Brown Sugar Glazed Carrots Recipe

Every holiday table benefits from a generous dish of Glazed Carrots. Whether it’s Easter, Christmas, Thanksgiving, or a simple weeknight dinner, brown sugar glazed carrots are a classic side that complements many main dishes.

These brown sugar glazed carrots are wonderfully simple: they take only minutes to prepare and combine sweet, buttery caramel notes with a touch of tang from mustard. I often make them with baby carrots for convenience, but you can use whole carrots trimmed and sliced if you prefer. They taste great alongside roasted meats, baked fish, or creamy pasta dishes, and they add color and sweetness to any plate.

Below you’ll find a straightforward ingredients list, step-by-step instructions, and serving suggestions. This recipe is easy enough for weeknights and festive enough for holiday spreads.

Ingredients Needed for Glazed Carrots

This recipe uses a few pantry staples and fresh carrots. You can scale quantities to serve more or fewer people.

• 3 cups baby carrots (or about 1 pound of whole carrots, peeled and sliced)
• 1/2 cup water (for steaming)
• 2 tbsp butter
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• 1 tsp yellow mustard (adds a subtle tang, not a mustardy flavor)
• 1 tbsp chopped parsley (optional, for garnish)
• Salt, to taste

How to Make Glazed Carrots

This method keeps everything in one skillet for minimal cleanup and fast results. The entire process takes under 10 minutes once your pan is hot.

1. Place the carrots in a large skillet and add 1/2 cup water. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat.
2. Cover the pan, reduce heat to a simmer, and steam the carrots for 5–7 minutes, until a fork slides easily into them.
3. Remove the lid and cook for an additional minute to let most of the water evaporate.
4. Increase the heat slightly to medium. Add the butter, brown sugar, and mustard to the pan. Stir continuously so the butter and sugar melt and form a glossy glaze that coats the carrots.
5. Allow the glaze to thicken for a minute or two, then taste and season with salt if desired.
6. Transfer the glazed carrots to a serving dish and sprinkle with chopped parsley if using. Serve warm.

Brown Sugar Glazed Carrots Recipe

Ingredients (recipe summary)

• 3 cups baby carrots
• 1/2 cup water
• 2 tbsp butter
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• 1 tsp yellow mustard
• 1 tbsp chopped parsley (optional)
• Salt, to taste

Instructions (recipe summary)

1. Place carrots and water in a large skillet and bring to a boil. Cover and reduce to a simmer.
2. Steam 5–7 minutes until fork-tender. Uncover and let excess water evaporate.
3. Turn heat to medium. Add butter, brown sugar, and mustard. Stir until carrots are coated and glaze thickens.
4. Season with salt, garnish with parsley, and serve.

Nutrition (per serving)

Calories: 96 kcal | Fat: 4.8 g | Saturated Fat: 3 g | Cholesterol: 12 mg | Fiber: 2 g | Sugar: 10 g

Tips and Variations

• If using whole carrots, slice them into even pieces so they cook uniformly. Smaller pieces will steam faster.
• Swap yellow mustard for Dijon for a slightly different, smoother tang.
• Add a pinch of cinnamon or a splash of orange juice to the glaze for a warm or citrusy twist.
• For a richer finish, stir in an extra tablespoon of butter at the end before serving.
• Glazed carrots can be prepared ahead and gently reheated on the stovetop with a splash of water to loosen the glaze.

Serving Suggestions for Cooked Carrots

• Pan seared pork chops with pears
• Creamy chicken and spinach pasta
• Browned butter Mizithra cheese spaghetti
• Easy baked salmon

These glazed carrots are a reliable crowd-pleaser: quick to make, full of flavor, and flexible for different menus. Keep the ingredients on hand and you’ll have a vibrant, sweet-savory side ready whenever you need it.