These candied carrots are sliced carrots in a brown sugar and butter glaze that are simmered until tender. It’s a super easy side dish that’s perfect for a weeknight dinner or a holiday meal!
Even the most staunch veggie haters will adore these carrots coated in a sticky sweet glaze. They’re so simple to make you won’t even believe it!
One thing I always have in my fridge is a bag of carrots. They’re inexpensive, last for weeks and make for a perfect side dish. These candied carrots dress up your basic steamed carrots with a brown sugar and butter glaze that is out of this world delicious! You can have this side dish on your table in about 15 minutes which makes it perfect for those busy days when you’re trying to get dinner made in a hurry.
How to make candied carrots
To make candied carrots you’ll need whole carrots, butter, brown sugar, salt, pepper and parsley. That’s it! You can cut your carrots into sticks or slices. I typically do slices because they cook faster and are easier to eat.
The first step is to simmer your carrots in a little water until they start to soften. After that you’ll stir in the butter, brown sugar and seasonings, then let everything cook together until the carrots are coated with delicious glaze.
I add a little chopped parsley at the end for added color and flavor, but you can skip that step if you’re in a hurry or don’t have any fresh parsley in the house.
The end result is tender carrots that are both sweet and savory. If you have kids that are picky eaters, these candied carrots are a great way to some some veggies in them, because they taste a little bit like candy as the name implies!
I make these candied carrots as a side to a roasted chicken, and they’re always on our Easter table alongside our holiday ham. However you decide to serve your candied carrots, they’re sure to be a huge hit!
More side dish recipes you’ll love
- Green Bean Bundles
- Garlic Butter Mushrooms
- Parmesan Roasted Broccoli
- Slow Cooker Creamed Corn
- Broccoli and Cheese Casserole
Candied Carrots
Ingredients
- 1 lb carrots peeled and sliced into 1/2 inch pieces
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 3 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/8 teaspoon pepper
- 1 tablespoon chopped parsley
Instructions
- Place the carrots in a large pan. Add 1 cup of water to the pan. Bring to a simmer and cook the carrots for 8-10 minutes or until tender.
- Drain the water from the pan and return the pan to the stove over medium heat. Add the brown sugar, butter, salt and pepper.
- Cook for 2-3 minutes or until butter and sugar have melted and carrots are coated in the glaze. Sprinkle with parsley and serve.
Peter says
A tablespoon or two of Sambuca added to the butter glaze makes a nice variation.
Sara says
That sounds great, will try it next time!
Mary K says
Do you think they’d cook according to the same directions if I used whole baby carrots instead of chopped?
Sara says
Yes that will work you’ll just have to cook them a bit longer!
Shay says
Could these be made a day before ? What’s the best reheat option ?
Sara says
Yes they can, you can either microwave them or reheat over low heat on the stove.
Debbie says
I made these carrots and they were really delicious!
Aunt Charley says
I make these fairly often. When my granddaughter was little she didn’t think she liked carrots. She did ask why I called them candied carrots. Did they have candy in them? I explained that they had butter and brown sugar and it made them taste like they had candy in them. From that night on they have been one of her favorite veggies. She just turned 18.
Lisa Marie Heath says
I absolutely love carrots and have never tried them like this! I’ll have to give it a go this Sunday with our pot roast! I bet everyone will love it
Heather says
I’ve always loved carrots. Recently I’ve even started loving them cooked. This is a recipe I need to try. I’m sure my kids would love it too.
Ricci says
I am not normally a fan of carrots but I feel like I would love these! I will definitely have to try these candied carrots for myself!!
Martine - MeUnfinished says
Awesome! That’s actually how I cook my carrots too! This is such an easy recipe and such a great way to eat vegetables 🙂
Jenn @ EngineerMommy says
How delicious and simple. Sometimes the best recipes are the simplest ones with few ingredients. I totally need to try this recipe.
Chubskulit Rose says
I have never tried making candied carrots, it looks like sweet potatoes! I would love to try this since I love carrots.
Karly says
I think this recipe will be a crowd pleaser at my house! Super easy ! Thanks for sharing!
Penny says
Thanks, I am always needing refreshing on my vegetable rotations and how I prepare them. The assist is appreciated as we approach Easter – recipes needed!
Shoshana Sue says
I have bookmarked this page because I want to try out this recipe over the weekend. It looks so easy and it will be the first time I will be making candied carrots lol
Anosa malanga says
I have never tried this one yet as a sidings and now I got an idea from you. Sounds great. I will try and add some corns here to make some colors. Thanks for this!
Carol Cassara says
This looks awesome and definitely something that I wouldn’t mind making for my husband and I. I think it’s not that difficult and I’m sure it goes well as a side or as is.
Jennifer | Busy Being Jennifer says
Oh, this is a different way to eat carrots! usually, I toss them in with other vegetables but the brown sugar sounds like it’ll taste that much better!
Jenn says
I keep telling myself that I am going to learn how to can vegetables this year. I have never tried it, so far just talked about it.
Kami says
YUM!! MY grandmother used to make the best candied carrots! I’ll have to try these out!
Joely Smith says
These have always been a favorite in my family! In fact, I made these just last night! If you are trying to get kids to eat veggies this is a great way to make them just a little sweet! I add a little orange zest to mine too.
Mary Edwards says
Thank you for providing the PERFECT dish for me to bring to Easter dinner this year. Everyone will love it.
Amber Myers says
These sound like my kind of carrots. I don’t think I’ve ever tried this version before. I might have to make them for an Easter side dish. I’ve always liked cooked carrots.
robin rue says
These sound really tasty! I am going to send this to my sister and see if she wants to make them as part of the easter dinner she is hosting.