This brown sugar honey glazed carrots recipe is the best go to side dish, especially during the holidays! It is budget friendly, simple ingredients make it easy to make, and can easily be doubled or tripled for crowds. The sticky glaze is just sweet enough, while the spices and herbs add even more flavor. Fresh dill, thyme, and black pepper create perfect counter-balance to the sweetness in the buttery glaze.
I will be the first to admit, I used to hate eating cooked carrots. Once I learned how to properly cook them with the right seasonings and to tender crisp doneness, I can no longer resist sweet glaze carrots! We are planning on serving these on our holiday table, but I’ve been making them during busy weeknights (with crockpot Mississippi pot roast) to add some color to our plates, because they are just that simple to whip up!
Even though they are slightly sweet, they go with just about anything, including roast pork, air fryer filet mignon, our classic pot roast recipe, and holiday brown sugar glazed ham! Usually when I serve these, I go easy on the other sides (so flavors don’t clash) with something like instant pot corn on the cob, baked potatoes in the air fryer, or duchess potatoes.
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Why You’ll Love This Glazed Carrot Recipe
- Quick and easy, only takes 15-20 minutes!
- Only a handful of ingredients required.
- Goes with just about any main dish and side dish.
- Perfect side dish for a holiday meal and feeding a crowd.
- Inexpensive to make.
What Ingredients do I Need for Brown Sugar-Glazed Carrots with Honey?
- fresh carrots – I use baby carrots, you don’t even have to peel them!
- water
- unsalted butter
- light brown sugar – be sure to pack it when measuring so it’s accurate. You can also use dark brown sugar if that’s what you have in your pantry.
- honey
- Salt and black pepper
- fresh dill, fresh thyme, and/or fresh parsley, as garnishes
For a full list of ingredients and their measurements, 📋 please view my printable recipe card at the bottom of the post.
Substitutions and Variations
- Maple syrup is a great addition instead of the honey or brown sugar to add sweetness.
- You can also use larger carrots and cut them down to size before cooking. Peel and slice into ¼″ slices.
- Depending on the type of carrots that you decide to use, the natural sweetness of the carrots may vary. Adjust the sugars to create your preferred balance.
- Once you’ve perfected this great side dish, swap in green beans or sweet potatoes for the carrots.
🔪 Instructions:
Step 1: Place the water and whole carrots in a large skillet. Bring to a simmer over low to medium heat. Add the salt and cook until the water has completely evaporated, and they are starting to soften.
Step 2: Stir in the sugars, butter, and honey. Continue cooking until the mixture has reduced to a glaze.
Pro Tip: If you have a leftover bag of regular carrots, you can use the same recipe just chop them up or slice them so they are mini-sized.
Step 3: Season with salt and pepper to taste. Sprinkle with fresh herbs, toss, and serve!
Glazed Carrots Cooking Tips
- For softer carrots, simmer in more water until desired tenderness. Then drain the water before adding the ingredients for brown sugar honey glaze.
- This recipe makes enough glaze for 2 pounds of carrots. Simply double as needed.
- Feel free to swap the herbs with your favorites! Carrots go well with most and the herbs balance out the sweetness perfectly!
- For more sweetness (add honey to taste) and/or leave out the herbs.
Fun Fact
Before orange carrots came to the market (late 1600s), the only carrots that were produced were those with white, purple, and yellow roots.
Recipe FAQs
Keep leftover glazed carrots in the refrigerator in airtight container for up to 6 days.
We recommend reheating glazed carrots in the skillet until they are warm. Heating them in the microwave will cook them more.
More Mouthwatering Side Dishes
If you tried this Brown Sugar Honey-Glazed Carrots Recipe or any other recipe on my website, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how you liked it in the 📝 comments below.
Brown Sugar Honey Glazed Carrots
Ingredients
- 2 pounds baby carrots
- ½ cup water
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 tablespoons packed light brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons honey
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh dill thyme, and/or parsley, to garnish
Instructions
- Place baby carrots and ½ cup water in a large skillet and heat over medium high until water comes to a simmer. Add salt and cook, stirring frequently, until the water has fully evaporated and the carrots are starting to soften.
- Add the butter, honey, and brown sugar and stir to dissolve the sugars into the butter. Cook about 5 minutes longer until the sauce has reduced to a thick glaze and the carrots are fork tender.
- Season to taste with additional salt and pepper. Garnish with freshly chopped herbs and toss to distribute the herbs evenly into the glaze.
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Notes
- For softer carrots, simmer in more water until desired tenderness. Then drain the water before adding the ingredients for brown sugar honey glaze.
- This recipe makes enough glaze for 2 pounds of carrots. Simply double as needed.
- Feel free to swap the herbs with your favorites! Carrots go well with most and the herbs balance out the sweetness perfectly!
- For more sweetness (add honey to taste) and/or leave out the herbs.
Nutrition
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Comments & Reviews
Anne says
Can these be made ahead of time
Stefanie says
Hi Anne, Sure! They reheat really well.
Lisa Melone says
Made this recipe for Easter dinner today and they were a hit with everyone… even those who claimed to not like carrots. 😉