This brown sugar roasted carrot recipe is one delicious side dish that takes minimal effort. Like almost no effort. But is a family favorite on holidays and busy evenings alike.
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Hot tip, pair these sweet carrots with my roasted Cajun turkey recipe for an out-of-this world pairing. Sweet, savory, spice.
Listen while we all love an easy side dish but can we agree to stop making glazed carrots on the stovetop? They end up mushy and don't have that delicious caramel flavor that comes from the carrot's natural sweetness.
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📖Why My Recipe Works
- Sweet and Savory- I love food with a juxtaposition but carrots are naturally sweet so too much sugar is a bad thing. My recipe is a little lighter on the sugar than other glazed carrot recipes, and you are going to adore it!
- Butter and Oil- Butter and brown sugar are BFFs but when using all butter the carrots were too rich and prone to burning. By mixing with oil we can tolerate the high heat of the oven.
🧾Ingredient Notes
- Carrots- Use any color or type of carrot including baby carrots.
- Brown Sugar- I prefer to use light brown sugar in this recipe because it keeps the carrots bright. And yes you can use honey or maple syrup if you prefer.
- Butter and Olive Oil- You can also use all oil or try avocado oil if you prefer.
- Apple Cider Vinegar- A hint of acid is all you need. You can use other vinegar including rice vinegar or balsamic.
- Garlic Powder- I prefer garlic powder over fresh garlic in this recipe because I found the minced garlic would burn.
- Thyme- I tried roasting with thyme, both fresh and dried but it wasn't giving the flavor I wanted so I found just sprinkling on the fresh thyme at the end to be just about perfect. Parsley works too.
⏲️How to Make Brown Sugar Roasted Carrots
- How you cut the carrots will determine how long they take to cook. I cut mine into 2 inch pieces because I want tender carrots but I don't want them to cook so fast that they burn.
- Whisk together all the melted butter and sugar with all the seasoning.
- Make sure to thoroughly coat the carrots in the butter and sugar mixture to ensure even seasoning.
- Bake in a single layer, be sure to turn the carrots halfway through baking. I start checking them at 18 minutes or doneness but they typically take closer to 25 minutes.
You want to make sure your carrots are tender when pierced with a fork and not mushy.
🥗What to Serve with with Brown Sugar Carrots?
While glazed carrots obviously go with a classic roasted turkey, you can also serve with roasted cornish hens or chicken. Personally, I like to serve this with my sous vide pork tenderloin and my garlic steak bites for easy weeknight meals.
Complimentary side dish recipes include my extra garlicky green beans, shaved brussel sprout salad, and sauteed greens.
Expert Tip
Scrap all the excess sauce out of the bowl and cover the top of the carrots before roasting.
More Roasted Vegetable Side Dish Recipes
Can I Make Glazed Carrots Ahead of Time?
Yes, you can make roasted carrots in advance. For best results, roast them until they're almost done, then cool and refrigerate. When ready to serve, reheat in a hot oven for a few minutes to finish cooking and restore their crisp exterior.
But my preferred method is to prep everything and cover the baking pan with foil and refrigerate. Then roast the day of. This ensures the best texture.
Did you enjoy making this recipe? Show it some love with ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ and leave a comment! Hungry for more FLAVORFUL recipes?
📖 Recipe Card
Roasted Carrots with Brown Sugar
Ingredients
- 2 pounds carrots
- ¼ cup light brown sugar
- 3 Tablespoons unsalted butter melted
- 2 Tablespoons olive oil
- 1½ teaspoon apple cider vinegar
- 1½ teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- fresh thyme for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400 F degrees.
- Peel the carrots and slice into 2 inch pieces.
- In a small bowl whisk together melted butter and olive oil with the remaining ingredients. Toss with the carrots to coat. Spread in a single layer on a baking sheet or in a large baking dish.
- Bake for 25 minutes until the carrots have started brown and are fork tender. Be sure to toss halfway through to ensure even cooking.
Notes
- If the brown sugar begins to caramelize add a little water to the pan before it burns.
- You can cut the carrots into thin strips or small rounds to reduce the cooking time.
- If you use salted butter reduce the salt by a ¼ teaspoon or so.
🌡️Storing Leftovers
To store leftover roasted carrots place them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-5 days. For longer storage, freeze in a sealed container for up to 6-8 months. When ready to eat, reheat in the oven or microwave until warmed through.Equipment
- Baking sheet
Michael Carlyle says
Recipe mentions apple cider vinegar in ingredients but then doesn't use it in instructions
Michael Carlyle says
Never mind. 😂