Stovetop Carrots are an easy way to get your kids to eat more veggies. These delicious honey-glazed carrots are sweet, garlicky, cheesy, and zesty. You won’t need to spend much time on prep, but you’ll end up with a restaurant-worthy side dish. Pair with your favorite protein-centric entrée.
These stovetop carrots are a family favorite since they’re so flavorful. They’re a bit of everything – cheesy, sweet, garlicky, and herby. Even kids who don’t typically enjoy carrots (or veggies) will ask for second helpings of these buttered carrots.
I love creating this recipe when I want to add more color to a meal. Most ingredients are pantry or fridge staples, so this dish is easy to toss together during the week. This glazed carrots recipe works well with many main dishes, like my Hamburger Patty Recipe, Creamy Lemon Chicken, and Pan Seared Chilean Sea Bass.
Table of Contents
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Easy – You likely have most of the ingredients for these stovetop carrots in your kitchen.
- Flavorful – The honey, minced garlic, parmesan cheese, and broth combine to create a delicious dish full of flavor.
- Simple – It only takes a handful of steps (and less than 30 minutes) to have this side dish prepped, cooked, and ready to eat.
- Cheesy – Parmesan cheese creates a yummy melted cheese topping for these sauteed carrots.
- Zesty – Adding some fresh lemon zest complements the cheese and adds a tangy flavor.
- Versatile – These delicious carrots pair well with many recipes, making them an excellent option for weekly dinners.
Ingredients & Substitutions
- Carrots: You can cut these stovetop carrots any way you like, including slices or coins. It’s important to note that thinner carrots will be softer and thicker ones will be more firm after cooking. Additionally, the carrot slices should be about the same size so they cook evenly.
- Honey: If you don’t have honey (or don’t want to use honey), maple syrup or brown sugar are great alternatives. Use anywhere between 2-4 tablespoons of a sweetener, depending on your preference for sweetness.
- Kosher Salt: All of my recipes are tested with Morton kosher salt unless noted otherwise. It is the best salt for everyday cooking because of its size and flavor. If using table salt, the amount should be reduced. I highly recommend picking up some kosher next time you are at the store!
Complete list of ingredients and amounts is located on the recipe card below.
How to Make Glazed Carrots on the Stovetop
Quick Overview
- Melt butter.
- Add carrots, salt, and pepper.
- Brown carrots in butter.
- Reduce the heat and deglaze.
- Add honey and garlic.
- Reduce heat.
- Garnish.
Step by Step Instructions
Chop the carrots to a similar size and shape.
Get browned carrot bits off the pan while deglazing for additional flavor.
Step 1: In a large skillet (ideally stainless steel), melt the butter over medium heat. Add the carrots, salt, and pepper. Stir.
Step 2: Increase the heat to medium high (high if needed). Brown the carrots and the butter, tossing them occasionally. Do not stir continuously or they will not brown. This will take about 8-10 minutes.
Step 3: Reduce the heat to medium. Deglaze the skillet with the broth. Reduce for 4-5 minutes.
Step 4: Add the honey and garlic.
Step 5: Reduce for 4-5 minutes. Remove from heat. The glaze will continue to thicken while it cools.
Step 6: Garnish the carrots with the parmesan, lemon zest, and parsley.
Recipe Serving Suggestions
Garnish these stovetop carrots with flakey salt, a squeeze of fresh lemon juice, or other fresh herbs to create a more flavorful side dish. These garnishes also help balance the dish so it’s not overly sweet.
I love serving carrot recipes like these honey (or brown sugar) glazed carrots with heartier dishes to create a comforting meal. Here are some ideas:
- Creamy Zucchini Risotto
- Lasagna with Béchamel Sauce
- Dutch Oven Pulled Pork
- Chicken Penne Alla Vodka
- Dutch Oven Shepherd’s Pie
Expert Tips
- Brown the butter and carrots. Browning these ingredients helps create additional flavor for these stovetop carrots. Do not stir continuously; otherwise, the carrots and butter will not properly brown.
- Don’t skip the garnishes. Since these carrots are quite sweet, adding garnishes is necessary to help balance their sweetness. Salty, spicy, and fresh flavors complement the honey in this recipe.
- Don’t overcook the carrots. If you leave the carrots on the stove too long, they’ll turn mushy. A mushy consistency will make the dish difficult to serve, as the carrots will fall apart. Ensure you watch the carrots as they cook and remove them from the heat when they’re fork-tender.
Additions & Variations
- Add chili flakes – If you prefer a spicy, sweet flavor combination, add chili flakes to these stovetop carrots. Add anywhere from 1 – 4 tsp, depending on your desired heat level. Start with a smaller amount and increase after tasting. Add the chili flakes as the glaze is cooking, or sprinkle them on the cooked carrots.
- Add orange juice – You can also balance out the sweetness of this recipe by adding orange juice, which creates an acidic flavor in the glaze. If you add OJ to the recipe, use less sweetener so it’s not overly sweet.
- More cheese – For a cheesier dish, add more parmesan. You can also incorporate other cheese like mozzarella if you (and your family) want a gooier recipe.
- Vegan – A few quick swaps will turn this carrot recipe into a vegan dish. Use brown sugar or maple syrup instead of honey, vegetable broth, and dairy-free cheese (or no cheese) to create a vegan-friendly version.
- Leftovers – Once cooled, keep this carrot recipe in the fridge for up to four days in an airtight container.
Recipe FAQs
The best method depends on what flavor and consistency you want to achieve. For example, if you prefer carrots softer, incorporating them in soup is a great option. Otherwise, sautéing them will help soften them and add flavor with minimal ingredients and seasoning.
Carrots can take 4 – 15 minutes to soften, depending on the cooking method and size of the carrots. Sliced carrots cook more quickly than baby or whole carrots.
Typically, you’ll need to slice (or use baby carrots) to create stovetop carrots. Then, you can sauté them or simmer them until softened.
The size of the carrot will determine the cooking time on the stove. Start with 4-5 minutes and continue cooking until fork tender.
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Easy Glazed Stovetop Carrots
Ingredients
- 4 Tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 pounds carrots, peeled, quartered lengthwise & sliced into 3 inch long sticks*
- 1 teaspoon Morton kosher salt*
- fresh ground black pepper
- 1/2 cup water or broth of any kind
- 3-4 Tablespoons honey*
- 7-8 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/4 cup grated parmigiano reggiano
- 1 lemon, zested
- chopped fresh parsley, optional
Instructions
- In a large skillet (ideally stainless steel), melt the butter over medium heat. Add the carrots, salt, and pepper. Stir.4 Tablespoons unsalted butter, 2 pounds carrots, peeled, quartered lengthwise & sliced into 3 inch long sticks*, 1 teaspoon Morton kosher salt*, fresh ground black pepper
- Increase the heat to medium high (high if needed). Brown the carrots and the butter, tossing them occasionally. Do not stir continuously or they will not brown. This will take about 8-10 minutes.
- Reduce the heat to medium. Deglaze the skillet with the broth. Reduce for 4-5 minutes.1/2 cup water or broth of any kind
- Add the honey and garlic.3-4 Tablespoons honey*, 7-8 cloves garlic, minced
- Reduce for 4-5 minutes. Remove from heat. The glaze will continue to thicken while it cools.
- Garnish the carrots with the parmesan, lemon zest, and parsley.1/4 cup grated parmigiano reggiano, 1 lemon, zested, chopped fresh parsley, optional
Notes
- Carrots: You can cut these stovetop carrots any way you like, including slices or coins. It’s important to note that thinner carrots will be softer and thicker ones will be more firm after cooking. Additionally, the carrot slices should be about the same size so they cook evenly.
- Honey: If you don’t have honey (or don’t want to use honey), maple syrup or brown sugar are great alternatives. Use anywhere between 2-4 tablespoons of a sweetener, depending on your preference for sweetness.
- Kosher Salt: All of my recipes are tested with Morton kosher salt unless noted otherwise. It is the best salt for everyday cooking because of its size and flavor. If using table salt, the amount should be reduced. I highly recommend picking up some kosher next time you are at the store!
- Brown the butter and carrots. Browning these ingredients helps create additional flavor for these stovetop carrots. Do not stir continuously; otherwise, the carrots and butter will not properly brown.
- Don’t skip the garnishes. Since these carrots are quite sweet, adding garnishes is necessary to help balance their sweetness. Salty, spicy, and fresh flavors complement the honey in this recipe.
- Don’t overcook the carrots. If you leave the carrots on the stove too long, they’ll turn mushy. A mushy consistency will make the dish difficult to serve, as the carrots will fall apart. Ensure you watch the carrots as they cook and remove them from the heat when they’re fork-tender.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
I really loved these carrots! Easy to make and a little different from our usual side dishes we rotate through.
These were delicious!!