Craving a delicious side dish for your next holiday dinner? Look no further! You’ll love my Amazing Slow Cooker Maple & Brown Sugar Glazed Carrot Recipe.
It’s the perfect blend of sweet and savory flavors that will have your whole family asking for seconds.
Say goodbye to plain carrots and hello to tender perfection. This easy recipe transforms regular carrots into a mouthwatering treat. The slow cooking process brings out the natural sweetness of the carrots, while the brown sugar mixture creates a heavenly glaze.
Short on oven space for your big holiday meal? No worries! Your trusty Crock-Pot comes to the rescue. With minimal effort, you’ll have a show-stopping side dish that’s sure to impress even the pickiest eaters.
The best part? You can set it and forget it! Just give it a good stir occasionally as it cooks. Whether it’s for Thanksgiving dinner or busy weeknights, these sweet carrots are always a hit.
Why Slow Cooker Maple Glazed Carrots are Perfect for Thanksgiving
Cooking a big holiday meal can be tough. But these Crock-Pot carrots make things easier. They’re a great side dish for your feast.
Oven space is always tight when cooking lots of food. That’s where this carrot recipe shines. It frees up room for other dishes. Plus, the slow cooking method means less work for you.
These aren’t just plain carrots. They’re tender, sweet, and full of flavor. The brown sugar mixture creates a delicious glaze that even picky eaters love. It’s a great way to get kids to eat their veggies!
Prep is a breeze. Just toss everything in and let it cook for 3-4 hours. You can focus on other tasks while your Crock-Pot works its magic. The result? Tender perfection without the extra cost of fancy ingredients.
Your whole family will love these sweet carrots. They’re a tasty twist on a classic side dish. Best of all, they need minimal effort but look impressive on your holiday table.
Benefits of Using a Slow Cooker for Sides
Using a Crock-Pot for sides is a game-changer. It frees up oven space for other foods. This is super helpful during big holiday meals.
Slow cooker recipes often need less work. You can throw in ingredients and let them cook. No need to watch the stove top all day. This cooking method is great for busy weeknights too.
These carrots turn out tender and full of flavor. The slow cooking brings out their natural sweetness. It’s an easy way to make plain carrots taste amazing.
Another plus is keeping food warm. Your side dish stays hot until dinner time. This takes stress off your cooking schedule. Plus, cleanup is often easier with just one pot to wash.
Slow Cooker Maple Glazed Carrots Ingredient Overview:
- Carrot Choices: Baby Carrots or Whole Carrots
- Sweeteners: Maple Syrup and Brown Sugar
- Spices: Cinnamon and Optional Add-Ins
- Butter and Salt for Flavor Balance
Slow Cooker Maple Glazed Carrots Preparation
Prepping the Carrots (Peeling, Slicing)
Prepping fresh carrots is easy. First, give them a good wash. Then peel off the outer skin.
For best results, cut carrots into even pieces. This helps them cook evenly. Aim for chunks about 1-2 inches long.
If you’re short on time, use baby carrots. They’re already peeled and sized right. It’s a great way to save time on busy weeknights.
Remember, how you cut affects cooking time. Bigger pieces need longer to get tender. Smaller ones cook faster but might get too soft.
Mixing the Glaze Ingredients
Mixing the glaze is quick and easy. In a bowl, combine brown sugar, maple syrup, and a splash of orange juice. This sweet mixture will coat your carrots perfectly.
Next, add a bit of garlic powder for depth. If you like, throw in some vegan butter for richness. Give it all a good stir until it’s well blended.
This glaze is what turns plain carrots into a delicious side dish. It’s sweet enough to please picky eaters but not overpowering. The slow cooking will help it seep into the carrots, making them extra tasty.
Combining Carrots and Glaze in the Slow Cooker
Now it’s time to combine everything in your Crock-Pot. First, add the prepped carrots to the slow cooker. Then, pour the sweet glaze over them.
Give it all a good stir to coat the carrots evenly. This helps the brown sugar mixture stick to each piece. Make sure every carrot gets some of that yummy glaze.
Don’t worry if it looks like too much liquid. The slow cooking process will thicken the glaze. Your carrots will turn out tender and perfectly glazed. This easy side dish is great for Thanksgiving dinner or any big holiday meal.
Cook Time: Low vs. High Settings
You can cook these Crock-Pot carrots on low or high. On low, they’ll need about 6-8 hours to reach tender perfection. This is great for busy weeknights when you’re out all day.
If you’re in a hurry, use the high setting. They’ll be ready in 3-4 hours. Both ways work well, but slow and low often gives the best results.
The cooking time may vary a bit. It depends on how thick you cut your carrots. Whole carrots take longer than baby carrots. Just check them now and then. They’re done when they’re soft and covered in a thick glaze.
Thickening the Maple Glaze
Leave Lid Off for Last 30 Minutes
Want a thicker glaze on your brown sugar glazed carrots? Here’s a simple trick. About 30 minutes before serving, take the lid off your slow cooker.
This lets steam escape and helps the sauce reduce. The result? A sticky, delicious coating on your crockpot carrots. Just remember to stir a few times during this process.
If the glaze isn’t thick enough, don’t worry. You can always cook it a bit longer with the lid off. This method works great for other side dishes too, like sweet potatoes. Your perfect side dish will be ready in no time!
Transfer to Saucepan for Faster Thickening
Need a quick way to thicken your glaze? Try this method. Carefully move your slow cooker carrots to a saucepan.
Put the pan on the stove over medium heat. Let it simmer, stirring often. The sauce will reduce faster this way. In just a few minutes, you’ll have a thick, syrupy glaze coating your brown sugar carrots.
This trick works great when you’re short on time. It’s perfect for last-minute touches to your side dishes. Your crockpot carrots will look and taste amazing, rivaling even sweet potatoes as the perfect side dish.
Slow Cooker Maple Glazed Carrots Make-Ahead and Storage Tips
Prepping Ingredients in Advance
Want to save time on cooking day? Prep your ingredients ahead. Peel and cut your carrots up to two days before. Store them in water in the fridge to keep them fresh.
You can mix the glaze ingredients early too. Keep this brown sugar mixture in a separate container. When you’re ready, just toss everything in your slow cooker.
This trick works great for busy days. It makes whipping up these crockpot carrots a breeze. You’ll have a perfect side dish with less stress on the big day.
Storing and Reheating Leftovers
Got leftover brown sugar glazed carrots? No problem! Let them cool down first. Then, pop them in an airtight container.
They’ll keep well in the fridge for about 3-4 days. When you’re ready to eat, just reheat them. You can use a microwave or warm them up in a pan on the stove.
These crockpot carrots taste great the next day too. The flavors often get even better! They make a quick and yummy side dish for your next meal. Just give them a stir before serving to coat them in that tasty glaze again.
Slow Cooker Maple Glazed Carrots Substitutions and Variations
Swapping Maple Syrup for Honey or Agave Nectar
No maple syrup or don’t like the price tag? Don’t worry! You can still make these tasty slow cooker carrots. Try using honey instead. It gives a similar sweetness to the dish.
If you prefer, agave nectar works too. Both options blend well with the brown sugar in the recipe. Your crockpot carrots will still turn out delicious and glazed.
These swaps are great for making the perfect side dish your own way. The carrots will be just as yummy as the original recipe. Remember, the cooking time might change a bit, so keep an eye on your carrots as they cook.
Adding Fresh Herbs like Thyme or Rosemary
Want to add more flavor to your brown sugar glazed carrots? Try tossing in some fresh herbs. Thyme or rosemary work great with the sweet taste.
Add a tablespoon of chopped herbs to your crockpot carrots before cooking. The slow cooker will help blend the flavors nicely. You can also sprinkle some on top right before serving for extra color and taste.
This simple trick can turn your side dish into something special. It works well with other veggies too, like sweet potatoes. Fresh herbs can really make your slow cooker carrots stand out at the dinner table.
Slow Cooker Maple Glazed Carrot Recipe
Ingredients
• 2 pounds baby carrots (or 1 1/2 pounds whole carrots, peeled and sliced)
• 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
• Fresh thyme (for garnish, optional)
Instructions
- Add the carrots to a 5 or 6-quart slow cooker.
- In the slow cooker, mix brown sugar, salt, cinnamon, and pepper. Stir to combine with the carrots.
- Pour in the maple syrup and toss well to coat the carrots evenly.
- Cut the butter into cubes or pats and spread them over the carrots.
- Cover and cook on high for 3 hours, or on low for 5-6 hours, until the carrots are fork-tender. If possible, stir 1-2 times during cooking.
- To thicken the glaze, choose one method:
- Remove the lid for the final 30 minutes of cooking and switch to high.
- Transfer carrots to a bowl, cover to keep warm. Pour liquid into a saucepan, simmer over medium-high heat, whisking until thickened (about 5 minutes).
- If desired, garnish with fresh thyme before serving warm.
Final Thoughts
In the end, this slow cooker maple and brown sugar glazed carrot recipe is a winner. It’s easy, tasty, and perfect for any meal. The slow-cooking method turns plain carrots into a treat everyone will love.
These sweet carrots are great for busy weeknights or big holiday meals. They’re a hit at Thanksgiving dinner and make a yummy Christmas side dish too. The best part? Your crock pot does most of the work!
With just a little bit of prep and 3-4 hours of cooking time, you’ll have tender carrots covered in a sweet glaze. It’s a great way to use up fresh carrots or even baby carrots. Plus, it frees up oven space for other dishes.
Picky eaters often love these carrots. The natural sweetness of the carrots mixed with brown sugar is hard to resist. So next time you need an easy side dish, give this recipe a try. Your whole family will thank you!
Check Out All My Holiday Recipes
Amazing Thanksgiving Stuffing
Amazing Slow Cooker Maple & Brown Sugar Glazed Carrots
Simple Roasted Zucchini and Parmesan
Roasted Sweet Potatoes
Roasted Brussels Sprouts
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