Candied Carrotsrn

Name: Candied Carrots
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 25 min
Ingredients: 1 pound baby carrots, (past dry (454-grams)); ¼ cup water; ¼ cup salted butter; ¼ cup dark brown sugar, (packed); ¼ cup pure honey; ¼ teaspoon fresh cracked black pepper, (optional); 2 teaspoons fresh chopped flat-leaf parsley, (optional garnish)

a close up shot of Candied Carrots on a spoon

Candied carrots are a delicious blend of savory and sweet flavors topped with a brown sugar glaze that will please both adults and kids.

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Table of Contents

Let’s Talk About These Glazed Carrots
Candied Carrots Ingredients
Brown Sugar Glazed Carrots Substitutions and Additions
How To Make This Candied Carrots Recipe
How To Serve This Candied Carrots Recipe
Storage Tips for Glaze Carrots
Why These Candied Carrots are the Best
Candied Carrots Frequently Asked Questions
More Favorite Side Dishes
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If you’re looking for a side dish that’s easy to make and irresistibly delicious, these candied carrots are it. Cooked until tender and coated in a buttery brown sugar glaze, this recipe takes humble carrots to a new level with a glossy finish and rich flavor. With honey and dark brown sugar creating the perfect caramelized touch, these candied carrots make an ideal companion to savory mains, bringing a comforting sweetness that complements any meal.

overhead shot of Candied Carrots in a pot

Let’s Talk About These Glazed Carrots

MAIN INGREDIENTS: baby carrots, water, salted butter, dark brown sugar, pure honey, fresh cracked black pepper (optional), fresh chopped flat-leaf parsley (optional garnish)

QUICK STEPS: Add carrots, water, butter, brown sugar, and honey to skillet; cook covered on medium for 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally; uncover, increase heat to medium-high, cook another 8-10 minutes until tender and glaze thickens; stir in black pepper and garnish with parsley if desired

TOTAL TIME AND YIELD: 25 minutes, serves 4

Why This Recipe

Quick and Foolproof Process: This recipe is designed to be easy to follow, even for beginners. Cooking the carrots covered first and then uncovered helps them become tender without burning while the glaze thickens perfectly.
Versatile for Any Occasion: These candied carrots make an ideal side dish for a weeknight meal or a holiday spread. They bring warmth and a touch of sweetness that pairs well with various main dishes, from roasted chicken to hearty roasts. Even picky eaters will enjoy this easy recipe!

Candied Carrots Ingredients

Candied Carrots raw ingredients that are labeled

Our candied carrot recipe features baby carrots as the star ingredient. These small, fresh carrots offer a sweet, earthy flavor that pairs well with the caramelized glaze. We love that they’re ready to cook with minimal prep!

The recipe also includes salted butter for richness, dark brown sugar, pure honey for a sweet, sticky glaze, and fresh cracked black pepper for a hint of heat.

Let’s take a look at what you’ll need:

1 (1-pound or 454-gram) package of baby carrots, pat dry
¼ cup of water
¼ cup of salted butter
¼ cup of dark brown sugar, packed
¼ cup of pure honey
¼ teaspoon of fresh cracked black pepper (optional)
2 teaspoons of fresh chopped flat-leaf parsley (optional garnish)

Brown Sugar Glazed Carrots Substitutions and Additions

This simple recipe for tender carrots with a sweet glaze is so easy to put together. While this recipe is our favorite way to enjoy carrots, there are different ways to execute this recipe. Here are some suggestions if you’d like to experiment!

BABY CARROTS: If baby carrots aren’t available, you can substitute them with regular carrots. Just peel and slice them into thick rounds or lengthwise into halves.

SALTED BUTTER: If you’re watching your sodium intake, unsalted butter can be used instead. You may want to add a pinch of salt to balance the flavors.

DARK BROWN SUGAR: Light brown sugar or granulated sugar can be used in a pinch, but keep in mind that the flavor will be slightly different.

PURE HONEY: Maple syrup or agave nectar can be used as a substitute for honey, adding a different but equally delicious sweetness. If you like spice in your sides, you could use hot honey instead.

FRESH CRACKED BLACK PEPPER: Feel free to omit this if you prefer your candied carrots without the heat. Alternatively, a pinch of cayenne pepper can be used for a spicier kick.

FRESH CHOPPED FLAT LEAF PARSLEY: Other fresh herbs like dill, thyme, or chervil can be used as a garnish instead of parsley in this easy side dish recipe.

How To Make This Candied Carrots Recipe

Creating this easy candied carrot recipe is a simple process that yields a dish with complex flavors. The key is to allow the carrots to cook slowly, absorbing the sweet and buttery glaze.

OUR RECIPE DEVELOPER SAYS

Ensure your baby carrots are patted dry before adding them to the pan to help the glaze adhere better.

STEP ONE: Add the raw carrots, water, butter, dark brown sugar, and honey to a ten-inch skillet over medium heat. Cover and cook for eight to ten minutes, stirring occasionally to keep the carrots from scorching.

carrots, water, butter, brown sugar, and honey cooked together

STEP TWO: Remove the lid and increase the heat to medium-high heat.

Continue stirring occasionally for another eight to ten minutes, or until the carrots are fork tender and the brown sugar mixture reduces and thickens.

Stir in the cracked black pepper. Garnish with the chopped fresh parsley. Serve while hot.

How To Serve This Candied Carrots Recipe

Candied carrots are a perfect side dish that pairs well with a variety of main courses. Here are a few serving suggestions:

The natural sweetness of the candied carrots complements the savory flavors of oven-roasted meats like chicken, turkey, or pork tenderloin.

Candied carrots are a festive dish perfect for a holiday meal like Thanksgiving dinner or a holiday season gathering, along with our stuffing and homemade cranberry sauce.

Pair these candied carrots with a hearty grain salad or a creamy risotto for a satisfying vegetarian meal.

Our glazed carrots and air fryer carrots are two more delicious recipes that feature this vibrant and delightful vegetable.

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Storage Tips for Glaze Carrots

After enjoying a delicious meal with candied carrots, you might find yourself with leftovers. Don’t worry, they store well and can be enjoyed later!

MAKE AHEAD: This candied carrots recipe is a great option for meal prep. You can make a batch ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator. When you’re ready to serve, simply reheat the carrots on the stovetop or in the microwave.

IN THE FRIDGE: Store any leftover candied carrots in an airtight container in the refrigerator. They will stay fresh for up to five days. When you’re ready to enjoy them again, reheat them on the stovetop over medium heat or in the microwave until warmed through.

IN THE FREEZER: While freezing these brown sugar carrots is possible, we don’t recommend it. The texture of the carrots can become mushy once thawed, and the glaze may separate. For the best quality, enjoying your candied carrots within the refrigerator storage time is best.

REHEATING: To reheat your candied carrots, you can use either the stovetop or the microwave.

If using the stovetop, place the carrots in a skillet over medium heat, stirring occasionally until heated.

If using the microwave, place the carrots in a microwave-safe dish, cover, and heat at 30-second intervals, stirring in between, until warmed to your liking.

Why These Candied Carrots are the Best

There’s so much to love about this glazed carrot recipe. Here are a few reasons why it’s a favorite:

EASY TO MAKE: This recipe requires just a few simple ingredients and easy-to-follow steps, making it perfect for cooks of all skill levels.

DELICIOUS FLAVOR: The combination of sweet carrots, rich butter, and a hint of black pepper creates an irresistible flavor. The caramelized glaze takes it to the next level.

CROWD-PLEASER: This recipe is a hit with both adults and kids. It’s a great way to get your family to eat more vegetables!

overhead shot of Candied Carrots on a plate

These candied carrots bring a delicious balance of sweetness and warmth, making them an ideal side for any meal. With an easy, reliable recipe, they’re perfect for both weeknight dinners and special gatherings.

Candied Carrots Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use regular carrots instead of baby carrots?

You can substitute baby carrots with regular carrots. Just use a vegetable peeler to peel and then slice them into thick rounds or lengthwise into halves.

Can I make this vegetable side dish recipe ahead of time?

This candied carrots recipe is excellent for meal prep. You can make a batch ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator. When you’re ready to serve, simply reheat the carrots on the stovetop or in the microwave.

Can I use a different type of sugar for this baby carrots recipe?

We love the brown sugar sauce for these fresh carrots but you can substitute dark brown sugar with light brown sugar or granulated sugar. However, keep in mind that the flavor will be slightly different.

More Favorite Side Dishes

Candied Carrots

5 from 2 votes

Candied carrots are a delicious blend of savory and sweet flavors topped with a brown sugar glaze that will please both adults and kids.

Prep Time 5

Cook Time 20

Total Time 25

Servings

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Ingredients

1 pound baby carrots, past dry (454-grams)
¼ cup water
¼ cup salted butter
¼ cup dark brown sugar, packed
¼ cup pure honey
¼ teaspoon fresh cracked black pepper, optional
2 teaspoons fresh chopped flat-leaf parsley, optional garnish

Instructions

Add the carrots, water, butter, dark brown sugar, and honey to a 10-inch skillet over medium heat. Cover and cook for 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally to keep the carrots from scorching.
Remove the lid and increase the heat to medium-high. Continue stirring occasionally for another 8-10 minutes, or until the carrots are fork tender and the brown sugar mixture reduces and thickens. Stir in the cracked black pepper. Garnish with the chopped fresh leaf parsley. Serve while hot.

Notes

Ensure your baby carrots are patted dry before adding them to the pan to help the glaze adhere better.

Nutrition

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This recipe was developed, tested, cooked and photographed by the Spaceships Kitchen. From our dinner table to yours, we hope you think it's out of this world!

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Candied Carrots