Maple Glazed Carrots are the perfect side! Tender carrots tossed in a brown sugar glaze will make the best addition to your Thanksgiving or special family dinner.
If you want to try even more special side dishes, try my Roasted Honey Garlic Carrots or these showstopping brussel sprouts prosciutto recipe.
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Why this Maple Glazed Carrot Recipe is a Keeper
Maple-glazed carrots are a simple yet elegant side dish that’s perfect for any occasion. The sweet and savory flavor profile, combined with the vibrant color, makes them a crowd-pleaser.
- 30 Minute Meal: This is a quick and easy side dish for your Thanksgiving dinner!
- Easy Ingredients: This recipe uses 6 common ingredients you often have on hand. Honey glazed carrots are a perfect side!
- Holiday Favorite: Everyone in the family loves it, making it a go-to Thanksgiving side dish. You can also use baby carrots if you prefer.
- Crowd-Pleaser: Easily scale up this recipe for carrots to feed a crowd.
How Can I Prevent the Carrots from Becoming too Soft?
Don’t overcook your carrots! Overcooking can lead to mushy carrots so make sure to keep an eye on them and remove them from the oven as soon as they’re tender-crisp.
Simple Ingredients for Maple Roasted Carrots
To make this easy side dish recipe, you will need just a few ingredients. If you don’t already have these ingredients in your kitchen, they can easily be found at the store.
- Maple Syrup: Real maple syrup and brown sugar work great with the natural sweetness of the carrots.
- Carrots: We use baby carrots in this easy recipe but you could also peel chop up some large carrots to use or any kind of carrots.
See the recipe card below for a complete list of the ingredients with measurements.
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Prep Ahead Suggestions for this Side Dish
Prepping ahead of time can really help to save you time and kitchen space if you’re hosting a holiday dinner!
- Prep Carrots: If you decide you want to use whole carrots you will need to prep them. Peel the carrots and slice them lengthwise or into discs.
- Make Ahead: You can make the carrots ahead of time! Roast them as directed, then store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
Pro Tip for Easy Maple Carrots
For an extra burst of flavor, consider adding a pinch of red pepper flakes to your maple glaze. This unexpected touch of heat complements the sweetness of the maple syrup and adds a delightful kick to your carrots prepared for your special dinner.
How to Make Maple Syrup Roasted Carrots Recipe
This recipe comes together in just 3 quick and easy steps. This weeknight dinner side dish is so good, it will quickly become one of your favorite recipes!
These are the basic steps for making Maple Glazed Carrots. Refer to the full, printable recipe card below for detailed instructions.
1. Preheat Oven and Prep Pan
Preheat oven to 400℉. Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper. Spread add the carrots in a single layer on baking sheet.
2. Make Maple Drizzle
In a small bowl, stir together the maple syrup, light brown sugar, crushed red pepper and salt. Drizzle the syrup mixture evenly over the whole carrots and toss until all of the carrots are coated.
3. Add Butter and Bake
Cut the unsalted butter into small pieces and evenly scatter it on top of the carrots. Roast for 45-50 minutes in the oven, stirring about halfway. The carrots are done when they are browned and tender.
How to Store, Reheat and Use Leftovers for Weeknight Dinners
- Storing: Store glazed maple carrots in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Reheating: Reheat maple syrup glazed carrots in a hot oven! Keep in mind they will be a little softer than they were originally, so keep the cooking time short.
- Using Leftovers: Enjoy leftovers with Ham and Pickle Roll Ups.
Variations and Substitutions for this Thanksgiving Side Dish
This glazed baby carrots recipe is super easy to customize to make it your own! Try taking it to the next level by adding other ingredients or trying different flavors.
- Add Bacon: Add bacon to the cooked carrots for the perfect side dish.
- Fresh Herbs: To up the flavor a bit, use fresh herbs like parsley and thyme.
- Citrus: A squeeze of lemon or orange juice can brighten the flavor.
Recipe FAQs and Reader Interactions
Serve with Crock Pot Spiral Ham, Old Bay Crab Dip with Cream Cheese or Shrimp Deviled Eggs.
I prefer to use pure maple syrup, but you can use artificial syrup or use sugar-free maple syrup if you’d like.
I would not recommend freezing this delicious side dish to a holiday main course.
You can really add whatever toppings you’d like!
Expert Tips for Making This Recipe
- Fresh is Best: Roasted carrots are the perfect side dish! Use fresh carrots for the best flavor and texture.
- Adjust the Sweetness: If you prefer a sweeter glaze, add more maple syrup. For a less sweet version, reduce the amount of maple syrup.
- Experiment with Herbs: Try different herbs like rosemary or sage to add a unique flavor to your baked maple glazed carrots.
- Topping: To top the sweet and buttery roasted carrots, season with salt and pepper, or a little extra brown sugar.
- Different Veggies: Try different sweet maple roasted veggies as a great side to sweeten your weeknight meals.
Maple Glazed Carrots
Equipment
- Butter knife
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Ingredients
- 2 pounds Baby carrots
- ⅓ cup Light brown sugar, packed
- ⅓ cup Maple syrup
- ½ teaspoon Crushed red pepper
- ½ teaspoon Salt
- 5 tablespoons Butter
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400℉. Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Spread out carrots on baking sheet. Cut butter into pieces and scatter.
- In a small bowl, stir together the maple syrup, brown sugar, crushed red pepper and salt.
- Drizzle the syrup mixture evenly over the carrots and toss until all of the carrots are coated.
- Cut the butter into small pieces and evenly scatter it on top of the carrots.
- Roast for 45-50 minutes, stirring at 25 minutes. The carrots are done when they are browned and tender.
Christina’s Notes
- Fresh is Best: Roasted carrots are the perfect side dish! Use fresh carrots for the best flavor and texture.
- Adjust the Sweetness: If you prefer a sweeter glaze, add more maple syrup. For a less sweet version, reduce the amount of maple syrup.
- Experiment with Herbs: Try different herbs like rosemary or sage to add a unique flavor to your baked maple glazed carrots.
- Topping: To top the sweet and buttery roasted carrots, season with salt and pepper, or a little extra brown sugar.
- Different Veggies: Try different sweet maple roasted veggies as a great side to sweeten your weeknight meals.
For more helpful information about this recipe, such as variations, substitutions and other pro-tips, scroll up on the page.