Honey-Sweet Brown Sugar Glazed Carrots Recipe: A Family Hit!

Carrots take on a whole new life with sweet brown sugar glazed carrots that sparkle with caramelized elegance.

Each slice becomes a golden treasure bathed in rich, buttery goodness.

The natural sweetness of carrots blends perfectly with the deep molasses notes of brown sugar.

Tender and glistening, these carrots offer a delightful side dish that elevates any meal.

A simple combination of butter, brown sugar, and fresh carrots creates magic on your plate.

Warm, comforting, and irresistibly delicious, these glazed carrots will have everyone asking for seconds.

How To Cook Brown Sugar Glazed Carrots

• Boil and Soften Carrots

Drop carrots into salted boiling water and cook until they’re tender but still have a nice crunch, about 6-8 minutes. Once done, drain and set them aside.

• Create Sweet Caramel Coating

In a roomy skillet, melt butter over medium warmth. Gently blend brown sugar, cinnamon, salt, pepper, and vanilla until the mixture transforms into a silky, glossy sauce. Let it bubble and dance for a minute or two.

• Transform Carrots with Glaze

Tumble the cooked carrots into the skillet, swirling them around to ensure each piece gets a luxurious coating of the sweet glaze. Allow them to sizzle and caramelize, turning occasionally so they develop a gorgeous golden sheen.

• Finish and Serve

Pull the skillet off the heat and sprinkle with freshly chopped parsley. Plate these glistening beauties while they’re warm and watch everyone’s eyes light up with delight.

Helpful Ideas For Brown Sugar Glazed Carrots

• Perfect Cooking Technique: Slice carrots uniformly to ensure even cooking and consistent glazing.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare carrots and glaze separately, then combine just before serving to maintain optimal texture and warmth.
• Diet-Friendly Twist: Swap butter with olive oil or coconut oil for vegan versions; use coconut sugar for lower glycemic index alternative.
• Flavor Boosters: Experiment with additional spices like nutmeg or ginger for deeper, more complex taste profile; add toasted nuts like pecans or almonds for extra crunch and richness.
• Presentation Pro: Garnish with fresh herbs like thyme or chives for elegant visual appeal and subtle herbal undertones that complement the sweet glaze.

Serving Up Brown Sugar Glazed Carrots

• Festive Family Feast: Pair these glazed carrots with roasted turkey or honey-baked ham for a classic holiday meal that'll wow everyone at the table.
• Sweet Side Companion: Serve alongside creamy mashed potatoes or fluffy rice to balance the carrots' rich, caramelized flavor and create a comforting plate.
• Gourmet Garnish Goal: Sprinkle toasted chopped pecans or sliced almonds on top for an extra crunch that adds delightful texture and nutty complexity to the dish.
• Quick Brunch Boost: Include these carrots as a colorful side for weekend breakfast spreads with quiche, frittatas, or scrambled eggs for a surprising morning treat.

Keep Brown Sugar Glazed Carrots Fresh

• Quick Refrigeration Strategy: Store leftover glazed carrots in an airtight container inside the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Keep them sealed to maintain moisture and prevent flavor absorption from other foods.
• Reheating Magic: Warm the carrots gently in a skillet over medium-low heat, adding a splash of water to restore their original silky texture. Avoid microwave reheating to prevent turning them soggy or rubbery.
• Batch Preparation Trick: Cook larger quantities of carrots during meal prep, separating portions into individual containers for quick weekday side dishes. Label containers with preparation date to track freshness.
• Freezing Option: While possible, frozen glazed carrots might lose some texture. If freezing, cool completely, transfer to freezer-safe bags, remove excess air, and store for up to 2 months. Thaw in refrigerator overnight before reheating.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes

Total Time: 20 minutes

Calories: 150 kcal

Servings: 5

What’s Inside Brown Sugar Glazed Carrots

• Carrots: Sweet, vibrant root vegetable that provides a natural earthy crunch, choose firm and bright orange carrots without blemishes or soft spots.

• Butter: Creamy fat that helps create smooth glaze, select unsalted butter for better control of recipe's saltiness.
• Brown Sugar: Adds deep caramel sweetness, opt for fresh, moist brown sugar without hardened clumps.
• Vanilla Extract: Introduces warm, complex undertone, select pure vanilla extract for richer flavor profile.

• Cinnamon: Warm spice that complements carrots' natural sweetness, choose fresh ground cinnamon for maximum flavor.
• Salt: Balances and intensifies overall taste, use fine sea salt for even distribution.
• Black Pepper: Adds subtle heat and depth, freshly ground pepper provides more robust flavor.

• Fresh Parsley: Bright herb that adds color and fresh finish, select crisp, deep green parsley leaves with no wilting.

Tools Needed For Brown Sugar Glazed Carrots

• Large Pot: Essential for boiling and cooking carrots evenly.
• Colander: Perfect for draining carrots quickly after boiling.
• Large Skillet: Key for creating and mixing the brown sugar glaze.
• Wooden Spoon: Great for stirring and mixing ingredients without scratching the skillet.
• Sharp Knife: Needed to chop or slice carrots before cooking.
• Measuring Spoons: Helps accurately measure spices and vanilla extract.
• Cutting Board: Provides a clean surface for preparing ingredients.

Sweet Brown Sugar Glazed Carrots

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4.7 from 37 reviews

• Total Time: 20 minutes
• Yield: 5 1x

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Description

Delightful brown sugar glazed carrots offer a sweet twist on classic side dishes. Caramelized carrots with buttery brown sugar glaze complement main courses perfectly when you want a simple yet elegant vegetable accompaniment.

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Ingredients

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• 1.5 lbs (680 g) carrots, peeled and sliced (or use baby carrots)
• 3 tbsps unsalted butter
• ¼ cup brown sugar (light or dark)
• ½ tsp cinnamon (optional)
• ½ tsp salt
• ¼ tsp black pepper
• 1 tsp vanilla extract (optional, for extra flavor)
• 1 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

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Instructions

1. Boiling Preparation: Fill a large pot with salted water, bringing to a vigorous boil for blanching whole carrots.
2. Carrot Blanching: Immerse carrots into boiling water, cooking for 7 minutes until achieving a tender-crisp texture, then drain completely.
3. Glaze Foundation: In a spacious skillet, melt butter over medium-low heat, creating a golden base for caramelization.
4. Flavor Infusion: Whisk brown sugar, cinnamon, salt, black pepper, and vanilla extract into the melting butter, developing a glossy, aromatic sauce.
5. Caramelization Process: Gently fold blanched carrots into the shimmering glaze, rotating periodically to ensure even coating and caramelization for 2-3 minutes.
6. Finishing Touch: Remove skillet from heat when carrots acquire a luxurious amber sheen, then garnish with freshly chopped parsley.
7. Serving: Transfer glazed carrots to a serving platter, presenting immediately while the sauce remains warm and inviting.

Notes

• Boil Strategically: Choose medium-sized carrots for even cooking, avoiding overcrowding in the pot to maintain consistent tenderness.
• Control Caramelization: Watch the skillet carefully during glazing to prevent burning, adjusting heat to medium-low for smooth, even coating.
• Enhance Flavor Depth: Experiment with adding a pinch of ground ginger or nutmeg to complement the existing cinnamon for a more complex taste profile.
• Dietary Adaptations: Substitute butter with coconut oil for a dairy-free version, or use maple syrup instead of brown sugar for a lower-glycemic alternative.

• Prep Time: 5 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Side Dish
• Method: Boiling
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 5
• Calories: 150
• Sugar: 10 g
• Sodium: 220 mg
• Fat: 7 g
• Saturated Fat: 4 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 23 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 1 g
• Cholesterol: 15 mg