This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.
Tender, tasty, and ready in a flash, sweet glazed carrots are a four-ingredient side dish that’s always a crowd-pleaser.
OUR favorite side dish!
Glazed carrots happen to be one of our all-time favorite side dishes ever!!
We first made them for Christmas over a decade ago, and we’ve been making them for holidays ever since. The butter and brown sugar bring out the flavor, and the carrots become so tender after cooking them that they literally melt in your mouth.
Now, the kids request these brown sugar glazed carrots for birthdays, special meals and every holiday dinner because they love them so much. Once you try them, you’ll easily see why they’re a favorite.
WHY WE LOVE IT:
- They pair well with every main dish! This is the perfect vegetable side dish, especially for special occasions like Easter, Thanksgiving, and Christmas.
- Quick and easy. Made with just a few ingredients and in 20 minutes.
- Many ways to make. This easy side dish can be made on the stove, in the oven, slow cooker, or instant pot!
Ingredients
PREP TIME: 5 minutes
COOK TIME: 15 minutes
- 1 16-ounce bag baby carrots – You can also use larger carrots – peel and cut into coins or sticks. Just make sure the carrot slices are all equal in size.
- ½ cup water – This will help cook the carrots and make them tender.
- 2 tablespoons light brown sugar – or dark brown sugar or substitute with honey or maple syrup. Reduce brown sugar for less sweet carrots.
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter – We use unsalted butter but salted butter can be used as well – just lessen the amount of salt added at the end.
- salt and black pepper – Top with fresh herbs like parsley or thyme. You can also squeeze an orange or lemon juice over the top for a bright twist.
How to Cook Glazed Carrots
- BOIL. Bring 1 16-ounce bag carrots, ½ cup water, 2 tablespoons butter, and 2 tablespoons brown sugar to a boil in a pan or large skillet over medium-high heat.
- SIMMER. Turn to low, simmer for approximately 6 minutes.
- EVAPORATE WATER. Turn back to high and cook until all the water is evaporated, and carrots are fork tender. It took me another 5-8 minutes.
- SEASON & SERVE. Remove from heat. Season with salt and pepper, and enjoy!
Alternative Cooking Methods
- Slow cooker. Place the carrots in a greased crock pot. Combine melted butter, salt, pepper, brown sugar and water. Drizzle over carrots, mix until carrots are coated. Cook on HIGH for 2-3 hours, or until carrots are tender.
- Oven. Place your baby carrots in a buttered baking dish and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Sprinkle with 2 tablespoons brown sugar and drizzle on 2 tablespoons melted butter. Cover and bake at 350° for 1 hour.
- Instant pot. To cook in an instant pot or pressure cooker, place all ingredients in the pot, cover, and secure the vent. Set the pot to “sealing”, press “pressure cook” or “manual” button”. Set the timer for 3 minutes. Once done, manually release the pressure by switching the vent to “venting”.
Glazed Carrots
Ingredients
- 1 (16-ounce) bag baby carrots
- ½ cup water
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 tablespoons packed light brown sugar
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Combine carrots, water, butter, and brown sugar in a pan over medium-high heat and bring to a boil.
- Cover and reduce the heat to cook on low for approximately 6 minutes.
- Keeping covered, turn the heat back to high and cook, stirring occasionally, until all the water is evaporated and carrots are tender, another 5–6 minutes.
- Remove from the heat and sprinkle with salt and pepper.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Recipe FAQ
Add ⅓ cup pine nuts, walnuts, or pecans (chopped and toasted) after simmering for 6 minutes.
Yes! The brown sugar is what makes them “candied” or caramelized. If you want more of the sweetness, just add some more brown sugar!
We suggest making them fresh, but if needed, you can make them a day ahead. Store in an air-tight container in the refrigerator.
Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for 2-3 days. Reheat them in the microwave, or in a skillet on the stove.
To reheat, throw them back into a buttered pan, and cook until carrots are heated through.
Made this for Easter and it was amazing! （╹◡╹）
Any tips for preparing ahead of time to then bring on an hour car ride and serve at a relative’s Easter dinner?
We’d suggest storing in an air-tight container in the refrigerator. Then to reheat, throw them back into a buttered pan, and cook until carrots are heated through. Hopefully they turned out great for the Easter dinner!
This recipe is delicious & easy! Tastes just like Grandma used to meke
Delish!! Quick, easy and delicious! What more could you ask for? 😊 Thanks!
Nothing 🙂 My kind of recipe!! Glad you agree! Thank you!
Sounds super easy and yummy. Will definitely be trying this one!
Sounds SO delicious!
Quick question- if I put them in the oven, do I still add the 1/2 cup of water?
Thank you for the receipe!
Cindy
Thanks! Place your baby carrots in a buttered casserole dish and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Sprinkle with 2 tablespoons brown sugar and drizzle on 2 tablespoons melted butter. Cover and bake at 350° for 1 hour.
I’d like a little more information. I bought a bag of fresh baby carrots. It seems this recipe works better with frozen baby carrots. Also what size pan? Do the carrots have to lay flat?
They don’t have to be frozen. I buy the bag of cut, fresh baby carrots. They don’t have to be laying flat & I use a 10in skillet.
To Judy: You would need to cook fresh raw carrots longer – on simmer – for about 10 minutes or until tender. THEN, add the butter, brown sugar and seasonings, and cook for an additional 5 minutes or so. Fresh raw carrots aren’t going to cook in 5-6 minutes.
Can I substitute butter for margarine?
Yes I’m sure you could!
Can I use chunks of fresh carrots?
Yes! I haven’t tried, but I imagine that would work great too.
I bought steamable baby carrots but I wanna glaze them. How would I cook them first? Put them in the microwave and then afterward. Take mine and glaze them there at After Stir them. Do I bacon with the glaze afterwards to heat him up or just can I stir them all together with it and just warm it up
Rather than steaming the carrots in the bag in the microwave, I’d say just top open the bag and cook them as directed in the recipe.