Description
These slow cooker maple glazed carrots are a sweet and buttery side dish that adds a touch of coziness to any meal, making them perfect for holidays or simple weeknight dinners.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 2 pounds carrots (baby or whole) (Use baby carrots for convenience or whole carrots for a fresher taste.)
- 1/3 cup pure maple syrup (Avoid pancake syrup for best flavor.)
- 1/4 cup brown sugar (Light or dark brown sugar works; dark has a deeper flavor.)
- 3 tablespoons butter (Salted butter is fine; taste for saltiness.)
- 1 pinch salt (Enhances sweetness.)
Optional Flavor Additions
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon (For a warm flavor.)
- 1 pinch black pepper (Adds mild spice.)
- 1 tablespoon orange zest (Freshen up the flavor profile.)
- fresh herbs (Thyme or rosemary for added depth.)
Instructions
Preparation
- Peel and cut whole carrots into even pieces, about the length of your finger. For a more polished look, slice on a slight angle.
- If using baby carrots, no need to cut, just use as is.
Cooking
- Add the carrots to the slow cooker.
- Drizzle pure maple syrup over the carrots.
- Sprinkle brown sugar on top.
- Dot with butter.
- Add a pinch of salt and any optional ingredients if desired.
- Gently toss the ingredients in the slow cooker using a silicone spoon.
- Cover and cook on low for 4 to 5 hours or on high for 2 to 3 hours, checking at the 2-hour mark for tenderness.
Finishing Touches
- If glaze is too thin, uncover and cook on high for an additional 15 to 30 minutes to reduce and thicken.
- For a quick thickening method, transfer the glaze to a saucepan and simmer to a glossy consistency before returning it to the carrots.
Notes
Make ahead by peeling and cutting carrots 2 days in advance; store in water. Leftover glazed carrots can be refrigerated for up to 4 days and reheated easily.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 4 hours
- Category: Side Dish, Vegetable
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 25
- Sodium: 100
- Fat: 2
- Saturated Fat: 1
- Carbohydrates: 35
- Fiber: 3
- Protein: 1
