Sweet Carrots Recipe • Longbourn Farm (2024)

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If you’ve never had pan roasted carrots, then look out because this simple recipe is perfect for any occasion and comes packed with a lot of flavors.

Sweet Carrots Recipe • Longbourn Farm (1)

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This is THE recipe for Glazed Carrots!

Today, we’re making skillet carrots as you’ve never had before. While most recipes call for brown sugar we are using a combination of honey and thyme to give us a sweet and earthy flavor that pairs well with the naturally sweet veggies.

This flavorful combination will work great for holidays like Easter or Thanksgiving and also do well for a nice Sunday evening meal with the family. While these skillet roasted carrots may seem fancy, they’re really just another easy side dish to serve along with your meal and one that takes very little effort.

Glazed Carrots Stovetop Ingredients

  • Carrots: You will need about 1 pound of chopped carrots. This can be from baby carrots or long carrots from the garden (or grocery store).
  • Water: Adding in water or broth will help to steam cook the carrots so that the insides are cooked perfectly and a nice sauce is created.
  • Butter: Adding a little butter will help to make the sauce much richer in taste.
  • Honey: Use honey, agave, or even maple syrup. This makes the carrots sweet and perfect.
  • Thyme: Use fresh or dried thyme to help flavor your dish.
  • Salt and pepper: This is just added to taste so you can add in as much or little as you prefer.

Can I use any carrot for this Sweet Carrots Recipe?

Yes, any kind of sweet carrot that is used for eating can be used in this recipe.

How to make Glazed Carrots

  1. Heat 2 tablespoons of butter in a large skillet about 12 inches in size until melted. Add in the carrots and cook lightly until they start to brown a little bit. This should be about 5 minutes.
  2. Add in the water or broth and the honey. Stir to combine and bring the liquid to a boil.
  3. Reduce the heat and allow to simmer on low for about 30 minutes, until the carrots become tender. Periodically check in on the water and make sure to add in more liquid if it gets too low.
  4. When the carrots are tender add in the remaining butter, thyme, salt, and pepper.
  5. Taste and adjust the seasonings to your liking.
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Sweet Carrots Recipe • Longbourn Farm (6)

Caramelized Carrots Recipe FAQ

Can I make pan cooked carrots in a cast iron pan?

Absolutely! If you want to make some cast iron carrots, go for it. The cast iron may even help to cook the carrots more evenly if the chopped pieces are different in size. Just make sure that the pan size is large enough to accommodate all of your sliced carrot pieces and the liquid.

How long are leftover honey glazed carrots good for?

These carrots can be kept stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. I recommend eating them sooner rather than later so that the carrots don’t have a chance to dry out. Reheating them is easy in a bowl in the microwave or on the stovetop. Add in a tablespoon of butter as they cook to add back some nice rich flavor and moisture.

Can I freeze honey-glazed carrots?

Yes, this is a side dish that actually does quite well in the freezer. This means that you can prepare your favorite dish in advance of a holiday to cut down on kitchen usage or simply store leftovers for later.
Place the cooked (and cooled) carrots in an airtight container in the freezer for up to two months before thawing and reheating.

How far in advance can you make glazed carrots?

If you don’t want to have to reheat the glazed carrots, I recommend making them just prior to serving time. They will cool quickly. If you don’t mind reheating them, they can be made the day before.

Can you reheat honey glazed carrots?

Yes, reheat honey glazed carrots on the stovetop by warming up in a pan with 2 tablespoons of water. Alternatively, you can microwave them in a microwave-safe dish in 1-minute increments, stirring between, until heated through.

How to serve Sweet Carrots

This easy side dish recipe would pair very well with some homemade biscuits and oven roasted chicken. Maybe even add in a nice green salad with a homemade creamy salad dressing on top, oh yum! Can’t you just picture the delicious possibilities?

How to store Caramelized Carrots

The best way to store caramelized carrots is in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

More favorites from Longbourn Farm

  • Pumpkin Spice Layer Cake
  • Crockpot Short Ribs
  • Fluffy Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies
  • BBQ Chicken in the Oven
  • Tuscan Creamy Chicken
  • Smoked Turkey Breast Brine
  • Gorgonzola Steak Salad
  • Zucchini Bread with Buttermilk
  • Mixed Berry Cobbler Recipe with Frozen Berries
  • Chili in Dutch Oven
  • Blonde Butter Syrup
  • How to cook Canned Corn
  • Can Green Beans with Bacon
  • Garden Planter Boxes
  • Mexican Style Pork Chops
  • Dutch Oven Cheesy Potatoes
  • Oven Baked BBQ Chicken Tenders

Sweet Carrots Recipe • Longbourn Farm (7)

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5 from 4 votes

Caramelized Carrots Recipe

These easy honey glazed carrots are made on the stovetop with a simple butter, honey and thyme recipe that is perfect for every day, or the holidays!

Course Side Dish

Cuisine American

Keyword caramelized carrots, honey carrots, honey glazed carrots

Prep Time 5 minutes minutes

Cook Time 40 minutes minutes

Total Time 45 minutes minutes

Servings 4 people

Calories 171kcal

Author Longbourn Farm • Alli Kelley

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Ingredients

  • 1 pound carrots chopped (see note)
  • 1 cup water or broth, extra may be needed
  • 3 tablespoons butter divided
  • 3 tablespoons honey
  • 4 teaspoons fresh thyme leaves or 1 teaspoon dried
  • salt and pepper to taste

US CustomaryMetric

Instructions

  • In a large skillet (I used a 12 inch), heat 2 tablespoons of the butter until melted. Add carrots and cook lightly until they start to brown a little bit, about 5 minutes.

  • Add the water (or broth) and the honey. Stir to combine and bring the water to a boil.

  • Reduce the heat and simmer on low until the carrots become tender about 30 minutes. Check the water throughout this time and add more if it gets low.

  • When the carrots are tender and the liquid is reduced and thick (about 1/3 cup left), remove from the heat and add the remaining tablespoon butter, thyme, salt, and pepper.

  • Taste and adjust seasonings.

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Notes

Baby carrots or whole carrots can be used.

Nutrition

Calories: 171kcal | Carbohydrates: 24g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 8g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Cholesterol: 22mg | Sodium: 157mg | Potassium: 375mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 18g | Vitamin A: 19300IU | Vitamin C: 9.9mg | Calcium: 48mg | Iron: 0.8mg

Tried this recipe?Mention @longbournfarm or tag #longbournfarm!

Sweet Carrots Recipe • Longbourn Farm (2024)

FAQs

Sweet Carrots Recipe • Longbourn Farm? ›

Carrots are considered sweet because they are approximately 10% sugar by weight. Onions are considered sweet too at approximately 5% sugar by weight.

What makes a carrot sweet? ›

Carrots are considered sweet because they are approximately 10% sugar by weight. Onions are considered sweet too at approximately 5% sugar by weight.

What are the sweetest carrots? ›

Select carrot varieties known for their sweet flavor. Dantes, Little finger, Short 'n Sweet, Sweetness, and Tendersweet are just a few to consider. Be sure to plant carrots early in the season for an early summer harvest, midseason for a fall harvest or fall for a winter harvest in milder climates.

Can I cook carrots from frozen? ›

There is no need to defrost frozen carrots before cooking, in fact it is best to cook them from frozen. They can be thrown straight into dishes like stews, casseroles and pasta bakes, or added into a pan of boiling water with pasta for the last few minutes of cooking.

How do you eat frozen carrots? ›

Frozen carrots will not retain the crisp texture of their fresh counterparts. Best to use frozen carrots in cooked dishes, such as muffins, hot dishes, stir-fries, soups, or where their texture doesn't matter as much, such as smoothies. Frozen carrots are NOT going to be great for a lunch box or crudité platter.

What fertilizer makes carrots sweet? ›

H-G Sweet 'N Grow is a plant supplement designed to increase the quality and sweetness of your carrots as well as other fruits and vegetables.

What's the difference between sweet carrots and regular carrots? ›

White or golden carrots are typically a yellow or cream color. These vegetables have a mild flavor with hardly any of the earthiness that the other colors of carrots typically contain. These types of carrots are also notably sweeter than orange, red, and purple carrots.

Why are my carrots not sweet? ›

What kind of soil are they in? Our carrots get sweeter the older they are. We grow in the summer season and then cover and store them right in the garden over winter. As winter goes on, they get more sugary.

Why are my frozen carrots rubbery? ›

This is actually due to moisture loss that occurs in the freezer. But the rubber-like texture of your carrots can also be influenced by a few factors such as slow freezing, using old and wilted carrots for storing, improper storage/container, or over blanching.

Why are my frozen carrots mushy? ›

"Frozen vegetables tend to release water quickly and can end up quite mushy if done improperly," says William Goldfield, director of corporate communications at Dole Food Company, Inc. Defrosting frozen vegetables, such as spinach, broccoli, peas, carrots, and kale properly can help you avoid this.

Should frozen carrots be thawed before cooking? ›

Frozen vegetables, no matter which, can be cooked from a frozen state,” says Amidor. “Because they are small pieces (compared to a big beef or pork roast, for example) as long as they reach a minimum internal cooking temperature of about 135 degrees F they are safe to eat,” she says, meaning defrosting isn't required.

Does a freeze make carrots sweeter? ›

Carrots are at their sweetest in the cold-weather months because of that cold. Their built-in defense against freezing is to convert stored starches into sugars, giving them a sweeter taste. Some folks say carrots harvested after a frost are “candy carrots.” Winter carrots also are good for you.

What is the white stuff on frozen carrots? ›

The white crystals are from condensation, water vapor getting into or simply being in the freezer. Happens all the time. Might degrade the taste somehow I suppose, but as long as it was always frozen, no big deal.

Are frozen carrots as good as fresh carrots? ›

Frozen vegetables have a similar nutrition profile to fresh ones. Due to their lower cost, longer shelf life, and year-round accessibility, frozen vegetables can be a great choice. If you're buying frozen veggies, make sure to check the labels for added ingredients.

Why do fresh carrots taste sweet? ›

Answer: Carrot flavor and aroma are made up of sugars and terpenoids. The natural sugars—sucrose, glucose, fructose, and maltose—give carrots their sweet flavor. ... A carrot harvested too early can taste bitter and soapy.

Are carrots naturally sweet? ›

The inherent sweetness of carrots intensifies as they are cooked, with the earthy notes becoming more subdued as their texture transitions from crisp to tender. Roasting or grilling can add a caramelized flavor while boiling or steaming brings out a more pure and subtle sweetness.

Why is the inside of a carrot sweet? ›

The taproot consists of an outer core, called the phloem, and an inner core, the xylem. The pulpy phloem holds the sweet starch, while the tough-textured xylem transports water and nutrients from the stem to the root.

Why are some carrots sweet and others not? ›

Studies show that, while carrots grown in higher temperatures have the highest sugar content, they're consistently more bitter than carrots grown in colder conditions due to higher terpene concentration.

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