Made on the stovetop, this easy glazed carrots recipe features tender carrots sweetened with brown sugar, orange juice, and butter for a side dish everyone will love. Learn how to make them in the microwave or in the oven too.
When it comes to veggie dishes for holiday dinners, I always have something orange on the table. Sweet potatoes, carrots, and butternut squash tussle for first place, but I can’t pick a favorite so I usually cook both. I particularly love carrots because they’re inexpensive and always available. These easy-glazed carrots are cooked right in the skillet and are caramelized with butter, orange juice, and a dollop of brown sugar. They’re tender and have the perfect level of sweetness. Cooked on the stove, in the microwave, or in the oven, these glazed carrots are perfect for holiday dinners or any time.
In This Post
Why You’ll Love Them
- These easy-glazed carrots can be cooked in the oven OR in the microwave
- You only need 5 ingredients (not including salt and pepper)
- They’re always a crowd-pleaser and they go with anything
Ingredients for Glazed Carrots
This easy glazed carrots recipe takes regular steamed buttered carrots to a new level.
Here’s what you’ll need:
- Carrots—whole carrots or baby carrots both work equally fine. You can also use rainbow carrots — they have the same flavor but are much prettier.
- Butter—salted or unsalted
- Light brown sugar—(dark brown sugar will have a more molasses taste)
- An orange—use it for the juice and the peel. Freshly squeezed orange juice is a must for this brown sugar carrots recipe. The fresh flavor it imparts makes a big difference in this dish!
- Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper—for flavor
- Parsley—minced for a pretty dish (these would also be delicious with other fresh herbs, like rosemary, thyme, or tarragon)
Find the complete recipe with measurements below.
Do I Have to Use Brown Sugar?
No, these glazed carrots can be made with a variety of sweeteners. You can substitute the brown sugar with any of the sweeteners below:
- honey
- dark brown sugar
- agave
- molasses
- maple syrup
Tip: An extra drizzle of any of these before serving will add an extra candied bite.
How to Make the Best Glazed Carrots on the Stovetop
Cooking these glazed carrots on the stovetop is a time-saving step with fewer dishes left in your wake. This recipe is also easy to scale up for a crowd. Double or triple the amounts listed and use a bigger pot to cook them in, or divide them into batches.
- Boil first. Bring the carrots, butter, brown sugar, water, and orange juice, to a boil in a heavy large skillet. Reduce the heat to medium, cover, and simmer until the carrots are still firm but becoming tender, about 8-10 minutes.
Note: As the cooking continues, the liquids mingle with the sugar and butter to slowly evaporate, condensing to create a light and sweet syrupy slather over each slice. If the liquid dries before your carrots are tender, add 1-2 tablespoons of water so they don’t burn.
- Uncover, stir in the orange zest, and season with salt and pepper. Cook until the carrots are fork-tender and the juices have reduced to a glossy glaze, about 5-7 minutes. Adding a bit of orange zest at the end of cooking gives these carrots a zesty bump.
- Add the finishing touches. Sprinkle with the parsley, taste for seasoning, and serve.
- Last but not least, an extra sprinkling of brown sugar right before serving doesn’t hurt these glazed carrots either.
How to Make Glazed Carrots in the Oven or Microwave
- To cook these carrots in the oven: Place the carrots in a baking dish. Adjust the water to just ⅓ cup then add the remaining ingredients up to the orange zest. Bake at 350°F for 1 to 1 ½ hours. To speed things up, parboil or steam the carrots until tender before putting them in the oven and adjust the baking time to 40-60 minutes. Sprinkle with orange zest and parsley and serve.
- To cook these carrots in the microwave: Place the carrots in a 1-½-qt microwave-safe dish with 2 tablespoons of water and the remaining ingredients up to the parsley. Cover and microwave on high for 8-10 minutes or until crisp-tender. Sprinkle with orange zest and parsley and serve.
Note: Microwaved glazed carrots won’t be as caramelized as those cooked on the stovetop or oven. But they’re still delicious.
Recipe Substitutions and Variations
- Swap out the sweetener. As I mentioned earlier, you can use honey, maple syrup, molasses, or agave instead of brown sugar if you prefer.
- Add some herbs. Fresh tarragon, rosemary, or thyme would all be delicious in this glazed carrots recipe.
- Add some warm spices. Ground cinnamon, ginger, and nutmeg would lend some nice toasty flavors (just be sure to season gradually, because a little of these goes a long way).
- Get crunchy. Add sliced almonds or toasted chopped pecans for some crunch.
FAQ and Recipe Tips
- What is the healthiest way to cook carrots? Steaming carrots (or any veg) is the healthiest way to cook them as that method retains the most nutrients. However, these pan-cooked carrots are still bright, healthy, and full of amazing flavor.
- How long does it take for carrots to soften? Use the microwave method if you’re in a hurry. This is the best way to soften carrots quickly (in about 8-10 minutes), but I prefer the stovetop or oven for the best texture and flavor.
- Can I make glazed carrots a day ahead? Yes! Carrots are a sturdy vegetable, making them a perfect side dish candidate to prep and even cook ahead of time. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days, and reheat to serve.
What to Serve with Glazed Carrots
- The Best Juicy Turkey
- Cranberry Sauce
- The Best Creamy Mashed Potatoes
- Broccoli Casserole with Crispy Onions
- Creamy Instant Pot Mac and Cheese
- The BEST Stuffing
If you make this recipe, please let me know! Leave a rating on this recipe below and leave a comment.
Easy Glazed Carrots Recipe
Ingredients
- 4 cups peeled and sliced carrots
- 4 tablespoons butter
- 4 tablespoons light brown sugar
- ½ cup water
- ½ orange juiced
- 1 tablespoon orange zest
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 1 teaspoon minced flat leaf parsley
Instructions
- Bring the carrots, butter, brown sugar, water, and orange juice, to a boil in a heavy large skillet. Reduce the heat to medium, cover, and simmer until the carrots are still crisp but becoming tender, about 8-10 minutes.
- Uncover, stir in the orange zest, and season with salt and pepper. Cook until the carrots are fork-tender and the juices have reduced to a glossy glaze, about 5-7 minutes.
- Sprinkle with the parsley, taste for seasoning, and serve.
Notes
To cook these carrots in the oven: Place the carrots in a baking dish. Adjust the water to just ⅓ cup then add the remaining ingredients up to the orange zest. Bake at 350°F for 1 to 1 ½ hours. To speed things along, parboil or steam the carrots until crisp tender before putting in the oven and adjust the baking time to 40-60 minutes. Sprinkle with orange zest and parsley and serve.
To cook these carrots in the microwave: Place the carrots in a 1-½-qt. microwave-safe dish with 2 tablespoons of water and the remaining ingredients up to the parsley. Cover and microwave on high for 8-10 minutes or until crisp-tender. Sprinkle with orange zest and parsley and serve.
