Treat yourself to these scrumptious Glazed Carrots tonight! This flavor-packed side dish is super easy to make, and it has a sweet-tangy sauce that you won't be able to resist ... pairs perfectly with any meal, too!
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Do cooked carrots conjure bad memories of school cafeterias and lunch ladies for you? I have to admit that I was not a fan as a kid! There were always skipped over at school, and my mom cooked them at home frequently, too. Both my parents loved them.
Thankfully, my taste buds have matured, and now I love carrots, too. I think the key is all in how they are cooked. No overcooked or canned carrots for me, thank you very much!
Have you ever wondered, "How do you make carrots taste good?" Then this Dijon and Brown Sugar Glazed Carrots recipe is for you! This tasty side dish is my favorite way to eat cooked carrots, and I know you're going to love this recipe, too!
The best thing about this recipe (apart from the carrot's delicious sweet, tangy, and buttery flavor) is that it's so easy to make. You only need a few basic ingredients, plus a little time, to turn out a side dish that's dinner party worthy!
This simple side dish makes a wonderful addition to any meal! It's easy enough for busy weeknights, but with its bright colors and fresh flavors, this beautiful recipe is perfect special occasions, like Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Easter, too.
Ready to get started? Then keep reading for the easy recipe, plus lots of helpful tips!
Ingredients
This recipe uses basic ingredients that you probably already have in your pantry! Here's what you'll need:
- Carrots - Of course, you'll need some fresh carrots. For a colorful treat, consider using rainbow carrots.
- Butter - A little unsalted butter provides the base for the simple brown sugar glaze. If you'd like to make this recipe vegan + dairy free, simply use a plant based butter.
- Sugar - Just a touch of brown sugar is all that's needed to enhance the carrot's natural sweetness. I used light brown sugar, but dark brown sugar could be used in a pinch. For an easy variation, you can replace the brown sugar with honey or maple syrup.
- Mustard - Tangy dijon mustard provides a wonderful contrast to the sweet brown sugar and rich butter. I usually use Grey Poupon, but Maille and Edmond Fallot are also good choices.
- Parsley - Chopped fresh parsley is optional, but it does brighten up the dish ... both visually and flavor-wise!
- Salt - I recommend using kosher salt, which you'll need to season the cooking water and to season the finished side dish.
This recipe is naturally vegetarian, nut free, and gluten free (review labels if you have an allergy). You can easily make it vegan and dairy free too, simply by using a plant based butter.
You'll Also Need
You'll need a vegetable peeler and a sharp knife to prep the carrots, as well as a medium pot to cook them.
How to Make Glazed Carrots
These tasty stovetop carrots couldn't be easier to make! You'll find a detailed recipe card below, but here's an overview of the steps:
- Cook the carrots. You'll start by cooking the sliced carrots in boiling water. It only takes a few minutes for them to become tender, so keep an eye on them. Tip: A taste test is the best way to tell if the carrots are done. They should be tender, but not mushy.
- Drain the carrots. When the carrots are done cooking, drain them, then return them to the same pot.
- Make the glaze. Add the butter, brown sugar, and Dijon mustard to the carrots. Stirring constantly, keep cooking until the butter, brown sugar, and dijon melt together, creating a sauce that coats the carrots. Season to taste with salt and sprinkle with fresh parsley, then serve.
And that's all there is to it, your mouthwatering Glazed Carrots are ready to eat! So simple, right? Pair these delicious Brown Sugar Carrots with your favorite meal for a simple, no fuss side dish.
Variations
These delicious Brown Sugar Carrots are super simple and fun to customize! Here are some easy ideas:
- Carrots - Any kind of carrots will work, from baby carrots to regular carrots, even rainbow!
- Sweeter - Double the brown sugar.
- Less Sweet - Cut the brown sugar in half.
- Honey - Replace the brown sugar with honey.
- Maple Syrup - Swap out the brown sugar for maple syrup.
- Herbs - Experiment with other herbs, such as dill, thyme, or chives.
- Mustard - Use your favorite mustard instead of the dijon.
- Spices - Amp up the flavor by adding warm spices, such as cinnamon, ginger, cardamom, or nutmeg.
- Vegan - To make this recipe vegan and dairy free, simply use a plant based butter.
Serving Suggestions
These tasty cooked carrots are the perfect addition to any meal, whether it's a weeknight, weekend family get together, or a holiday. They make a great Easter recipe, but are wonderful for Christmas and Thanksgiving, too! You can pair them with everything from Veggie Burgers to Lasagna, as well as special occasion dishes, like Stuffed Delicata Squash, Vegetable Wellington, or these yummy Mushroom Strudels.
Storage
If you have any leftover sweet carrots, store them in an airtight container in your refrigerator, where they will stay fresh for up to four days. Rewarm gently in your microwave before serving.
Related Recipes
Looking for more easy side dishes? Try one of these tasty recipes next:
- Oven Roasted Delicata Squash
- Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Pomegranate
- Roasted Root Vegetables
- Garlic Mashed Potatoes
- Broccoli Rice Casserole (from Scratch)
- Cauliflower Gratin
- Old Bay Roasted Potatoes
Craving more carrots? You'll love my Roasted Carrot Soup, too!
Glazed Carrots
Ingredients
- 1 pound (454 grams) carrots
- 1 tablespoon kosher salt
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- chopped parsley, optional
Instructions
- Peel carrots, then slice on the diagonal into ½-inch rounds.
- Add carrots to a medium saucepan; add 1 tablespoon salt and fill pot with water.
- Bring carrots to a boil over high heat, then reduce heat and simmer until tender, about 5 to 10 minutes. Do not overcook.
- Drain carrots, then return to saucepan and place over medium-low heat.
- Add butter, brown sugar, and Dijon to carrots. Then cook, stirring constantly, until ingredients combine to create a sauce that coats the carrots. (It should only take a few minutes.)
- Season to taste with additional salt, if desired, then serve sprinkled with parsley. Enjoy!
Notes
Nutrition
