If you’re looking for a recipe that is quick to make, easy to scale up and makes an impressive statement on the dinner table, you’ve come to the right place. These glazed carrots will make a great vegetarian side dish recipe. It’s also versatile. You can add spices if you like, and you can either make it for a weeknight dinner or during the holidays such as Thanksgiving or Christmas.
The carrots are quickly boiled, then caramelized with maple syrup. The results? Tender carrot with just a little bit of bite, and a sweet, buttery-maple glaze. If you use fresh, young carrots, leave them whole. They not only taste good but makes a beautiful addition to the table!
This recipe will work best with young, tender carrots (fresh is best!). Long, slim carrots will look particularly good on the dinner table. Don’t use baby carrots or frozen carrots for this recipe!
Carrots – use thinner, young carrots (leave them unpeeled)
Butter – salted butter, unsalted butter, vegan butter, or ghee will all work here
Maple syrup – use real maple syrup (not flavored syrup!), or a combination of honey and brown sugar.
Olive oil – you can also use canola oil
Prepare the carrots by scrubbing them under running water. If you’re using younger carrots, there’s no need to peel or cut them first. Bring a pot of salted water to a boil. Add the carrots and boil for 1-2 minutes. Place a pan over medium heat and add the butter. Once the butter has melted, add the carrots.
Stir the carrots to make sure they’re completely coated with butter. Now add the fresh thyme and maple syrup, and stir once again. Continue to cook the carrots over medium heat until caramelized. Once the carrots are caramelized, add the olive oil and combine well.
Make these vegan, by substituting the butter with vegan butter.
If you can’t find maple syrup in your area, you can also use a combination of honey and brown sugar. The brown sugar will also help the caramelization process.
The recipe will work best with young, slender carrots. If you can only find large carrots, it’s best to peel them first, and half them or quarter them depending on how big they are.
Don’t use old carrots, they will be too woody and fibrous.
Store the carrots in the fridge (in an airtight container) for up to 3 to 4 days. Reheat in the microwave.
Add the salt to a large pot of boiling water. Add the carrots and boil for 1-2 minutes.
Add the salt to a large pot of boiling water. Add the carrots and boil for 1-2 minutes.
Add the butter to a pan over medium heat and wait for it to melt. Once the butter has melted, add the carrots. Stir the carrots to coat them with the butter.
Add the butter to a pan over medium heat and wait for it to melt. Once the butter has melted, add the carrots. Stir the carrots to coat them with the butter.
Add the fresh thyme and maple syrup, then mix again. Allow the carrots to caramelize.
Add the fresh thyme and maple syrup, then mix again. Allow the carrots to caramelize.
When the carrots are caramelized well pour the olive oil and give one more mix to combine well.
When the carrots are caramelized well pour the olive oil and give one more mix to combine well.
Remove them from the pot and serve glazed carrots. Enjoy!
Remove them from the pot and serve glazed carrots. Enjoy!
Hosting tip: If you’re making these glazed carrots for a crowd, make them in a shallow enameled cast iron casserole. It’s pretty enough for presentation and you can take the carrots directly from the stovetop to the dinner table!