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This Maple Glazed Carrots Recipe is perfect for fancy holiday dinners but easy enough for casual weeknight dinners.

The carrots are caramelized with high heat and then finished in a bourbon maple glaze with a hint of spice from the red pepper flakes.

Maple Glazed Carrots on a white serving tray with a fork and garnished with sliced lemons and fresh parsley.

WHY YOU WILL LOVE THIS RECIPE

Perfect Side Dish – It’s so vibrant and pretty to serve.

Holiday Meal – These carrots are an easy side dish that even your picky eater will love.

Weeknight meals – The great flavor should not be saved for the holiday table. Add this healthy side to your weekly rotation.

INGREDIENTS

Carrots – Baby carrots and multi-color carrots are great options. Truly any kind of carrots will work.
Salt
Black Pepper
Pure Maple Syrup – Forget about imitation syrup and purchase some good quality real maple syrup. You’ll be amazed how much you’ll use it when you have the good stuff. Brown sugar would work as a substitute.
Melted Butter
Fresh Garlic
Lemon Juice – Grab a real lemon, it’s way worth it.
Bourbon – Any brand you have in the liquor cabinet will work. Don’t have any? No worries, it’s ok to skip the bourbon.
Parsley – Fresh herbs brighten this dish.

HOW TO MAKE MAPLE GLAZED CARROTS RECIPE

STEP 1:

Wash and peel one pound of whole carrots. Cut each carrot down the middle so you have a flat surface on one side of each carrot. I also cut them in quarters, so they fit in the cast iron skillet easily.

STEP 2:

Combine 1/4 cup maple syrup, 2 Tbsp melted butter, 2 cloves minced garlic, 2 Tbsp fresh lemon juice, 2 Tbsp bourbon, and 1/8 – 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes in a small bowl.

The sauce for maple glazed carrots in a white bowl.

STEP 3:

Add 3/4 Tbsp. olive oil to a cast iron or heavy bottom skillet over medium-high heat. Once the oil begins to swirl, place carrots (working in batches) flat side down in a single layer. Cook for 5 minutes until they begin to caramelize.

STEP 4:

Flip the carrots and cook another 5 minutes. Remove the first batch from the skillet and add another 3/4 Tbsp. olive oil and repeat with the remaining carrots.

Carrots that have been half way cooked in a cast iron skillet.

STEP 5:

Add the first batch of carrots back into the pan. Pour the sauce mixture over the carrots. Lower to medium heat and simmer until the liquid has reduced by 1/3 and the carrots are fork-tender.

Cooked Maple Glazed Carrots with the sauce in a cast iron skillet.

STEP 6:

Transfer to a serving dish and garnish with fresh parsley and sliced lemons. Serve immediately.

WANT TO STORE THIS CARROT RECIPE FOR LATER? HERE’S HOW…

Fridge: Store this easy recipe in an airtight container if you have any leftovers. Reheat in the microwave for 1 – 2 minutes.

Freezer: Although you can freeze leftover carrots, the texture will be slightly different after freezing. Place carrots in a freezer bag or container and freezer for up to 3 months.

RECIPE TIPS

Be patient, and don’t move the carrots in the pan for the first 5 minutes. The key to these carrots is for them to become caramelized. A natural sweetness in carrots is brought out when cooking with high heat.
If you are short on time, skip peeling the carrots. Peeling gives them a cleaner appearance, but the taste will be the same.
Cook time will depend on the size of the carrots. I cut them down the center and then in quarters.

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