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Tender Glazed Carrots

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A quick and easy recipe for tender carrots glazed with a sweet, caramelized butter and brown sugar mixture, enhanced with a touch of cinnamon and honey or maple syrup.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound fresh carrots, peeled and sliced into 1/4-inch thick rounds
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
  • 2 tablespoons packed brown sugar
  • 1 tablespoon honey or maple syrup
  • 1/4 cup water or vegetable broth
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon (optional)
  • Pinch of salt
  • Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • 1 tablespoon fresh parsley or thyme, finely chopped (optional)

Instructions

  1. Peel and slice 1 pound of carrots into 1/4-inch thick rounds, keeping slices uniform for even cooking (about 5 minutes).
  2. In a large skillet over medium heat, melt 2 tablespoons of unsalted butter. Add 2 tablespoons of packed brown sugar and 1 tablespoon honey or maple syrup. Stir gently until sugar dissolves and mixture bubbles, about 2 minutes.
  3. Add the sliced carrots to the pan and toss to coat in the buttery sugar mixture. Pour in 1/4 cup water or vegetable broth and cover the pan with a lid.
  4. Simmer covered on medium-low heat for 10-12 minutes, stirring occasionally to ensure even cooking and glazing. Add more water if the pan dries out too quickly.
  5. Remove the lid once carrots are tender but not mushy. Sprinkle with a pinch of salt, 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon (if using), and freshly ground black pepper. Toss well and cook uncovered for 2-3 minutes to thicken the glaze.
  6. Remove from heat, garnish with fresh chopped parsley or thyme, and serve warm.

Notes

Use organic carrots for sweeter flavor. For dairy-free or vegan version, substitute butter with coconut oil and honey with maple syrup. Avoid high heat to prevent burning sugar. Add a splash of lemon juice or apple cider vinegar at the end to brighten the sweetness. If glaze thickens too much, add a splash of water or broth to loosen.

Nutrition

Keywords: glazed carrots, caramelized carrots, sweet carrots, easy side dish, holiday side, quick carrots, tender carrots