Honey Roasted Carrots

Honey Roasted Carrots are a staple side dish for my family! These carrots are enhanced with a sweet, aromatic glaze that is simply intoxicating. It’s not just the honey that creates the most amazing flavor for the carrots, it’s also the fresh orange zest that really makes this side dish pop.

Honey Roasted Carrots

These easy to make honey roasted carrots are one of the very few vegetable side dishes that kids will not just agree to eat, but actually look forward to! The combination of fresh orange with honey is what makes this side dish so mouthwatering and unforgettably good. Orange goes exceptionally well with honey and carrots, especially if you get a good quality fresh local honey.

Another aspect that I really love about this simple side dish recipe is that the ingredients are minimal and all-natural. When you have a short and sweet list of ingredients, it means that the recipe is both budget-friendly and easy to make! I recommend buying the best ingredients you can get your hands on, as each one of them has a big impact on the dish as a whole. And if you want to keep things as all-natural as possible, opt for organic ingredients.

When these carrots are roasted at just the right temperature, they turn out wonderfully fork-tender every time. Between the soft consistency and the sweet, fresh glaze, these carrots are perfect when plated with more savory side dishes and entrées! They add something a little fresh and sweet to the meal while still being warm and comforting. If you’re looking for a great holiday vegetable side dish option, this is one of the best.

Ingredients For Roasted Carrots

• Carrots – For best results, use organic whole carrots that are washed and peeled.
• Olive Oil – I like using extra virgin olive oil for the best flavor.
• Orange – You’ll need just the zest of an orange, not the juice. If you’d like to put the juice to good use, make Baked Ham with Orange Honey Glaze!
• Honey – organic, local honey yields the best flavors and aroma!
• Salt – salt it to taste and try to use coarse salt.
• Black Pepper – Use freshly ground black pepper for the best flavor.

What kind of carrots should I use?

There are a lot of options for carrots to choose from, as they range from size to color. You can make a beautiful and colorful dish using rainbow carrots or stick to the classic look with just orange carrots. You can also choose to keep the carrots whole, or cut them into about 1.5 inch chunks diagonally.

For holidays, I love to keep the carrots whole for the presentation. If you want to keep the carrots whole, opt for smaller carrots, like organic carrot bunches. If there are some larger ones in a bunch, cut them in half length-wise.

No matter what carrots you choose, keep in mind that you want to keep the carrots uniform in size so that they cook evenly.

How to Make Honey Roasted Carrots

Start off by preheating the oven to 425° and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.

While your oven is preheating, wash and peel the carrots. If some of the carrots in the bunch are larger, halve them so they bake evenly. Arrange the prepared carrots on a baking sheet.

Whisk together the olive oil, honey, orange zest, salt, and pepper. Pour the mixture evenly over the carrots, and mix them to coat evenly throughout. Spread out carrots in one even layer.

Bake the carrots for about 15-20 minutes, toss them again on the baking sheet, and serve right away!

At what temperature should I roast carrots?

I always roast root and dense vegetables at 425°F. This is a good temperature to get the outside nice and caramelized or crispy, and keep the inside nicely cooked through and fork-tender.

How long should I roast the carrots?

This is a question without a specific answer. The time to roast carrots highly depends on the size and the cut of the vegetables. It also depends on how soft you like the carrots to be. If you roast whole carrots that are small or medium in size, it will take about 15-20 minutes.

If you’re roasting larger carrots that have been cut in half, it will take up to 25 minutes. For carrot chunks that are about 1.5-2 inches in size, it will take 15-18 minutes. You can always test carrots with a fork to see if you want to bake them softer.

Storing and Reheating

Any leftover roasted carrots you have will stay fresh in the fridge in an airtight container for up to 4 days. To reheat them, I recommend placing the cold carrots in a skillet over medium heat until warmed through. You could also reheat them in the microwave in 30 second increments until they’re as warm as you’d like them to be.

Some More Holidays Sides To Try:

Honey Butter Glazed Carrots – these sweet, buttery carrots are cooked on the stove with honey, butter, and a touch of lemon.

Balsamic Roasted Carrots – cooked carrots are then tossed in a sweet and tangy honey balsamic reduction.

Green Beans with Bacon and Onions – these green beans are blanched and sautéed with bacon and onions. 

Italian Roasted Asparagus – This asparagus is evenly coated with olive oil, garlic, salt, pepper, and herbs and then, covered with shaved Parmesan cheese and roasted in the oven.

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