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My favorite time-saving kitchen shortcut? Outsource side dishes like these Crockpot Carrots to the slow cooker.
The next time you need an easy side dish with wide curb appeal and minimal prep time, honey carrots made in a slow cooker will ride to your rescue.
Naturally sweet carrots are a kid-friendly gateway vegetable, and the addition of fresh orange zest, a drizzle of honey, and a touch of butter makes this recipe interesting for adults too.
Plus, the carrots can even be prepped in advance, so they’re the ideal side dish for a holiday, party, or busy weeknight.
Delightfully sweet, unbelievably easy, tender, and delicious leftover, these crockpot carrots will be the ace up your sleeve any night of the week.
5 Star Review
“In my mind, I can still smell these delicious carrots cooking on Easter. They were such a delicious surprise! This recipe is now a family favorite & will be a regular on the menu.”
— Debbie —
This honey crockpot carrots recipe cooks in about six hours on LOW, but if you are pressed for time (or, um, forget to turn on the crock pot at the opportune moment), you can speed them along on HIGH and have them ready in as few as two hours.
While you can overcook vegetables in a slow cooker, because carrots are firmer to begin with, they can stand up to the hours of cooking without becoming mushy.
I like to leave my carrots pleasantly plump in size, but if you are truly in a rush, smaller cut carrotswill cook even more quickly.
(Really need your carrots in a flash? Check out my Sautéed Carrots or Roasted Carrots instead.)
How to Make Crockpot Carrots
The next time you are hosting a holiday meal or just need an easy, healthy side dish recipe (tonight?), crockpot carrots are practically a freebie.
The prep work is so breezy, and since you can put raw carrots in a slow cooker, it does all the cooking for you.
The Ingredients
- Carrots. The carrots will soften in the slow cooker and become perfectly tender and flavorful. Plus, carrots are rich in vitamins, fiber, and potassium.
- Butter. Butter pairs wonderfully with the honey and bathes the carrots in an addictively rich and flavorful sauce.
- Honey. Naturally sweetens the carrots and gives them that beloved sticky, honey flavor.
Dietary Note
If you need the recipe to be vegan, make these slow cooker carrots with maple syrup instead of honey.
- Orange Zest. For a little brightness and acidity. It makes the carrots pop!
The Directions
- Peel and chop the carrots.
- Melt the butter, then add it to the slow cooker with the honey, zest, and salt. Stir in the carrots.
- Cook on LOW for 4 to 6 hours or on HIGH for 2 to 3 hours. DIG IN!
Slow Cooker Savory Carrots
For a savory version of this recipe, reduce the honey to 2 tablespoons and add 2 cloves of minced garlic, 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, and 1/4 teaspoon dried thyme.
Storage Tips
- To Store. Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight storage container for up to 4 days. The butter will harden on the outside, but it will melt again and be delicious when the leftover carrots are reheated.
- To Reheat. Rewarm carrots in a baking dish in the oven at 350 degrees F.
- To Freeze. Freeze leftovers in an airtight freezer-safe storage container for up to 3 months. Let thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
Meal Plan Tip
Carrots can be peeled and sliced up to 2 days in advance.
What to Serve with Crockpot Carrots
Recommended Tools to Make this Recipe
- Slow Cooker. Perfect for making crockpot carrots and sweet potatoes alike.
- Vegetable Peeler. The easiest way to peel carrots.
- Saucepan. A kitchen tool you’ll use on repeat.
The Best Slow Cooker
One of my most-used kitchen appliances! It can make light work of everything from oats to casseroles to veggies and more.
Crockpot Carrots
4.82 from 37 votes
Crockpot carrots glazed with honey and orange are easy, tender, and scrumptious! Kid friendly and perfect for weeknight dinners and holidays.
Prep: 15 minutes mins
Total: 6 hours hrs
Servings: 8 servings
Ingredients
- 2 pounds carrots (do not use babycarrots)
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1/4 cup honey
- Zest of 1 orange
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- Fresh parsley for garnish
Instructions
Peel thecarrotsand slice into 1 1/2-inch chunks.Set aside.
In a small saucepan or a microwave-safe bowl, melt the butter. Pour into the bottom of a 4-quart or larger slow cooker. Add thehoney, orange zest, and salt, then stir to combine. Add thecarrotsand stir to coat.
Cover the slow cooker and cook on low for 4-6 hours or high for 2-3 hours until tender, stirring oncehalfway through. Serve warm, garnished with parsley.
Notes
- TO MAKE AHEAD: Carrots can be peeled and sliced up to 2 days in advance.
- TO STORE: Store leftovers in the refrigerator—the butter will harden on the outside but melt again and be delicious when the leftover carrots are reheated.
Nutrition
Serving: 1(of 8)Calories: 118kcalCarbohydrates: 20gProtein: 1gFat: 5gSaturated Fat: 3gCholesterol: 11mgFiber: 3gSugar: 17g
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Erin Clarke
Hi, I'm Erin Clarke, and I'm fearlessly dedicated to making healthy food that's affordable, easy-to-make, and best of all DELISH. I'm the author and recipe developer here at wellplated.com and of The Well Plated Cookbook. I adore both sweets and veggies, and I am on a mission to save you time and dishes. WELCOME!
As an enthusiast and expert in the culinary realm, particularly in the art of slow cooking and creating delightful side dishes, I bring forth a wealth of knowledge and hands-on experience. My culinary journey involves exploring various techniques and flavors to elevate everyday meals effortlessly. Now, let's delve into the concepts presented in the provided article:
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Crockpot Carrots Overview:
- The article emphasizes a time-saving kitchen shortcut: outsourcing side dishes to the slow cooker.
- Highlights the simplicity of making honey carrots in a slow cooker, making them an ideal side dish for various occasions.
-
Recipe Components:
- Carrots: The star ingredient, known for its natural sweetness, rich in vitamins, fiber, and potassium.
- Butter: Used to create an indulgent and flavorful sauce for the carrots.
- Honey: Adds sweetness and imparts a sticky, honey flavor to the dish.
- Orange Zest: Introduces brightness and acidity, enhancing the overall flavor profile.
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Cooking Process:
- The recipe involves peeling and chopping carrots, melting butter, and combining it with honey, orange zest, and salt.
- Cooking can be done on LOW for 4 to 6 hours or on HIGH for 2 to 3 hours in a slow cooker.
-
Adaptations and Variations:
- The article provides a savory version of the recipe by reducing honey and adding garlic, black pepper, and dried thyme.
-
Tips and Considerations:
- Mentions that carrots can withstand longer cooking times without becoming mushy due to their firmness.
- Offers alternatives for those in a rush, suggesting smaller cut carrots for quicker cooking or providing alternative recipes like Sautéed Carrots or Roasted Carrots.
-
Storage and Meal Planning:
- Recommends storing leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
- Provides instructions for reheating and freezing leftover carrots.
- Offers a meal planning tip, suggesting that carrots can be peeled and sliced up to 2 days in advance.
-
Additional Recipe Ideas:
- Suggests main dishes and casseroles that pair well with the crockpot carrots.
- Recommends specific tools such as a slow cooker, vegetable peeler, and saucepan for optimal preparation.
-
Nutritional Information:
- Provides nutritional details per serving, including calories, carbohydrates, protein, fat, saturated fat, cholesterol, fiber, and sugar.
-
Author Information:
- Introduces the author, Erin Clarke, as a dedicated creator of healthy, affordable, and delicious recipes.
- Invites readers to explore more recipes on the author's website, wellplated.com.
In conclusion, the article not only shares a mouthwatering crockpot carrot recipe but also imparts valuable culinary insights, cooking techniques, and practical tips for both beginners and seasoned home cooks.
