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Glazed Carrots are such an easy side dish to throw together, and they go with everything! We’ve got a traditional recipe, plus two variations with flavors you will love!
Glazed Carrots – 3 Ways!
Vegetables don’t have to be bland or boring. Try some of these veggie recipes that are packed with flavor and make each meal nutritious and delicious. Oven roasted vegetables and sweet sautéed asparagus are super easy and taste scrumptious!
Glazed Carrots are my go-to side for weeknight dinners. They are sweet enough that the kids will eat them, but also healthy enough that I feel good about serving them to my family. This sweet and savory side dish goes great with pretty much anything – chicken, pork, pot roast, beef, fish, you name it! For everyday dinners, I use the traditional brown sugar glazed carrots recipe, but if I have guests to impress I like to use one of the variations. These carrots can be dressed up in a million different ways, too! Let those fresh herbs from your garden shine as a beautiful garnish, add other spices, nuts or seasonings. Or keep it simple and follow these easy step by step instructions below.
Step by Step Instructions
- For all three carrot recipe variations, you start out by peeling and slicing your carrots. We’ve shown three different ways to slice them: julienne (cut the carrot in quarters and then slice in thin strips), sliced on the diagonal, and traditional sliced. You can use any of these cuts with any glaze recipe. If you have baby carrots on hand, use those too!
- Next, choose your glaze recipe and assemble your ingredients.
Brown Sugar Glazed Carrots
These sweet glazed carrots are a family favorite! They’re easy to prepare and taste delicious. You can add a little more flavor by sprinkling them with cinnamon, a drizzle of maple syrup, toss them with roasted pine nuts, or add some fresh ginger.
- Start by cooking your carrots. If you have a steamer, that is the easiest way to cook them. They should need about 15 minutes. If you don’t have a steamer, fill a small pot with water and boil the carrots on medium high heat on the stovetop. Simmer for about 3 minutes. Drain and set aside while you prepare the glaze.
- For your glaze, heat brown sugar and butter in a sauce pan. Once butter is melted and the brown sugar has dissolved, add carrots. Cook until the glaze clings to the carrots.
Balsamic Glazed Carrots
This recipe is a bit more savory, and pairs beautifully with any meat dish. Season lightly with salt and pepper for additional taste. Sauté with a little garlic and top with fresh herbs.
- Start by preheating your oven to 425 degrees. Then make your glaze. Mix balsamic vinegar, honey, brown sugar, and oil. Toss your sliced carrots into the balsamic mixture until they are coated.
- Line them up on a greased baking sheet in a single layer. Cook for 25-30 minutes.
- Halfway through the cooking time I like to take the carrots out, give them a good stir, and brush a little bit more of the balsamic mixture on top.
Honey Glazed Carrots
These sweet carrots taste like candy! They’re delicious hot or cold, tossed into a salad with pecans, lettuce and any other veggies you like. We love serving these with ham, pork chops or roast chicken.
- Start by cooking your carrots. Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add butter and cook until it browns slightly. This gives the butter an amazing, nutty flavor that really brings the glaze up to the next level. Then add your carrots and cook until tender.
- Once the carrots are tender, add the honey, brown sugar, orange juice, and thyme. Stir to combine. Cook until glaze clings to the carrots.
Air Fryer Carrots
For another easy way to make glazed carrots, try them in the air fryer! Our Air Fryer Baby Carrots couldn’t be easier to make, plus they are delicious with any of the glazes in the recipe card below.
Main Dishes to Serve with Glazed Carrots
Now that you have the perfect side dish, you need a main dish to go with it! Try one of our favorites:
How to Make Glazed Carrots
Glazed Carrots – 3 Ways!
Ingredients
- 5 medium carrots peeled and cut into shape of your choice
For Traditional Glazed Carrots
- 1 tablespoon butter
- tablespoon brown sugar
For Balsamic Glazed Carrots
- 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 1 ½ tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
For Honey Glazed Carrots
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon orange juice or lemon juice
- 1/4 teaspoon thyme
Instructions
For Traditional Glazed Carrots
- Steam or blanch carrots until they are tender. (To blanch, cook carrots in boiling water for about 3 minutes.)
- In a small sauce pan, over medium heat, combine butter and brown sugar. Cook until butter is melted.
- Add the carrots and stir. Cook for an additional 2-3 minutes until the glaze clings to the carrots.
For Balsamic Glazed Carrots
- Preheat oven to 425.
- In a large bowl, combine balsamic vinegar, honey, brown sugar, and oil. Toss the carrots in the liquid until they are coated.
- Spread carrots out on a greased baking sheet. Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until carrots start to brown on the edges. Half-way through the baking time, stir the carrots.
- Optional: After you stir the carrots on the baking sheet, brush more of the balsamic mixture over the top.
For Honey Glazed Carrots
- Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add butter and cook until browned.
- Add the carrots and cook until carrots are tender, ~4-5 minutes.
- Add honey, brown sugar, orange juice, and thyme. Stir to combine.
- Cook for an additional 2-3 minutes, or until the glaze clings to the carrots.
You better believe that we will be making all three! Glazed carrots are the best. We make them year round!
Such a great side dish. I like the honey version best.
These glazed carrots are so delicious and so tasty! I love serving this with our dinner and we absolutely love it! Excited to make these again!
I love carrots and can’t wait to try these recipes- especially the balsamic glazed carrots!
Made these with the balsamic vinegar and they are so delicious! Will definitely make again.