These Honey and Brown Sugar Glazed Carrots are the perfect balance of sweet and savory, coated in a rich buttery glaze with hints of cinnamon. Roasted to tender perfection, these caramelized carrots make an easy yet elegant side dish for weeknight dinners, holiday feasts, or special occasions.
Tender, slightly crisp, and coated in a buttery glaze that caramelizes as they roast, these brown sugar-glazed carrots are an easy and flavorful side dish that complements any meal. The sweet and savory flavors are irresistible, and the natural sweetness of the carrots will please even the pickiest eaters. Whether for a cozy weeknight dinner or a holiday table, they're the most delicious side dish. They have become a staple in our Easter dinner menu, since it's an impressive dish that comes together with minimal effort.
Jump to:
- Why You Will Love These Honey and Brown Sugar Glazed Carrots
- Ingredients
- Substitutions and Variations
- How to Make Glazed Carrots with Brown Sugar and Honey
- More Recipes You Will Love
- How to Store Honey and Brown Sugar Glazed Carrots
- What to Serve with Brown Sugar and Honey Glazed Carrots
- Top Tips
- Frequently Asked Questions About Honey and Brown Sugar Glazed Carrots
- More Recipes You Will Love
- Honey and Brown Sugar Glazed Carrots Recipe
We wanted to make a side dish that goes well with our Herb Butter Turkey and Gravy. These roasted carrots pair well with our Maple Brussel Sprouts, or our Sautéed Green Beans with Shallots.
Why You Will Love These Honey and Brown Sugar Glazed Carrots
- Simple Ingredients: An easy side dish recipe that uses pantry staples.
- Perfectly Caramelized: The natural sweetness of honey and brown sugar creates a deep, rich sweetness.
- Great for Any Occasion: Works well for Sunday dinners, Easter dinner, and any special occasion.
- Family-Friendly: Even picky eaters love the natural sugars of sweet and tender carrots.
- Easy to Make: Just a few steps and minimal prep for the perfect side dish.
Ingredients
See below for a full list of ingredients to put together this simple side dish.
See the recipe card below for the exact quantities of each ingredient.
- Medium Carrots: Choose fresh carrots for best results.
- Extra-Virgin Olive Oil: To help with roasting your honey-glazed carrots.
- Unsalted Butter: Melted butter adds a silky richness to your beautiful glaze.
- Light Brown Sugar: Adds a lightly caramelized flavor.
- Honey: Adds sweetness and helps create a sticky glaze.
- Sea Salt: For a hint of savory flavor to balance the sweetness of the brown sugar carrots.
- Ground Cinnamon: A warm spice that complements the natural sweetness of the carrots.
For this recipe, you'll want to have on hand a casserole dish, measuring cups and spoons, small saucepan, and a spatula.
Substitutions and Variations
Love this recipe but want to make it your own? Here are some helpful ideas for you to change these Honey and Brown Sugar Glazed Carrots.
- Oil Alternative: Swap olive oil for melted coconut oil or avocado oil.
- Sweetener Options: Use maple syrup instead of honey for a different depth of flavor.
- Dairy-Free Option: Replace butter with vegan butter or extra olive oil.
- Spice Variation: Add a pinch of nutmeg or ginger for extra warmth.
- Carrot Swap: Try using baby carrots for a quicker prep option, keeping in mind that the cook times will be shorter.
- Fresh Herbs: A great addition for an earthy depth of flavor.
- Dark Brown Sugar: Perfect for adding an even deeper caramel flavor.
How to Make Glazed Carrots with Brown Sugar and Honey
Check out how quick and easy it was to make these Honey and Brown Sugar Glazed Carrots in just a few simple steps.
Preheat oven to 400F.
Add carrots and olive oil to 9x13 casserole dish and mix around to coat.
In a saucepan melt butter, brown sugar and honey. Pour over the carrots then sprinkle with salt and cinnamon.
Bake for 35-45 minutes until your carrots reach your desired tenderness.
Hint: Be sure to chop your thicker carrots into similar sizes for even cooking.
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How to Store Honey and Brown Sugar Glazed Carrots
If you have any leftover carrots, here is the best way to store them.
- Refrigerator: Once cooled, place in the refrigerator in an airtight container for 3-4 days.
- Freezer: This easy carrot side dish can be frozen. Place in a labeled freezer bag for up to 3 months.
- Reheating: Reheat carrots in the microwave, on the stove top, or in the oven until warmed through.
- Make Ahead: We love this recipe because it can be meal prepped and made ahead. Continue through to step 3, and let cool. Place in a labeled freezer bag, and keep frozen for up to 3 months. This is great for a shortcut on busy weeknights, or making side dishes ahead for the holidays.
What to Serve with Brown Sugar and Honey Glazed Carrots
- Roast Pork, Chicken or Turkey: A classic main dish pairing for a balanced meal. We love pairing these sweetly glazed carrots with our savory Herb Butter Turkey.
- Mashed Potatoes: A creamy side that complements the sweetness of the carrots.
- Grilled Salmon: The sweet glaze enhances the natural richness of fish.
- Quinoa or Wild Rice: A hearty grain to round out the dish.
- Brussels Sprouts: Roasted or sautéed for a well-rounded veggie plate. Try our Maple Brussel Sprouts for a similar sweet and salty flavor profile.
- Red Wine or Apple Cider: Complements the sweetness of the glaze beautifully. We love the similar cozy, spiced flavors in our Apple Cider recipe.
- Cornbread: A soft, slightly crumbly bread that pairs well with the flavors.
- Green Beans: When you are looking to add another great side dish to your main meal, try our Sautéed Green Beans.
- Easter Ham: Classic for Easter dinner or any holiday meal, we love pairing ham with this simple vegetable side.
Top Tips
Here are the top tips for making Honey and Brown Sugar Glazed Carrots.
- Don’t Skip the Preheating: Ensures proper caramelization.
- Toss Well: Coat the carrots thoroughly for the best flavor distribution.
- Check for Tenderness: Roast until fork-tender but not mushy.
- Adjust Sweetness: Add more or less honey and sugar to taste.
Frequently Asked Questions About Honey and Brown Sugar Glazed Carrots
Here are some of the most commonly asked questions about Honey and Brown Sugar Glazed Carrots.
Absolutely! Just adjust your roasting time since baby carrots may cook faster.
Yes! Sauté the carrots in a pan over medium heat, stirring frequently, until tender.
Yes! Toasted pecans or walnuts make a great addition for extra texture.
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Honey and Brown Sugar Glazed Carrots Recipe
Equipment
- 9x13 casserole dish
- Measuring Cups and Spoons
- Small Saucepan
- Spatula
Ingredients
- 9 medium carrots roughly chopped
- 2 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
- ½ stick butter unsalted
- 50 grams light brown sugar about ¼ cup
- 2 tablespoon honey
- ½ teaspoon sea salt
- ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400F.
- Add carrots and olive oil to 9x13 casserole dish and mix around to coat.
- In a saucepan melt butter, brown sugar and honey. Pour over the carrots then sprinkle with salt and cinnamon.
- Bake for 35-45 minutes until carrots are desired tenderness.
Notes
- To ensures proper caramelization make sure you preheat the oven.
- Coat the carrots thoroughly for the best flavor distribution.
- Roast until fork-tender but not mushy.
- Add more or less honey and sugar to taste for desired sweetness.
Nutrition
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Rick says
I love carrots. My favourite way to prepare them.
Eva Filer says
Thank you so much for the review -- so glad you enjoyed them.
Risa says
These look so good! Love the honey butter/brown sugar glaze. These will be perfect for Easter, can't wait to give them a try!
Eva Filer says
Thanks so much. I hope you love them as much as we do!
Jo says
Great recipe to try. Delicious.
Eva Filer says
Glad you liked it, thank you!
Abi says
The recipe looks so good, can I use baby carrots instead?
Eva Filer says
Absolutely you can, they will cook a lot faster, so you will want to adjust your cook time!
Eva Filer says
This recipe is so simple to make. The buttery glaze adds such nice flavor to the carrots; even my kiddo will eat them!