Slow Cooker Candied Carrots
23 Comments Oct 12, 2024
Updated Nov 20, 2025
This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.
This Slow Cooker Candied Carrots recipe is easy to make sweet, tender carrots with a brown sugar glaze. It’s a simple and delicious side dish perfect for any meal or holiday spread.
This recipe for Slow Cooker Candied Carrots is a great choice if you’re looking for an easy side dish. The crockpot does all the work, letting the carrots cook slowly in brown sugar and butter until they’re perfectly tender and packed with flavor. It’s a great addition to holiday dinners or any weeknight meal, with simple ingredients and no fuss. Perfect for when you want something delicious without spending too much time in the kitchen!
Other recipes we love to make that are packed with carrots are Slow Cooker Garlic Butter Chicken and Veggies, or Slow Cooker Peas and Carrots.
What you need:
- Carrots – I start with a 2-pound bag of whole carrots. I used a wavy cutter to slice them, I think I got this wavy cutter at pampered chef, but I don’t see it available there anymore. Here is a wavy cutter that is similar. I love this cutter, I use it often for salads for carrots and cucumber. Of course, this recipe can be made without the wavy cutter, just use a regular knife.
- Brown Sugar – This is what makes the recipe “candied”. The brown sugar adds sweetness and makes the sauce a little thick.
- Seasonings – Cinnamon, nutmeg and a touch of salt to balance the sweetness.
- Water – Helps the carrots “steam” in the slow cooker.
Variations
- Baby carrots serve as a convenient alternative to sliced carrots.
- Honey is a fantastic substitute if you prefer not to use brown sugar.
- For extra flavor, consider using apple juice in place of water.
- Enhance the dish with a subtle kick by adding 1/8 teaspoon of cayenne pepper.
How to Make Candied Carrots
- Slice the carrots with a knife or a wavy cutter if you have one.
- Add the brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg and salt. Pour over water. Stir.
- Cover and cook on HIGH for 3 hours without opening the lid during the cooking time.
Main Dish ideas to go with glazed carrots:
- Turkey – A Thanksgiving or Christmas turkey is a great choice for a main dish for these carrots. (You can make slow cooker turkey breast!)
- Ham – A brown sugar-glazed ham is excellent with carrots.
- Chicken – Such as my slow cooker chicken thighs.
Recipe FAQs
Place in a saute pan or small saucepan and cook on low until the desired temperature is reached.
You can make this ahead of time (such as the night before) and place in your slow cooker. Beware though, the slow cooker insert can crack when put on the heat, straight from the fridge. I like to place the slow cooker on the counter for 20 minutes before cooking.
Candied Carrots Recipe
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 lbs. carrots, peeled and sliced
- 1/2 cup light brown sugar
- 1/2 cup water
- 1/2 tsp. cinnamon
- 1/8 tsp. nutmeg
- 1/8 tsp salt
Instructions
- Place the carrots in the slow cooker.
- Sprinkle the brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg. and salt.
- Pour in the water and stir.
- Cover and cook on HIGH for 3 hours without opening the lid during the cooking time.
- Serve and enjoy!
Nutrition
Nutrition info is auto-generated. This information is an estimate; if you are on a special diet, please use your own calculations.
More crockpot side dishes
Honey Garlic Carrots, Slow Cooker Caramelized Onions, and Brown Sugar Carrots are all easy veggie sides that add sweetness and comfort to any meal.
Crockpot Mac and Cheese and Slow Cooker Baby Carrots are great for feeding a crowd when you want simple, hands-off cooking.
Slow Cooker Corn on the Cob and Slow Cooker Green Bean Casserole round things out for holidays, cookouts, or busy weeknights.
I don’t see how much butter to add?
I apologize for the confusion – this one has no butter. You may want to try my Brown Sugar Carrots.
I’m gonna try to make a half-batch in my small white 1 1/2 quart slow cooker since my lady friend says a Thanksgiving dinner needs to have a veggie not just meat and a buncha carbs like potatoes, stuffing, cranberry sauce (though that’s not that high in carbs since I make it with cranberries, gelatin, 100% cranberry juice, and splenda) and desserts and bread. Half recipe since my sister’s not real big on most veggies so just me and hopefully my mom will eat them 🙂
I made this recipe on 12-11,2020. It is, was, the best. I followed the recipe exactly as shown, it was perfect. Making it again for our new year’s dinner this year (2024) with baked ham and coleslaw.
Can you use a Instant pot?
Love this! Would baby carrots be okntonusw?
Yes, though you may need to cook a little longer.