Crockpot Glazed Carrots
The crockpot gets plenty of love for soups, stews, and pulled meats, but I think it’s seriously underrated when it comes to side dishes. Whether you’re hosting Thanksgiving, Christmas dinner, or a Sunday roast, handing one of your sides over to the slow cooker frees up precious oven and stovetop space. These glazed carrots come out perfectly tender with a buttery, sweet glaze that’s lightly spiced with cinnamon and nutmeg, making them just as at home on a holiday table as they are alongside an easy weeknight dinner.
I think you’ll also love: crockpot pork roast, crockpot beef bourguignon, crockpot chicken pot roast, crockpot creamed corn, and crockpot garlic parmesan sausage and potatoes.
The carrots cook gently in a simple mixture of butter, honey, and brown sugar, creating a glossy glaze with hardly any effort. A little salt keeps the sweetness balanced, while the cinnamon and nutmeg add warmth without overpowering the carrots’ natural flavor. Finish with a sprinkle of fresh parsley, and you’ve got an easy side dish that looks just as good as it tastes.
Ingredients & Process
You’ll only need a few simple ingredients to make these sweet and buttery crockpot glazed carrots:
- Carrots – Peeled and cut into evenly sized pieces so they cook at the same rate.
- Butter – Adds richness and helps create the glaze.
- Honey and brown sugar – The perfect combination for a sweet, glossy coating.
- Salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg – A simple blend that brings out the natural sweetness of the carrots.
- Fresh parsley – Optional, but adds a pop of color before serving.
Simply add the carrots to the crockpot, drizzle over the melted butter and honey, then sprinkle over the brown sugar, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
Cover and cook until the carrots are perfectly tender, giving them a stir halfway through if you’d like to help coat them evenly in the glaze. Finish with a sprinkle of fresh parsley before serving for an easy side dish that’s perfect for holidays or weeknight dinners.
Recipe Notes
- Baby carrots work too. You can use baby carrots instead of peeling and chopping whole carrots. Just keep an eye on them, as they tend to cook a little faster. They’re ready when they’re easily pierced with a fork.
- Maple syrup is an easy swap. If you don’t have honey on hand, use an equal amount of maple syrup for a slightly different flavor.
- Adjust the sweetness. Prefer a sweeter glaze? Stir in a little extra brown sugar or drizzle over more honey before serving.
- Melting the butter is optional. You can cube the butter and add it straight to the slow cooker, but melting it first helps coat the carrots more evenly from the start.
- For a thicker glaze, remove the lid during the last 30–60 minutes of cooking and switch the slow cooker to HIGH. This allows some of the liquid to evaporate.
- Add fresh herbs. A little chopped thyme or rosemary balances the sweetness and adds extra flavor.
- Give them a kick. A pinch of black pepper or cayenne pepper is a simple way to add a little warmth and contrast to the sweet glaze.
Serving Ideas
These crockpot glazed carrots pair well with all your favorite comfort food meals and are especially handy when you’re hosting.
- Holiday dinners like Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Easter.
- Sunday roasts with beef, chicken, pork, or lamb.
- Ham dinners, whether it’s a holiday feast or an everyday family meal.
- Potlucks and buffets, where they can stay warm in the slow cooker until everyone is ready to eat.
- Weeknight dinners alongside meatloaf, pork chops, roast chicken, or sausages.
Crockpot Glazed Carrots
Ingredients
- 2 lbs carrots peeled and cut into 1.5-inch pieces
- ¼ cup butter melted
- ¼ cup honey
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ⅛ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- Chopped parsley for garnish optional
Instructions
- Place the carrots into the slow cooker, then drizzle over the melted butter and honey.
- Sprinkle the brown sugar, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg over the top.
- Cover and cook on LOW for 5–6 hours or HIGH for 3 hours, until the carrots are fork tender. If you'd like, give them a stir halfway through cooking to help coat the carrots evenly in the glaze.
- For a thicker glaze, remove the lid during the last 30–60 minutes of cooking and switch the slow cooker to HIGH.
- Transfer to a serving dish and garnish with chopped fresh parsley, if desired.
Got a question? You can leave any thoughts, comments, or feedback in the comments section below.