Description

Tender roasted carrots tossed in a sweet honey-butter glaze and finished with fresh thyme. This easy side dish is vibrant, comforting, and perfect for weeknights or holiday gatherings.

Ingredients

Scale

2 lbs carrots, peeled and sliced into 1/2-inch thick diagonal pieces
3 tbsp honey
2 tbsp unsalted butter, melted
1 tbsp fresh thyme leaves, stems removed and roughly chopped
3/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp black pepper, freshly ground
Optional: 1/4 tsp garlic powder
Optional: 1/2 tsp lemon zest
Optional: Chopped parsley for garnish

Instructions

Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or foil.
Peel and cut carrots into 1/2-inch thick diagonal slices. If using baby carrots, halve them lengthwise.
In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together honey, melted butter, salt, and black pepper. Add garlic powder and/or lemon zest if using. Mix until smooth.
Add sliced carrots to the bowl and toss until well coated. If glaze is too thick, add 1 tsp water.
Spread glazed carrots in a single layer on the baking sheet. Use two sheets if needed to avoid crowding.
Roast for 15 minutes.
Remove pan, flip carrots with tongs or spatula, sprinkle fresh thyme over carrots, and return to oven. Roast another 10-12 minutes until carrots are tender and edges caramelized.
Check doneness: carrots should be fork-tender and glossy. If still firm, roast another 3-5 minutes.
Transfer to serving platter. Garnish with chopped parsley or extra thyme. Serve hot or warm.

Notes

For vegan or dairy-free, substitute butter with olive oil or vegan butter, and honey with agave or maple syrup. Cut carrots evenly for best texture. Add thyme at the end for fresh flavor. Don’t overcrowd the pan to ensure roasting, not steaming. Store leftovers in the fridge up to 4 days or freeze up to 2 months.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Category: Side Dish
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: About 1 cup (150 g) per serving
Calories: 110
Sugar: 10
Sodium: 300
Fat: 3
Saturated Fat: 2
Carbohydrates: 19
Fiber: 3
Protein: 1

Keywords: honey glazed carrots, roasted carrots, easy side dish, fresh thyme, holiday vegetables, gluten-free, vegetarian, healthy carrots