Description
These Glazed Carrots are the ultimate holiday side dish that steals the spotlight at every gathering! Tender-crisp carrots are coated in a glossy butter-honey-brown sugar glaze that’s perfectly balanced between sweet and savory. Ready in just 20 minutes with simple ingredients, they’re elegant enough for Christmas and Thanksgiving dinners yet easy enough for weeknight meals. The make-ahead friendly recipe means stress-free entertaining. Your family will request these carrots at every holiday!
Ingredients
2 pounds medium carrots, peeled and sliced diagonally into ½-inch pieces
3 tablespoons unsalted butter
3 tablespoons honey or pure maple syrup
2 tablespoons brown sugar
½ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon black pepper
¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon (optional)
2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
1 cup water or vegetable broth
OPTIONAL FLAVOR ENHANCERS:
1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves
½ teaspoon ground ginger
Zest of 1 orange
1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
¼ cup toasted chopped pecans or walnuts
Instructions
1. Peel carrots and cut off both ends. Slice diagonally into uniform ½-inch thick pieces for even cooking.
2. Fill a large 12-inch skillet with 1 cup water or vegetable broth. Add sliced carrots and a pinch of salt. Bring to a boil over high heat.
3. Once boiling, reduce heat to medium-high and cook uncovered for 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until carrots are tender-crisp when pierced with a fork. Most of the liquid should evaporate, leaving about 2 tablespoons in the pan.
4. Add butter, honey (or maple syrup), brown sugar, cinnamon (if using), salt, and pepper to the pan with the carrots. Stir everything together, coating carrots thoroughly.
5. Continue cooking over medium heat for 3-5 minutes, stirring frequently, until butter and sugars melt together and form a thick, glossy glaze that coats each carrot piece. The glaze should bubble gently and reduce to syrupy consistency.
6. Watch carefully during glazing to prevent burning. If glaze becomes too thick or starts to scorch, add 1 tablespoon of water and reduce heat.
7. Taste and adjust seasonings if needed. Add extra salt, pepper, or a pinch of sugar to achieve perfect sweet-savory balance.
8. Transfer glazed carrots to a warm serving dish. Garnish generously with fresh chopped parsley. For extra elegance, add a sprinkle of flaky sea salt or fresh thyme leaves.
9. Serve immediately while hot and glossy, or keep warm in a covered dish for up to 30 minutes.
Notes
Cut carrots uniformly (½-inch thick) so they cook evenly without some pieces being mushy and others crunchy.
Cook carrots to tender-crisp, not soft – they continue cooking in the glaze and residual heat.
Don’t rush the glazing phase. Medium heat allows proper caramelization without burning.
Make-ahead: Prepare completely up to 2 days ahead. Refrigerate, then reheat in skillet with 1-2 tablespoons butter.
For thicker glaze, cook a bit longer. For thinner glaze, add a teaspoon of water.
Rainbow carrots (purple, yellow, orange) create stunning presentation perfect for holidays.
Avoid baby-cut carrots from bags – they’re less flavorful than whole carrots you slice yourself.
Recipe doubles easily but use a very large skillet (14 inches) to avoid overcrowding.
Store leftovers refrigerated up to 4 days. Reheat gently with extra butter to refresh glaze.
- Prep Time: 10
- Cook Time: 15
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1
- Calories: 140
- Sugar: 16g
- Sodium: 240mg
- Fat: 6g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 23g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 15mg
Keywords: glazed carrots, honey glazed carrots, thanksgiving carrots, christmas carrots, holiday side dish