Slow Cooker Honey and Orange Glazed Carrots

If you’re looking for an easy side dish for family meals, Thanksgiving, or Christmas, my Slow Cooker Honey and Orange Glazed Carrots are just what you need. Made with a few simple ingredients, this true set-it-and-forget-it recipe requires minimal prep. The carrots slowly cook in a blend of honey, fresh orange juice, orange zest and herbs, then are finished with toasted pecans for the perfect sweet-and-savory bite.

Sweet carrots are ideal for the slow cooker because they hold up well during long cooking and develop a natural sweetness. This is one of those easy recipes that is perfect for picky eaters—or anyone who isn’t a fan of Brussels sprouts—and makes a wonderful side you can serve all holiday season.

Ingredients

• Carrots
• Butter
• Orange juice
• Orange zest
• Honey
• Rosemary
• Sage
• Salt
• Pepper
• Pecans
• Parsley

Why the slow cooker is perfect for large meals

The crockpot is an invaluable kitchen tool for making large family meals, casual entertaining, and holiday dinners. Whether you’re cooking for a busy weeknight or feeding a crowd, using a crock pot helps free up precious oven space and allows you to get a head start on meal prep. From slow cooker side dishes to main courses, it’s an easy way to serve warm, flavorful food with minimal effort.

An easy Thanksgiving and Christmas side dish

This carrot recipe is the perfect side dish for holidays and one I’ve been serving at Thanksgiving dinner and Christmas for years. It pairs beautifully with Roast Turkey, Herbed Beef Tenderloin (pictured below), and Creamy Mashed Potato Casserole. In fact, it’s been my go-to holiday side ever since I first shared the recipe in 2016.

Slow cooker orange glaze

This simple orange glaze is the star of the show. Made with unsalted butter, fresh orange juice and zest, and a touch of honey, it’s perfectly balanced with fragrant rosemary and sage.

Best carrots for the slow cooker

You can use regular carrots cut lengthwise or sliced into rounds—the choice is yours, just be sure they’re cut evenly so they cook through properly. Baby carrots work well too and save prep time, or you can use whole carrots that are peeled and cut. If you can find rainbow carrots, they make a beautiful and colorful presentation.

Crunchy topping

A finishing touch of crunchy toasted pecans. They are a great crunchy 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.

Taking it from vegetarian to vegan

While this is naturally a vegetarian side dish, you can easily make it vegan. Simply swap the butter for vegan butter or oil, and replace the honey with maple syrup.

Leftovers

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.

If you’ve made my Slow Cooker Carrots, please leave a star rating in the recipe card. You can also leave a comment or ask a question below.

Janette is a professionally trained chef based in California who channels her passion for cooking into thoughtfully crafted recipes. Her culinary creations are inspired by her English heritage as well as her favorite global cuisines, including Indian and Italian. Connect with her on  Facebook, Pinterest, and Instagram for more delicious inspiration. More About Janette…