Glazed Carrots are usually made on the stove but they are so much more amazing roasted!!! Tossed with brown sugar and butter then roasted so you get gorgeous caramelised edges with a caramel-like sauce, this a super quick and easy carrot side dish that’s so outrageously delicious, you could just have a bowl of this for dinner. (I did!)
If you’re out of oven space, try this stove top version – with the same caramelisation!
Glazed Carrots with caramelisation!
Maybe it’s because I live in Australia and not North America, but it never occurred to me to make glazed carrots without caramelised edges. Yet, when I had a scout around the internet before publishing this recipe, I was somewhat bemused to see that the standard recipe seems to be made on the stove without any caramelisation.
So really, they’re boiled carrots coated in a sugary syrup. (I’m being cheeky. 😂)
But when you roast them so you get caramelised edges? OMG!!
ROASTING RULES!
Roasting trumps stove top everyday, even if they’re sautéed until golden. Roasting carrots intensifies the flavour and natural sweetness in a way you can’t achieve on the stove.
How to make Brown Sugar Glazed Carrots
This is a super quick and easy recipe. Just toss the carrots in brown sugar (or honey or maple syrup), butter and oil with a good pinch of salt and pepper. Then just roast for 25 minutes in a hot oven (220C/425F) until the carrots are caramelised on the edges. A hot oven works best so we can get caramelised edges without the carrot getting too soft and wrinkled.
What you’ll end up with is a pan of tender carrots (but not mushy soft) and enough caramel-like sauce to glaze the carrots (hence the name – Glazed Carrots!) but not so much that you feel like you’re eating a dessert.
TIP: I use both oil AND butter here. The reason is that butter provides better flavour but it burns at high temperatures. So by combining with oil, we get the best of both worlds!
What to serve with glazed carrots
Glazed carrots will pair beautifully with most non-Asian meals though I wouldn’t use them with mains with a sweet sauce – too much sugar. It would be ideal to pop in the oven at the same time as this Baked Chicken Breast or Roast Chicken, or this Roast Pork with Crispy Crackling.
Have it as your side for a quick one-pan Baked Chicken and Rice, Meatloaf, or make complete a meat-free meal by adding a side of Mushroom Rice.
Some more quick dinner ideas that will pair beautifully with these Glazed Carrots:
Crispy Garlic Chicken Thighs (reader favourite!)
It’s a also a classic for holiday dinner tables, including Thanksgiving and Christmas.
But honestly? These Glazed Carrots are SO GOOD you might do what I did yesterday – just have a big bowl of these as a meal! – Nagi x
FAQ in BRIEF
Best carrots to use for Glazed Carrots – Any! Baby carrots, dutch carrots, standard carrots (pictured), multi coloured carrots. All types of carrots are suitable for this recipe – just cut larger carrots to size (see video or above steps).
How long does it take to roast carrots – Just 25 minutes at 220C/425F. A hot oven works best so we can get caramelised edges without the carrot getting too soft and wrinkled.
How to make Glazed Carrots on the stove – Roasting honestly brings out the best flavour in carrots, but if you’re out of oven capacity, use this Stove Top Glazed Carrots recipe.
These are too sweet for my taste! Well, these are Glazed Carrots so they are sweet! This recipe calls for 1/4 cup of brown sugar for 1 kg / 2 lb of carrots. But it can be reduced down to 1 tbsp whilst still ending up with a beautiful glaze – I do this depending on what I’m serving as the main.
Can you make Glazed Carrots ahead of time? YES! The best way is to get them out of the oven when they are tender-crisp, not super soft. They will hold up perfectly in the fridge for 2 to 5 days, then reheat in the microwave.
WATCH HOW TO MAKE IT
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Brown Sugar Glazed Carrots
Ingredients
- 1 kg / 2 lb carrots , peeled (Note 1)
- 1/4 cup (40g) brown sugar , loosely packed (Note 2)
- 2 garlic cloves , minced
- 2 tbsp butter (30g) , melted (or olive oil)
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- Parsley , for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 220C/425F (standard) or 200C/400F (fan).
- Cut carrot on the diagonal into 4cm / 1.75” lengths. Halve thicker end so they are all roughly the same width.
- Toss in a bowl with sugar, butter, garlic, oil, salt and pepper. Pour onto tray, spread out.
- Roast 15 minutes. Toss, then roast a further 10 minutes until soft and caramelised on the edges with plenty of glaze left on the tray.
- Toss carrots in the glaze, sprinkle with parsley if using. Serve warm.
Recipe Notes:
Nutrition Information:
LIFE OF DOZER
Spot Dozer!
I am going to make this recipe happen tomorrow. But I’m wondering… If I freeze the carrots glazed like this will they be as good defrosted?
Served these with your delicious lamb and they are now our “go to” carrot recipe. It was simple and they came out beautifully caramelised..YUM P.S. Our Golden Ellie loved them too!
Will never cooked plain old boiled carrots with my roast again!
These are amazing and so easy! Another winner, Nagi!
You’re totally converted now!! N x
Loved this recipe! My husband (he’s Texan and I’m Australian) loves baked carrots, but I always find them a bit boring. When I found this recipe I was very happy. It was delicious, and both hubby and I were very impressed. I put only a very small amount of garlic, as neither of us are much of a fan of strong garlic. I also left out the black pepper as I couldn’t find it (and I don’t like pepper much either). Overall it was delicious!
I made them tonight,next time I will definitely leave the garlic out..ruined it for me, but would have been great otherwise
I made these Brown Sugar Glazed Carrots this evening and they were superb! Roasting them in the oven is definitely the way to go. Thank you for providing such a quick, easy and delicious recipe. This recipe is a keeper!
Totally agree! I made sure I had room in the oven, so I could do them in there.
I’m so glad you loved them Janine – roasting brings out the best flavour in vegetables! N x
I tweaked with what was in season, foraged mushrooms, home grown tomatoes, added 4-5 juniper berries and slow cooked it. Stunning. Thsnks Nsgi
That’s not a tweak, that’s a complete different recipe
These carrots were delicious tho my sister said ‘they were nice at first then they were to sweet’
Well more for me.
Absolutely great !!!! Me an my shorty loved this recipe. I did everything to the T, with the multi color carrots and they were delicious! I made them with crab cakes and roasted green beans. Yummmm !!
I made these for Thanksgiving this year. Minor mods to the recipe: I used whole baby carrots and I sauteed them in the butter and brown sugar a little before putting them in the pan for roasting in the over. Came out wonderful.
I just made these for Thanksgiving and they are FABULOUS! I had two helpings and am hoarding the leftovers!
I’m so glad you loved them Liz!! N x
i almost thought it was tteokbokki
Excellent recipe (again). Thanks Naji.
I used about 3/4 of the onions called for and added a large yellow onion, quartered into large petals. Served with broiled salmon and put a small amount of the glaze on the salmon too. Yummy!
3/4 of the onions called for? No onions in this recipe bruh.
These are delicious, although I am not fond of garlic, so left that out. But from now on, this is the way I will do my carrots.
Wahoo, that’s great to hear! N x
Fantastic recipe! Used multi colored carrots and left them whole. Beautiful and tasty!
Never liked carrots. I was doing the pork roast though and others said you had to have carrots with them. So i made these and apparently i now like carrots. Just not the unseasoned boiled variety like my mum always used to make.
Why is the potassium and sodium level so high?
I LOVE this!! You’re totally converted Matthew ❤️
Going to try the Parmesan brussel sprouts next, if i like those your official a witch.
Everyone loved these. II have to admit they didn’t look as good as yours, but they will next time. LOL. Merry Christmas Nagi and Dozer.
A Christmas Eve hit! Perfect. Just followed the recipe. No leftovers. Gone in 60 seconds. Thanks, Nagi!
This recipe is delicious! I’m planning on serving for Christmas!
Enjoy Nicole! Merry Christmas!