Try this easy stovetop Thanksgiving side dish! Honey glazed carrots with a squeeze of lemon juice are the best cooked carrots you’ll ever eat – everyone loves them!
Honey Glazed Carrots
This recipe is truly a miracle in our house. That’s because, before this recipe, Shane hated all cooked carrots. If I even add them to a soup he’s disappointed that I ruined the soup with carrots.
So, when I made these carrots for Thanksgiving because our nephew loves sweet cooked carrots, I didn’t have the highest of hopes that Shane would eat any.
Low and behold, not only did he eat them, but he actually liked them! Needless to say, I’m thrilled that I can finally have glazed carrots on our holiday menus again. We served them with my Southern Green Beans and they made the perfect Thanksgiving side dish combination!
How Should You Cook the Carrots?
I normally make this recipe for the holidays, which means that my oven is already at full capacity. So, I prefer making these carrots by boiling them for a few minutes on the stove, then simmering the glaze, and finally coating the carrots in the glaze.
If you have extra time, and want the glaze to caramelize, the oven is your best bet. I’d recommend adding a bit of brown sugar to the glaze and roasting the carrots in the oven.
Should You Use Baby Carrots?
Since this is a holiday recipe, I’m all about making things as easy as possible. When I have a million other things going on and 5 things cooking at once, not having to peel and chop carrots truly feels like a blessing. That’s why I love using baby carrots for this recipe. It definitely simplifies things.
That being said, I do prefer the taste of full sized organic carrots (which are actually the same price, or cheaper, at our local grocery store). I’ve noticed they’re a lot sweeter. So, if you have time, I’d recommend giving those a shot!
If you do make this recipe with baby carrots, it’s critical to rinse them under cold water before boiling them. It makes a huge difference in the flavor when you take the time to rinse them first.
Can You Make Honey Glazed Carrots Ahead of Time?
Yes! You can make these honey glazed carrots in advance. If you do, I’d recommend boiling them for a minute or two less just so that they don’t become mushy when you reheat them.
To reheat them, simply saute until they’re warmed through.
Optional Additions
This simple recipe is so adaptable and versatile! Some great additions that I’d definitely recommend trying are:
- Brown Sugar
- Pecans
- Parsnips
- Orange Zest
- Orange Juice
How to Make this Recipe Dairy Free
To make this recipe dairy-free, simply swap the butter for plant based butter. My favorite are the Earth Balance Vegan Butter Sticks. To make the recipe vegan, you’d also need to substitute the honey with maple syrup.
I’d love to hear what you thought of this recipe in the comments or on Instagram! @KeyToMyLime #KeyToMyLime
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Honey Glazed Carrots
Try this easy stovetop Thanksgiving side dish! Honey glazed carrots with a squeeze of lemon juice are the best cooked carrots you'll ever eat - everyone loves them!
Ingredients
- 1 ½ pounds baby carrots
- 1 teaspoon fine sea salt
- 3 Tablespoon unsalted butter
- 3 Tablespoons honey
- 2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
- Diced parsley (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
- Rinse the baby carrots thoroughly in cold water. Add the carrots to a medium pot and cover with hot water. Add the salt and bring the water to a boil.
- Turn the temperature down so that the water is lightly boiling. Cook for 5 minutes, or until just barely fork tender.
- Drain the carrots and set to the side.
- Return the pot to the stove and add the butter, honey, and lemon juice. Bring to a simmer. Return the carrots to the pot and stir until the carrots are fully covered and glazed. Serve while hot. If desired, garnish with fresh diced parsley.
Notes
These can be made ahead, but I recommend boiling them for a minute or two less if you plan to do that. If the carrots are overcooked they'll become mushy. To reheat, simply put the carrots back in the pot and saute until warm.
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
6Serving Size:
1/6Amount Per Serving: Calories: 124Total Fat: 5.9gSaturated Fat: 3.6gTrans Fat: 0.2gCarbohydrates: 18.2gNet Carbohydrates: 14.9gFiber: 3.3gSugar: 14.1gProtein: 0.8g
Nutrition information isn’t always accurate.
If you’d prefer brown sugar glazed carrots instead of ones glazed with honey, I’d recommend trying this recipe by Lil’ Luna.
Try making these honey glazed carrots! They’re the perfect simple holiday side dish.
1 thought on “Honey Glazed Carrots (BEST Honey Glazed Baby Carrots Recipe)”
Honey enhances the natural sweetness of carrots in a four-ingredient side dish you can have ready in 25 minutes. MORE+ LESS-