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 carrots will cook even more quickly.
(Really need your carrots in a flash? Check out my quick and easy Sautéed Carrots recipe 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.
- 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
Main Dishes
Stuffed Pork Tenderloin
Main Dishes
Stuffed Salmon
Healthy Dinners
Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole
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
Ingredients
- 2 pounds carrots (do not use baby carrots)
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1/4 cup honey
- Zest of 1 orange
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- Fresh parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Peel the carrots and 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 the honey, orange zest, and salt, then stir to combine. Add the carrots and stir to coat.
- Cover the slow cooker and cook on low for 4-6 hours or high for 2-3 hours until tender, stirring once halfway 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
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My spirit animal is a rabbit so these make me so happy!! :) Thanks so much for sharing Erin, happy Friday! <3
Crock Pots are truly life savers when it comes to entertaining! I’m loving this recipe, Erin. My husband is an absolute sucker for baked carrots, so I know he’ll go crazy over these. Can’t wait to try them!
these look yummy!
Woooow these look so delicious, I could eat them as a meal by themselves! Love that gorgeous glaze they get :D the orange zest sounds like a perfect addition.
Yumm yummmm! I love carrots with honey but never thought to cook them in the slow cooker! Me thinks this is perfect for Easter. ;)
Looks great. Why can’t you use baby carrots?
Hi Mel! Although you can certainly try, baby carrots, which are chopped up and processed regular carrots, tend to be more watery and less flavorful, so for a long cooking time as in this recipe, I really recommend using larger carrots. They hold up better in the slow cooker and will be much tastier.
wow this looks so flavourful! I love carrots with honey. It is a clever idea to cook them in a slow cooker!
I took these to the neighborhood Easter Celebration in the park yesterday, and they were a huge hit with the kids and parents alike. So easy to make as well. I had some fresh Italian parsley from our local farm’s CSA that was put to good use in this dish. Really a crowd pleaser and perfect timing for our potluck event in the park.
Amy, I am so happy to hear this! Thanks so much for trying the recipe and stopping back by to leave this lovely review :)
I am cooking them now and the house smells wonderful!!I tasted them and they are delicious! I am making them to go with cream of mushroom chicken.. thank you!
Melanie, that sounds like a delicious meal! Thank you for leaving such a nice comment!
Hi Erin! I love this recipe. I first made it for Easter, and now I’m getting ready to make it for a larger crowd. How long should I cook them in the crock pot if I double the recipe? Thanks!!
Hi Dawn! I’m so happy you loved these at Easter and am honored you are making them again. I’ve never doubled the recipe, so I can’t say for certain how long you’d need to extend the cooking time. I’d start with an extra half hour, then check every 15 minutes or so from there depending on how it’s going, stirring every now and then too. Happy Thanksgiving!
I added 50 gm of cheddar cheese, 1 tablespoon dripping or goose fat to add its taste. I need to say that it’s one of the tastiest dishes which I have tried till now. I tried your Brocooli Cannaberry salad for the first time, and my son Nicky loved it,. I shared your website with my colleagues Shamil and patricia who just enjoys trying out these types of recipes with carrot.
Shetyla, I am so happy to hear that you enjoyed both of these recipes!
Will this work in an Instapot as well?
Hi Sue, I have not tested the recipe in an Instant Pot, but since a certain water level is needed in the IP, and this recipe as written doesn’t use any, I’m not sure how it would come out. If you decide to experiment, I’d search online for similar carrot recipes for timing guidelines.
In my mind, I can still smell these delicious carrots cooking on Easter. They were such a delicious surprise! How could something this simple to make, be so wonderful? This recipe is now a family favorite & will be a regular on the menu. I can’t wait to share this with my 10 year old granddaughter, Savannah, who loves to cook and try Ms Erin’s recipes ❤️
This MAKES my day, Debbie! I’m so pleased that you enjoyed this recipe!
Again an awesome recipe. Thank you for adding the vegan adjustments as I have a vegan in the (large) family. It’s helpful to adapt as many dishes as I can, the rest of the family loves them, and I can accommodate everyone at the same meal
Thank you for sharing this kind comment, Nicole! I’m so happy you found this post helpful!
Everyone loved the carrots!
I’m so happy that you enjoyed the recipe, Cheryl! Thank you for sharing this kind review!
Why peel the carrots? Just scrub and go.
Hi Daniel! Peeling carrots is pretty standard, but you are free to do whatever you’d like.
Just wondering why does it make a difference if you use baby carrots or not???? I am planning to make these for Christmas and all I have is baby carrots to practice with
Hi Cammy! Although you can certainly try, baby carrots, which are chopped up and processed regular carrots, tend to be more watery and less flavorful, so for a long cooking time as in this recipe, I really recommend using larger carrots. They hold up better in the slow cooker and will be much tastier.
These were a huge hit! We wanted an extra veggie dish for Easter and I found this recipe last minute… omg. This recipe is so fantastic and was added to the family- must have- for meals. Received so many compliments. Thanks for sharing this easy delish recipe!
Hi Aubrey! So glad you enjoyed the recipe! Thank you for this kind review!