Honey Garlic Butter Roasted Carrots

Honey Garlic Butter Roasted Carrots are my go-to side dish when I need something simple yet impressive that transforms ordinary carrots into something special. These tender-crisp carrots get coated in a sweet and savory glaze that makes even veggie skeptics ask for seconds.

I started making these roasted carrots for holiday dinners when I wanted a vegetable side that looked beautiful and tasted even better. The combination of honey sweetness and rich garlic butter creates an irresistible glaze that caramelizes perfectly in the oven. This easy carrot recipe uses simple pantry ingredients but delivers restaurant-quality results. Whether you’re serving them alongside roast chicken or including them in your Thanksgiving spread, these Honey Garlic Butter Roasted Carrots always steal the show.

Simple Ingredients for Glazed Carrots

I always try to find similar-sized carrots when making these Honey Garlic Butter Roasted Carrots for even cooking. Pro tip: Baby carrots work too, but whole carrots cut into sticks develop better caramelization and texture.

• 1 pound carrots, peeled and cut into sticks or left whole if small
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• Salt and black pepper to taste
• 3 tablespoons butter
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tablespoons honey
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley, for garnish

Pro tip: Cutting carrots into uniform sticks about 3 to 4 inches long and 1/2 inch thick ensures they roast evenly. Carrots that are too thin will burn before caramelizing, while thick ones stay hard inside.

How to Roast Perfect Honey Garlic Carrots

I recommend making the honey garlic butter while the carrots roast so everything comes together quickly at the end.

Step 1: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and position a rack in the center position for even heat distribution.

Step 2: In a large mixing bowl, toss the peeled and cut carrots with 2 tablespoons olive oil, salt, and pepper until every piece is evenly coated. The oil helps the carrots caramelize beautifully.

Step 3: Spread the carrots in a single layer on a large baking sheet, making sure they don’t overlap. Overcrowding causes steaming instead of roasting, which prevents that delicious caramelization.

Step 4: Roast the carrots for 20 to 25 minutes, flipping them halfway through at the 10 to 12 minute mark. The carrots are done when they’re tender when pierced with a fork and have golden-brown caramelized edges. Very thick carrots may need an extra 5 minutes.

Step 5: While the carrots roast, melt the butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. Watch carefully as butter can burn quickly.

Step 6: Add the minced garlic to the melted butter and cook for about 1 minute, stirring constantly, until the garlic becomes fragrant and lightly golden. Don’t let the garlic brown or it will taste bitter.

Step 7: Remove the saucepan from heat immediately and stir in the honey. The mixture will bubble and become glossy. Mix until the honey fully incorporates into the butter.

Step 8: Once the carrots finish roasting, remove them from the oven and drizzle the warm honey garlic butter mixture over them. Toss gently to coat every carrot piece in the sweet, garlicky glaze.

Step 9: Transfer the Honey Garlic Butter Roasted Carrots to a serving dish and garnish with chopped fresh parsley. The bright green parsley adds color and fresh flavor that balances the richness.

Pro tip: For extra flavor depth, add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the butter in step 6. The subtle heat beautifully complements the sweet honey.

What to Serve with Roasted Carrots

These Honey Garlic Butter Roasted Carrots pair perfectly with proteins and other dishes that benefit from a sweet, savory side.

Roasted Chicken: The sweet glaze on the carrots complements savory roasted chicken perfectly, and both cook at similar temperatures for easy timing.

Grilled Steak or Beef: Rich beef benefits from the bright sweetness of honey-glazed carrots, creating beautiful plate balance.

Baked or Grilled Fish: Delicate fish like salmon or cod pairs wonderfully with these carrots, and the garlic butter echoes classic fish seasonings.

Holiday Turkey: These carrots make an elegant Thanksgiving or Christmas side dish that looks impressive and tastes incredible alongside traditional turkey.

More Delicious Vegetable Side Dishes

These Honey Garlic Butter Roasted Carrots pair beautifully with other roasted vegetable sides. For more autumn vegetable inspiration, try our Roasted Winter Vegetable Soup or Roasted Butternut Squash Soup that showcase seasonal produce.

When planning holiday meals, serve these carrots alongside hearty mains like our Garlic Butter Steak with Parmesan Cream Sauce or Coconut Curry Chicken. For more vegetable-focused dishes, explore our Spiced Carrot and Lentil Soup or Carrot and Sweet Potato Soup for different ways to enjoy carrots.

Keeping Your Carrots Fresh

Store leftover Honey Garlic Butter Roasted Carrots in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 to 4 days. The carrots will soften slightly as they sit but remain delicious.

To reheat, spread the carrots on a baking sheet and warm in a 350°F oven for 8 to 10 minutes until heated through. This method helps restore some of the caramelized texture. You can also microwave them in 30-second intervals, though they won’t be quite as crispy.

Pro tip: I recommend enjoying these carrots within 2 days for the best texture and flavor. The honey glaze can make them increasingly soft over time, though they still taste wonderful. These don’t freeze well due to the high water content of carrots and the creamy butter sauce.

Common Questions About Honey Garlic Carrots

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