Easy Maple Glazed Carrots are a easy side dish to have around when the oven is already occupied, especially during Thanksgiving and Christmas dinner.
Everything cooks in one large skillet, and the carrots are ready in about 30 minutes.
The glaze is simple and not overly complicated. Maple syrup gives the carrots their sweetness, with a little cinnamon for warmth.
As the carrots finish cooking, the liquid reduces until it lightly coats each piece instead of leaving a puddle of sauce in the skillet.
This is also an easy Thanksgiving side when there are several other dishes competing for attention. The carrots can simmer covered for most of the cooking time, then they only need a few minutes uncovered to finish the glaze.
They work just as well for a regular family dinner, so there’s no reason to save them only for the holidays.
Why You’ll Love This Easy Maple Glazed Carrots Recipe
Keeps the Oven Free
Holiday oven space disappears quickly. These carrots cook entirely on the stovetop, which leaves the oven available for casseroles, rolls, or the main dish.
Ready in 30 Minutes
There’s only about 10 minutes of prep and 20 minutes of cooking. That makes this manageable even when several dishes need to be finished at once.
A Simple Maple Glaze
The maple syrup and butter cook down into a light, glossy coating rather than a heavy sauce. Cinnamon adds just enough warmth to make the carrots especially nice for a fall or holiday meal.
Works Beyond the Holidays
Thanksgiving and Christmas are obvious choices, but these carrots aren’t limited to a holiday menu. Serve them with chicken, pork, turkey, or a simple weeknight dinner.
Ingredient Substitutions
Baby Carrots
Baby carrots can replace the sliced carrots. Choose smaller carrots when possible so they cook evenly, and allow a little extra cooking time if needed.
Salted Butter
Salted butter works in place of unsalted butter. Reduce the added salt slightly, then adjust to taste before serving.
Ground Nutmeg
For a slightly different warm spice flavor, replace part of the cinnamon with a small pinch of ground nutmeg. A little goes a long way.
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RECOMMENDED TOOL FOR THIS RECIPE
Cutting Board with Insert Prep Mats
The color-coded prep mats make it easy to keep meat, vegetables, and other ingredients separate while chopping.
Easy Maple Glazed Carrots
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Ingredients
- 2 pounds carrots peeled and sliced into ½-inch pieces
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 tablespoon unsalted butter
- 3 tablespoon pure maple syrup
- ¼ cup water
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley optional
Instructions
- Heat the olive oil and butter in a large skillet over medium heat.
- Add the carrots and cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Add the maple syrup, water, cinnamon, salt, and black pepper, and stir to coat the carrots.
- Reduce the heat to medium-low, cover, and cook for 8 to 10 minutes, or until the carrots are tender.
- Remove the lid, increase the heat to medium, and cook for 3 to 5 minutes, stirring frequently, until the liquid reduces to a glossy glaze.
- Remove the skillet from the heat and sprinkle with parsley, if using.
Notes
Tips and Tricks
Cut evenly – Keep the carrot pieces close to the same thickness so they become tender at roughly the same time. Watch the glaze – Once the lid comes off, the liquid can reduce fairly quickly. Stir frequently so the maple glaze doesn’t scorch. Check before removing from the heat – Thicker carrot pieces may need another minute or two. They should be tender but not falling apart. Add parsley at the end – If using parsley, add it after cooking so it stays fresh and bright.Storing and Reheating
Refrigerator – Store leftover carrots in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Microwave – Reheat individual portions until warmed through, stirring once during heating if needed. Stovetop – Reheat the carrots in a skillet over medium-low heat. Add a small splash of water if the glaze has become too thick.Nutrition
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