These brown sugar glazed carrots taste like the best part of Thanksgiving dinner, even on a random Tuesday. The carrots get golden and tender in brown butter, then coat themselves in caramel as the sugar melts into every corner. I made them once when I was rushing to get dinner on the table, and now my family asks for them constantly.
If you're looking for quick sides that actually taste special, you might also love this Easy Grilled Chicken Kabobs | Juicy & Ready in 30 Minutes or this Easy Black Pepper Chicken Recipe for something warm to sip after dinner.
Why You Will love this Brown Sugar Glazed Carrots
These sweet Brown Sugar Glazed Carrots are everything a good side dish should be. They're simple caramelized carrot recipe with just five ingredients, they cook in one pan, and they're naturally gluten-free and vegetarian. The brown sugar glaze gives them a beautiful sheen and a hint of sweetness that balances the earthy carrots.
Kids love them because they taste a little like candy, and adults love them because they're not overly sweet. They pair beautifully with roasted chicken, pork chops, or a holiday ham. And if you're planning a festive menu, this The Best French Garlic Soup Recipe would be a refreshing addition.
A Little Kitchen Story
Last Thanksgiving, my sister Amanda was helping me prep the meal, and she grabbed the skillet to start the carrots. She melted the butter, tossed in the carrots, and then got distracted by Lina asking about the pie. Ten minutes later, Amanda gasped and said, "Oh no, I totally forgot about the carrots!" But when we looked in the pan, the butter had browned perfectly and the carrots were tender and golden. She added the brown sugar, and they caramelized into this gorgeous glaze. When she served them, Mom took one bite and said, "Amanda, these are the best carrots you've ever made.
Jump to:
- Why You Will love this Brown Sugar Glazed Carrots
- A Little Kitchen Story
- Brown Sugar Glazed Carrots Ingredients
- How To Make Brown Sugar Glazed Carrots
- Substitutions and Variations
- Kid-Friendly Changes
- Expert Tips
- Equipment For Brown Sugar Glazed Carrots
- How to Store and Reheat
- Serving Suggestions
- What Makes This Brown Sugar Glazed Carrots Special
- FAQ
- Related
- Pairing
- Brown Sugar Glazed Carrots
Brown Sugar Glazed Carrots Ingredients
Here's everything you need to make these Brown Sugar Glazed Carrots.
See Recipe Card Below This Post For Ingredient Quantities
Carrots: Medium carrots work best because they cook evenly and hold their shape. Look for carrots that are similar in size so they finish cooking at the same time.
Salted butter: The butter browns as the carrots cook, adding a nutty, rich flavor to the glaze. Using salted butter means you don't need to add as much extra salt later.
Brown sugar: Packed brown sugar melts into a sticky, caramelized coating that clings to the carrots. It adds sweetness and helps the carrots turn golden and glossy.
Kosher salt: Balances the sweetness and brings out the natural flavor of the carrots.
Black pepper: Freshly cracked black pepper adds a little warmth and keeps the dish from tasting too sweet.
How To Make Brown Sugar Glazed Carrots
Follow these simple steps for perfect glazed carrots with butter every time.
Prepare the carrots: Cut the carrots crosswise into 2-inch pieces. If they're thicker than 1 inch, halve or quarter them lengthwise so they cook evenly. Smaller pieces mean faster cooking and more surface area for the glaze.
Cook the carrots: Melt the butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the carrots and cook, stirring occasionally, until they're tender and the butter turns a rich golden brown, about 8 to 10 minutes. You'll smell the butter getting nutty and see the carrots starting to soften.
Add the brown sugar: Stir in the packed brown sugar and cook for another 4 minutes, stirring gently. The sugar will melt and coat the carrots in a glossy, caramelized glaze. The edges might darken a little, and that's exactly what you want.
Season: Taste a piece and add kosher salt and freshly cracked black pepper. The salt helps balance the sweetness and makes the flavors pop.
Serve: Divide the brown sugar glazed carrots among 4 plates and serve them warm. They're best enjoyed right away while the glaze is still shiny and the carrots are tender.
Substitutions and Variations
You can adjust this Brown Sugar Glazed Carrots to fit what you have on hand or your family's tastes.
Try different sugars: Swap brown sugar for honey or maple syrup for a different kind of sweetness. Use about 3 tablespoons and adjust to taste.
Add citrus: A squeeze of fresh orange juice or a little orange zest brightens the glaze and adds a fresh note.
Use baby carrots: If you're short on time, baby carrots work great. Just skip the cutting step and cook them whole.
Make them spicy: Add a pinch of cayenne or red pepper flakes for a sweet and spicy twist.
Go dairy-free: Use vegan butter or coconut oil instead of regular butter. The flavor will be a little different but still delicious.
Kid-Friendly Changes
If you're cooking for picky eaters, these tweaks might help.
Less pepper: Skip the black pepper if your kids don't like spice. The carrots will still taste great.
Extra sweetness: Add an extra tablespoon of brown sugar to make them taste more like candy.
Cut them smaller: Smaller pieces are easier for little hands to pick up and might feel less intimidating.
Let them help: Kids love stirring the brown sugar into the pan and watching it melt. Just supervise carefully around the hot skillet.
Expert Tips
Cut carrots evenly: Uniform pieces cook at the same rate, so you won't end up with some pieces mushy and others still firm.
Don't rush the browning: Let the butter brown slowly over medium heat. If it burns, it'll taste bitter instead of nutty.
Stir gently: Once you add the brown sugar, stir carefully so the glaze coats the carrots without breaking them apart.
Taste before serving: The sweetness and saltiness can vary depending on your ingredients, so always taste and adjust before plating.
Use fresh carrots: Fresh, firm carrots have better flavor and texture than old, rubbery ones.
Equipment For Brown Sugar Glazed Carrots
You don't need much to make these Thanksgiving Brown Sugar Glazed Carrots.
Large skillet: A 12-inch skillet gives the carrots plenty of room to cook evenly without crowding.
Knife and cutting board: For trimming and cutting the carrots into even pieces.
Measuring spoons: To measure the butter, sugar, salt, and pepper accurately.
How to Store and Reheat
These Brown Sugar Glazed Carrots are best fresh, but you can store leftovers easily.
Refrigerate: Let the carrots cool completely, then transfer them to an airtight container. They'll keep in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Reheat: Warm them gently in a skillet over low heat with a tiny bit of butter or water to loosen the glaze. You can also microwave them in 30-second intervals, stirring between each one.
Make ahead: You can prep the carrots a few hours early by cutting them and storing them in water in the fridge. Cook them just before serving for the best texture and flavor.
Serving Suggestions
These brown sugar carrot side dish carrots pair beautifully with all kinds of mains.
With roasted chicken: The sweet glaze complements the savory, crispy skin of roasted chicken perfectly.
Alongside pork: Serve them with pork chops or a roasted pork loin for a classic combination.
On the holiday table: These carrots fit right in at Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner next to mashed potatoes and stuffing.
With grilled steak: The sweetness balances the rich, savory flavor of a good steak.
What Makes This Brown Sugar Glazed Carrots Special
This Brown Sugar Glazed Carrots turns humble carrots into something you'll actually crave. The caramelized brown sugar carrots get a sweet and savory glaze that clings to every piece, and the brown butter brings a warm, toasty flavor you can't get any other way. It's one of those easy glazed carrots recipes that looks impressive but requires almost no effort.
FAQ
How do you roast carrots with Brown Sugar Glazed Carrots?
To roast them, toss cut carrots with melted butter and spread them on a baking sheet. Roast at 400°F for about 20 minutes, then drizzle with melted brown sugar and roast another 10 minutes until caramelized. Lina loves helping me flip the carrots halfway through.
How do you keep glazed carrots from being soggy?
Make sure your skillet isn't overcrowded so the carrots can caramelize instead of steam. Cook them over medium heat and stir occasionally so they brown evenly. If they release water, let it cook off before adding the sugar.
How much brown sugar and butter for glazed carrots?
For 2 pounds of carrots, use 4 tablespoons of butter and ¼ cup of packed brown sugar. This Brown Sugar Glazed Carrots a nice, balanced glaze that's sweet but not overwhelming. You can adjust based on your taste.
Can glazed carrots be made ahead?
You can cut the carrots a few hours early and store them in water in the fridge. Cook them just before serving for the best texture. Reheating works okay, but they're really best fresh when the glaze is shiny and the carrots are tender.
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Pairing
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Brown Sugar Glazed Carrots
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Cut the carrots into 2-inch pieces. If they are thick, halve or quarter them lengthwise.
- Melt the butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Once melted, add the carrots and cook, stirring occasionally, until they are tender and the butter is browned, about 8 to 10 minutes.
- Stir in the brown sugar and cook for about 4 minutes, until the sugar dissolves and the carrots become slightly caramelized. Season with salt and pepper.
- Serve the glazed carrots on plates.
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