The crock pot is a valuable cooking vessel when it comes to making large family meals, a busy weeknight, a casual dinner when entertaining, and especially at holiday dinners. Using the slow cooker frees up precious oven space and gets a head start on meal prep. This carrot recipe is the perfect side dish that I have been serving for Thanksgiving dinner and sometimes Christmas with either Roast Turkey, Herbed Beef Tenderloin (picture below) and a Creamy Mashed Potato Casserole since I first posted it in 2016. Sweet carrots are the perfect vegetable for the slow cooker because they require a long cooking time and brings out the natural sweetness of the carrots. This delicious side dish is perfect for picky eaters or those who aren’t fans of Brussels sprouts, and it’s one of those great recipes you can serve all holiday season.
Slow Cooker Carrots Orange Glaze
The simple glaze is the start of the show. Unsalted butter, flavorful orange juice and zest along with honey (you can substitute maple syrup), fresh rosemary and sage are a delicious combination.
Best Carrots for the Slow Cooker
You can use regular carrots cut lengthwise or chop them into small rounds—the choice is yours. You can even use a bag of baby carrots that are pre-peeled, or whole carrots that have been peeled and cut. If you can find rainbow carrots, they make for a beautiful presentation.
Leftover Slow Cooker Carrots
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
Crunchy Topping for Crockpot Carrots
A finishing touch of crunchy toasted pecans is a great option to offset the little bit of sweetness, along with fresh parsley. You can also use chopped almonds, walnuts, or any of your favorite nuts—or omit the nuts altogether.
Vegan Side Dish
Where this is a vegetarian carrot side dish, you may want to make it vegan. Simply swap the butter for vegan butter and the honey for maple syrup. If you’ve made these Slow Cooker Orange, Honey Herb Glazed Carrots, please leave a star rating in the recipe card. You can also leave a comment or ask a question below.
