Name: Honey Glazed Roasted Carrots
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 35 min
Total time: 55 min
Ingredients: Carrots: The star of the show! About 2 pounds of fresh carrots, peeled and cut into roughly equal pieces. You can use full-sized carrots or baby carrots, though I find full-sized carrots, when peeled and cut, offer a better texture and flavor after roasting. Look for firm, brightly colored carrots without blemishes for the best results. The size of the carrot pieces will influence cooking time, so aim for roughly uniform chunks for even roasting.; Olive Oil: A good quality olive oil is essential for roasting. It helps the carrots to caramelize beautifully and adds a subtle richness to the flavor. Extra virgin olive oil is preferred for its superior taste and health benefits, but regular olive oil will also work well. Olive oil also prevents the carrots from drying out in the oven and encourages browning.; Honey: The magic ingredient that provides the signature sweetness and glaze. Use a good quality honey, as its flavor will significantly impact the final dish. Different types of honey, like wildflower, clover, or buckwheat, will impart slightly different flavor nuances, so feel free to experiment to find your favorite. Honey not only adds sweetness but also helps create a beautiful, glossy glaze as it caramelizes in the oven.; Butter: A touch of butter adds richness and depth of flavor to the glaze. Unsalted butter is recommended so you can control the overall saltiness of the dish. The butter melts into the honey and olive oil, creating a luscious and flavorful coating for the carrots. It also contributes to the browning and caramelization process.; Garlic: Fresh garlic cloves, minced, bring a savory counterpoint to the sweetness of the honey. Garlic adds a wonderful aromatic depth that elevates the overall flavor profile of the roasted carrots. Make sure to mince the garlic finely so it distributes evenly and infuses its flavor throughout the dish without overpowering it.; Fresh Thyme (Optional but Recommended): Fresh thyme sprigs add a fragrant, herbaceous note that complements both the sweetness of the honey and the earthiness of the carrots. Thyme provides a subtle but noticeable layer of complexity and freshness. If you don’t have fresh thyme, you can substitute with dried thyme, but fresh is definitely preferred for its brighter flavor.; Salt and Black Pepper: Essential seasonings to enhance all the flavors. Use kosher salt or sea salt for a cleaner taste. Freshly ground black pepper is always preferable for its bolder flavor. Salt and pepper are crucial for balancing the sweetness and bringing out the natural flavors of the carrots and other ingredients.

Ingredients

The beauty of Honey Glazed Roasted Carrots lies in its simplicity. You don’t need a long list of exotic ingredients to create a dish that’s both flavorful and visually appealing. Here’s what you’ll need to gather:

Carrots: The star of the show! About 2 pounds of fresh carrots, peeled and cut into roughly equal pieces. You can use full-sized carrots or baby carrots, though I find full-sized carrots, when peeled and cut, offer a better texture and flavor after roasting. Look for firm, brightly colored carrots without blemishes for the best results. The size of the carrot pieces will influence cooking time, so aim for roughly uniform chunks for even roasting.
Olive Oil: A good quality olive oil is essential for roasting. It helps the carrots to caramelize beautifully and adds a subtle richness to the flavor. Extra virgin olive oil is preferred for its superior taste and health benefits, but regular olive oil will also work well. Olive oil also prevents the carrots from drying out in the oven and encourages browning.
Honey: The magic ingredient that provides the signature sweetness and glaze. Use a good quality honey, as its flavor will significantly impact the final dish. Different types of honey, like wildflower, clover, or buckwheat, will impart slightly different flavor nuances, so feel free to experiment to find your favorite. Honey not only adds sweetness but also helps create a beautiful, glossy glaze as it caramelizes in the oven.
Butter: A touch of butter adds richness and depth of flavor to the glaze. Unsalted butter is recommended so you can control the overall saltiness of the dish. The butter melts into the honey and olive oil, creating a luscious and flavorful coating for the carrots. It also contributes to the browning and caramelization process.
Garlic: Fresh garlic cloves, minced, bring a savory counterpoint to the sweetness of the honey. Garlic adds a wonderful aromatic depth that elevates the overall flavor profile of the roasted carrots. Make sure to mince the garlic finely so it distributes evenly and infuses its flavor throughout the dish without overpowering it.
Fresh Thyme (Optional but Recommended): Fresh thyme sprigs add a fragrant, herbaceous note that complements both the sweetness of the honey and the earthiness of the carrots. Thyme provides a subtle but noticeable layer of complexity and freshness. If you don’t have fresh thyme, you can substitute with dried thyme, but fresh is definitely preferred for its brighter flavor.
Salt and Black Pepper: Essential seasonings to enhance all the flavors. Use kosher salt or sea salt for a cleaner taste. Freshly ground black pepper is always preferable for its bolder flavor. Salt and pepper are crucial for balancing the sweetness and bringing out the natural flavors of the carrots and other ingredients.

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Instructions

Creating perfectly Honey Glazed Roasted Carrots is surprisingly straightforward. Follow these simple instructions, and you’ll be enjoying a delicious and impressive side dish in no time.

Preheat Your Oven and Prepare the Carrots: Start by preheating your oven to 400°F (200°C). This high temperature is crucial for achieving that beautiful caramelization and tender-crisp texture we’re aiming for. While the oven is preheating, prepare your carrots. Thoroughly wash and peel the carrots. Once peeled, cut them into uniform pieces. For standard-sized carrots, I usually cut them into 1-inch thick rounds or batons. If using very thick carrots, you might want to halve or quarter them lengthwise before cutting into pieces to ensure even cooking. Uniformity in size is key to ensure all the carrots cook at the same rate.
Toss Carrots with Olive Oil and Seasoning: In a large bowl, toss the prepared carrot pieces with olive oil. Use enough olive oil to lightly coat all the carrots – about 2-3 tablespoons should suffice for 2 pounds of carrots. Season generously with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Don’t be shy with the seasoning; it’s essential for bringing out the natural sweetness of the carrots and balancing the flavors. At this stage, if you are using fresh thyme, add the thyme sprigs to the bowl as well. Tossing the carrots with oil and seasoning before roasting ensures that they are evenly coated and flavorful from the start.
Roast the Carrots: Spread the seasoned carrots in a single layer on a large baking sheet. Avoid overcrowding the baking sheet, as this will steam the carrots instead of roasting them, preventing proper caramelization. If necessary, use two baking sheets. Roast in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the carrots are tender-crisp and slightly browned. The exact roasting time will depend on the size and thickness of your carrot pieces and your oven. Keep an eye on them and check for tenderness with a fork after about 20 minutes. You want them to be cooked through but still have a slight bite.
Prepare the Honey Glaze: While the carrots are roasting, prepare the honey glaze. In a small saucepan over medium-low heat, combine the honey, butter, and minced garlic. Heat gently, stirring occasionally, until the butter is melted and the glaze is smooth and fragrant. Be careful not to overheat the glaze or let it boil, as this can cause the honey to crystallize or become bitter. The goal is to gently melt the butter and infuse the honey with the garlic flavor. This usually takes just a few minutes.
Glaze the Carrots and Finish Roasting: Once the carrots are tender-crisp, remove the baking sheet from the oven. Pour the honey glaze evenly over the roasted carrots. Toss gently to coat all the carrots with the glaze. Return the baking sheet to the oven and continue roasting for another 5-10 minutes, or until the glaze has caramelized and the carrots are beautifully glossy and sticky. Keep a close watch during this final roasting stage to prevent the glaze from burning. The honey glaze will thicken and become wonderfully caramelized, giving the carrots their signature sticky-sweet coating.
Serve and Enjoy: Remove the Honey Glazed Roasted Carrots from the oven and let them cool slightly before serving. Garnish with fresh thyme sprigs, if desired, for a touch of freshness and visual appeal. Serve them hot as a delicious side dish alongside your favorite main course. They are equally delightful served warm or even at room temperature. These Honey Glazed Roasted Carrots are best enjoyed fresh but can be stored in the refrigerator for later if needed.

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 35 minutes

Nutrition

Serving Size: one normal portion
Calories: 180
Carbohydrates: 25g
Fiber: 5g