Honey Glazed Carrots

This Honey Glazed Carrots recipe is fuss-free, nutrient dense and made in less than 20 minutes! Coated with a honey, brown sugar and orange juice sweetened glaze, these carrots are anything but ordinary. 

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After more than a few overly-indulgent holiday meals, I’m ready to reconfigure my diet and set myself up for my healthiest year yet. Healthy diets begin with making healthier everyday choices. I’ve never been the one to eat salads at lunch and stock my fridge with leafy greens and just steam and saute those greens every single day. I love decadence, flavor and excitement in my food and it can be hard to find that in fruits and veggies. 

But, I’m here to report that introducing more nutrients into your meals doesn’t have to mean sacrificing flavor! This recipe is the perfect way to incorporate vegetables into your meals while still enjoying something delicious.  

The Heart and Soul of Honey Glazed Carrots

Cuisine Inspiration: Modern American

Primary Cooking Method: Sautéing

Dietary Info: Vegetarian, Gluten-Free (verify ingredient labels)

Key Flavor: Sweet Honey-Brown Sugar with Citrus Notes

Skill Level: Easy

Sweet Highlights:

• Sugary Illusion: These glossy, sweetened carrots cleverly disguise themselves as a sugary treat.
• Citrus Spark: The orange juice adds a tangy twist, elevating the carrots’ natural zest.
• Buttery Goodness: Butter enriches the dish, providing a layer of indulgent creaminess.
• Vanilla Hint: An unexpected guest, vanilla brings a comforting warmth and complexity.
• Easy Execution: Despite the rich tapestry of flavors, this recipe is straightforward and hassle-free.

Why Eat More Carrots?

At the top of the New Year, I made a commitment to creating a healthier lifestyle for myself and for my family. I’m sure that many of you are riding that wave with me and boy, it’s not easy. Integrating more nutrient dense foods is simpler than you might think. 

Carrots are a nutritional powerhouse; they are chock-full of Fiber, Vitamin A, Biotin, Potassium and Vitamin B6. Carrots are mainly composed of water and carbs which means they are low-glycemic and extremely low in fat and protein. Integrating this nutritious veggie into your diet is incredibly beneficial and a useful addition to an effective weight-loss diet. 

Ingredients

Getting excited about vegetables can be difficult, especially when they’re hard to prepare and seemingly harder to make taste good. But I’ve got good news y’all! These carrots are beyond simple to make and so darn delicious. There are a few unexpected ingredients in this recipe, so let me break it down for you! 

• Baby Carrots 

Starting with baby carrots eliminates the need for trimming, peeling and cleaning which can take up so much time! A quick boil is all you’ll need to cook up these tender little nuggets. 

• Salted Butter

I often find that people are averse to using salted butter because they think it’ll over season their food. But, in a recipe that uses a heavy amount of sweetness, using salted butter helps with creating balance and bringing out flavor. 

• Honey 

Who doesn’t love a bit of sticky-sweet goodness? Honey serves as both a thickener and a sweetener for this glaze. Adding in honey ensures that your glaze will adhere to each carrot and make each bite better than the last. 

• Brown Sugar

When cooked, brown sugar caramelizes and creates a deeper molasses like flavor. I love playing with using different forms of sweetness to create a larger depth of flavor. 

• Orange Juice 

Citrus is King (or Queen?)! The subtle acidity helps to balance out the sugars and produce a tangy flavor that keeps everyone guessing. A little mystery never hurt anyone. 

• Vanilla Extract 

Okay, I know this one seems strange but hear me out. Vanilla is a natural flavor enhancer that develops a layer of woody, smokey flavor. Even just a dash adds a sweet, perfumed aroma that’ll get the mouth watering. 

How to Make Honey Glazed Carrots

1. Boiling Perfection: Kick things off by placing your carrots in a medium pot filled with 3 cups of water over medium-high heat. Bring the water to a boil and let those beauties cook until they’re tender when pierced, which should take about 8-10 minutes. Once they’re perfectly soft, drain the water.
2. Sweet Coating: Here’s where the magic happens! Add your butter, honey, brown sugar, orange juice, and vanilla to the pot with the carrots. Stir everything together, ensuring the carrots are generously coated with that sweet, buttery goodness.
3. Glazing Time: Let them cook for an additional 5-6 minutes, giving them a good stir now and then. This is your ticket to achieving that gorgeous, caramelized glaze.
4. Season and Serve: Once your carrots have reached their glossy peak, season them with salt and pepper to taste. For a final gourmet touch, sprinkle with parsley. Serve them up and watch them disappear in no time!

Storage and Reheating

To store your Honey Glazed Carrots, place them in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3-4 days.

When you’re ready to reheat, gently warm them in a saucepan over low heat, adding a splash of water or broth to loosen the glaze and restore their original luscious texture. Voilà, they’re ready to be devoured all over again!

How to Serve

This side dish is such a great complement to so many recipes.  I love serving these carrots with these main dishes:

1. Weeknight Meats: Their sweet glaze contrasts wonderfully with the savory flavors of roasted chicken, grilled steak, meatloaf recipe or pork chops.
2. Holiday Feasts: They’re a colorful and tasty side dish for Thanksgiving or Christmas dinners, complementing turkey, ham, or prime rib.
3. Vegetarian Mains: Serve them alongside a hearty grain bowl, quinoa salad, or a creamy risotto for a balanced, vegetarian-friendly meal.
4. Fish: Their sweetness pairs beautifully with the mild flavors of baked or air fryer salmon or other fish varieties.

Side Dish Recipes to Try

Why settle for a boring ‘ole weeknight dinner when you can jazz it up with one of these recipes? 

• Candied Sweet Potatoes
• Fried Plantains
• Garlic Mashed Potatoes
• Mango Roasted Butternut Squash
• Fried Corn
• Corn Pudding
• Collard Greens
• Garlic Mashed Potatoes