Honey Roasted Carrots Recipe
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These honey roasted carrots are a side dish worth making on repeat. Coated in a buttery honey glaze with just the right touch of garlic, they roast to perfection with a caramelized finish that brings out their natural sweetness. With only a few basic ingredients, this easy recipe turns plain carrots into something you will actually look forward to eating.
I used to keep carrots simple with butter and garlic. Then, I added honey and let the oven do the work. That small change made all the difference. Now, these roasted carrots are a staple in our home. They are sweet, slightly savory, and so easy to make that they might just become your new favorite side. Whether you need a quick addition to dinner or something to impress guests, this simple yet flavorful recipe never disappoints.
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Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Works for any meal: A great addition to any weeknight meal or party spread. It pairs well with almost anything and can be enjoyed in any season.
- A hit with kids: Even the pickiest eaters love these carrots. The natural sweetness and soft texture make them a perfect side dish the whole family will enjoy.
- Hands-off cooking: With so many ways to prepare carrots, roasting is the simplest. Just toss them in the oven and let the heat do all the work while bringing out their natural sweetness.
- Sweet and savory perfection: A buttery honey glaze with a touch of garlic creates a well-balanced flavor. The combination of rich, sweet, and savory notes makes every bite irresistible.
How to Make Honey Roasted Carrots
With this honey roasted carrots recipe, you can turn humble carrots into a flavorful, crave-worthy side dish with minimal effort. A rich, sweet glaze coats each carrot, then roasts to perfection in the ovent. Once they are roasting, all that is left to do is wait for the irresistible aroma to fill your kitchen.
For the full recipe, including ingredient measurements and step-by-step instructions, check out the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.
Ingredients You Need
- Carrots: The main ingredient that brings natural sweetness and a hearty texture. I usually cut full-sized carrots into pieces, but whole, rainbow, or baby carrots work just as well. Buy extra carrots and make this delicious keto carrot cake for dessert!
- Butter: Gives the glaze a smooth, rich flavor while adding that glossy, picture-perfect finish. I stick with unsalted butter so the salt level stays just right.
- Honey: The key to that sweet, caramelized coating. Any honey will do—whether it is clover, wildflower, or buckwheat, each adds its own unique touch.
- Garlic: Brings a savory depth that balances out the honey, keeping the glaze from being overly sweet.
- Salt: Enhances the flavors and highlights the natural sweetness of the carrots without overpowering the dish.
- Parsley: A simple but fresh finishing touch. It adds color and a light, herby contrast to the rich glaze.
Step-By-Step Instructions
You won’t believe how easy it is to make these honey roasted carrots. A quick toss in a flavorful glaze, a little time in the oven, and they come out perfectly caramelized with almost no effort. Whether you are new to cooking or just need a simple side dish, this recipe never disappoints.
Step 1: Prep the carrots
Set your oven to 425 F and let it heat up. Peel and trim the carrots, then cut them into evenly sized pieces, about 2 inches long. If any are on the thicker side, slice them in half or quarters lengthwise so everything cooks at the same rate. Smaller, thinner ends can stay as they are.
Step 2: Make the glaze
Melt the butter in a small saucepan over medium heat, then stir in the honey, garlic, and salt until everything is well combined. Pour this mixture over the carrots in a large bowl and toss to coat. If needed, add a little more salt to taste.
Step 3: Bake
Spread the carrots in a single layer on a baking sheet and pop them in the oven. Bake for about 30 minutes, giving them a stir halfway through to ensure even cooking. Once they are tender and slightly caramelized, transfer to a serving dish, sprinkle with parsley, and dig in!
Substitutions
You do not need a long shopping list to make honey roasted carrots since most of the ingredients are kitchen staples. If you are missing something or want to change things up, there are plenty of easy substitutions to choose from:
- Butter: Swap it with ghee or use 3 tablespoons of olive oil for a similar rich flavor. If you need a dairy-free option, coconut oil works just as well.
- Honey: If you are out of honey, maple syrup or brown sugar will do the trick, adding the same touch of sweetness to the glaze. Likewise, if you prefer sugar-free or keto ingredients, use a keto-friendly syrup instead.
- Parsley: No parsley? Try fresh thyme instead for a subtle earthy flavor.
Variations
Honey roasted carrots are delicious as they are, but there is always room to get creative. If you are looking for a new flavor twist, try one of these tasty variations to switch things up:
- Give it some heat: Add red pepper flakes, cayenne, or a splash of hot sauce for a sweet and spicy kick.
- Try a veggie mix: Carrots pair well with other root vegetables like sweet potatoes and beets for a colorful and flavorful blend. Parsnips and Brussels sprouts will be the best low-carb options.
- Make it savory: A touch of soy sauce balances out the sweetness and adds a deeper, more savory taste.
- Brighten the flavor: A squeeze of orange or lemon juice adds a fresh, tangy contrast to the honey glaze.
- Cozy it up: A sprinkle of cinnamon gives these carrots a warm, spiced twist that is perfect for fall and holiday meals.
- Add fresh herbs: Stir in some rosemary, thyme, or dill for extra flavor and a pop of freshness.
Expert Tips
- Need a shortcut? Frozen carrots or pre-sliced carrot coins can work if you are in a rush. Fresh carrots have the best texture, but it is always good to have an easy backup.
- Keep the carrot pieces as close in size as possible so they cook evenly. If some are too thick, they may need extra time, so cutting them uniformly helps everything roast at the same pace.
- Roast until they are tender but still have a slight bite. Overcooking can make them too soft, and a little firmness keeps them more enjoyable.
- Top them off with something extra. A handful of crumbled bacon, toasted sesame seeds, caramelized onions, or chopped walnuts can add crunch and even more flavor.
- If the glaze feels too runny, let it simmer a little longer to thicken up. If it gets too thick, a small splash of water will smooth it out.
How to Store This Recipe
Store any leftover honey roasted carrots in an airtight container and keep them in the fridge for up to 3 days. If you want to save them longer, freeze them for up to a month.
To reheat, gently warm refrigerated carrots on the stovetop over low heat. If they are frozen, you can reheat them straight from the freezer in a pan over medium heat. Just be aware that frozen carrots release extra moisture, so the glaze may turn out thinner than when freshly made.
What to Serve with Honey Roasted Carrots
These honey roasted carrots pair wonderfully with protein mains, whether it’s beef, chicken, pork, or seafood. We love them with bacon-wrapped beef tenderloin, blackened chicken tenders, air fryer boneless pork chops, and spinach salmon burgers.
Continue the honey theme and serve them with honey mustard glazed salmon! For special occasions, serve them with roast turkey or steak.
With their sweet and savory glaze, they bring just the right amount of flavor to any plate.
More Side Dishes To Try
Sweet & Buttery Honey Roasted Carrots Recipe
Ingredients
Instructions
- Set your oven to 425 °F and let it heat up.
- Peel and trim the carrots, then cut them into evenly sized pieces, about 2 inches long. If any are on the thicker side, slice them in half or quarters lengthwise so everything cooks at the same rate. Smaller, thinner ends can stay as they are.
- Melt the butter in a small saucepan over medium heat, then stir in the honey, garlic, and salt until everything is well combined. Pour this mixture over the carrots in a large bowl and toss to coat. If needed, add a little more salt to taste.
- Spread the carrots in a single layer on a baking sheet and pop them in the oven. Bake for about 30 minutes, giving them a stir halfway through to ensure even cooking. Once they are tender and slightly caramelized, transfer to a serving dish, sprinkle with parsley, and dig in!
Notes
- Frozen carrots or pre-sliced carrot coins can work if you are in a rush. Fresh carrots have the best texture, but it is always good to have an easy backup.
- Keep the carrot pieces as close in size as possible so they cook evenly. If some are too thick, they may need extra time, so cutting them uniformly helps everything roast at the same pace.
- Roast until they are tender but still have a slight bite. Overcooking can make them too soft, and a little firmness keeps them more enjoyable.
- A handful of crumbled bacon, toasted sesame seeds, caramelized onions, or chopped walnuts can add crunch and even more flavor.
- If the glaze feels too runny, let it simmer a little longer to thicken up. If it gets too thick, a small splash of water will smooth it out.
Nutrition & Macros
To obtain the most accurate representation of the nutritional information in a given recipe, please calculate the nutritional information with the actual ingredients and amounts used, using your preferred nutrition calculator. Under no circumstances shall the this website and the author be responsible for any loss or damage resulting for your reliance on the given nutritional information.
