Glazed Carrots
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Posted: 10/27/23
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Glazed Carrots are a simple and easy side dish recipes perfect for holidays but quick enough any night of the week. Tender carrots that are coated with a buttery brown sugar topping. They take only 5 ingredients and 20 minutes to make!
I love when a recipe is easy enough for a weeknight but fancy enough for holiday dinners and this easy Glazed Carrots recipe is one of them! Tender carrots coated with a brown sugar butter glaze are guaranteed to disappear off everyone’s plates – including the picky eaters!
I think I’ve made these brown sugar carrots for every big holiday meal. They’re just so easy! You only need a saucepan to cook the carrots and make the glaze. Plus, they’re ready in about 20 minutes and only five minutes is spent prepping. For a busy cooking holiday like Thanksgiving, these are a dream!
These are also a great simple side dish for regular weeknight meal for the same reason. Quick, easy, delicious. Sounds like the perfect a busy weeknights, right?
We love these with Parmesan Crusted Pork Chops and French Onion Meatloaf but they go great with chicken and steak, too.
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Why You’ll Love this Recipe!
- Only 5 simple ingredients need in this easy side dish recipe.
- Quick enough for weeknights taking only 20 minutes but also great for a holiday dinner.
- Either peel and slice carrots or use baby carrots for an even easier way to prepare this easy recipe.
What are glazed carrots made of?
- Carrots – Peel and slice large whole carrots. You can substitute baby carrots if you’d like. This minimizes the prep work.
- Butter – Salted or unsalted butter works.
- Brown sugar – I usually use light brown sugar, but dark will work great. The dark brown sugar will give it more of a molasses flavor.
- Sea salt – To balance out the sweetness.
- Black pepper – A little bit of flavor.
How to Make Glazed Carrots
- Place the sliced carrots in a small saucepan and cover them with water.
- Bring the water to a boil and simmer the carrots for 8 to 10 minutes or until they are fork-tender. Drain the water and keep the carrots in the pan.
- Adjust the heat to low and add the butter and sugar to the pan with the carrots. As the butter melts it will create a sauce with the sugar.
- Stir until the sauce comes together, about 4 to 5 minutes. Season the glazed carrots with salt and pepper and serve.
Pro Tip!
If you use baby carrots instead of sliced carrots it make take 10-12 minutes to cook them as they can be larger. They are ready for the next step when they are tender.
Pro Tips
- Make sure all of your carrots are uniformly sliced. This helps them cook at the same rate. If they aren’t you will end up with some overcooked mushy pieces and some pieces that aren’t cooked through.
- If you would like to substitute another sweetener for the brown sugar both honey or maple syrup will work.
- If you’d like to prep this ahead of time simply slice and peel the carrots up to three days prior to making the recipe.
How to Store Leftover Glazed Carrots
Place any leftovers in an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to three days.
How to Reheat Glazed Carrots
Microwave – Place the leftover carrots in a microwave-safe bowl. Heat the carrots in one-minute intervals, stirring in between, until they are warmed through. I recommend doing this in one-minute intervals so you don’t overcook the carrots. They will turn mushy if overcooked.
Stove – Place the leftover in a saucepan. Add 1/2 to 1 tablespoon of butter. Heat the carrots over medium heat, stirring to coat them in the butter. Once they are heated through they are ready to serve. It’s a good idea to add the extra butter so the carrots don’t stick to the bottom of the pan while they cook.
Serving Suggestions
So many main dishes go with this easy side dish recipe!
For holiday dinners serve these brown sugar-glazed carrots with Honey Baked Ham or Roast Turkey for the main dish.
For weekday dinners they pair well with beef, chicken and pork. Try them with Cranberry Crock Pot Pork Loin, Whole Chicken and Rice Dinner and Cheesy Meatloaf.
These Glazed Carrots also pair well with other side dishes, so if you are planning your holiday menu you might like to serve them with Cheesy Broccoli Cauliflower Casserole and Mashed Potatoes!
More easy Side Dish recipes!
Here are a few more side dish recipes that are quick enough for weeknights but delicious enough to serve for a special occasion!
- Creamed Peas – Only 5 ingredients and fifteen minutes to enjoy this side dish!
- Green Bean Corn Casserole – Creamy green bean casserole with the addition of corn!
- Crock Pot Creamed Corn – Quick and easy creamed corn made in your crock pot!
- Cheesy Carrot Casserole is a great holiday side dish! Everyone will clean their plates when you serve it.
Did you make this? If you snap a photo, please be sure tag me on Instagram at @julieseatsandtreats or #julieseatsandtreats so I can see your yummy treat!
Glazed Carrots
A quick and easy side dish recipe for the weeknight or holiday entertaining! Tender carrots with a brown sugar glaze.
Ingredients
- 2 pounds carrots washed, peeled and cut into ½’’ thick slices
- 1 ½ cups water
- 3 Tablespoons butter
- ¼ cup light brown sugar packed
- ¼ teaspoon sea salt
- ⅛ teaspoon ground pepper
Instructions
- Combine carrots and water in saucepan over medium heat. Bring to a boil, cover and simmer for 8-10 minutes or until carrots are just becoming tender when pierced with a fork.
- Drain water off carrots.
- Add butter and brown sugar to saucepan, stir to combine and cook on low until butter is melted and makes a sauce, about 4-5 minutes.
- Season with salt and pepper and serve immediately.
Tips
Substitute Baby Carrots
- You can substitute baby carrots in place of regular carrots. They make take a few more minutes to cook as they can be larger.
- Microwave – Place carrots in a microwave-safe bowl. Heat the carrots in one-minute intervals, stirring in between, until they are warmed through. I recommend doing this in one-minute intervals so you don’t overcook the carrots. They will turn mushy if overcooked.
- Stove – Place Carrots in a saucepan. Add 1/2 to 1 tablespoon of butter. Heat the carrots over medium heat, stirring to coat them in the butter. Once they are heated through they are ready to serve. It’s a good idea to add the extra butter so the carrots don’t stick to the bottom of the pan while they cook.
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Nutrition Information
Calories: 113kcal (6%), Carbohydrates: 18g (6%), Protein: 1g (2%), Fat: 5g (8%), Saturated Fat: 3g (19%), Cholesterol: 11mg (4%), Sodium: 193mg (8%), Potassium: 373mg (11%), Fiber: 3g (13%), Sugar: 13g (14%), Vitamin A: 19077IU (382%), Vitamin C: 7mg (8%), Calcium: 46mg (5%), Iron: 1mg (6%)
Malinda Linnebur says
My family loved how these carrots turned out! And I love that they are eating their veggies without complaining!
Julie says
YES!! That is the best!
Beth says
This is a delicious side dish! My mom would make a similar recipe because as a kid I did not like cooked veggies but you throw a bit of brown sugar on anything and I would gobble it up! Love it!
Julie says
It’s always great when you can jazz up a veggie!
Jennifer Banz says
Great side dish! Thanks for sharing!
Julie says
You’re welcome!
Danielle Green says
These are so easy to make and the best part? Everyone loves them! Great recipe!
Julie says
Thank you!
Sophie Anderson says
Very good, just enough sweetness without losing the taste of the carrots. Just before serving I sprinkled a sliced almond/dried cranberry mixture on top.
Julie says
Sounds wonderful!