Irresistibly Delicious Crockpot Glazed Carrots: Your Essential Holiday Side Dish
Prepare to elevate your holiday table with these incredibly delicious Crockpot Glazed Carrots! Tender carrots are slow-cooked to perfection, coated in a sweet and savory glaze featuring vibrant orange juice, rich brown sugar, warm cinnamon, and a hint of vanilla. This effortless slow cooker recipe ensures an amazing side dish that’s bursting with flavor and guaranteed to be a family favorite, freeing up precious oven space for your other festive culinary creations. Whether it’s Easter, Thanksgiving, Christmas, or any special family gathering, these glazed carrots promise a delightful addition to your meal.
Mastering the Crockpot Glazed Carrots Recipe
As someone who truly appreciates cooked carrots, this recipe quickly became a personal favorite. While some prefer their carrots raw, the transformative magic of the slow cooker turns them into a tender, melt-in-your-mouth delight. These Crock Pot Glazed Carrots are the epitome of convenience and flavor, making them ideal for any family dinner, especially during busy holiday seasons. The beauty of this dish lies in its simplicity – your slow cooker handles most of the work, leaving you with a fantastic vegetable side dish ready to impress.
Embracing quick and easy vegetable side dishes is a game-changer for holiday meal planning. These crockpot carrots are not only perfect for your Christmas and Thanksgiving dinner menus but also offer a brilliant solution to a common holiday dilemma: limited oven space. By utilizing your slow cooker, you can easily prepare this flavorful side dish without juggling oven timings, allowing you to focus on other main courses and appetizers. The whole family will adore this simple slow cooker side, packed with a sweet and aromatic glaze that complements a wide array of main dishes.
We often pair these succulent slow cooker carrots with traditional holiday fare such as crockpot ham, roasted turkey, and all our beloved festive recipes. Their sweet and slightly tangy profile creates a perfect balance, enhancing the overall dining experience. This recipe is also a wonderful way to introduce a nutritious and flavorful vegetable to even the pickiest eaters, thanks to its appealing glaze.
Essential Ingredients for Your Glazed Carrots
Crafting these delectable glazed carrots requires a handful of simple, wholesome ingredients that come together to create an unforgettable flavor profile. Each component plays a vital role in achieving that perfect balance of sweetness, spice, and tender texture.
- Baby Carrots: We recommend using two pounds of pre-washed baby carrots for ultimate convenience. Their uniform size ensures even cooking, and you can skip the peeling and slicing steps entirely. If preferred, you can use regular carrots peeled and sliced into uniform coin shapes or sticks.
- Orange Juice: A full cup of fresh orange juice forms the bright, citrusy base of our glaze. It adds a wonderful tang that cuts through the sweetness and provides a lovely aroma. Choose 100% pure orange juice for the best flavor.
- Brown Sugar: A quarter cup of brown sugar contributes a deep, caramel-like sweetness to the glaze, which is far richer than granulated sugar. It also helps to create that signature sticky, glossy coating on the carrots.
- Butter: Two tablespoons of melted butter add richness and a silky texture to the glaze, ensuring the carrots are beautifully tender and moist. It also helps to carry the flavors of the spices throughout the dish.
- Orange Zest: One teaspoon of finely grated orange zest amplifies the natural orange flavor of the juice, adding a vibrant and aromatic punch. Don’t skip this; it makes a big difference!
- Ground Cinnamon: Half a teaspoon of ground cinnamon infuses the carrots with a warm, comforting spice that is synonymous with holiday flavors and pairs wonderfully with orange.
- Vanilla Extract: A quarter teaspoon of vanilla extract might seem subtle, but it adds a layer of complex sweetness and warmth, rounding out the overall flavor profile of the glaze.
- Salt: A quarter teaspoon of salt is crucial for balancing the sweetness and enhancing all the other flavors, preventing the dish from being overly cloying.
For the Perfect Glaze Thickener: Cornstarch Slurry
- Cornstarch: One tablespoon of cornstarch mixed with two tablespoons of cold water creates a slurry that will thicken the glaze during the final cooking stage, ensuring it coats the carrots beautifully.
Optional Garnish: For an added touch of freshness and visual appeal, consider garnishing your finished carrots with a sprinkle of fresh thyme or fresh parsley just before serving. These herbs provide a lovely contrast to the sweet glaze.
The carrots gently cook as they soak in this delightful melted butter, cinnamon, orange juice, and brown sugar glaze. While baby carrots offer unmatched ease, you can certainly use sliced carrots if you prefer. Personally, I always opt for the convenience of pre-packaged baby carrots – it means less prep work and more time to enjoy the holidays!
Recommended Equipment for Effortless Slow Cooking
Having the right tools can make your cooking experience even smoother. For this Crockpot Glazed Carrots recipe, a few key pieces of equipment will ensure perfect results every time.
- Crockpot (Slow Cooker): A reliable slow cooker is, of course, essential. We highly recommend using a model that features a digital timer, which can automatically switch to a “warm” setting once the cooking cycle is complete. This feature is incredibly useful, ensuring your carrots cook to perfection without the risk of overcooking, and gives you peace of mind during busy days. Shop for Crockpots on Amazon.
- Spider Strainer: A spider strainer is a fantastic tool for easily and gently removing the tender glazed carrots from the slow cooker liquid. Its wide, basket-like mesh allows the glaze to drain back into the pot, making it simple to transfer the carrots to a serving bowl without breaking them. Find a Spider Strainer on Amazon.
Expert Tips for Perfect Glazed Carrots
- Achieving Perfect Tenderness: Always cook the carrots until they are fork-tender. This usually takes 4-5 hours on low, but can vary slightly depending on your slow cooker and the size of your carrots. They should be soft enough to easily pierce with a fork but not mushy.
- Even Glaze Distribution: Before serving, give the carrots a good stir to ensure the sweet and savory glaze is evenly distributed, coating every single carrot for maximum flavor.
- Storage: Any leftover glazed carrots can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. They reheat beautifully in the microwave or on the stovetop over low heat.
- Flavor Customization: Feel free to adjust the level of sweetness by slightly increasing or decreasing the brown sugar. For a spicier kick, add a pinch of ground ginger or a tiny dash of nutmeg. A squeeze of fresh lemon juice at the end can brighten the flavors.
- Make Ahead: These carrots are an excellent make-ahead dish. Prepare them fully a day in advance, store them in the fridge, and then gently reheat in the slow cooker on the “warm” setting or in the microwave before serving.
- Scaling the Recipe: This recipe can easily be doubled or halved. Just ensure your slow cooker is large enough if you’re doubling it, and adjust cooking times slightly as needed.
Please note that precise nutrition information, including calories, protein, calcium, carbohydrates, fiber, vitamin C, potassium, cholesterol, sodium, and various fats, will vary based on the specific brands and quantities of ingredients you use. Always refer to your product labels for the most accurate details.
Crock Pot Glazed Carrots Recipe
Crock Pot Glazed Carrots Recipe
Print Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 lbs baby carrots
- 1 cup orange juice
- ¼ cup Brown Sugar
- 2 Tablespoon Butter
- 1 teaspoon Orange Zest
- ½ teaspoon Ground Cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon Vanilla Extract
- ¼ teaspoon Salt
Cornstarch Slurry
- 1 Tablespoon Cornstarch
- 2 Tablespoon Water
Instructions
- Prepare the Carrots and Glaze: Add all the baby carrots into the slow cooker. Pour in the orange juice, sprinkle with brown sugar, add the butter, orange zest, ground cinnamon, vanilla extract, and salt. Toss all the ingredients together thoroughly until the carrots are evenly coated in the glaze mixture.
- Slow Cook: Cover the slow cooker with its lid and cook on the LOW setting for 4 hours. During this time, the carrots will soften and absorb the delicious flavors of the glaze.
- Thicken the Glaze: In a small bowl, whisk together the cornstarch and 2 tablespoons of cold water until no lumps remain, creating a smooth slurry. Uncover the slow cooker and stir this cornstarch slurry into the cooked carrots and glaze mixture. This will help thicken the glaze to a perfect coating consistency.
- Final Cook: Increase the slow cooker setting to HIGH. Cook for an additional 1 hour, or until the glaze has visibly thickened and coats the carrots beautifully.
- Serve and Enjoy: Once cooked, give the carrots a final stir to ensure they are fully coated. Transfer to a serving dish, garnish if desired, and enjoy these wonderfully glazed carrots hot!
Kitchen Tools
- Slow cooker
Nutrition
Calories from Fat 27
Fantastic Slow Cooker Side Dishes for Every Occasion
One of the greatest advantages of incorporating your slow cooker into meal prep, especially during the holidays, is the invaluable space it saves in your oven. This means less stress, fewer timing conflicts, and the ability to cook multiple dishes simultaneously without breaking a sweat. You can efficiently set up a cooking schedule, allowing you to relax and enjoy the festivities rather than constantly rushing around the kitchen. These are some of our favorite slow cooker side dishes that offer the same convenience and delicious results:
- Crockpot Creamed Corn: A rich and creamy classic, perfect for a comforting side.
- Crockpot Garlic Herb Mashed Potatoes: Fluffy, flavorful mashed potatoes without boiling a single pot on the stove.
- Crockpot Loaded Mashed Cauliflower: A healthier, low-carb alternative to mashed potatoes, still packed with cheesy goodness.
- Crockpot Stuffing: A holiday staple that becomes incredibly moist and flavorful when cooked in the slow cooker.
We also offer a wide variety of easy vegetarian crock pot recipes, perfect for expanding your slow cooker repertoire.
Perfect Pairings and Serving Suggestions
These sweet and savory glazed carrots are incredibly versatile and pair beautifully with a multitude of main courses. They are an exceptional side dish for ham, as the orange and brown sugar notes complement the ham’s savory flavor wonderfully. They also make a great side dish for chicken, whether roasted, grilled, or baked, adding a touch of vibrant color and sweetness to your plate. Beyond traditional holiday roasts, consider serving them alongside pork loin, lamb, or even a hearty vegetarian main like a lentil loaf. For a truly memorable meal, pair them with a robust main and a crisp green salad.
Do you love discovering new recipes? Be sure to check out our extensive collection of copycat recipes, delightful dessert recipes, and an abundance of other CrockPot Recipes that make mealtime easy and delicious.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Crockpot Glazed Carrots
Can I use frozen carrots for this recipe?
Yes, you can absolutely use frozen baby carrots! There’s no need to thaw them beforehand. Simply add them directly to the slow cooker with the other ingredients. You might find that the cooking time needs to be extended slightly, perhaps by 30 minutes to an hour, as frozen carrots contain more moisture and need a bit longer to become tender. Keep an eye on them and cook until they reach your desired tenderness.
How can I make the glaze thicker?
The recipe already includes a cornstarch slurry to thicken the glaze. If you prefer an even thicker glaze, you can increase the amount of cornstarch in the slurry by an additional half to one teaspoon. Just make sure to mix it thoroughly with cold water before adding it to prevent lumps. Another option is to remove the cooked carrots and then continue to simmer the glaze on high in the slow cooker (or transfer it to a saucepan on the stovetop) for an extra 10-15 minutes until it reduces and thickens to your liking.
Can I make these glazed carrots without brown sugar?
While brown sugar provides a unique depth of flavor and caramel notes, you can substitute it if needed. Honey or maple syrup are excellent natural alternatives, offering a similar sweetness and sticky texture. Use an equal amount (¼ cup) of honey or maple syrup. The flavor profile will be slightly different, but still delicious. You could also use granulated sugar, though it will lack the richness of brown sugar.
What if I don’t have orange zest?
Orange zest adds a wonderful aromatic brightness to the dish. If you don’t have fresh oranges for zest, you can omit it. The carrots will still be flavorful due to the orange juice, but they might miss that extra layer of citrus aroma. Alternatively, you could add a tiny pinch of dried orange peel if you have it, but use sparingly as its flavor is more concentrated.
Can I add other spices to the glaze?
Absolutely! This recipe is very adaptable. For a different twist, consider adding a pinch of ground ginger, a tiny grating of nutmeg, or a dash of allspice for more complex warming flavors. For a savory-sweet profile, a sprig of fresh rosemary or thyme added during cooking can also be delightful. Experiment with what you enjoy!
Are these glazed carrots suitable for a vegan diet?
To make this recipe vegan-friendly, simply substitute the butter with a plant-based butter alternative or coconut oil. All other ingredients are typically vegan. This substitution will not significantly alter the taste or texture of the final dish, making it a wonderful option for various dietary needs.
Recipe originally posted on October 26, 2015. Updated March 23, 2020. This content has been further revised and expanded for SEO, fluency, and comprehensive detail.