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- 1 lb baby carrots, peeled - 3 tablespoons pure honey - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter - 2 cloves garlic, finely minced - 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves (or ½ teaspoon dried thyme) - Sea salt and freshly cracked black pepper to taste - 1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice - Chopped fresh parsley for garnish (optional) To make honey garlic glazed carrots, you will need: - A large skillet - A spatula or wooden spoon - A measuring spoon - A knife and cutting board This dish serves 4 people. Each serving contains: - Calories: 150 - Total Fat: 7g - Saturated Fat: 4g - Cholesterol: 15mg - Sodium: 80mg - Carbohydrates: 23g - Fiber: 2g - Sugar: 10g - Protein: 1g This information helps you understand the dish's health benefits and flavor. Honey adds sweetness, while garlic gives a savory kick. {{ingredient_image_2}} Start by peeling 1 pound of baby carrots. This step lets the sweet glaze stick well. Place the peeled carrots aside on a clean plate. 1. Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add 2 tablespoons of unsalted butter. Let it melt slowly. 2. Once the butter melts, add 2 cloves of finely minced garlic. Cook for about 1 minute. The garlic should smell nice but not turn brown. 3. Now, add the peeled baby carrots to the skillet. Stir them well in the garlic butter. This helps the carrots soak up the flavor. 4. Drizzle 3 tablespoons of pure honey over the carrots. Then, add 1 teaspoon of fresh thyme leaves. Sprinkle with sea salt and black pepper to taste. 5. Mix everything together to coat the carrots evenly. This helps the honey and seasonings blend. 6. Cover the skillet with a lid. Lower the heat and let the carrots cook for 15-20 minutes. Stir them occasionally. They should be tender yet still bright in color. 7. After they soften, remove the lid. Turn the heat back to medium-high. Let the glaze bubble for 2-3 minutes. This thickens the glaze and makes it stick to the carrots. 8. Take the skillet off the heat. Squeeze 1 tablespoon of fresh lemon juice over the carrots. This adds a nice citrus flavor. 9. Taste the glazed carrots. Adjust the seasoning with more salt and pepper if needed. 10. Finally, transfer the honey garlic glazed carrots to a serving dish. If you like, sprinkle some chopped fresh parsley on top for color. Start with fresh baby carrots. They provide a sweet and tender bite. Peel them to enhance their look and taste. When cooking, always melt the butter slowly. This keeps it from burning. Add garlic just after the butter melts. Stir it for about a minute. This infuses the butter with flavor. Use low heat when covering the skillet. This helps the carrots cook evenly and retain their bright color. Stir occasionally to avoid sticking. Do not rush the cooking process. Cooking carrots too fast can make them hard. Avoid burning the garlic. Brown garlic can taste bitter, ruining your dish. Don’t skip seasoning. Salt and pepper enhance the sweet flavors. Also, don’t forget to add the lemon juice at the end. It brightens up the dish and adds a fresh note. You can play with flavors easily! Try using fresh herbs like rosemary or dill for a twist. If you like a bit of heat, add a pinch of red pepper flakes. For a deeper flavor, consider using maple syrup instead of honey. This gives a nice, rich taste. Adding a splash of balsamic vinegar can also create a unique flavor profile. Enjoy experimenting with different spices to find your favorite combination! Pro Tips Use Fresh Thyme: Fresh thyme adds a vibrant flavor that dried thyme can't match. If possible, opt for fresh herbs for the best taste. Adjust Sweetness: Depending on your preference, you can add more or less honey. Taste the glaze before serving to find your perfect balance. Colorful Presentation: Serve with chopped parsley on top to not only enhance the flavor but also to make the dish visually appealing. Perfect Cooking Time: Keep an eye on the carrots while they cook; they should be tender but still have a slight crunch for the best texture. {{image_4}} You can swap honey for other sweeteners. Maple syrup works great. It adds a rich flavor. Agave nectar is a good choice too. If you want a low-calorie option, try stevia. Each sweetener changes the taste a bit but keeps it sweet. Fresh herbs make a big difference. Try adding rosemary for a bold flavor. Dill can give a fresh twist. If you like spice, add a pinch of red pepper flakes. They add a nice heat that pairs with the sweet glaze. Don’t forget about garlic! You can use garlic powder instead of fresh garlic. It saves time and still tastes good. You can cook these carrots in different ways. Roasting them in the oven gives a nice caramelized flavor. Just toss them with the glaze and bake at 400°F for about 25 minutes. If you want a quicker method, try steaming. It keeps the carrots crisp and bright. You can then toss them with the glaze after. Each method brings out new flavors and textures, making this dish unique every time. To store leftover honey garlic glazed carrots, first let them cool. Once cool, place them in an airtight container. This keeps them fresh and tasty. Store the container in the fridge for up to 3 days. If you want to keep them longer, consider freezing. To reheat the carrots, use a skillet over medium heat. Add a splash of water or broth to help steam the carrots. Stir them often until they are warm. You can also heat them in the microwave. Place them in a microwave-safe dish and cover it. Heat for about 1-2 minutes, checking every 30 seconds. Freezing honey garlic glazed carrots is a great option. Place the cooled carrots in a freezer-safe bag. Squeeze out as much air as you can before sealing. Label the bag with the date. You can freeze them for up to 3 months. When ready to eat, thaw them in the fridge overnight before reheating. Yes, you can use regular carrots. Just peel and cut them into small pieces. Make sure the pieces are similar in size for even cooking. Regular carrots may take a bit longer to become tender. Adjust your cooking time accordingly. To thicken the glaze, cook it a bit longer. After adding the honey, allow the mixture to bubble. Stir it often to prevent burning. You can also add a touch of cornstarch mixed with water. This will help the glaze cling to the carrots better. These glazed carrots pair well with many dishes. Try serving them with roasted chicken or grilled steak. They also complement rice or quinoa dishes nicely. For a vegetarian option, serve them alongside a hearty salad or stuffed peppers. This blog post covered how to cook tasty honey garlic glazed carrots. We explored the ingredients, tools, and nutrition facts. I walked you through how to prepare and cook the carrots, plus tips to avoid mistakes. You learned about variations in flavor and cooking methods. Finally, I shared storage tips for leftovers. With these steps, your carrots will shine on any plate. Enjoy making this dish and impress your family or friends. Simple, delicious carrots can be the star of your meal!

Sweet and Savory Honey Garlic Glazed Carrots

A delicious side dish featuring tender baby carrots glazed with a sweet and savory honey garlic sauce.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Course Side Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 4
Calories 150 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 1 lb baby carrots, peeled
  • 3 tablespoons pure honey
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 2 cloves garlic, finely minced
  • 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves (or ½ teaspoon dried thyme)
  • to taste sea salt and freshly cracked black pepper
  • 1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice
  • optional chopped fresh parsley for garnish

Instructions
 

  • Begin by placing a large skillet over medium heat, then add the unsalted butter. Allow it to melt gently without browning.
  • Once the butter is fully melted, add the finely minced garlic. Sauté for about 1 minute until the garlic is fragrant; be careful not to let it turn brown as that can lead to bitterness.
  • Next, add the peeled baby carrots to the skillet. Stir them well so that they are coated thoroughly in the garlic butter, enhancing their flavor.
  • Drizzle the honey generously over the carrots, followed by the fresh thyme, and sprinkle with sea salt and freshly cracked black pepper.
  • Stir the mixture to ensure the carrots are evenly coated in the honey and seasonings, allowing the flavors to meld.
  • Cover the skillet with a lid and reduce the heat to low. Let the carrots cook gently for about 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until they are tender yet still vibrant.
  • After the carrots have softened, remove the lid and raise the heat to medium-high. Allow the glaze to bubble for 2-3 minutes, or until it thickens slightly and clings to the carrots beautifully.
  • Remove the skillet from heat and drizzle the freshly squeezed lemon juice over the glaze. Toss gently to combine, enhancing the flavors with a bright citrus touch.
  • Taste the glazed carrots and adjust the seasoning with additional salt and pepper if needed to suit your palate.
  • Finally, transfer the honey garlic glazed carrots to a serving dish. If desired, sprinkle with chopped fresh parsley for a vibrant finish.

Notes

Serve the glazed carrots in a shallow dish, allowing the glaze to pool slightly at the bottom. Top with a sprinkle of parsley for a vibrant finish.
Keyword carrots, glazed, honey garlic