Slow Cooker Candied Carrots
23 CommentsUpdated Apr 05, 2026
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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.
Key Ingredients
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 haven’t tried this yest but I am going to today. I love carrots cooked this way. I know they are going to be delicious.
Why not just buy the wavy cut carrots in a bag at the market.
I plan to fix this recipe.
these are wonderful and so easy to prepare. I also use orange juice for liquid and even throw in shredded coconut.
New to slow cookers and this site. Would there be problems if I substituted bourbon for water?
I would do half water half bourbon. It may be too strong with all bourbon.
I have a potluck tonight and would like to try this recipe. If I cook on low for 5 hours think this would suffice? I’d like to start the slow cooker on my lunch hour and have it done just before the potluck lol
It’s hard to tell without trying! I apologize. It may work if the carrots aren’t too thick. Sometimes carrots take longer to cook on low.
If you replaced the water with butter wouldn’t it burn? My crockpot gets very hot on high.
I think it will be fine. Butter is pretty liquidy once melted. You could add a splash of water to be sure.
These carrots look delicious and I would love to make them for thanksgiving. We are going to a dinner with 29 people. If I triple the recipe, how long would you need to cook them for?
I’m thinking 4 hours on high.
Can you use frozen carrots, or will it change the cooking time?
I think the cooking time would only be about 20 minutes longer, frozen veggies cook fast. I have never tried this recipe with the frozen carrots, if you have luck with frozen carrots in recipes, then I think it should do fine.
I noticed there’s no butter here…. do you use butter when you cook them in a slow cooker or only when you cook them on the stove top ??
thanks for a yummy recipe
I did not use butter in the recipe, though it would be great, I debated it. If you use butter, use less water. I do have a butter nut squash recipe that uses only butter as a liquid, you see it here: https://www.themagicalslowcooker.com/slow-cooker-cinnamon-sugar-butternut-squash/