Honey Garlic Roasted Carrots

These Honey Garlic Carrots may just be the best way to make carrots. These are seriously delicious and are quickly becoming our favorite side dish along with these Crispy Balsamic Brussels Sprouts and the Best Mashed Cauliflower.

Finding easy vegetable side dish options is one of the things that people ask about most often. While many of us have plenty of ideas for dinners, we end up making the same boring side dishes over and over again.

Today I am here to help you break out of the side dish rut with these amazing roasted carrots.

These are some truly tasty carrots. They are roasted in the oven with a combination of honey, olive oil, and garlic until the inside is tender and the outside is caramelized and slightly crispy. In fact, we like them so much, we ate them right off the baking sheet. My kids were shoveling them in. 

The other great thing about roasting carrots is that it is so easy. You can use chopped carrots, baby carrots, and even whole carrots. You can add in any spices you like, add fresh or dried herbs, or kick things up with spice. The options are endless.

Why We Love Roasted Carrots

• All you need is 4 ingredients and 25 minutes
• Truly a crowd-pleaser. Kids and adults love these the taste of these sweet and crispy carrots
• Budget-friendly. Carrots are one of the most affordable veggies in the store
• Easy enough for weeknight dinners but special enough for the holidays 

Ingredients and Easy Swaps

• Carrots: This recipe is versatile and works with all different varieties of carrots. Use regular carrots, baby carrots, rainbow carrots, or smaller heirloom carrots. You can also add some parsnips to the mix. 
• Olive oil: For the carrots to caramelize, they need fat. olive oil is the most common but you could also use melted butter, avocado oil, or ghee. When I am making these for Thanksgiving or another holiday, I always use melted butter for a more classic flavor. 
• Honey: This brings out the sweetness of the carrots. Pure maple syrup is a great vegetarian option but will add a subtle maple flavor. Reduce the amount for less sugar.
• Garlic Fresh garlic will give the most pungent flavor but swap in garlic powder if that's what you have on hand.
• Salt and pepper: Salt and pepper are critical to balance the sweetness. Make sure to season liberally. 
• Garnish ideas: Fresh herbs like parsley, thyme, rosemary, oregano, or chives. For holidays, consider adding goat cheese and dried cranberries or pomegranate seeds. For a beautiful presentation, add a homemade yogurt sauce, a drizzle of tahini, or herb vinaigrette. 

How to Make Honey Garlic Carrots

Roasting carrots is one of the best ways to prepare this healthy, crowd-pleasing veggie.

• Prep the carrots: Wash and dry the carrots. It's up to you if you peel the carrots or leave the skin on. The skin has an earthy flavor but it is thin and edible. If you don't remove the skin, make sure to wash it well. Then cut the carrots into your desired shape - rounds, chunks, thin strips, or for a fancier presentation cut them in half or keep smaller carrots whole. Keep in mind that the size will affect how long they take to roast.
• Add oil and seasoning: Toss with olive oil, honey, garlic, salt, and pepper. Add any extra seasoning or herbs if using. 
• Bake in a single layer: Lay the carrots in a single layer on a baking sheet, trying not to overlap the carrots. When the pan is crowded, the carrots steam instead of roast. Roast for 15-30 minutes, shaking the pan a few times during cooking. Cooking time will vary depending on the size of the carrots. Smaller coins will take around 15 minutes while whole or halved carrots will take between 30-40 minutes. You know the carrots are done cooking when they are fork tender. 

Use a Cast Iron Skillet

Making honey carrots on the stove is also an easy option for a tasty side dish. Start by heating a cast iron skillet over medium-high heat and add the olive oil. Add the carrots to the pan in a single layer and let cook for 3-4 minutes until they begin to brown and caramelize.

Stir and continue to let the carrots cook and brown for an additional 7-8 minutes until tender. Add the garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant. Turn off the heat and stir in the honey. Season with salt and pepper.

Variations and Recipe Ideas

• Add onions: Chop a sweet onion or red onion into large slices and add them right to the baking sheet with the carrots to infuse some extra flavor.
• Add sweet potatoes: Add a peeled and chopped sweet potato right alongside the carrots. Make sure to cut it into small enough pieces that it will cook in the same amount of time as the carrots. These flavors are a really tasty combination.
• Add thyme: Fresh or dried herbs can add layers of flavor to the dish and complement your main course. Fresh or dried thyme pairs really well with carrots.
• Add rosemary: Another option for herbs is rosemary The earthy flavor complements the sweetness of the carrots and honey.
• Make them spicy: If you love the combination of sweet and spicy, add some harissa paste or red pepper flakes to your honey and olive oil mixture. It's magical if you like spice.
• Add balsamic: Add a tablespoon of balsamic vinegar to the honey and olive oil mixture OR finish the carrots with a drizzle of balsamic vinegar or glaze before serving. Apple cider vinegar works as well.

Main Dish Ideas

These carrots can be served with almost anything! Here are some of our favorites.

• Holidays: If you are making these for a holiday meal, consider serving them with a Slow Cooker Turkey Breast or Balsamic Pork Roast.
• Weeknight meals: Serve this with Honey Garlic Salmon, Crispy Almond Crusted Pork Chops, or Baked Chicken Drumsticks.
• More veggies: Make these roasted carrots part of your side dish spread paired with these Roasted Green Beans and Roasted Mushrooms.

Make Ahead

One of the best things about roasted carrots is that they can actually be cooked in advance. Just cook them according to the recipe below and store them in an airtight container.

To reheat, place them back in a 400-degree oven for 10-15 minutes. You can also reheat them in a skillet.

For some extra crispiness, brush them with a little extra honey and olive oil when reheating.