Sweet, smoky, and perfectly caramelized, these Glazed Grilled Carrots are a simple side dish that feels special enough for holidays but easy enough for a weeknight dinner. Fresh carrots are tossed in avocado oil, grilled until tender, and finished with a buttery honey and brown sugar glaze.
For me, carrots are a must-have on the table for Easter dinner. They bring bright color to the plate and pair perfectly with my pulled ham and cheesy corn casserole.
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Why you will love this recipe
- Simple Ingredients - Everything in this recipe is pantry-friendly and easy to find.
- Great for holidays - These carrots look impressive, but only take about 15 minutes to cook.
- Grilling adds incredible flavor - The light char and grill marks bring out the natural sweetness of the carrots.
- Cooked Carrots have increased nutrition - Cooking carrots increases the nutritional absorption compared to raw carrots. Cooking them allows our bodies to access more antioxidants.
Reader Review: "These carrots are an amazing side dish. They were so tender and caramelized!" -Taylor
What is a Glazed Carrot?
Glazed carrots are a classic side dish where carrots are coated in a sweet, buttery sauce that forms a glossy glaze. Most glazes contain ingredients like butter, sugar, honey, or maple syrup.
As the carrots cook, the glaze thickens and lightly caramelizes, creating a rich coating that enhances the carrots' natural sweetness. In this version, grilling the carrots adds a smoky flavor that enhances the flavors.
Tim's Tip: For beautiful restaurant-style grill marks, press the carrots onto the grill using a grill press or cast-iron skillet. This will increase the surface contact with the grill grates, creating those marks.
Ingredients
- Carrots - The star of the dish. Fresh whole carrots become naturally sweet and tender when grilled, yet they hold up well.
- Avocado Oil - Used to coat the carrots before grilling. It works well in high temperatures.
- Honey - Adds natural sweetness to the glaze and helps create a light caramelized coating on the carrots.
- Brown Sugar- Provides a deeper sweetness.
- Butter. - Adds richness and helps create the smooth, glossy glaze.
- Allspice - A warm spice that adds subtle notes of cinnamon, nutmeg, and clove.
- Salt - Enhances the natural sweetness of the carrots.
Scroll down to the recipe card for exact ingredient amounts.
Recipe Video
How to make Glazed Grilled Carrots
- Preheat your grill to 450°F.
- Prep the carrots by washing them (peel only if desired). Slice thicker or longer carrots in half lengthwise so they cook easily.
- Place the carrots in a bowl, toss with avocado oil, and season with salt.
- Grill for about 12 minutes, turning every few minutes until the carrots are fork-tender and lightly charred.
- While carrots cook, make the glaze. In a small saucepan over medium heat, add the butter, brown sugar, honey, and allspice. Stir until the brown sugar dissolves and the glaze becomes smooth. Glaze the carrots with the hot glaze.
- Just before pulling the carrots off the grill, glaze them once. Let them cook for an additional minute, then remove the carrots and glaze one more time.
Made this recipe? Let me know!
Substitutions and Variations
One of the best things about this recipe is how easy it is to customize the glaze. By adjusting a few ingredients, you can create completely different flavor profiles while still keeping the carrots sweet and delicious.
- Sweet and Spicy - Add a little heat by adding a pinch of cayenne or red pepper flakes.
- Savory Style - Make them savory by reducing the brown sugar and adding garlic powder.
- Fresh Herb Finish - Sprinkle fresh herbs at the finish for extra color or flavor.
- Maple Glaze - Swap the honey for maple syrup to give the carrots a slightly deeper sweetness.
- Balsamic Glaze - add a splash of balsamic vinegar to the glaze for a tangy, slightly sweet depth that complements the caramelized carrots.
- Lime Glaze - For a bright and slightly citrusy twist, stir in fresh lime juice to the glaze. The acidity cuts through the sweetness and adds flavor.
Tim's Top Expert Tips
Here are some helpful tips for making the perfect grilled carrots every time.
- Use fresh carrots - fresh, firm carrots will have the best flavor and texture.
- Choose even-sized carrots - Using even-sized carrots ensures they cook more evenly on the grill.
- Cut large carrots in half - Thicker carrots should be sliced lengthwise so they cook through without burning.
- Don't glaze the carrots too early - the sugar can burn if added too soon. Make sure to brush it on in the final few minutes of cooking.
- Watch the heat - If your carrots are cooking too fast, rotate them to indirect heat. Remember, thinner carrots will cook faster.
What to serve with Grilled Carrots
These carrots pair well with a wide variety of main dishes. Here are some of my favorites!
- Pulled Ham that's smoked low and slow and tender enough to pull apart.
- Grilled Ribeye or Grilled Fillet
- Pork Tenderloin
Storing Leftovers
Refrigerating
- Store leftover glazed carrots in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Freezing
- You can freeze cooked carrots. But the texture might soften after thawing. They are best eaten fresh.
Reheating
- Reheat in a skillet over medium heat or warm them in a microwave until heated through.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes! You can roast them in an oven at 425°F for about 20-25 minutes, then toss with the glaze before serving.
No. If you wash them well, the peel is perfectly fine to leave on. For maximum nutrition, the peel contains the highest concentrations of Vitamin C and niacin.
Yes! Maple syrup works great and adds a slightly deeper sweetness.
More holiday Sides
- Sautéed Asparagus
- Creamy Skillet Corn Recipe
- Easy Sweet Potato Casserole (Without Marshmallows)
- Simple Squash Casserole with Ritz Crackers
Recipe
Glazed Grilled Carrots
Equipment
- 1 Long Tongs
- 1 Sauce Pan
- 1 Basting Brush
- 1 Grill
Ingredients
- 1 lb Carrots
- 1 tablespoon Avocado Oil
- 1 teaspoon Salt
For the Glaze
- ¼ cup Honey
- ¼ cup Brown Sugar
- 3 tablespoon Butter
- ½ teaspoon Allspice
Instructions
- Preheat your grill to 450°F.
- Prep the carrots by washing them (peel only if desired). Slice thicker or longer carrots in half lengthwise so they cook easily.
- Place the carrots in a bowl, toss with avocado oil, and season with salt.
- Grill for about 12 minutes, turning every few minutes until the carrots are fork-tender and lightly charred.
- While carrots cook, make the glaze. In a small saucepan over medium heat, add the butter, brown sugar, honey, and allspice. Stir until the brown sugar dissolves and the glaze becomes smooth.
- Just before pulling the carrots off the grill, glaze them once. Let them cook for an additional minute, then remove the carrots and glaze one more time with a basting brush.
Video
Notes
- Use fresh carrots - fresh, firm carrots will have the best flavor and texture.
- Choose even-sized carrots - Using even-sized carrots ensures they cook more evenly on the grill.
- Cut large carrots in half - Thicker carrots should be sliced lengthwise so they cook through without burning.
- Don't glaze the carrots too early - the sugar can burn if added too soon. Make sure to brush it on in the final few minutes of cooking.
- Watch the heat - If your carrots are cooking too fast, rotate them to indirect heat. Remember, thinner carrots will cook faster.
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