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Home » Recipes » Side Dishes

Last Updated: Jul 15, 2024 by Angela Latimer · Leave a Comment

Candied Carrots

Jump to Recipe
Pin image with text of a bowl of candied carrots.

These candied carrots are a kid-approved, delectable vegetable side dish that can be enjoyed on any occasion. Tender carrots are coated in a sweet brown sugar glaze that is truly irresistible. They are buttery, delicious, and can easily complement your favorite chicken, pork, fish, or beef recipes!

Square image of a bowl of candied carrots.
Jump to:
  • Homemade Candied Carrots Recipe
  • 🥘 Ingredients
  • 🔪 How To Make Candied Carrots
  • 💭 Angela's Pro Tips & Recipe Notes
  • 🥡 Storing & Reheating
  • ❓ Recipe FAQs
  • 🥕 More Vegetable Side Dishes
  • 📖 Recipe Card
  • 💬 Comments & Reviews

Homemade Candied Carrots Recipe

As a child, carrots were one of my favorite vegetables. They have a natural sweetness that is so yummy, especially when enhanced with some brown sugar or honey.

Even though my love of veggies has expanded as an adult, I still enjoy whipping up a side of these candied carrots. I always know they are going to be a hit, no matter who I'm serving!.

🥘 Ingredients

You are just 3 ingredients away (plus some salt and pepper) from some incredibly delicious candied carrots! All you need is some carrots, sugar, and butter.

Tall image of ingredients needed for candied carrots.
  • Carrots - 1 pound of carrots. Prepare them by peeling them and cutting them into ¼-inch rounds.
  • Brown Sugar - ¼ cup of light brown sugar, packed. You can use dark brown sugar, but it will add more of a molasses flavor (which is not a bad thing!)
  • Butter - 2 tablespoons of butter, either sliced or cubed.
  • Salt & Pepper - 1 pinch of both salt and pepper.
  • Cinnamon (optional) - 1 pinch of ground cinnamon for some extra flavor, if desired.

Be sure to see the free printable recipe card below for ingredients, exact amounts & instructions with tips!

🔪 How To Make Candied Carrots

There are so many different ways to cook carrots, but this has still got to be one of the easiest. You'll want a knife and cutting board for slicing the carrots and a saucepan or pot for cooking them.

This recipe is for 4 servings, but it is so incredibly easy to double or triple it if needed.

Process image 1 showing carrots in a bowl after steaming.
Process image 2 showing carrots in a frying pan with butter, seasoning, and sugar.
Process image 3 showing carrots with butter, seasoning, and sugar starting to melt and come together.
Process image 4 showing the carrots in the candied sauce.
  1. Cook the carrots. Add 1 pound of sliced carrots to a pot of salted water and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat and let the carrots cook until tender, about 20-30 minutes. *Alternatively, you can steam the carrots for 10 minutes in a steamer basket on the stovetop or in the microwave. Drain the water and return the carrots to the pot.
  2. Add ingredients. Reduce the heat to low and stir in ¼ cup of brown sugar, 2 tablespoons of butter, and a pinch each of salt, pepper, and optional cinnamon.
  3. Cook. Cook, stirring frequently, until the sugar is bubbling and hot (about 3-5 minutes). *If desired, you can increase the heat to medium-low and allow the sauce to caramelize and thicken. Just make sure you stir frequently to prevent burning. Then, serve immediately.

Serve with a crockpot whole chicken, a baked t-bone steak, or air fryer chicken breasts. Enjoy!

Wide image of a bowl of candied carrots.

💭 Angela's Pro Tips & Recipe Notes

  • Add a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes for a sweet and spicy combination!
  • You can cook your carrots by either boiling them or steaming them in a steamer basket or in the microwave for 10 minutes. 
  • You can slightly increase the heat to medium-low if you'd like to help the sauce caramelize and thicken. Just make sure you stir the carrots frequently to prevent burning!
  • The caramelized sauce will thicken upon standing if you give the carrots a few minutes to set up before serving.

>>>See All Of My Tasty Recipes Here!<<<

🥡 Storing & Reheating

All leftovers should be cooled completely and then stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-5 days.

Reheating

Either reheat small portions in the microwave or large portions in a saucepan on the stovetop over medium heat. 

❓ Recipe FAQs

Can Candied Carrots Be Made Ahead Of Time?

You have a few options for preparing these carrots in advance. First, you can prepare only the carrots and keep them stored in a sealed container in the fridge until ready to cook them. Secondly, you can cook the carrots ahead of time, but hold off on making the glaze. Finally, you can make the entire dish and store it in the fridge for up to 2 days. Reheat on the stovetop over low heat with a little extra butter if needed.

Can I Use Baby Carrots To Make Candied Carrots?

Sure! I enjoy the flavor of whole carrots, but you can use baby carrots if you like! It's a great way to skip peeling and chopping altogether!

Do I Need To Peel Carrots For Candied Carrots?

You don't have to, but you can if you like! The cooking process will make your carrots perfectly tender, whether or not they have been peeled first!

Tall image of a bowl of candied carrots.

🥕 More Vegetable Side Dishes

  • Colcannon - A classic Irish mashed potato dish with kale or cabbage.
  • Southern Corn Fritters - Tasty fritters can be savory or sweet and are ready to eat in only 10 minutes.
  • Roasted Butternut Squash - A super simple veggie side that lets the natural flavor of the squash shine.
  • Honey Roasted Acorn Squash - Tender acorn squash that is easy to make and loaded with nutrients.
  • Roasted Peppers & Onions - A delicious combination that pairs well with everything.
  • Sauteed Green Beans - Crisp yet tender green beans are a healthy and simple side dish.

Do you love a recipe you tried? Please leave a 5-star 🌟rating in the recipe card below and/or a review in the comments section further down the page.
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📖 Recipe Card

Wide image of a bowl of candied carrots.
Print Recipe Leave A Comment
Love This Recipe?Click On A Star To Rate It!
5 from 3 reviews

Candied Carrots

These candied carrots are a kid-approved, delectable vegetable side dish that can be enjoyed on any occasion. Tender carrots are coated in a sweet brown sugar glaze that is truly irresistible. They are buttery, delicious, and can easily complement your favorite chicken, pork, fish, or beef recipes!
Author | Angela Latimer
Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 149kcal
Prep 5 minutes minutes
Cooking 25 minutes minutes
Total Time 30 minutes minutes
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Ingredients
 

  • 1 lb carrots (sliced into ¼-inch rounds)
  • ¼ cup light brown sugar (packed)
  • 2 tablespoon butter (sliced or cubed)
  • 1 pinch each, salt & pepper
  • 1 pinch ground cinnamon (optional)

(Note: 2x or 3x only changes the ingredient list)

Help Us Out!If you love a recipe, be sure to come back and share your ratings. This helps future users, and allows me to continue sharing free recipes! Angela

Instructions
 

  • Add the sliced carrots to a pot of salted water and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat and let the carrots cook until tender, about 20-30 minutes. *Alternatively, you can steam the carrots for 10 minutes in a steamer basket on the stovetop or in the microwave. Drain the water and return the carrots to the pot.
  • Reduce the heat to low and stir in the brown sugar, butter, salt, pepper, and optional cinnamon.
  • Cook, stirring frequently until the sugar is bubbling and hot (about 3-5 minutes). *If desired, you can increase the heat to medium-low and allow the sauce to caramelize and thicken. Just make sure you stir frequently to prevent burning. Then, serve immediately.

Notes

  • Add a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes for a sweet and spicy combination!
  • You can cook your carrots by either boiling them or steaming them in a steamer basket or in the microwave for 10 minutes. 
  • You can slightly increase the heat to medium-low if you'd like to help the sauce caramelize and thicken. Just make sure you stir the carrots frequently to prevent burning!
  • The caramelized sauce will thicken upon standing if you give the carrots a few minutes to set up before serving.
  • To store: All leftovers should be cooled completely and then stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-5 days.
  • To reheat: Either reheat small portions in the microwave or large portions in a saucepan on the stovetop over medium heat. 

Nutrition

Calories: 149kcal (7%) | Carbohydrates: 24g (8%) | Protein: 1g (2%) | Fat: 6g (9%) | Saturated Fat: 4g (25%) | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Trans Fat: 0.2g | Cholesterol: 15mg (5%) | Sodium: 137mg (6%) | Potassium: 383mg (11%) | Fiber: 3g (13%) | Sugar: 19g (21%) | Vitamin A: 19119IU (382%) | Vitamin C: 7mg (8%) | Calcium: 51mg (5%) | Iron: 0.4mg (2%)
Did you try this recipe? Rate it below!I can’t wait to see your results! Mention @bake_it_with_love or tag #bake_it_with_love!
Course Side Dish, vegetable side dish
Cuisine American
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Hi there, I'm Angela

I am an avid vintage cookbook collector, cook, baker, and total foodie. I love sharing new, fun, creative recipes and great classic recipes, just like my Grandma used to make! Every recipe on BIWL is tested to ensure that cooks of any experience level can succeed.

Welcome to Bake It With Love. Enjoy!

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