Who says vegetables can’t be sweet and delicious? Carrots never tasted this sweet!
Far too many people think they have to make a choice between nutritious and tasty, especially when it comes to vegetables. But there is no rule that says you can’t have it both ways. Candied carrots are one of my favorite examples of this. With a little bit of honey and brown sugar, carrots quickly become one of the sweetest vegetables you can imagine.
With this recipe for candied carrots, you create a sugary glaze that sticks to every little slice of carrot. Part of the beauty of this recipe is that it’s not that difficult to make. You just have to cook the carrots and the glaze separately and then put the two together. That makes this an easy side dish to prepare for just about any occasion.
Of course, this isn’t the only way to prepare carrots as a side dish. In fact, there is another recipe for honey-glazed carrots that also strives to add some sweetness to these veggies. You could take things in a different direction with cumin-roasted carrots. Or, if you have your heart set on a carrot side dish, you might want to consider carrot salad or air fryer carrot fries.
Are Candied Carrots Healthy?
While carrots offer both fiber and vitamins, this recipe also has a lot of sugar. The sugar in candied carrots is far more than you’ll find in most vegetable side dishes. But that’s what makes these a tasty treat that’s great for holidays or a cozy evening meal.
Make Them Sweet and Savory
Just because these are candied carrots doesn’t mean you can’t balance out the sweetness with other flavors. Feel free to add other types of seasoning to the carrots to add more depth to the flavor profile. Sometimes, I like to add a little garlic or ginger to pair with the honey and brown sugar. A little cumin or paprika can also complement the sweetness of candied carrots. Of course, if you want even more sweetness, I’d suggest adding a little cinnamon or nutmeg as well. Ultimately, it’s up to you to season the dish to your tastes and experiment a little with various seasonings.
How to make ahead and store
This dish can be prepared and refrigerated up to 2 days in advance, then reheated when you’re ready to eat. Similarly, leftovers can also be refrigerated in an airtight container. They should stay good for up to 4 days.
Serving Suggestions
There is almost no bad time to make candied carrots as a side dish. I would suggest making them for Thanksgiving or another special occasion. But they also go well with more common meals like baked chicken parmesan or slow-cooker beef brisket. I find that candied carrots go great with fish, especially baked honey Cajun salmon. They are even a nice complement to a Philly cheesesteak, or low-carb Philly cheesesteak stuffed peppers as a healthier option.
Ingredients
- 1 pound carrots peeled and sliced
- 2 1/2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 3 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/8 teaspoon black pepper
- Water as needed
Instructions
- Place the sliced carrots in a saucepan and cover with water. Bring to a boil and cook until tender, about 9 minutes. Drain the carrots.
- Add butter, brown sugar, honey, salt, and pepper in the same pan. Transfer the carrots back to the pan. Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the sugar has dissolved and the carrots are well-coated with the glaze, about 5 minutes.
Nutrition Info:
Nutrition information are estimates only and may vary based on the specific brands, ingredients, and portion sizes you use. This data is provided for informational purposes only.
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