How to Make the Perfect Honey Glazed Roasted Carrots
American · Easy · 35 min · 4 servings
Sweet tender carrots roasted with honey butter and fresh thyme until caramelized and glossy. A beautiful and effortless side dish that pairs with almost any main course.
Why this recipe works
This Honey Glazed Roasted Carrots recipe has been crafted to deliver restaurant-quality results in your home kitchen. At just 35 minutes from start to finish, it fits perfectly into a busy schedule without sacrificing flavor. Each serving comes in at 130 calories with 1g of protein, making it a balanced choice for any meal.
What you will need
This recipe uses 8 simple ingredients that you can find at any grocery store:
- 1.5 lb carrots peeled and cut into sticks
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter melted
- 2 tbsp honey
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 4 sprigs fresh thyme
- 0.5 tsp salt
- 0.25 tsp black pepper
- 1 tbsp fresh parsley chopped
Step by step instructions
Step 1: Preheat and Cut
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Peel the carrots and cut them into uniform sticks about 3 inches long and half an inch thick. Uniform size ensures even roasting.
Step 2: Make the Glaze
In a small bowl whisk together melted butter honey olive oil salt and pepper until well combined. This glaze will caramelize beautifully in the oven.
Step 3: Coat and Arrange
Place carrot sticks in a single layer on a parchment lined baking sheet. Pour the honey butter glaze over the carrots and toss to coat evenly. Tuck fresh thyme sprigs among the carrots.
Step 4: Roast the Carrots
Roast in the preheated oven for 20 minutes then flip the carrots and roast for an additional 5 minutes until tender and caramelized on the edges. The glaze should be sticky and golden.
Step 5: Garnish and Serve
Remove the thyme sprigs from the pan. Transfer carrots to a serving platter and drizzle any pan juices over the top. Garnish with fresh chopped parsley and serve warm.
Easy substitutions
Missing an ingredient? Here are some swaps that work perfectly:
- honey → pure maple syrup for a different natural sweetness
- fresh thyme → fresh rosemary sprigs for a more piney herb flavor
- butter → coconut oil for a dairy free and slightly tropical version
Common mistakes to avoid
Watch out for these pitfalls that can affect your results:
- Cutting carrots into uneven sizes which causes some to burn while others remain undercooked
- Overcrowding the baking sheet which causes steaming and prevents proper caramelization
- Not flipping the carrots halfway through which results in uneven browning and a less glossy glaze
Nutrition facts
Per serving: 130 calories, 1g protein, 22g carbs, 5g fat, 3g fiber.
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