Honey Garlic Butter Roasted Carrots

Name: Honey Garlic Butter Roasted Carrots with Orange and Cayenne Pepper
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 35 min
Total time: 40 min
Ingredients: 2 lbs carrots, (peeled and cut in half lengthways); 3 tbsp unsalted butter; 2 tbsp honey; 3 garlic cloves, (minced); Zest of 1 orange; 1 tbsp fresh thyme (or rosemary); ¼ tsp cayenne pepper; salt and pepper, (to taste); Fresh parsley,

Say goodbye to bland sides with this delectable sweet, zesty, and spicy carrot dish.

For so many of us, carrots are a dull, flavorless vegetable that we had to be force-fed by our mothers when we were kids. But, in fact, this underrated vegetable is super versatile and can be cooked in so many creative ways to make them burst with flavor.

In this recipe, we have paired carrots with a few ingredients that bring out their natural sweetness and complement them perfectly. Fragrant garlic, sweet honey, spicy cayenne, and zesty orange are all this simple root vegetable needs to become a side dish you would happily eat by itself.

Why you will love this Garlic Butter Roasted Carrots recipe…

Zing of orange zest- Using orange zest instead of juice adds a slight bitterness to the tanginess orange is known for. This adds a really tasty depth of flavor to the carrots.
Simple pantry staples- This dish mainly uses pantry staples that you probably already have on hand. You may need to pop out and grab an orange and some fresh carrots, but all the other flavors are likely already in your cupboards.
Nutritious and delicious- The combination of ingredients may make this side taste like a treat meal. But it is actually packed with many nutrients, vitamins, and minerals that make this dish super healthy.
Pairs well with many proteins- These carrots are a versatile side dish you can pair with chicken, beef, pork, lamb, and even some white fish.
Crispy and caramelized- The sweetness and crispiness of these carrots are out of this world! You’ll be whipping them up regularly once you try them.

why you will love this Honey Garlic Butter Roasted Carrots Recipe

Serving Suggestions

As mentioned before, this dish is super versatile and can be paired with just about any protein except shellfish.

Try these carrots paired with some of these mains:

🧑‍🍳 Expert Tips

Herb swap. Try swapping the thyme for rosemary for a more pine-like aroma or sage for a more earthy, savory twist.
Spice control. If you’re not a fan of too much heat, swap the cayenne pepper for red pepper flakes or smoked paprika.
Crispy finish. For extra caramelization, broil the carrots for the last 2-3 minutes of roasting.
Even cooking. Try and choose carrots of an even size to roast so they cook evenly. Larger carrots may end up undercooked, while smaller ones may burn if cooked together.

Storage Suggestions

To store- Allow the carrots to cool completely before placing them in an airtight container. Store in the fridge for up to three days.
To freeze- These carrots freeze really well, so they are great for meal prep. Once cooled, portion the carrots into individual Ziploc bags, label them with the date and freeze them for up to 6 months.
To reheat- If you aren’t concerned about maintaining the crispness, you can simply microwave the carrots. However, if you want that crisp back, pop them in the oven on broil for a few minutes.