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Roasted Carrots with Honey

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A splash of citrus makes all the difference in these classic Roasted Carrots with Honey. Elegant and delicious, Roasted Carrots with Honey is seriously one of the easiest side dishes you will ever make!

roasted carrots with honey in a white dish with a spoon.

Why you’ll love this Honey Glazed Carrots Recipe!

  • Delicious flavor. Roasting carrots brings out their natural sweetness.
  • Simple ingredients. Only requires a few basic staple ingredients.
  • Easy side dish. Pairs well alongside Broccoli Rice and Cheese Casserole, mashed potatoes, or a simple rice pilaf to complete your dinner menu.

For this simple recipe, toss the carrots in extra-virgin olive oil and give them a jumpstart by roasting for a few minutes at a high temperature before adding the honey and citrus glaze.

This way, the glazed carrots come out of the oven slightly caramelized, perfectly tender, and with just the right amount of sweetness.

Most often just a common vegetable tossed into soups and stews, the natural sweetness and texture of carrots make them perfect for oven roasting.

ingredients for roasted carrots with honey on a table.

Key ingredients and substitutions

  • Carrots โ€” either large whole carrots or baby carrots
  • Honey โ€” or maple syrup
  • Orange โ€” both the juice and zest
  • Extra-virgin olive oil
  • Fresh thyme leaves โ€” for garnish
  • Salt and pepper โ€” to enhance the flavor

How to make Honey Glazed Roasted Carrots

STEP 1 | Prep the carrots

Cut off the green tops and peel the carrots (or not) and cut into 3-inch pieces. For larger carrots, cut each piece in half horizontally so that they cook evenly.

If you opt not to peel the carrots, be sure to scrub them to remove any dirt and grit. (Of course, there is no need to peel baby carrots if you are using them instead.)

peeled and sliced carrots on a baking sheet.

STEP 2 | Roast the carrots

Place the carrots on a baking sheet and drizzle with the olive oil. Using a rubber spatula, stir until all the carrots are coated. Season with salt and pepper. Place the baking sheet in the oven and bake for 20 minutes at 400 degrees.

drizzling orange butter mixture over roasted carrots on a baking sheet.

STEP 3 | Glaze and finish

Zest and juice the orange. Stir the juice together with the honey in a small bowl, reserving the orange zest.

Remove the carrots from the oven and drizzle with the honey mixture. Stir well to coat all the carrots and return the baking sheet to the oven for another 20 minutes.

adding orange zest from a microplane zester to roasted carrots in a white dish.

Just before serving, toss the roasted carrots with the reserved orange zest and garnish with fresh thyme leaves.

tip

  • Easy zesting โ€” I’ve mentioned before that my microplane zester has become one of my most favorite and essential kitchen gadgets. Not only does it quickly zest lemons and oranges without ending up with any of the bitter white pith, this tool is handy for grating ginger and hard Parmesan cheese โ€” and it’s dishwasher safe!

Frequently asked questions

Should you steam carrots before roasting?

Even though carrots are quite firm, there’s no need to steam them before roasting โ€” why dirty more than one pot if you don’t have to?

Do you have to peel carrots?

As a personal preference, I always peel my carrots, however the skins are perfectly safe to eat.

How long will carrots keep?

Raw whole carrots will stay fresh in the refrigerator for up to 3 weeks. Store them in a plastic bag and stock them in your vegetable drawer. Use them for a quick snack, in salads, or cooked in your favorite recipes.

Storing and reheating

Store leftover Roasted Carrots with Honey covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 to 5 days. To reheat, warm them in the microwave or in a pan on top of the stove until steamy.

roasted carrots with honey in a white dish on a table.

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roasted carrots with honey in a white dish with a spoon on a table with a linen napkin.

Roasted Carrots with Honey

A splash of citrus makes all the difference in these classic Roasted Carrots with Honey that are caramelized and perfectly tender.
4.80 from 5 votes
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Course Vegetables & Sides
Cuisine American
Servings 5 servings
Calories 145 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 2 lb. carrots
  • 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • Freshly ground black pepper
  • ยฝ navel orange
  • 2 tablespoons honey
  • 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves

Instructions
 

  • Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.
  • Peel and cut the carrots into 3-inch pieces. For larger carrots, cut each piece in half horizontally.
  • Place the carrots on a baking sheet and drizzle with the olive oil. Using a rubber spatula, stir until all the carrots are coated. Season with salt and pepper.
  • Place the baking sheet in the oven and bake for 20 minutes.
  • In the meantime, zest and juice the orange.
  • In a small bowl, stir the juice together with the honey, reserving the orange zest.
  • Remove the carrots from the oven and drizzle with the honey mixture. Stir to combine and return to the oven for another 20 minutes.
  • Garnish the roasted carrots with the reserved orange zest and fresh thyme leaves. Serve immediately.

Notes

Store leftover Roasted Carrots with Honey covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 to 5 days. To reheat, warm them in the microwave or in a pan on top of the stove until steamy.

Nutrition

Serving: 1gCalories: 145kcalCarbohydrates: 24gProtein: 2gFat: 6gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 5gSodium: 529mgFiber: 6gSugar: 14g

Life Love and Good Food does not claim to be a registered dietician or nutritionist. Nutritional information shared on this site is only an estimate. We recommend running the ingredients through an online nutritional calculator if you need to verify any information.

Keyword carrots, easy recipe, honey, roasted vegetables, side dish, vegetable
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was.

Beyond the recipe

Carrots have always been one of my favorite vegetables โ€” I love them in beef stew! โ€” and they are always a staple in my refrigerator.

Luckily, carrots aren’t just a seasonal vegetable found at holidays like Easter and Christmas, but are readily available at most grocery stores so we can enjoy them year round.

For that very reason, honey roasted carrots are one of my go-to side dishes when I need to round out a meal. They make a delicious accompaniment to pork chops, chicken, or most any main dish, and in this recipe their flavor really shines!

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4.80 from 5 votes (5 ratings without comment)

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