Slow Cooker Candied Carrots
Easy, tender slow cooker candied carrots recipe, homemade with simple ingredients. Flavored with orange juice, zest, cinnamon, vanilla extract and sweetened with honey or maple syrup. Loaded with butter too!
This is a favorite recipe in our home. Even the kiddos will approve when veggies taste as good as this! Similar to this Glazed Carrots dish, these baby carrots have even more flavor that comes from orange, cinnamon and vanilla. No wonder this side dish is such a hit at Thanksgiving!
How To Make Slow Cooker Candied Carrots Recipe From Scratch?
- Mix ingredients in crockpot– This includes baby carrots, butter, maple syrup, orange juice, orange zest, vanilla extract, cinnamon powder.
- Cover and cook– Until carrots are tender.
- Mix– Halfway through.
- Garnish– With nuts and brown sugar.
Can You Put Raw Carrots In The Slow Cooker?
Yes. They cook long enough to become fork tender.
What To Serve With Candied Baby Carrots?
Rich beef dishes like the following pair so well with the sweet carrots:
- Slow Cooker Roast Beef
- Slow Cooker Pot Roast
- Slow Cooker Mississippi Pot Roast
- Slow Cooker French Dip Sandwich
- Steak
- Turkey (breast or whole)
Chicken is another wonderful combination:
- Slow Cooker Chicken Broccoli Casserole
- Slow Cooker Tandoori Chicken
- Whole rotisserie chicken
- Baked, roasted or grilled chicken
Ham is another protein option.
Variations For Orange Glazed Carrots
Candied carrot slices– Slice full sized carrots and follow the recipe for a smaller bite.
Use some fresh herbs– Such as fresh dill, chives, or parsley.
Use another extract– Like amaretto, maple, or lemon extract.
Use other zests– Such as lemon, lime, or grapefruit.
Add other seasonings– Such as nutmeg, ginger, cardamom, or even star anise.
Topping options – Mini marshmallows, chopped pecans, chopped walnuts, brown sugar, fresh herbs, raisins, dried cranberries, etc.
Add alcohol – Such as bourbon, spiced rum, whiskey, or other similar options to make them more flavorful.
Add dried fruit – Such as dried cranberries, cherries, raisins, dried mangoes before cooking or use them as a topping.
Make it vegan – Use vegan butter in place of regular butter.
Add garlic or onions – This will give them even more flavor and depth and both pair well with the sweet flavors.
Use balsamic sauce– A small amount goes a long way and adds a subtle sweetness and tanginess.
Tips And Techniques
Sweetener options– Honey, maple syrup, granulated sugar, brown sugar, agave syrup.
Fresh carrots vs. Canned carrots vs. Frozen carrots– Only fresh can be used. You can not use canned or frozen because they end up too soft and “mushy.”
Garnish just before serving – Don’t add your extra toppings until you’re ready to serve these carrots because that will cause the nuts to lose their crunch.
Thicken sauce – Leave the lid off the crockpot and let some of the liquid cook off, if desired. You can also cook over stovetop and reduce excess liquid. The sauce also thickens a little bit as it cools. Some people mix in a small amount of cornstarch slurry near the end but I don’t like the chalky after-taste.
Leave out the nuts – You don’t have to include the nuts in this recipe as they’re not a “make or break” ingredient.
Adjust amount of extract, zest and sweetener- Add more or less according to your preference.
Butter substitute- Coconut oil is a great alternative although it adds a subtle coconut flavor.
Remember to stir everything halfway through– This is important because it allows even cooking.
Storage
Refrigerate– In a sealed container for up to 2 days.
Freeze– I don’t recommend freezing these carrots since they don’t thaw well and become too soft.
Reheat– In the microwave or stovetop.
More Slow Cooker Side Dishes
- Slow Cooker Sausage Stuffing
- Slow Cooker Cranberry Sauce
- Slow Cooker Baked Potatoes {In Foil}
- Crockpot Sweet Potatoes {Baked Sweet Potatoes}
- Slow Cooker Ranch Potatoes
Slow Cooker Candied Carrots
Ingredients
- 2 pounds Baby carrots
- 1/3 cup Butter, Unsalted, Melted
- 1/4 cup Honey, Or maple syrup, Can add up to 1/3 cup if you prefer these carrots very sweet
- 2 tbsp Orange juice
- 1 tsp Orange zest
- 1 tsp Vanilla extract
- 1 tsp Cinnamon powder
- Salt, To taste
- 1/4 cup Nuts, Such as pecans or walnuts, Roughly chopped, For topping
- 2 tbsp Brown sugar, Optional, For topping
Instructions
- Add baby carrots, melted butter, maple syrup, orange juice, orange zest, vanilla extract, cinnamon powder in a crockpot (6 quart or larger).
- Mix until combined.
- Cover and cook on Low heat for 5-6 hours or on High heat for 3-4 hours until carrots are tender.
- Mix everything halfway through.
- Garnish with nuts and brown sugar. Enjoy
Notes
- Read all my tips above.
- Leftovers can be stored in a sealed container in the fridge for up to 2 days and reheated in the microwave.
