These Brown Sugar Honey Glazed Carrots are perfectly cooked in the oven! On the burner, baby carrots are cooked in butter, honey, and brown sugar until they are soft and glazed. Fresh thyme is added at the end. They are very easy to prepare and a great addition to most main courses.
The simplest Christmas side dish I've ever prepared has got to be these honey brown sugar glazed carrots. They are delicious, sweet, and quite simple to prepare.
Make a double batch of these carrots for a simple Thanksgiving side dish or use them for a simple supper.
These glazed carrots are my top list sides along with my Super Easy Air Fryer Frozen Broccoli.
If you need more holiday recipes to pair with these glazed carrots be sure to check my The Best Chicken Mozzarella Pasta, The Best Crispy Chicken Parmesan, or this Oven Roasted Yukon Gold Potatoes.
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why you'll love this recipe
There are several reasons why you'll love this Brown Sugar Honey Glazed Carrots recipe:
- Simple ingredients - That you probably already have in your pantry and refrigerator are used in this recipe.
- Holiday side - Thanksgiving and Christmas are the ideal times to eat brown sugar carrots.
- Excellent with other vegetables - This recipe is also excellent with other tubers, such as sweet potatoes, turnips, and parsnips, if you are short on carrots or wish to roast two vegetables at once.
- Stovetop or oven - These can be roasted in an oven or prepared on the stove.
Ingredients
This basic dish calls for only a few ingredients. Here are the major items you'll need:
- Carrots: Use carrots of any kind. Dutch, baby, standard, or purple. Large carrots, peeled and sliced, are what I like to use.
- Honey: helps the carrots caramelize and adds flavor.
- Brown sugar: It can be replaced with maple syrup or honey.
- Butter.
- Thyme: A garnish is optional; feel free to change the seasonings to suit your preferences.
- Parsley: gives the meal a pleasant earthy taste.
- Salt and pepper: To counterbalance the sweetness, just a little.
How to make Brown Sugar Glazed Carrots
In a large skillet over medium-high heat, melt the butter.
Cook for a few minutes.
Serve with chopped parsley on top.
- STEP 1 :
Start by peeling the carrots and cutting them into round coins about ¼-inch thick. This ensures even cooking and a delightful texture.
- STEP 2 :
Place the carrot coins in a steamer basket over a pot of boiling water. Steam them for about 5-7 minutes or until they are tender but still slightly crisp. This helps to preserve the vibrant color and nutrients of the carrots.
- STEP 3 :
While the carrots are steaming, prepare the glaze. In a saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter. Once melted, add the brown sugar, honey, thyme, salt, and black pepper. Stir the mixture until the brown sugar has dissolved and the ingredients are well combined. Simmer the glaze for 2-3 minutes until it thickens slightly.
- STEP 4 :
After steaming the carrots, remove them from the steamer basket and transfer them to a large bowl. Then, pour the glaze over the carrots and gently toss them until they are well coated.
Oven method
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease it. Spread the glazed carrots evenly on the baking sheet. Roast them in the oven for 12-15 minutes, or until they become tender and slightly caramelized. Be sure to toss the carrots halfway through the cooking process to ensure even caramelization.
Recipe serving suggestions
These brown sugar-glazed carrots are a fantastic side dish to include on your Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner. Additionally, they provide some sweetness to the mix. What to serve with honey butter glazed carrots is listed below:
- Greek Yogurt Chicken
- The Best Grilled Buffalo Chicken
- The Best Instant Pot Chicken Drumsticks
- Easy Instant Pot Chicken Tenders
Tips & Tricks
Here are some additional tips and tricks to help you succeed in making the perfect Brown Sugar Honey Glazed Carrots:
- Choose Fresh and Tender Carrots: Opt for fresh carrots that are firm, smooth, and vibrant in color. Tender carrots will cook more evenly and have a better texture in the final dish.
- Slice Carrots Uniformly: To ensure even cooking, try to slice the carrots into coins that are similar in thickness. This way, they will cook at the same rate and you'll have consistent results.
- Adjust the Glaze Consistency: If you find the glaze too thick, you can add a splash of water to thin it out. Conversely, if the glaze seems too thin, allow it to simmer a bit longer until it thickens slightly.
- Don't Overcrowd the Baking Sheet: If you choose the oven method, make sure not to overcrowd the baking sheet. Arrange the carrots in a single layer, giving them enough space to roast and caramelize properly. If necessary, use two baking sheets or roast them in batches.
- Keep an Eye on the Carrots: While cooking, monitor the carrots closely to prevent them from overcooking or burning. The cooking time may vary depending on the size and thickness of the carrot coins, so check for doneness by piercing them with a fork. They should be tender but still have a slight bite.
- Adjust Seasonings to Taste: Feel free to adjust the amount of brown sugar, honey, thyme, salt, and black pepper to suit your personal preferences. Start with the suggested measurements and then taste the glaze before adding it to the carrots. If desired, you can always add a little more sweetness or savory flavor.
- Garnish Creatively: Aside from fresh thyme leaves, you can add a touch of visual appeal by garnishing the glazed carrots with other ingredients. Chopped parsley, toasted sesame seeds, or a sprinkle of flaky sea salt can add an extra layer of flavor and presentation.
- Make Ahead: If you're preparing the dish for a special occasion or want to save time, you can steam the carrots and prepare the glaze in advance. Store the cooked carrots and glaze separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator. When ready to serve, simply reheat the glaze gently and toss it with the carrots before roasting or stovetop heating.
- Experiment with Different Variations: While the classic brown sugar honey glaze is delicious, don't be afraid to experiment with different flavors. You can try adding a splash of balsamic vinegar for a tangy twist or incorporate some citrus zest for a fresh and zesty aroma.
Expert Tips & Variations
- Boil - if you prefer your carrots softer you can parboil them for a few minutes; if not you skip this step.
- Spices - you can add some garlic and some hot spices like chili if you want it a bit HOT!
- Cleaning - clean your carrots thoroughly and peel the skin off.
Storage and reheating
To store and reheat Brown Sugar Honey Glazed Carrots, follow these guidelines:
- Storage: If you have any leftovers, allow the glazed carrots to cool to room temperature. Transfer them to an airtight container and store them in the refrigerator. Properly stored, they can last for up to 3-4 days.
- Reheating in the Oven:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Place the glazed carrots in a baking dish or on a baking sheet.
- Cover the dish with aluminum foil to prevent them from drying out.
- Bake for about 10-15 minutes or until heated through.
- Remove the foil for the last few minutes of baking to allow the glaze to caramelize slightly.
- Stir gently and serve.
- Reheating on the Stovetop:
- Transfer the glazed carrots to a saucepan or skillet.
- Heat over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, until the carrots are warmed throughout.
- This method allows the glaze to redistribute and coat the carrots evenly.
- Be cautious not to overheat, as this may cause the glaze to burn or become too sticky.
- Microwave Reheating:
- Place the glazed carrots in a microwave-safe dish.
- Cover the dish with a microwave-safe lid or a damp paper towel to retain moisture.
- Heat in short intervals, stirring in between, until the carrots are heated through.
- Microwaves vary in power, so adjust the time accordingly.
Note: When reheating, you may find that the carrots have absorbed some of the glaze or become softer. Gently tossing them with a little extra glaze or adding a drizzle of honey before reheating can help refresh their flavors.
It's important to note that reheating may slightly alter the texture and taste of the dish, but the glazed carrots should still be enjoyable. Remember to store leftovers properly and follow safe food handling practices to ensure their freshness and quality.
You can keep any extra leftover honey-glazed carrots for future soups, chowders, or stews that you intend to prepare within the next two days.
Pro tip
OVEN Method - If the glaze seeps between the foil and cookie sheet, remove as much foil as you can and soak it in the sink for about an hour with some dish soap and water. Next, clean using a brush or sponge.
FAQ
Yes. These can be prepared the day before. To avoid the carrots turning mushy when reheated, I advise slightly undercooking them. Warm up once more on the stove over medium heat.
Of course, but since they were previously roasted, you should only cook them till they are warm. Cook for 10 minutes, or until hot, at a lower temperature of 325 degrees. Alternatively, you may zap them in the microwave. Although you can reheat them, they always taste better when they are fresh.
Carrots that have been baked in the oven are excellent. They taste even better roasted with a glaze because they become nicely browned. Yum! Although I enjoy boiled carrots as well, they don't quite compare to baked ones.
Definitely. Vitamins and minerals abound in carrots. They are a fantastic source of fiber as well.
Related
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Brown Sugar Honey Glazed Carrots
INGREDIENTS
- 1 pound Carrots peeled and sliced
- 3 tablespoon Butter
- 1 tablespoon Brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon Honey
- 1 teaspoon Salt
- ½ teaspoon Black pepper
- ½ teaspoon Dried thyme
Garnish
- 1 tablespoon Parsley minced
INSTRUCTIONS
- First start by rinsing the carrots, peel, and dice into small pieces.
- In a large skillet over medium-high heat, melt the butter. When adding the carrots, whisk in the butter.
- Add the remaining ingredients, brown sugar, honey, and thyme to the carrots.
- Depending on the size of the carrots, cook them for 10 to 15 minutes, tossing frequently, until they are soft and coated in glaze.
- Add some salt, then toss in some fresh thyme leaves.
- Transfer the carrots to a serving dish and pour over them the remaining glaze.
Oven Method
- Set the oven's temperature to 425 Fº. A baking sheet should be foil-lined.
- In a sizable mixing basin, combine the melted butter, carrots, brown sugar, honey, salt, pepper, thyme, and garlic (if using).
- Place a single layer of carrots on the baking sheet that has been prepped.
- 20 to 25 minutes of roasting with a toss in the middle. If you'd want more color, broil.
NOTES
- Add water - Add a little water and simmer the carrots for a further few minutes if they aren't done cooking but most of the water has evaporated from the pan. To check for tenderness, use a fork.
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