These Glazed Carrots are sliced and covered in a delicious sweet sauce made of brown sugar, ginger ale, and butter. They are extremely easy to make, pair well with most main dishes, and are great as leftovers. My kids absolutely love these so we make them on a weekly basis.
Carrots are one of my favorite vegetables to grow in our garden. Even though I do not look forward to the peeling and slicing, they grow so easily and are excellent for freezing. Packed with vitamin A and beta-carotene, they also promote bone health and have been shown to help control blood sugar levels. This recipe can be made with any type of carrot whether it be fresh from your garden, packaged peeled carrots from the store, or fancy rainbow carrots.
Glazed Carrots Ingredients
Let’s take a closer look at the ingredients that make up this delicious dish.
Carrots
Carrots are the star of the show in this recipe. I slice mine into rounds but you can choose to cut them into thin sticks if desired.
Butter
Butter provides a rich base for the glaze. I prefer to use salted butter but you may use unsalted as well.
Ginger Ale
Ginger ale adds sweetness and a unique flavor to this dish.
Brown Sugar
Brown sugar contributes a rich sweetness while also providing an added element of flavor. Because brown sugar contains molasses, it gives the dish a bit more depth. If you would like to substitute honey instead of brown sugar, that would work too. Use 3/4 cup of honey to replace 1 cup of brown sugar.
Salt & Pepper
Salt and pepper enhance the natural flavors in this recipe.
Why do we add parsley to glazed carrots?
You might be wondering what purpose parsley serves in glazed carrots besides looking pretty. Parsley and carrots are from the same family and both contain Petroselinic Acid, a fatty acid found naturally in some animal and vegetable oils. The marriage of these two ingredients works to enhance the natural essence of carrots while also providing a slightly different flavor profile that compliments the dish nicely.
How to Select and Store Fresh Carrots
When shopping for carrots, be sure that they are firm and do not bend. Carrots that bend are beginning to lose structure and will not be super fresh. Fresh carrots should last several weeks in a vegetable crisper.
Don’t Throw Out Your Carrot Greens
Did you know you can eat carrot greens? Instead of tossing them in the trash or compost bin, try sautéing them with some garlic, olive oil, salt and pepper. It’s so simple and such a great way to eat root to stem! Be sure to wash the greens really well prior to cooking.
- First, chop off the tough part of the stems which are located right between where they begin to grow and the leaves of the greens. (These are still edible but do not soften when cooking.)
- Then, submerge the greens in a bowl of cold water, moving them around to release dirt. After they are clean, thoroughly dry with a salad spinner or on paper towels.
- Finally, chop off any remaining tough stems and sauté.
These greens are not only delicious but really good for you. They contain high levels of vitamin A, fiber, vitamin C, calcium, and iron.
Are these the same as Candied Carrots and Caramelized Carrots?
Yes, these are all basically the same. They all incorporate brown sugar and may have slight variations in regard to amounts of sugar, spices, and cooking methods.
What to serve with Glazed Carrots?
Glazed carrots are so versatile and pair well with a wide variety of main dishes. They will taste fantastic with the following:
- Baked chicken
- Roasted chicken
- Turkey
- Roast Beef
- Meatloaf
- Steak
- Fish (Salmon, Striped Bass, White Fish, etc.)
Can you freeze Glazed Carrots?
Yes! While I prefer to make these fresh, you can certainly freeze these for later. Prepare the carrots according to the recipe and let them cool completely. Then, store in a freezer bag or freezer safe container. Be sure to label the bag (name, date prepared, etc.) and freeze for up to 9 months. When ready to use, heat on the stove or in the microwave.
Tips
- Chopped carrots – Try to keep your cuts as uniform as possible in order for the carrots to cook evenly.
- Make ahead – This dish can easily be made ahead of time. Simply follow the recipe and then let the carrots cool. Cover and refrigerate. Reheat on the stove or in the microwave. Carrots will keep for up to 5 days in the refrigerator.
My Preferred Tools
You may already have many of these items in your kitchen. I recommend the following for this recipe:
- Peeler – to peel carrots
- Sharp knife set – to chop carrots
- Cutting board – to chop carrots
- Large pot or pan – to cook carrots
- Strainer – to strain carrots
Glazed Carrots
These Glazed Carrots are sliced and covered in a delicious sweet sauce made of brown sugar, ginger ale, and butter.
Ingredients
- 2 pounds carrots, peeled and cut into half inch slices
- ½ cup salted butter
- ½ cup ginger ale
- 1 cup brown sugar
- Salt & Pepper to taste
- Fresh chopped parsley, optional
Directions
- Step 1 Place sliced carrots into a large pot and fill with water until carrots are covered. Cook on high heat bringing carrots to a boil. Continue boiling for 5-10 minutes or until carrots are tender (test with a fork). Remove from heat and strain water from carrots.
- Step 2 Return carrots to the stove in the same large pot and add butter and ginger ale. Heat on medium-low until the butter is fully melted. Then, stir in brown sugar, cover, and cook for 5 minutes.
- Step 3 Remove lid and add salt and pepper. Continue cooking carrots on low heat for a few more minutes or until flavors have melded and glaze is desired consistency. Serve immediately. Top with some fresh chopped parsley (optional).
- Step 4 Cooked carrots keep for up to 5 days in the refrigerator.
Thank You for sharing your time with us
Thank you for visiting. I truly hope you love this recipe as much as I do. If you tried it, please share a comment below and let us know what you think or share a picture on Instagram. Tag @the_kelly_kitchen and hashtag it #the_kelly_kitchen
If you would like to know when we post new recipes, please subscribe to our newsletter and follow us on Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, and Twitter. For video updates, please subscribe to our YouTube channel.
Have a wonderful day!
