Glazed Carrots
Glazed Carrots combine tender carrot coins with a buttery brown sugar glaze that caramelizes to perfection. This simple yet elegant side dish brings vibrant color and sweet-savory balance to holiday tables, complementing traditional Christmas and Thanksgiving favorites beautifully.
Ingredients
- 2 pounds carrots peeled and sliced into ¼-inch coins
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- ⅓ cup brown sugar packed
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon optional
- 2 tablespoons fresh orange juice
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley chopped (for garnish)
- Freshly ground black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Prepare the carrots by peeling them and slicing into ¼-inch thick coins at a slight angle. Try to keep the slices uniform in thickness to ensure even cooking.
- Steam or boil the carrots until just tender, about 5-7 minutes.They should offer slight resistance when pierced with a fork—you want them tender but not mushy as they’ll cook a bit more in the glaze.
- Melt the butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Watch carefully to prevent it from browning or burning.
- Add the brown sugar, salt, and cinnamon (if using) to the melted butter and stir until the sugar dissolves completely, about 1-2 minutes. The mixture will bubble slightly.
- Pour in the orange juice and stir to combine with the sugar mixture.Let it simmer for 1 minute to begin forming a syrupy glaze.
- Add the drained carrots to the skillet and gently toss to coat evenly with the glaze. Ensure every piece gets covered in the sweet mixture.
- Cook the glazed carrots for 3-5 minutes, occasionally stirring, until the glaze thickens and coats the carrots beautifully. The carrots should appear shiny and slightly caramelized.
- Season with black pepper to taste and transfer to a serving dish.Garnish with freshly chopped parsley for a festive touch of color.
Notes
- For a make-ahead option, boil the carrots a day in advance and refrigerate. Then simply prepare the glaze and finish the dish right before serving.
- Baby carrots can be used as a time-saving alternative—just ensure they’re patted dry after washing.
- For a more complex flavor profile, try adding a pinch of nutmeg or a splash of bourbon to the glaze.
- If the glaze becomes too thick while cooking, add a tablespoon of water to loosen it up.
- For special holiday presentation, consider using multicolored heritage carrots for a stunning visual effect.