Easy and inexpensive side dishes like these Glazed Carrots are my go-to during busy weeknights. They’re super simple to make, they have the perfect amount of sweetness, and they pair well with so many different meals. They’re not only great for weeknight dinners, but they’re also perfect for special occasions and holidays like Easter and Thanksgiving. This recipe is a favorite in my household, and the best part is…five ingredients and 20 minutes is all you need!
Coming in at under $2 a recipe with only five ingredients, it doesn’t get much easier than these delicious Glazed Carrots! Here’s everything you’ll need:
- Carrots: We used whole carrots for this recipe. Look for carrots that are fairly even in length and girth so they’ll cook more evenly. You can either scrub or peel the carrots, however I prefer to peel them.
- Butter: Butter adds a rich flavor to the carrots and combines with the brown sugar to help make the delicious glaze.
- Brown Sugar: Brown sugar adds the perfect amount of sweetness to the glaze. We used dark brown sugar for a deeper molasses flavor, but feel free to use light brown sugar if that’s what you have on hand.
- Cinnamon: I love adding a little bit of ground cinnamon to enhance the overall flavor of the dish.
- Salt: Salt to season the carrots and balance the sweetness of the glaze.
To serve, we also added a little bit of fresh cracked black pepper and fresh parsley (optional).
Recipe Variations
We went with the classic brown sugar glazed carrots for this recipe, but you can certainly switch things up and experiment with flavors based on what you have in your pantry or spice drawer. Here are a few suggestions:
- Savory Carrots: If you’re looking for more savory carrots, skip the brown sugar and instead season with just salt, pepper, and garlic powder.
- Sweet & Tangy: If you really want to switch things up, try our Roasted Carrots with Honey Balsamic Glaze! They’re sweet, tangy, and rich, all at the same time.
- Fresh Herbs: Adding fresh herbs like parsley, thyme, or dill adds a pop of color and more flavor to the dish.
- Honey or Maple Syrup: Brown sugar is inexpensive and a lot more budget-friendly, but feel free to substitute the sugar with honey or maple syrup. Both taste equally delicious!
What to Serve With Glazed Carrots
These glazed carrots are extremely versatile and can be enjoyed with just about any dinner meal. I love serving them with Pan-Seared Chicken Breasts and Baked Chicken Drumsticks. They also taste great with pork chops, Classic Meatloaf, or Glazed Ham Steaks. If you’re serving these during the holidays for Easter, Thanksgiving, or Christmas, they would be perfect along side Baked Ham or Roasted Turkey Breast.
And if you love carrot recipes, then definitely try our classic Roasted Carrots recipe next!
Glazed Carrots
Five ingredients and 20 minutes is all you need to make these easy & delicious Glazed Carrots. Perfect for busy weeknights or holiday meals!
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- 1 lb. whole carrots ($1.50)
- 1/2 cup water ($0.00)
- 2 Tbsp butter ($0.27)
- 2 Tbsp brown sugar ($0.08)
- 1/2 tsp salt ($0.02)
- 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon ($0.05)
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Wash, peel, and slice the carrots diagonally into ½ inch thick slices.
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Add the carrots to a large skillet along with the water. Cover with a lid and cook over medium heat for 5-6 minutes or just until the carrots start to soften.
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Remove the lid and add the butter, brown sugar, salt and ground cinnamon. Stir until the butter and brown sugar have melted. Leave the lid off and continue cooking the carrots for 7-8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until most of the liquid has evaporated and a glaze starts to form.
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Once the carrots are tender to your liking, remove the skillet from the heat and season with freshly ground black pepper and fresh chopped parsley (optional).
See how we calculate recipe costs here.
Serving: 1servingCalories: 120kcalCarbohydrates: 17gProtein: 1gFat: 6gSodium: 417mgFiber: 3g
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How to Make Glazed Carrots – Step by Step Photos
Wash, peel, and slice 1 lb. of carrots diagonally into ½ inch thick slices.
Add the carrots to a large skillet along with 1/2 cup of water. Cover the skillet with a lid and cook over medium heat for 5-6 minutes or just until the carrots start to soften.
Remove the lid and add 2 Tbsp butter, 2 Tbsp brown sugar, 1/2 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon. Stir until the butter and brown sugar have melted.
Leave the lid off and continue cooking the carrots for 7-8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until most of the liquid has evaporated and a glaze starts to form.
Once the carrots are tender to your liking, remove the skillet from the heat and season with freshly ground black pepper and fresh chopped parsley (optional). Now all that’s left to do is enjoy these delicious glazed carrots with your favorite dinner meal!
