These easy glazed carrots are sautéed in a brown sugar butter glaze until tender and caramelized. They cook up in under 20 minutes for a delicious side dish!
Why I Love This Recipe
- Quick and Easy – These glazed carrots cook up in about 15 minutes and only require 5 simple ingredients. Easy peasy!
- Sweet & Savory – The combination of butter and brown sugar creates a delicious glaze that coats the carrots perfectly.
- Versatile – This glazed carrots recipe is a delicious side dish that can be served year round – from simple weeknight dinners to holiday meals.
- Kid-Friendly – My kiddos absolutely love these carrots! It’s a great way to get the whole family to eat more veggies!
Ingredients Needed
- carrots – fresh, whole carrots are best for this recipe. I like to chop them diagonally into 1-inch pieces, but feel free to cut them into rounds if you prefer. The cook time might vary slightly depending on how you cut them!
- butter – butter is key for creating that rich, glossy glaze. I used unsalted butter to reduce the sodium content, but feel free to use salted if you prefer.
- brown sugar or honey – adds the perfect touch of sweetness to balance the savory flavors. I usually go for light brown sugar, but you can use dark brown sugar and honey works great too.
- salt and black pepper – simple seasonings that enhance the natural flavors of the carrots.
Find the full ingredient list with measurements in the recipe card below.
Recipe Substitutions
- Butter: If you’re dairy-free, you can swap the butter for a plant-based alternative like vegan butter or even use coconut oil for a slightly different flavor. Olive oil works too, but it won’t give the same richness.
- Sweetener: You can use maple syrup or coconut sugar instead of brown sugar or honey. Each option adds its own unique touch, but they’ll all give you that delicious sweet glaze we’re going for!
- Add cinnamon: I love adding a dash of cinnamon sometimes for a warm, spiced addition that pairs perfectly with the sweet butter glaze.
- Add fresh herbs: I love serving this dish with fresh herbs like fresh parsley or thyme. It adds a pop of color and freshness!
How to Make Glazed Carrots
Step 1: Peel the carrots and chop any large ones in half.
Step 2: Slice carrots diagonally into 1″ pieces. You want the pieces to be pretty similar in size so they cook evenly.
Step 3: Add the carrots to a large saucepan along with enough water to reach 1” high. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover and simmer until carrots start to soften, about 8-10 minutes.
Step 4: Remove the lid then drain the water. Add butter, brown sugar, salt and pepper. Continue to cook with the lid off cooking on medium low, the carrots for about 5-6 more minutes, until carrots are tender and a glaze starts to form.
Brittany’s Tip!
Keep an eye on your carrots as they cook. You want them to be tender but still have a little bite. Overcooking will make them mushy, and they won’t hold up well when tossed with the glaze.
How to Serve
Storing Leftovers
We usually never have leftovers of these glazed carrots! They’re so addicting! That said, if you do have leftovers let the carrots cool completely before transferring them to an airtight container. They’ll stay fresh in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
To reheat, simply warm them up in a skillet over medium heat or pop them in the microwave for a quick reheat.
Frequently Asked Questions
Absolutely! Baby carrots work just as well and save you some prep time. Just make sure to adjust the cooking time as they may cook a little faster than regular carrots.
Boiling the carrots first helps them cook evenly and speeds up the overall cooking process. This way, you’re not waiting forever for the carrots to soften in the pan, and you get that perfect tender texture every time.
More Vegetable Recipes to Try
If you enjoyed this recipe, please consider leaving a ⭐ star rating and let me know how it went in the 📝 comments below.
Peel carrots and chop any large carrots in half. Slice carrots diagonally into 1″ pieces. You want the pieces to be pretty similar in size so they cook evenly.
Add carrots to a large saucepan along with enough water to reach 1” high. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover and simmer until carrots start to soften, about 8-10 minutes.
Remove the lid then drain the water. Add butter, brown sugar, salt and pepper. Continue to cook with the lid off cooking on medium low, the carrots for about 5-6 more minutes, until carrots are tender and a glaze starts to form.
Taste and add additional salt and pepper, if needed. Serve warm.
- To store: Let the carrots cool completely before transferring them to an airtight container. They’ll stay fresh in the fridge for up to 3-4 days.
- Reheating: To reheat, simply warm them up in a skillet over medium heat or pop them in the microwave for a quick reheat.
Serving: 1/4 recipe | Calories: 247kcal | Carbohydrates: 35g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 12g | Saturated Fat: 7g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Cholesterol: 31mg | Sodium: 743mg | Potassium: 748mg | Fiber: 6g | Sugar: 24g
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Source link
