My Brown Sugar Carrots with Bacon is a delectable holiday dish that my family loves year after year. These carrots are sautéed with bacon and onions, and coated in a sweet and sticky glaze. It is the ultimate 30 minute side.
lf you love carrots as a side dish, try my glazed maple carrots or my instant pot glazed carrots. They are always a family favorite.
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Why this Brown Sugar Glazed Carrots Recipe is a Keeper
I love this recipe because it’s a quick and easy Easter or Thanksgiving side dish that’s super delicious. A real crowd pleaser.
- Flavor Fusion: The combination of sweet brown sugar and salty bacon creates a perfectly balanced flavor profile that appeals to a wide range of palates.
- Simple and Satisfying: This dish is incredibly easy to prepare, requiring minimal ingredients and effort, yet delivers maximum flavor.
- Versatile Side Dish: It pairs well with a variety of main courses, from roasted meats and poultry to vegetarian dishes.
- Kid-Friendly Appeal: The sweetness of the carrots and the savory bacon make this dish a perfect kid-friendly addition, encouraging them to eat their vegetables. It’s a hit with even big kids.
- Special Occasion and Everyday Favorite: It’s perfect for holiday gatherings, family dinners, or even casual weeknight meals. It’s the ultimate crowd-pleaser that has everyone asking for seconds.
- Textural Contrast: The tender carrots and crispy bacon create a delightful textural contrast that enhances the eating experience.
- Customizable Sweetness: You can easily adjust the amount of brown sugar or maple syrup to suit your personal preferences.
- Comfort Food Classic: It’s a warm and comforting dish that’s perfect for chilly days or when you’re craving something hearty and satisfying.
- Easy to elevate: This dish can easily be elevated with the addition of herbs, nuts, or other vegetables. Toss in some fresh herbs for garnish.
Can I use Baby Carrots and Make Brown Sugar Baby Carrots?
Yes, all types of carrots work. Baby carrots are the perfect bite sized orange fleshed carrot that become even better with the sweet and sticky glaze.
Pro Tip for this Favorite Side Dish
Par-cook the carrots: Blanch or steam the carrots briefly before adding them to the bacon fat, stirring occasionally. This ensures they cook evenly and stay tender-crisp.
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Ingredient Notes and Variation Suggestions
To make this brown sugar carrots recipe, we will need just a few ingredients that can easily be found at the store. This recipe is super easy to customize, so try using different ingredients or experimenting with flavors and toppings.
Get the full printable recipe with specific measurements and directions in the recipe card below.
- Brown Sugar: Tasty brown sugar is what gives the carrots the irresistible caramelized flavor that pairs nicely with their natural sweetness.
- Sweetener Variations: Use agave nectar honey or maple syrup.
- Bacon Variations: Use pancetta or prosciutto.
- Nut Variations: Add pecans or walnuts.
How to Make Bacon Brown Sugar Glazed Carrots
This recipe comes together in just 3 easy to follow steps and is made on the stove. These bright orange carrots are so easy and delicious, I come back to them again and again.
Get the full printable recipe with specific measurements and directions in the recipe card below.
- Cook Carrots: Steam carrots until they are fork tender. Drain carrots and set aside.
- Cook Bacon: In a large skillet over medium heat, cook bacon until crisp while carrots are cooking. Remove from heat and place on paper towels to drain off excess grease. Crumble and set aside.
- Cook Onions and Glaze Carrots: Sauté onion in the pan of bacon drippings over medium heat. Stir in brown sugar, All Purpose Seasoning and add carrots. Cook until carrots are glazed and sprinkle with crumbled bacon on top.
Prep Ahead Suggestions to Cook Carrots
When I prepare ingredients ahead of time, it can help save me time and kitchen space when it comes to making everything for dinner.
- Carrot Prep: Peel and cut larger carrots into desired shape (coins, sticks, or whole baby carrots) up to a day in advance. Store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
- Bacon Preparation: Cook the bacon until crispy. Crumble or chop it and store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
- Spice Mix: Measure out any dry spices (like cinnamon or nutmeg) and combine them in a small bowl.
- Glaze Ingredients: Measure out the brown sugar and any other glaze ingredients and store them separately.
How to Store, Reheat and Use Leftover Betty Crocker Kitchens Carrots
- Storing: Store brown sugar and butter glaze carrots in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Reheating: Re heat brown sugar carrots in the air fryer, microwave or oven.
- Using Leftovers: Enjoy this carrots side dish with Crock Pot Turkey and Stuffing.
Common Faq About This Recipe
I can also make these butter and brown sugar carrots in the microwave, oven or air fryer instead of in a pot on the stove. Cook in batches until carrots are tender on the inside and crispy on the outside.
Yes, maple syrup can also be used for the sugar mixture.
Don’t overcook the carrots. Overcooking the carrots can lead to them being too mushy.
Expert Tips for Making this Bacon Carrots Recipe
- This Recipe Can be Doubled: This is a great recipe for a crowd. Simply increase the ingredients proportionately and split it into batches before cooking.
- Render Bacon Properly: Cook the bacon slowly to render out the fat, which will be used to make the glaze. Try these next year for Easter.
- Don’t Overcook: Cook the carrots until carrots become tender but still have a slight bite.
- Adjust Sweetness: Adjust the amount of brown sugar or maple syrup to your taste. Feel free to melt butter on top, and salt and pepper.
- Use Quality Bacon: The flavor of the bacon will significantly impact the overall dish to make a “candied carrots that’s beautiful.
- Glaze at the End: Add the Brown sugar glaze near the very end of cooking, to prevent burning.
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Brown Sugar Carrots with Bacon
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Ingredients
- 2 cups Carrots, sliced
- 3 slices Bacon
- 1 small Onion, chopped
- 3 tablespoons Brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon All Purpose Seasoning Blend
Instructions
- Steam carrots until they are fork tender.
- Drain and set aside.
- Meanwhile, in a large skillet, cook bacon until crisp.
- Remove bacon and place on paper towels to drain off excess grease. Crumble and set aside.
- Reserve 1 tablespoon of bacon drippings in skillet.
- Sauté onion in bacon drippings over medium-high heat for 3 minutes or until tender.
- Stir in brown sugar, All Purpose Seasoning and cooked carrots.
- Cook for 5 minutes or until carrots are glazed and heated through.
- Serve with crumbled bacon on top.
Christina’s Notes
- This Recipe Can be Doubled: This is a great recipe for a crowd. Simply increase the ingredients proportionately and split it into batches before cooking.
- Render Bacon Properly: Cook the bacon slowly to render out the fat, which will be used to make the glaze. Try these next year for Easter.
- Don’t Overcook: Cook the carrots until carrots become tender but still have a slight bite.
- Adjust Sweetness: Adjust the amount of brown sugar or maple syrup to your taste. Feel free to melt butter on top, and salt and pepper.
- Use Quality Bacon: The flavor of the bacon will significantly impact the overall dish to make a “candied carrots that’s beautiful.
- Glaze at the End: Add the Brown sugar glaze near the very end of cooking, to prevent burning.
For more helpful information about this recipe, such as variations, substitutions and other pro-tips, scroll up on the page.
These carrots were so easy, and so delicious! We ate them all! No leftovers here!
… you had me at bacon hehe but truly these came out such a wicked side dish!
This is the perfect side! The whole family loved it.
Loved this! This tasted so amazing! Thanks a lot for sharing this super easy to make recipe! Fam really loves it! Will surely have this again! Highly recommended!
These carrots are amazingly delicious! They were easy to make, and my kids loved them. We will definitely make them again.
So delicious! Thank you for this easy recipe!
You had me at bacon lol such a great side dish!
Ooh I love these, so different from the carrots we usually have at home, and I mean there is bacon so even the kids are all over them!
Carrots looks so yummy and mouthwatering must say. a perfect side dish and a great recipe for clean eating.
I had carrots languishing in my fridge. So glad I came across this recipe. It was fabulous!
Love this combination of bacon and carrots. My whole family did too!
I always liked regular glazed carrots, but oh my goodness these bacon glazed carrots are SO MUCH BETTER! Making then again soon for sure – thanks for the recipe!
Can these be made ahead of time? Reheated or served cold?
I’ve made them a day ahead of time and reheated them on the stove. I did lose a little of the crispiness in the bacon but they were still a hit!
Unable to get recipe!!
It should be fixed now. Thanks for letting me know!
How much brown sugar and pepper? The ingredients just say baby carrots!?!?
I need to make these for a family dinner tomorrow.
Thanks! 🙂
My apologies — something was wonky with the recipe template. I’ve fixed it and the measurements are now showing.
This was fantastic! Easy and delicious! Thanks for sharing!
Glad you liked it! Thanks for reporting back! 🙂
Bacon is on my shopping list, this looks so good! Why wait for Thanksgiving? When I make it I’ll link it back to you.
Thanks for sharing.
I agree! There is no need to wait for Thanksgiving. I’d love to hear how you liked it! Thanks for reading! 🙂
Oh wow! I need to try this. It looks pretty easy to make and everything tastes better with bacon. 🙂
Cindy from Superheroes and Teacups
Hi Cindy! These carrots are incredible! And you’re right, everything does taste better with bacon! 🙂 Thanks for stopping by!
Bacon, bacon, bacon! These sound amazing!