These delectably simple Honey Roasted Carrots are first drizzled with olive oil and seasoned with salt and pepper. Then they are roasted to perfection to bring out their natural sweetness and glazed with butter, honey, and a little cayenne pepper. The end result is the ultimate side dish for baked ham, roasted turkey, grilled chicken, and pork chops.
Sometimes it is hard to come up with easy sides that really please your family. These carrot, Bacon Wrapped Asparagus, Creamed Peas with Pearl Onions, and Stir Fried Green Beans with Ginger and Garlic are just a few of our favorites.
How to make Honey Roasted Carrots
Start by peeling and slicing your carrots on a diagonal in thick slices. Then add the sliced carrots to a bowl and drizzle with olive and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Then place them in a single layer on a large sheet pan covered with parchment paper. Roast for about 20 minutes or until fork tender.
Melt the butter in a large saucepan over medium-low heat. Add the honey and cayenne pepper and stir to combine, cooking for several minutes. Add the roasted carrots to the skillet and toss to coat. Sprinkle the carrots with fresh thyme.
Recipes notes and helpful tips
- For aesthetic purposes, peel carrots. You will appreciate that you did. The bright orange color is aesthetically pleasing. Don’t peel them if using baby carrots.
- Cut the carrots into 2-inch segments. Cut thick ends in half.
- The little bit of cayenne pepper in this recipe does not make it spicy or hot it adds a bit more flavor dimension.
- Roast the carrots just until they are fork-tender.
- Fresh herbs like thyme, parsley, and rosemary really take these carrots over the top, but in a pinch, you can substitute dried herbs.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat at reduced power in the microwave.
Recipe Variations
- Spices – kick it up a few notches with a little bit of cinnamon, nutmeg, chili powder, or ground cloves.
- Nuts – add some toasted pine nuts, chopped pecans, or almond slivers
- Sweeteners – substitute maple syrup, brown sugar, or even Mirin (which is sweetened sake) for the honey
- Colorful Carrots – look for bright, beautiful colored carrots like Lunar White Carrots, Solar Yellow Carrots, Cosmic Purple Carrots, and Atomic Red Carrots.
More vegetable recipes you will love!
Honey Roasted Carrots
A simple and delicious Honey Roasted Carrots recipe with just eight easy ingredients. They are the perfect side for roasted turkey, ham, chicken, or beef.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings
- Category: side
- Method: roast
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
- 2 lbs. carrots peeled and cut into 2-inch chunks (see notes)
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 3 tablespoons honey
- ⅛ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- ½ tablespoon fresh thyme of fresh parsley
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 425 degrees.
- In a large bowl, stir together the carrots and olive oil. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Place them on a large baking sheet covered with parchment paper. Roast for 20 minutes or until fork tender.
- Melt the butter in a large saucepan over medium-low heat. Add the honey and cayenne pepper and stir to combine, cooking for several minutes. Add the roasted carrots to the skillet and stir to coat. Sprinkle the carrots with fresh thyme. Season with more salt and pepper to taste.
Notes
- For aesthetic purposes, peel the carrots. You will appreciate that you did.
- Cut the carrots into about 2-inch segments. Cut thick ends in half.
- The little bit of cayenne pepper does not make it spicy or hot, it adds a little more flavor dimension.
- Roast the carrots just until they are fork-tender.
- Fresh thyme really takes these carrots over the top, but in a pinch, you can substitute dried thyme leaves.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat at reduced power in the microwave.
Keywords: oven roasted carrots, how to roast carrots, how long to roast carrots, best roasted carrots
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Yeah Lifestyle
Nothing like adding a little honey to carrots to make them taste amazing! Loving your recipe! These would be perfect for Thanksgiving!
★★★★★
Jupiter Hadley
Ohh I remember having honey roasted carrots as a kid, but have not thought about making it! Thank you for the recipe.
Sue
Hubby just loved these carrots. He could not get enough of them. I have a feeling they are going to be on our regular rotation.
Christine H
My husband and son would love this recipe. I don’t think I have ever had honey roasted carrots before. This would be a great addition to our vegetable choices.
Mrs. Cherry
Yummy! This is one of my favorite dishes. I will be making this, thank you!
Melissa Dixon
My mom loves honey-roasted carrots. I will have to try to make this recipe for her.
Tammy
I love roasted carrots! Such a simple yet delicious recipe…these are so good. A perfect side for any Autumn dish.
★★★★★
Laura
Honey roasted carrots are the BEST! I love them so much!
Beth Pierce
So true!
Melanie E
I really love honey roasted carrots. It’s got to be one of my favorite sides. I sometimes make mine with sea salt and fresh rosemary too
★★★★★
Victoria
Great recipe. We loved them! Thank you for the inspiration!
Samantha Donnelly
I do love these honey roasted carrots. They are delicious with so many entrees.
★★★★★
Linda
I love this recipe. Good for any diet.Thanks for sharing.
★★★★★
Elizabeth Williams
I love roasted carrots especially honey roasted but do not often do them but this recipe inspired me to make them tonight and they were divine, thanks.
Beth Pierce
Thanks. Elizabeth! So glad that you liked them!
Yaya
I think these look quite simple but absolutely delicious. I think I may give these a try this Thanksgiving.
★★★★★
Sherry
You have some of the ‘best’ recipes … I have a folder in my favorites with just your recipes and use them often. I made the honey roasted carrots today and they are delicious!!!
Beth Pierce
Thanks so much Sherry! That is so sweet. You made my day.
Jennifer Prince
Ooh! I love honey-roasted carrots but have only had them at restaurants. I need to make these!
Sarah M
This recipe is delicious and quick to make. The best thing is all the ingredients are easily available and good for your health.
★★★★★
Jack
I’ve never thought of something like this but this looks so good. Thank you for sharing!
Heather
Lovely way to add sweetness to carrots. I love recipes with honey. Yum!
Kelly Bolen
Carrots are my favorite vegetable! And they sound amazing in this recipe! Pinned for later!!!
★★★★★
Melanie Edjourian
This is such a yummy recipe. I do love roasted carrots with meals.
Sheeba
This is such a great side dish will definitely give it a try.
Alita
Carrots are my favorite vegetables. I could make this every day since it’s easy, delicious, and simple.
★★★★★
Neely Moldovan
Such a great way to dress up some veggies!
Crystal Carder
I always end up with extra carrots that need to be used and this recipe sounds great for using them!
Heather Castillo
Roasted carrots are probably one of my favorite side dishes! I can’t wait to try this version!
Krista
My husband and I loved them. Next time I will add a bit of brown sugar and some almond slivers. Thanks!
Beth Pierce
So glad that you and your husband liked the carrots!
Sandra
This is such an amazing side dish! Everyone at my house loved it!
★★★★★
Krystle
These are just scrumptious, I Love the hit of spice for the cayenne. Made with your meatloaf and they were amazing.
★★★★★
Allyson Zea
This is one of my favorite sidedishes!!!
Amanda Livesay
My kids love these carrots! And they’re super easy.
★★★★★
Erin
Oooh, these Honey Roasted Carrots are looking heavenly!
★★★★★
Juliane
Looks really good! I have to try this!
★★★★★
Patricia
It does not get any better than this! What a great side to serve throughout the seasons. Love these golden treats!
★★★★★
Anaiah
Yum! These honey roasted carrots are the perfect side dish. They are so delicious and full of flavor! It has the perfect amount of sweetness to it. Definitely making this for the family more often!
★★★★★
Dannii
These are my favourite way to have carrots. You can’t beat roasted veg.
★★★★★
Amanda Wren-Grimwood
These are gorgeous! I am bookmarking this recipe for Christmas as it looks perfect.
★★★★★
Petro
These carrots look so mouthwatering! I love how easy, simple they are and so quick to make! I’m bookmarking this recipe!
★★★★★