by Samantha
Glazed Carrots are a quick side dish with a buttery brown sugar glaze. A little sweet, a little savory and loved by everyone!
This quick recipe comes together in minutes on the stovetop in just one pan making it the perfect veggie to serve alongside a ham dinner or even with your fave pork chops or meatloaf!
A Quick Side
Carrots are an ingredient we always have on hand and my family loves them. They go with pretty much anything and are perfect alongside pork chops and with a big chunk of buttermilk cornbread.
- This is an inexpensive dish with lots of flavor.
- The buttery, brown sugar glaze uses ingredients you likely have on hand.
- It cooks in just one dish meaning fewer dishes to wash.
- These glazed carrots aren’t just delicious, they’re also easy to make.
How to Make Glazed Carrots
You can use this recipe to glaze any kind of carrots from regular, to baby carrots or even garden fresh. Garden carrots are usually more tender and need a bit less time.
Baby carrots save a few steps because they are already just the right size and peeled but using whole carrots doesn’t take much longer.
- Combine carrots, water, and glaze ingredients in a pan (per the recipe below).
- Simmer covered until they’re tender when pierced with a fork.
- Remove lid and cook until glaze thickens.
You can make honey glazed carrots by substituting the maple syrup in this recipe with honey. Light or dark brown sugar will work in this recipe, dark has a bit more flavor.
Glazed Carrots in the Microwave
While I recommend making these super easy glazed carrots on the stovetop, in a pinch you can certainly make them in the microwave instead.
- Place carrots in a microwave-safe dish (I like to use a glass casserole dish with a lid). Fill the dish with about 1/2-3/4″ of water & cover
- Cook: Microwave for 6-7 minutes or until carrots are tender when pierced with a fork.
- Add Glaze: Add butter, brown sugar, maple syrup, salt and pepper and cover. Cook 1-2 minutes longer.
The glaze is usually not as thick when made in the microwave but the taste is still great. It’s perfect for when you’re in a hurry (or the stovetop is too full for my skillet!).
Got Leftovers?
We always have leftovers after a big meal, and glazed carrots make amazing leftovers.
Reheat them in a frying pan, the oven, or a microwave. They are even delicious chilled and added to a salad! Glazed carrots will last about 5 days in the fridge in an airtight container.
More Carrot Favorites
- Creamy Carrot Salad is a great retro recipe, sweet and savory all in one.
- Honey roasted carrots caramelize in the oven (or try a savory version)
- For a hearty side, add in potatoes with carrots before roasting
- Buttered Dill Peas and Carrots is a classic combo and tastes fresh.
Glazed Carrots
Prep Time 15 minutes
Servings 2 cups
Ingredients
- 1 pound carrots cut into ½" x 2" sticks
- ½ cup water
- 2 tablespoons light brown sugar tightly packed
- 1 ½ tablespoons butter
- 1 tablespoon pure maple syrup*
- ¼ teaspoon salt plus additional to taste, as needed
- freshly cracked black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Combine carrots, water, brown sugar, butter, and maple syrup in a skillet over medium heat.
- Stir occasionally until butter is melted. Increase heat to medium/high and bring to a boil.
- Reduce heat to simmer, cover, and cook 8-10 minutes or until carrots are just becoming tender when pierced with a fork.
- Remove lid and continue to cook on high until water is evaporated and carrots are coated in glaze.
- Season with salt and pepper and serve warm.
Recipe Notes
Nutrition Information
(Nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and brands of ingredients used.)
