Meet your new go-to side dish! Honey roasted carrots are easy to make and just as fitting for a weeknight dinner as they are for the holiday table. Sweet, savory, and delicious!
Carrots on their own are mildly sweet, which means when you cook them, you can go one of two ways: you can lean into the sweet or balance it with savory. With honey roasted carrots, we are going all in on sweet. Roasting intensifies the natural sweetness of the carrots, then the honey seals the deal, creating a golden, sticky glaze that makes this humble veggie extra tasty.
Why You’ll Love This Honey Roasted Carrots Recipe
- Simply delicious. There's not a whole lot to this recipe, but these simple ingredients come together to make a mouthwatering side dish that your whole family will love.
- Elegant upgrades. If you're making this for a holiday—or just want something a little special for a weeknight—you can add the optional goat cheese, pistachios, and fresh herbs to fancy it up.
- Easy to pair. Honey roasted carrots go well with a variety of dishes and cuisines, so it’s the kind of recipe you’ll find yourself coming back to often.
What You’ll Need
Scroll down to the recipe card to find the ingredient quantities and recipe instructions.
- Fresh carrots – I recommend full-size carrots; they have better flavor than baby carrots.
- Salted butter
- Honey
- Avocado oil – Or another oil you like to use for cooking.
- Seasonings – Garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt and pepper.
To serve (optional):
- Goat cheese – For some richness.
- Chopped pistachios
- Fresh herbs – Chives would be excellent.
How to Make Honey Roasted Carrots
- Prep. Peel the carrots and cut them on the diagonal in 2-inch pieces. Transfer to a bowl
- Make the glaze. Whisk together the remaining ingredients and toss with the carrots.
- Roast. Arrange the carrots on a baking sheet and roast at 425ºF for 30 to 40 minutes, until tender, stirring every 15 minutes.
- Finish. Top the honey roasted carrots with goat cheese, pistachios, and herbs if desired, then serve.
Tips for Success
- Cut the carrots into evenly-sized pieces. This will ensure that they cook evenly and are all done at the same time.
- Use a large enough baking sheet. The carrots should be in a single layer, so make sure your baking sheet is big enough to accommodate them without overcrowding. If you want to double the recipe, use two separate baking sheets. If you crowd the pan, the carrots won’t get caramelized.
- Switch it up. Make your roasted carrots with hot honey, use feta instead of goat cheese, try other spices, or top with different nuts or seeds.
What to Serve With Honey Roasted Carrots
A simple main dish like Garlic Parmesan Chicken, Instant Pot Chuck Roast, or Pistachio Crusted Salmon (and then you can use pistachios on both!) would be excellent with this honey roasted carrots recipe. Without the garnish, this is a dish that goes with just about anything; with the added goat cheese and pistachios, these roasted carrots are particularly good with Mediterranean flavors.
How to Store
- Refrigerator: Store leftover honey roasted carrots in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Reheat in the microwave or a 350ºF oven until warmed through.
- Freezer: Transfer the carrots to a freezer bag or airtight container and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
More Simple Side Dishes
Honey Roasted Carrots
Ingredients
- 2 lbs fresh carrots
- 3 tablespoons salted butter
- 3 tablespoons honey
- 1 tablespoon avocado oil
- ¾ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¾ teaspoon onion powder
- ¼ teaspoon smoked paprika
- Generous pinch of salt & pepper
To serve (optional):
- 2 oz goat cheese
- Chopped pistachios
- Fresh herbs (like chives)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven 425ºF.
- Peel the carrots, then cut them on the diagonal about 2″ long. Place the carrots in a large mixing bowl and set aside.
- Whisk together the remaining ingredients until smooth. Pour over the carrots and toss to combine.
- Transfer the carrots to a baking sheet and roast for 30 – 40 minutes until tender. Stir them around every 15ish minutes.
- Serve immediately as a side dish or top with goat cheese and crushed pistachios.