Slow Cooker Maple & Brown Sugar Glazed Carrots

When it comes to easy side dishes that impress, these Slow Cooker Maple & Brown Sugar Glazed Carrots are a total winner. With their glossy glaze, tender texture, and naturally sweet flavor, they’re the kind of dish that makes people go back for seconds (and thirds).

Perfect for holidays, weeknight dinners, or potlucks, these carrots require almost zero effort. Just toss everything in your slow cooker and let it work its magic while you focus on the rest of the meal. The combination of maple syrup, brown sugar, and butter turns ordinary carrots into something truly special — rich, buttery, and full of warm, cozy flavor.

🥕 Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Made in the slow cooker — totally hands-off
Perfect balance of sweet and savory
A crowd-pleasing side dish for any occasion
Kid-friendly and naturally gluten-free
Easily doubled or tripled for a crowd

🍯 Ingredients (U.S. Standard Measurements)

2 pounds baby carrots
¼ cup unsalted butter, melted
¼ cup pure maple syrup
⅓ cup light brown sugar, packed
½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
¼ teaspoon salt
Optional: ⅛ teaspoon ground nutmeg or ginger
Optional garnish: chopped parsley or thyme

🥘 Instructions

Prep Your Slow Cooker
Lightly grease the inside of your slow cooker with non-stick spray or a little butter to prevent sticking.
Combine Ingredients
Add baby carrots to the slow cooker. In a small bowl, mix melted butter, maple syrup, brown sugar, cinnamon, salt, and optional spices. Pour this mixture over the carrots and stir to coat evenly.
Cook Until Tender
Cover and cook on LOW for 4–5 hours or on HIGH for 2–3 hours, stirring once or twice if possible. The carrots should be tender but not mushy, and the glaze will be slightly thickened.
Finish and Serve
Give everything a good stir to coat the carrots in that luscious glaze. Transfer to a serving dish and garnish with fresh parsley or thyme if desired. Serve warm.

🍽️ Serving Suggestions

These glazed carrots pair beautifully with:

Roast turkey, ham, or chicken
Mashed potatoes and gravy
Holiday stuffing
Baked salmon or pork tenderloin
Vegetarian grain bowls or lentil loaves

They’re also perfect on a Thanksgiving, Christmas, or Easter table.

🧠 Tips & Tricks

Use fresh-cut carrots if you prefer — slice them into ½-inch rounds.
Want more sauce? Double the glaze ingredients.
Stir once halfway through cooking to ensure even coating.
For extra depth, add a splash of orange juice or balsamic vinegar.
Leftovers? Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days and reheat gently.

✨ My Personal Twist

To elevate the flavor even more, I like to finish these carrots with a quick maple-butter drizzle: melt 1 tablespoon butter with 1 tablespoon maple syrup and a pinch of cinnamon, then pour over the cooked carrots just before serving.

You can also toss in a handful of chopped toasted pecans for a nutty crunch — it gives a beautiful texture contrast and makes this feel extra gourmet for holiday dinners.