Nothing signals comfort and a touch of celebration quite like this Brown Sugar Glazed Carrots Recipe. With tender slices of carrot wearing the glossiest, buttery-sweet glaze, this dish is irresistibly inviting. It’s a weeknight hero, a holiday table darling, and an easy way to make everyone at your table ask for seconds. Whether you’re cooking to impress or simply indulging your own love of classic veggie sides, these carrots bring together flavor, color, and joy in every single bite.

Brown Sugar Glazed Carrots Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

The beauty of the Brown Sugar Glazed Carrots Recipe lies in the simplicity of its ingredients. Each one plays a key role, from adding a natural sweetness or balancing it with a touch of spice, to creating that famous glossy finish everyone loves.

Carrots: Fresh, vibrant carrots are at the heart of this recipe and offer natural sweetness, a lovely crunch, and a pop of color (you can use classic carrots or baby carrots for convenience).
Unsalted Butter: This adds rich, creamy depth and helps the glaze cling beautifully to every slice.
Brown Sugar: The key to that signature sweetness and glossy caramelization in every bite.
Salt: Just a pinch makes all the other flavors pop and keeps the sweetness in check.
Black Pepper: A little warmth and balance, sharpening the sweet notes and offering subtle complexity.
Ground Cinnamon (optional): Adds a whisper of spice and warmth, especially wonderful for festive occasions.
Fresh Parsley (optional, for garnish): A vibrant finish that adds color and a fresh herbal note.

How to Make Brown Sugar Glazed Carrots Recipe

Step 1: Boil the Carrots

Start by bringing a medium pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Once boiling, carefully add your peeled and sliced carrots (or baby carrots, if you’re going that route). Cook them for 5 to 6 minutes, just until they’re tender but still retain a pleasant bit of bite — you want them to hold their shape and color. When they’re ready, drain them well and set them aside.

Step 2: Make the Sweet Butter Glaze

Using the same pot (no need for extra dishes!) or a wide skillet, melt the unsalted butter over medium heat. As it turns silky, stir in the brown sugar, salt, black pepper, and the ground cinnamon if you’re adding it. Watch as the sugar quickly melts into the butter and starts to bubble, creating a shiny, aromatic glaze in just about 1 to 2 minutes.

Step 3: Glaze the Carrots

Add the cooked carrots back to the pot or skillet, tossing gently to coat every slice in that sumptuous brown sugar glaze. Keep stirring for another 2 to 3 minutes. You’ll know it’s ready when the carrots look glossy and caramelized, just begging to be served.

Step 4: Garnish and Serve

Transfer your Brown Sugar Glazed Carrots Recipe to a serving dish and, if you like, scatter fresh parsley over the top for a splash of green. Serve them warm and watch them disappear in no time!

How to Serve Brown Sugar Glazed Carrots Recipe

Garnishes

For the prettiest plate, try a sprinkle of chopped fresh parsley or even a zest of orange. The burst of green or citrus really sets off the orange carrots and adds a little extra freshness to the dish.

Side Dishes

This Brown Sugar Glazed Carrots Recipe pairs perfectly with roasted chicken, glazed ham, or a holiday turkey. For a weeknight meal, serve them alongside simple pan-seared pork chops, grilled salmon, or any classic comfort food you love.

Creative Ways to Present

If you want to dress your carrots up for a special occasion, serve them family-style on a rustic platter, or portion them into individual ramekins for an elegant touch. For a holiday gathering, you can mix in roasted nuts, a little crumbled goat cheese, or pomegranate arils for extra texture and festive color.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

If you find yourself with extra Brown Sugar Glazed Carrots Recipe, simply let them cool to room temperature, then transfer to an airtight container. Store them in the refrigerator for up to 3 days — they reheat beautifully and can easily perk up a weekday lunch or dinner.

Freezing

You can absolutely freeze these carrots! Allow the finished dish to cool completely before placing in a freezer-safe container or zip-top bag. Freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge for best results, as this helps keep the carrots’ texture intact.

Reheating

To reheat, simply warm the carrots gently in a skillet over medium heat until heated through, stirring occasionally. If the glaze seems thick, add a splash of water or orange juice to refresh it. A quick microwave session also works — just cover and heat in 30-second bursts until warmed.

FAQs

Can I use baby carrots instead of sliced carrots?

Absolutely! Baby carrots are a great time-saver and work perfectly in the Brown Sugar Glazed Carrots Recipe. Just adjust your boiling time if needed until they’re tender.

Is this recipe gluten-free?

Yes, this recipe is naturally gluten-free, providing you use pure ground spices and double-check that there’s no cross-contamination in your kitchen if that’s a concern.

Can I make this without cinnamon?

Definitely. The cinnamon is optional and can be left out if you want a more classic glazed carrot flavor — but try it once, as it adds subtle warmth to the dish.

How can I make this vegan?

Just swap in your favorite plant-based butter for the unsalted butter, and you’ll have a completely dairy-free, vegan-friendly version of Brown Sugar Glazed Carrots Recipe.

Do glazed carrots taste good cold?

They’re best enjoyed warm, but leftovers straight from the fridge can be surprisingly delicious, especially as part of a salad or grain bowl for a different twist.

Final Thoughts

I hope you’ll try this Brown Sugar Glazed Carrots Recipe and make it a staple at your family table. With its mouthwatering caramel glaze and gorgeous color, it’s bound to win over carrot lovers and skeptics alike. Give it a whirl and let these sweet, shiny carrots steal the spotlight at your next meal!

Brown Sugar Glazed Carrots Recipe

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4.7 from 21 reviews

Author: admin
Total Time: 20 minutes
Yield: 4 servings 1x
Diet: Vegetarian, Gluten-Free

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Description

These Brown Sugar Glazed Carrots are a delightful side dish that pairs perfectly with any main course. Tender carrots coated in a sweet and buttery glaze, with a hint of cinnamon, make for a simple yet elegant addition to your table.

Ingredients

Scale

Carrots:

1 lb carrots, peeled and sliced into 1/4-inch rounds (or use baby carrots)

Glaze:

2 tablespoons unsalted butter
2 tablespoons brown sugar
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon black pepper
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon (optional)

Garnish:

1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley for garnish (optional)

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Instructions

Cook Carrots: Bring a medium pot of salted water to a boil. Add the carrots and cook for 5–6 minutes until just tender. Drain and set aside.
Make Glaze: In the same pot or a large skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Stir in brown sugar, salt, pepper, and cinnamon. Cook for 1–2 minutes until sugar is dissolved and bubbly.
Glaze Carrots: Add the cooked carrots back into the pan, toss to coat in the glaze. Cook for 2–3 minutes until fully coated and glossy.
Serve: Transfer to a serving dish, garnish with parsley if desired, and serve warm.