Slow Cooker Maple & Brown Sugar Glazed Carrots

These Slow Cooker Maple & Brown Sugar Glazed Carrots are the ultimate holiday side dish. With tender baby carrots bathed in maple syrup, brown sugar, butter, and cinnamon, this dish delivers cozy, sweet flavor with virtually no effort. It’s a favorite for Thanksgiving and Christmas — and it’s so tasty, even picky eaters will ask for seconds.

Best of all, this slow cooker recipe saves valuable oven space during busy holiday meals. Set it, forget it, and serve up something everyone will love.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Perfect make-ahead side for the holidays
• No oven required — made entirely in the slow cooker
• Sweet, buttery glaze with a hint of cinnamon spice
• Just 6 simple ingredients
• Kid-friendly and great with any holiday main dish

Ingredients

• 2 pounds baby carrots
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
• ¼ cup packed brown sugar
• ¼ cup real maple syrup
• ⅓ cup butter, cubed

Instructions

Step 1: Add Ingredients to Slow Cooker
Place baby carrots into a 6-quart slow cooker. Sprinkle with salt, cinnamon, and brown sugar. Stir to combine.

Step 2: Add Maple Syrup and Butter
Pour in the maple syrup and stir gently to coat. Spread the carrots evenly in the slow cooker and top with cubed butter.

Step 3: Slow Cook
Cover and cook on high for 3 hours or low for 5–6 hours, stirring once or twice if possible to coat the carrots evenly.

Step 4: Thicken the Glaze (Optional)
To thicken the glaze, remove the lid during the last 30 minutes of cooking and switch to high heat.
Alternatively, transfer the carrots to a bowl and keep warm. Pour the cooking liquid into a saucepan, bring to a simmer over medium-high heat, and whisk until thickened (about 5 minutes). Pour back over the carrots before serving.

Tips for Success

• Use real maple syrup for the richest flavor
• Stir halfway through cooking for even glazing
• Want it spicier? Add a pinch of nutmeg or cloves
• Garnish with chopped parsley or fresh thyme for a pop of color

Storage & Reheating

Refrigerator
Store in an airtight container for up to 4 days.

Freezer
Best enjoyed fresh — freezing may alter the texture of the carrots.

Reheating
Reheat in a saucepan over low heat, stirring occasionally. Add a splash of water if needed to loosen the glaze.

FAQs

Can I use regular carrots?
Yes! Just peel and slice them into similar-sized pieces to ensure even cooking.

Can I make this ahead of time?
Absolutely. Reheat gently before serving and thicken the glaze just before plating if desired.

Can I double the recipe?
Yes — use an 8-quart slow cooker and extend cooking time slightly.

Final Thoughts

These Slow Cooker Maple & Brown Sugar Glazed Carrots are proof that vegetables can steal the spotlight at any holiday meal. With their buttery, cinnamon-spiced glaze and tender texture, they’re simple, elegant, and completely irresistible.

Whether you’re planning your Thanksgiving feast or just want a comforting veggie side, this dish delivers warmth and sweetness in every bite — and it frees up your oven for the main event.

Share Your Glazed Carrots

Tried this recipe? Tag your holiday spread with #MapleGlazedCarrots or #SlowCookerVeggies to show it off!

📖 Recipe

Print Pin

Slow Cooker Maple & Brown Sugar Glazed Carrots

Sweet, buttery glazed carrots slow-cooked with cinnamon, maple syrup, and brown sugar. Perfect for holiday dinners.

Course Holiday, Side Dish

Cuisine American

Keyword Slow Cooker Maple & Brown Sugar Glazed Carrots

Prep Time 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time 6 hours hours

Total Time 6 hours hours 10 minutes minutes

Servings 8

Ingredients

• 2 pounds baby carrots
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
• ¼ cup packed brown sugar
• ¼ cup real maple syrup
• ⅓ cup butter cubed

Instructions

Step 1: Add Ingredients to Slow Cooker

• Place baby carrots into a 6-quart slow cooker. Sprinkle with salt, cinnamon, and brown sugar. Stir to combine.

Step 2: Add Maple Syrup and Butter

• Pour in the maple syrup and stir gently to coat. Spread the carrots evenly in the slow cooker and top with cubed butter.

Step 3: Slow Cook

• Cover and cook on high for 3 hours or low for 5–6 hours, stirring once or twice if possible to coat the carrots evenly.

Step 4: Thicken the Glaze (Optional)

• To thicken the glaze, remove the lid during the last 30 minutes of cooking and switch to high heat.
• Alternatively, transfer the carrots to a bowl and keep warm. Pour the cooking liquid into a saucepan, bring to a simmer over medium-high heat, and whisk until thickened (about 5 minutes). Pour back over the carrots before serving.