust me, once you make this, it’s going to become a staple on your dinner table too.

Slow Cooker Maple Glazed Carrots Recipe

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★★★★★

4.9 from 52 reviews

This Slow Cooker Maple Glazed Carrot recipe offers a sweet and savory side dish made with tender carrots slow-cooked to perfection in a rich glaze of maple syrup, brown sugar, butter, and a hint of warm cinnamon. It’s an effortless way to elevate your vegetable servings with a luscious, melt-in-your-mouth texture ideal for holiday dinners or everyday meals.

Author: Emma
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 4 to 5 hours
Total Time: 4 hours 10 minutes to 5 hours 10 minutes
Yield: 6 servings 1x
Category: Side Dish
Method: Slow Cooking
Cuisine: American
Diet: Halal

Ingredients

Scale

Carrots

2 pounds baby carrots (or 1 1/2 pounds whole carrots, peeled and sliced)

Glaze

1/4 cup packed brown sugar
1/4 cup maple syrup
1/3 cup butter, cubed
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/8 teaspoon pepper

Garnish (Optional)

Fresh thyme sprigs

Instructions

Prepare the Carrots: If using whole carrots, peel and slice them into even pieces to ensure uniform cooking. If using baby carrots, simply rinse and drain them.
Combine Ingredients: In the slow cooker, add the carrots along with brown sugar, maple syrup, cubed butter, salt, ground cinnamon, and pepper. Stir gently to coat the carrots evenly with the glaze.
Cook in Slow Cooker: Cover the slow cooker with the lid and cook on low heat for 4 to 5 hours, or until the carrots are tender and the glaze is thickened and bubbly. Avoid lifting the lid frequently to maintain consistent heat.
Finish and Garnish: Once cooked, give the carrots a gentle stir to distribute the glaze. Transfer to a serving dish and optionally garnish with fresh thyme sprigs for added aroma and flavor before serving.

Notes

You can substitute butter with a dairy-free alternative to make this recipe vegan-friendly.
Adjust the sweetness by reducing the amount of brown sugar or maple syrup to suit your taste.
For a slight kick, consider adding a pinch of cayenne pepper or ground ginger.
Make sure not to overcook the carrots to preserve some firmness and prevent them from becoming mushy.
Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated gently.

Keywords: slow cooker carrots, maple glazed carrots, slow cooked side dish, holiday vegetable recipe, sweet glazed carrots