by Samantha
Glazed Carrots are made with a buttery brown sugar and maple glaze. They are a simple side dish recipe; a little sweet, a little savory and loved by everyone!
This recipe is made on your stovetop in one pan but be sure to check out the post for tips on making them in your microwave in a pinch!
Brown Sugar Carrots
This glazed carrots recipe makes a great side dish for almost any meal. It’s a staple that I remember well from my childhood: baked chicken breasts (or thighs) with an array of vegetables to chose from, including roasted Brussel sprouts, baked cauliflower or these little sweet bites, along with some cranberry sauce for the chicken, and delectable buttermilk cornbread.
With a subtle buttery, brown sugar/maple glaze and seasoned simply with salt and pepper, these glazed carrots aren’t just delicious, they’re also incredibly easy to make.
How to Make Glazed Carrots
You can use this recipe to glaze any carrots (see recipe for slicing instructions). Baby carrots save a few steps because they are already just the right size and peeled but using whole carrots is only adds a few minutes extra.
- Combine carrots, water, and glaze ingredients in a pan (per recipe below).
- Simmer covered until they’re tender when pierced with a fork.
- Remove lid and cook until glaze thickens.
You can make brown sugar honey glazed carrots by substituting the maple syrup in this recipe with honey instead. Feel free to use light or dark brown sugar.
Can I Make 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 wonderful and I’ve done this many times when I’m in a hurry (or my stovetop is too full for my skillet!). Enjoy!
What To Do With Leftover Glazed Carrots
We always have leftovers after a big meal, and glazed carrots make amazing leftovers. You can easy reheat them in a frying pan, the oven, or a microwave. They are even delicious cold!
Glazed carrots will last around 5 days in the fridge in an airtight container.
More Carrot Favorites
This is a great quick side for when the oven is full. If you’re looking for a make ahead carrot recipe, Creamy Carrot Salad is an old fashioned favorite (from the 70’s)!
If time allows, honey roasted carrots caramelize in the oven (or try a savory version). For a hearty side, add in potatoes with carrots before roasting.
Glazed Carrots
Prep Time 15 minutes
Servings 2 cups
Course Side Dish
Cuisine AmericanIngredients
- 1 pound carrots cut into ½" x 2" sticks
- ½ cup water
- 1 ½ tablespoons butter
- 1 tablespoon pure maple syrup*
- 2 tablespoons light brown sugar tightly packed
- ¼ teaspoon salt plus additional to taste, as needed
- Freshly cracked black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Combine carrots, water, butter, maple syrup, and brown sugar 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.)
