Description
Sweet and tender brown sugar glazed carrots, a simple and comforting side dish made by simmering carrots until tender and then glazing them with butter and brown sugar for a deliciously rich finish.
Ingredients
Scale
Carrots
- 1 ½ pounds carrots (peeled, sliced into ½ inch pieces)
Seasoning & Glaze
- 2 teaspoons salt (divided)
- 1 ½ tablespoons unsalted butter
- ½ cup light brown sugar (packed)
- Parsley (for garnish)
Instructions
- Prepare the carrots: Place peeled and sliced carrots in a medium-size pot. Add 1 ½ teaspoons of salt and cover completely with cold water, making sure the water level is at least 1 inch above the carrots. Stir briefly to distribute the salt.
- Boil and simmer: Bring the pot to a boil over high heat, then reduce the heat to maintain a gentle simmer.
- Cook until tender: Simmer the carrots for about 10 to 20 minutes, depending on the size of the carrot pieces and your preferred tenderness. Check by piercing with a fork.
- Drain and return to pot: Drain the cooked carrots thoroughly and return them to the pot over medium heat.
- Add butter and brown sugar: Add butter to the hot carrots and allow it to melt. Once nearly melted, stir in the light brown sugar and continue cooking over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the sugar melts completely and the glaze thickens, about 5 minutes.
- Season and remove from heat: Stir in the remaining ½ teaspoon of salt evenly through the glazed carrots, then remove the pot from heat.
- Serve: Transfer the glazed carrots to a serving dish and garnish with fresh parsley, if desired, for a pop of color and freshness.
Notes
- Carrot size affects cooking time, so adjust simmering time until desired tenderness is achieved.
- Use unsalted butter to better control the overall saltiness of the dish.
- Light brown sugar provides a milder molasses flavor; dark brown sugar can be used for a richer taste.
- This dish pairs well with roasted meats or as a sweet complement to savory mains.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated and gently reheated before serving.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: brown sugar glazed carrots, glazed carrots recipe, side dish carrots, easy carrot recipe, buttery glazed carrots
