Brown Sugar Glazed Carrots are quick and easy to make with mouthwatering flavor. Whole carrots are boiled until tender, then tossed with butter and brown sugar giving them beautifully caramelized edges.
This recipe turns ordinary carrots into an irresistible side dish.
Everything is better with butter and brown sugar. Carrots included!
This might be the best possible way to cook carrots. A brown sugar glaze brings out the carrot’s natural sweetness while a generous amount of butter and sprinkle of parsley add a savory element. After biting into the slightly crisp edges, the soft carrot nearly melts in your mouth.
If you’re looking for a delicious way to cook carrots that the whole family will love, this glazed carrot recipe is a must-try.
You only need five ingredients to make these easy glazed carrots.
Notice that the recipe calls for whole peeled carrots, not baby carrots. (Save those for snacking!) Angle your knife to cut off the root, then cut the carrots along the bias into half inch ovular pieces.
These brown sugar glazed carrots are made on the stove top with just one pot. So there’s easy clean up, too!
First, simmer the carrots in salted water until fork tender. This takes anywhere from 10 – 20 minutes depending on how soft or firm you want the carrots to be.
Once the carrots have softened the your preferred consistency, drain out the water. Return the carrots to the pot along with the butter.
When the butter has almost fully melted, it’s time to sprinkle in the brown sugar. Let it cook for a few more minutes until the sugar and butter have combined and started to look thickened.
Remove the glazed carrots from the heat and add a little bit of salt. Garnish them with chopped fresh parsley for a pop of freshness and color before serving.
You are more than welcome to dress up this easy carrot recipe with additional spices. I recommend warming spices like pumpkin pie spice, all spice or ground cinnamon which will complement the brown sugar glaze.
Start with a 1/4 teaspoon to 1/2 teaspoon of additional spice and adjust according to taste. Remember, just a little cinnamon can go a long way, so it’s best to add a little, give it a taste and then add more if desired.
Dark brown sugar makes a good substitute for light brown sugar. It will give the carrots a darker color and more robust molasses flavor.
You can also substitute brown sugar with an equal amount (or less) of honey or real maple syrup. Both are delicious!
Sometimes the side dishes are the biggest hits of the meal! That’s often the case when Brown Sugar Glazed Carrots are on the menu.
These Maple Roasted Sweet Potatoes are another delicious one to try if you like some sweetness on your dinner table. Our Molasses Glazed Sweet Potatoes are awesome too.
Looking for a savory option? This Roasted Parmesan Broccoli recipe gets rave reviews from everyone who tries it. For the best of both worlds, make a sheet full of Maple Bacon Brussels Sprouts for your next family meal. It brings smoky bacon together with sweet maple in a green veggie you can pop right into your mouth.
For even more menu inspiration, check out these other quick and easy sides we love:
Glazed carrots are a sweet side dish that pairs well with all kinds of meats like chicken, beef, ham and turkey. It’s a delicious option for your Easter or Thanksgiving meal!
We have a few recipes on the blog that would be fabulous served with a hearty helping of brown sugar glazed carrots on the side.
Grab a bunch of carrots and a few simple ingredients to make the best glazed carrots. The rich flavor and tender bite makes them the perfect sweet side dish for a special occasion, but they’re easy enough to make any night of the week!
This post was originally published April 4, 2022. It has been republished on March 25, 2024.
The post Brown Sugar Glazed Carrots appeared first on 365 Days of Baking.
