Brown Sugar Honey Glazed Carrots

Name: Brown Sugar Honey Glazed Carrots
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 35 min
Total time: 45 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 2 pounds whole carrots; 4 tablespoons olive oil (divided); Kosher salt (to taste); 2 tablespoons butter; 1/4 cup brown sugar; 2 tablespoons honey; 1 teaspoon minced garlic; Optional garnish: Fresh parsley or thyme

Jump to Recipe·Print Recipe·5 from 1 review

These brown sugar honey glazed carrots are sweet, savory, and roasted until perfectly tender with slightly caramelized edges. Made with just 6 main ingredients, they’re an easy, go-to side dish for Thanksgiving, Christmas, Easter, or any weeknight dinner in between!

Honey and brown sugar glazed carrots on a plate.

I’m already thinking ahead to Thanksgiving, Christmas, and even Easter. And when it comes to holiday side dishes, I stick to three non-negotiables: they have to be simple, taste amazing, and use minimal ingredients.

These brown sugar and honey-glazed carrots check every box! And not only that, the majority of the cooking time is hands-off.

Pair them with maple-glazed Dutch oven spiral ham, brioche stuffing, and red skin mashed potatoes for a holiday meal everyone will love!

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Why you'll love this recipe
Ingredient notes
How to make brown sugar honey-glazed carrots
Expert tips
Storage tips
What to serve with honey brown sugar glazed carrots
FAQs
Other recipes to consider
Brown Sugar Honey Glazed Carrots
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Why you'll love this recipe

Easy - When you’re juggling a big holiday meal, easy, no-fuss sides are a must.
Budget-friendly - Carrots are inexpensive, which makes this dish a win for both your holiday menu and your grocery bill.
Seriously delicious - Sweet, savory, and perfectly roasted, this is one of those sides that just might steal the show.

Ingredient notes

Ingredients needed to make baked carrots glazed with brown sugar and honey.

Carrots - Any variety works; just cut them to a similar size for even roasting.
Brown sugar - Light or dark brown sugar adds sweetness and helps with caramelization.
Honey - Adds another layer of natural sweetness to the glaze.
Butter - Adds rich, savory flavor. I like to use high-quality, grass-fed butter since it really shines here.
Garlic - Adds depth and balances the sweetness with a little savory punch.

How to make brown sugar honey-glazed carrots

Recipe rundown

Peel and slice the carrots.
Mix the glaze.
Roast the carrots for 15 minutes.
Drizzle with glaze and continue cooking until fork-tender.
Serve and enjoy!

Carrots sliced and laid out on a parchment lined baking sheets drizzled with olive oil and sprinkled with salt.

Step 1: Peel and slice the carrots and then lay them out on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with kosher salt to taste. Roast the carrots for 15 minutes at 400°F.

Brown sugar honey glazed mixed in a glass bowl.

Step 2: While the carrots are roasting, make the brown sugar and honey glaze.

Partially baked carrots drizzled with brown sugar honey glaze.

Step 3: Remove the carrots from the oven and drizzle the glaze evenly over the top. Place the carrots back into the oven and continue cooking for 10 minutes, or until fork-tender and caramelized.

Brown sugar honey glazed carrots cooked on a parchment lined baking sheet.

Step 4: Once the carrots are cooked to your liking, remove them from the oven, add another sprinkle of kosher salt if desired, garnish with fresh herbs, serve, and enjoy!

Expert tips

Peel the carrots. The skins are tough, trap dirt, and just don’t look great, especially for a holiday side dish.
Slice for presentation. For the best look and even cooking, slice whole carrots into thick sticks. Peel, trim the ends, cut them in half crosswise, then slice lengthwise a couple of times depending on thickness. If you're using thin carrots with green tops, you can leave them whole and just trim the tops.
Don’t cut them too thin. Carrots shrink as they roast, and thinner pieces can overcook or burn.
Cooked, not mushy. Roast until fork-tender with a little bite. Slightly al dente is the sweet spot.
Use parchment paper. Lining your sheet pan with parchment makes cleanup a breeze and helps prevent the glaze from sticking or burning onto your baking sheet.
Watch the glaze. The brown sugar and honey glaze will continue to thicken and caramelize the longer the carrots roast. I pulled mine out a little early for a lighter glaze, but if you let them go longer, you’ll get deeper caramelization and more intense flavor.

Storage tips

Storing - Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for 2–3 days.
Reheating - Warm in the microwave in 30-second bursts or reheat gently in a skillet over low heat.
Freezing & Make-Ahead - Carrots lose texture when frozen or made too far in advance. For best results, serve them fresh and warm from the oven.

What to serve with honey brown sugar glazed carrots

These glazed carrots with brown sugar and honey are versatile enough to pair with just about any main course. Whether you’re planning a big holiday meal or a simple weeknight dinner, they make a flavorful, crowd-pleasing side.

FAQs

Can I use baby carrots instead of regular carrots?

Yes! Baby carrots work well, but make sure to adjust the roasting time, as they may cook faster.

Can I make these carrots ahead of time?

For the best texture and flavor, it's best to make them fresh. However, you can prep the carrots (peel and slice) in advance and store them in the fridge.

Can I substitute the honey with maple syrup?

Yes, you can substitute honey with maple syrup! The maple syrup will add a slightly different flavor, but it will still provide the sweetness and help create a delicious glaze.

Other recipes to consider

If you tried this Brown Sugar and Honey Glazed Carrots Recipe or any other recipe on my blog, please leave a 🌟 star rating and tell me how it went in the 📝 comments below. Thanks for visiting!