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This delicious recipe for Brown Sugar Glazed Carrots is so amazing that even the kids will love it. They are buttery and sweet for a tasty and easy side dish. This side is great for a weeknight meal or at your holiday dinner.
If you have never had glazed carrots, it is such a sweet and delicious side dish. This recipe can be made quickly and easily during the week for an inexpensive vegetable to serve with your main dish.
The flavor is yummy and even my non carrot loving kiddos enjoy this dish. So, give it a try even if carrots aren’t your favorite. You might also like Ranch Carrots Recipe.
This recipe is easy enough for busy weeknights but also perfect for holidays. We love to make this for Thanksgiving, Christmas and Easter. Our family goes crazy over it! For an even easier carrot side dish try this Crock Pot Glazed Carrots Recipe.
Table of Contents
Why We Love This Recipe
This has to be our family’s favorite side dish. Anything I can do to get my family to eat more vegetables, I will do it. Some of my kids are not big fans of raw carrots, but when I make this easy 5 ingredient glazed carrots everyone is so excited.
The flavors of the butter and brown sugar combined with the carrots make for the most amazing side dish. Plus it is very inexpensive to make so that makes me happy.
We love carrots and the glaze that coats the carrots.
Ingredients
For the full recipe and ingredients, scroll to the bottom to see the recipe card.
Variations
- Brown Sugar – You can use dark brown sugar or light brown sugar in the carrots. If you don’t have any brown sugar, learn how to make your own brown sugar.
- Cinnamon – Try adding cinnamon to the recipe for added warm flavors.
- Substitutions – Substitute honey or maple syrup for the brown sugar. I often just use what I have on hand. Try about 2 or 3 tablespoons of honey or syrup based on preference.
- Chopped Nuts – You can even added about ½ cup of walnuts or pecans to this recipe.
Step by Step Instructions
Step 1 – First, wash and peel the carrots. Slice them into 1/2″ thick slices.
Step 2 – Add carrots to a large skillet on the stove top. Try to cut them as evenly as possible. This will help them all cook at the same time. Then add the water to the skillet and cover. Cook on medium high heat until the carrots are simmering.
Step 3 – Once the carrots start to simmer, cook them for about 8 to 10 minutes or until the carrots are tender. When they have finished cooking, drain the water. Then add the brown sugar, butter and salt. Combine this with the carrots so everything is coated well.
Step 4 – Let this cook for another 4 to 5 minutes to allow the sauce to thicken. The melted butter glaze is the best part! The cooked carrots are best served warm. Enjoy!
Recipe Tips
- Canned Carrots – Did you know you can use canned carrots? Just adjust the cooking time as they will only need to be heated.
- Butter – It is best to use real butter and not margarine in the recipe.
- Prepare Vegetables – Prepare the carrots and cut them about the same size. This ensures that the carrots cook evenly and about the same time.
Different Cooking Methods
Not only can you make this recipe on your stove top but you can also put your other appliances to use.
- Make them in your slow cooker. Cook ingredients on high for about 2 hours.
- In the oven works great too. Place ingredients in a baking dish and cook at 350 degrees for about an hour.
- They can even be made in your Instant Pot. Place ingredients in your instant pot and cover. Set pot to sealing and press pressure cook. In about 3 minutes you will have an amazing side dish.
Serving Suggestions
These candied carrots are delicious served with all your favorite comfort foods. These are some of our favorite recipes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Refrigerate the leftovers in an air tight container for up to 7 days. The sauce will thicken as it cools. When reheating, added water or broth to thin out the sauce as needed.
We used regular carrots but you can use baby carrots if you prefer. Either leave the baby carrots whole or slice in half. Whichever type of carrot you use, they will still turn out so good.
These carrots are great in roasted in the oven. Prepare the carrots as directed and then place on a baking sheet. Roast in a preheated oven at 425 degrees for about 20 minutes. The carrots will be fork tender when they are finished cooking.
More Easy Side Dish Recipes
Easy Side Dishes
Oven Roasted Green Beans
Easy Grilling
How to Grill Corn on the Cob
Easy Grilling
Foil Pack Grilled Red Potatoes
Easy Pasta
Garlic Parmesan Pasta
We love hearing from you. If you make these glazed carrots recipe, please leave us a comment or star review.
Brown Sugar Glazed Carrots
Ingredients
- 2 lbs Carrots washed and peeled
- 1/2 cup Brown Sugar
- 1/4 cup Butter
- 1/2 tsp Salt
- 1 1/2 cup Water
Instructions
- Slice the carrots into 1/2" thick slices and place them in a large skillet.
- Add the water to the skillet. Cover and medium high heat until the carrots are simmering.
- Continue to cook over medium heat for approximately 8-10 minutes or until the carrots are tender.
- Drain off any excess water.
- Then stir in the brown sugar, butter and salt. Stir to coat the carrots in the butter and seasoning.
- Cook for an additional 4-5 minutes until the sauce has formed and thickened some.
- Serve warm and enjoy!
I have a recipe for crock pot glazed carrots as well so make sure to check out that post!
I am cooking these in the slow cooker for Thanksgiving. Do you use the same amount of water?
So glad you liked them!
These were DELICIOUS!!! I have to admit, I only used half of the brown sugar and they were perfect for us.
Delicious, thanks for sharing
You can get that full recipe here https://www.eatingonadime.com/glazed-carrots/
You mention cooking this in a slow cooker but didnโt give any instructions. Do we just dump everything in a slow cooker and cook until carrots are soft? More specifics would be helpful. Thanks
Very good and easy there was no left overs.