Honey Garlic Butter Roasted Carrots are the ultimate side dish for your Sunday roast! Roasting intensifies their vibrant orange color, making them a visual delight. The natural sweetness of the carrots, enhanced by honey, creates a caramelized exterior that’s both sweet and savory. Butter adds a rich, creamy texture, while garlic infuses a fragrant, aromatic note. This results in tender, flavorful carrots with a hint of sweetness and golden-brown edges thanks to our much-loved Honey Garlic Butter Sauce. A sprinkle of fresh parsley adds a burst of freshness that ties everything together beautifully.
What Sets These Honey Garlic Carrots Apart?
Everyone loves honey carrots, right? Well, we’ve taken them to the next level by adding a splash of Garlic Butter, giving you the perfect combination of salty and sweet.
Our recipe is crafted with simplicity and convenience in mind, using everyday ingredients you probably already have in your kitchen. The straightforward instructions ensure anyone can achieve restaurant-quality results at home. Plus, the rich, caramelized flavor of the roasted carrots, enhanced by the garlic butter, makes this dish a standout. Everything that works deserves to be repeated. Everything that works deserves to be repeated, which is why we applied a similar procedure to our Cheesy Garlic Roasted Brussels Sprouts.
Honey Garlic Butter Carrots: Key Ingredients
The secret to this dish lies in its key ingredients. Butter adds rich creaminess, honey brings sweetness, and garlic infuses a robust aroma. Each component creates a luxurious, flavorful sauce that perfectly complements the tender carrots in this Honey Garlic Butter Roasted Carrots recipe:
- Carrots: Choose fresh, firm carrots for the best texture and flavor. Look for carrots that are brightly colored and free from cracks or blemishes. For convenience, you can use pre-washed baby carrots, but full-sized carrots sliced into sticks will give you a better caramelized finish.
- Butter: Unsalted butter is ideal as it allows you to control the saltiness of the dish. Look for high-quality, creamy butter for a rich, luxurious base that enhances the overall flavor.
- Garlic: Fresh garlic is a must! Choose plump, firm cloves with tight skin. Avoid any that are sprouting or feel soft. Minced garlic brings an aromatic depth to the dish, so don’t skimp on it.
- Honey: Opt for raw, local honey if possible. Its natural sweetness and slight floral notes add a unique touch to the recipe. Plus, raw honey often has more nuanced flavors compared to regular processed honey.
*Note: Please see Recipe Card at the bottom for a full list of ingredients and measurements.
Additions And Substitutions
When it comes to Honey Garlic Butter Roasted Carrots, versatility is key. Even if you don’t have every ingredient on hand, no worries—there are plenty of tasty alternatives that will keep the flavors delightful and satisfying:
- Parsnips: Swap out carrots for parsnips to bring a unique, subtly sweet flavor to the dish. Parsnips roast beautifully and pair perfectly with the honey garlic butter sauce.
- Sweet Potatoes: For a heartier side, use sweet potatoes instead of carrots. Their natural sweetness complements the honey and garlic, creating a rich and satisfying flavor profile.
- Butternut Squash: This versatile vegetable is a great alternative to carrots. Butternut squash has a slightly nutty taste that blends wonderfully with the honey garlic butter sauce.
Perfect Honey Garlic Butterz Carrots: Step-By-Step
Ready to create a delectable Honey Garlic Butter Roasted Carrots dish? Follow these simple steps with images to guide you through the process. You’ll achieve tender, caramelized carrots with the perfect blend of honey, garlic, and butter, making for a side dish that’s sure to impress and delight:
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C). Lightly grease a large baking sheet with nonstick cooking oil spray and set aside.
- Prepare the Carrots: Trim the ends of the carrots and cut them into thirds.
- Make the Sauce: Melt butter in a pan or skillet over medium heat. Pour in honey and cook, stirring, until fully combined. Add the garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Coat the Carrots: Add the carrots to the pan and toss them in the sauce, allowing it to thicken. Season with salt and pepper.
- Arrange on Baking Sheet: Transfer the carrots to the baking tray in a single layer for even cooking. Toss to coat evenly.
- Roast and Broil: Roast for 20 minutes, or until the carrots are fork-tender. Broil (or grill) for 2-3 minutes on high heat to crisp the edges.
- Optional Glaze: Transfer the carrots back to the skillet and simmer in the sauce over high heat for 5 minutes to thicken into a glaze.
- Season and Serve: Season with a little extra salt and pepper if desired. Garnish with parsley and serve.
And there you have it—delicious Honey Garlic Butter Roasted Carrots ready to be served! For more mouthwatering side dishes and recipes, explore some of our favorites, such as Garlic Butter Tuscan Shrimp for a rich and creamy main dish or Cheesy Garlic Roasted Brussels Sprouts for another delightful veggie side. If you’re in the mood for a flavorful and healthy dinner option, try our Honey Garlic Butter Salmon, or for a crispy, succulent roast, opt for Pork Roast with Crackling. Happy cooking, and enjoy your delicious creations!
Recipe FAQ’s
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven or microwave until warmed through.
Make sure to spread the carrots in a single layer on the baking sheet to ensure even roasting and avoid overcrowding.
Yes, you can use olive oil or a dairy-free butter substitute to make this dish suitable for those with dairy restrictions.
Honey Garlic Butter Roasted Carrots
Ingredients
- 2 pounds carrots washed and peeled, or unpeeled
- ⅓ cup butter
- 3 tablespoons honey
- 4 cloves garlic minced
- ¼-1/2 teaspoon salt plus more for seasoning
- 1 pinch black pepper cracked
- 2 tablespoons parsley fresh, chopped
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C). Lightly grease a large baking sheet with nonstick cooking oil spray; set aside.
- Trim ends of carrots and cut into thirds.
- Melt butter in a pan or skillet over medium-heat. Pour in honey and cook, while stirring, until completely melted through the butter. Add the garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant while stirring.
- Add the carrots and allow the sauce to thicken for a further minute, while tossing the carrots through the sauce. Season with salt and pepper.
- Transfer carrots to baking sheet in a single layer so they cook evenly. Toss to evenly coat.
- Roast for 20 minutes, or until carrots are fork-tender. Broil (or grill) for 2-3 minutes on high heat to crisp/char the edges.
- OPTIONAL: Transfer them back into the skillet and allow carrots to simmer in the sauce over high heat for 5 minutes to thicken the sauce into a glaze. *SEE NOTES.
- Season with a little extra salt and pepper if desired. Garnish with parsley.
- Arrange onto serving platter and enjoy!
Heather says
These delicious, caramalized carrots take a bit of time in roasting, but the taste with the honey and fresh garlic is well worth the wait. My daughter, who does not prefer cooked carrots, ate an extra helping, they were so tasty. Thank you for the great recipe, Karina!
Miller says
Can this recipe/sauce be used to also cook chicken or potatos as a full sheet pan recipe?