Honey Ginger Glazed Carrots A Sweet And Savory Side Dish.

These honey ginger glazed carrots are the ultimate in simplicity while elevating the humble root vegetable to show-stopping status. Make these delicious, sweet, savory carrots anytime you need a fast side dish that goes well with most meat entrees. This flavorful carrot side is fanciful enough to be part of your holiday table. Enjoy the spicy, sweet ginger-flavored carrots alongside other side dishes for your Thanksgiving feast or Christmas dinner. 

​Fall produces so much seasonal produce, and carrots are one of the best root vegetables for storing through the long winter months. I recall having to work in my mother’s large vegetable garden growing up, and carrots were always such a ‘joy,’ from the thinning of the seeded rows to digging out the large orange roots when the green tops gave up holding onto their counterparts. Small fingers digging desperately into the warm earth to find their golden carrot crop. How the large carrots were ever so annoyingly rooted into their place. 

But that aside, I fondly remember rubbing the dirt off the fresh carrot and biting down on its sweet crunchiness. As I moved from fresh produce to grocery store produce, I was disappointed by the lack of flavor in the carrots in storage. They are dull and not too much to write home about as a side dish. That’s how I stumbled across this side combination one day in my kitchen, trying to jazz up the humble veg. The natural honey accentuates the natural sweetness of the carrots and is then spiced with ground ginger to bring a bit of a bite. It’s a great flavor pairing that improves when a dollop of butter is introduced into the mix.

This easy carrot recipe is perfect for that time of year when you need a holiday table side dish or a warm winter roast accompaniment. Enjoy making just a few or a big batch of this easy side dish for your family, and sit back to hear lips smacking.

If you love finding new and inventive easy recipes for carrots, be sure to try my old-fashioned minted carrots and peas. 

Why You Will Love This Recipe:

Simple Ingredients. With just a little time and a few simple pantry staples, you can enjoy a carrot side dish with your holiday dinner or as part of a regular weekday meal. 

Cheap Food. Nowadays, finding inexpensive food ideas is paramount to getting by as a family. Carrots are a relatively cheap root crop, and the other ingredients are used sparingly to maximize flavor. 

Flavorful. The combination of ingredients in this carrot recipe makes a super flavorful, easy side dish. It doesn’t matter if you use larger carrots or baby carrots. They are always going to be summers!

Let’s Make This Easy Side Dish Of Honey Ginger Glazed Carrots. 

Now, I want to start off by saying it’s not a thick glaze on these carrots. It’s a nice mix of sweetness and spice to add pizzazz to that bag of carrots you bought. In fact, it’s my family’s absolute favorite way to enjoy carrots. 

Start by washing and peeling the carrots. It doesn’t matter if you use thicker carrots from the grocery store or fresh carrots from the farmer’s market so long you have the amount you wish to make for the particular dinner you have in mind. Generally speaking, one scoop of carrots is enough for each person. If they were to eat a raw carrot, how much would one consume? I use this as a general guideline and to show how active the family has been in gauging appetites and amounts for cooking. So peel the carrot, then slice it into chunks approximately one inch in size. It’s smaller if you prefer a daintier look. 

Pop the cut-up carrots into an appropriately sized saucepan. Heat to a full rolling boil and allow to cook uncovered until fork tender. The timing of the cook will be based on the size of the pot and how much water is in it to heat up. Generally, 10-15 minutes at a full rolling boil means they are good to go. 

Drain the cooked carrots, then measure and add the honey, ground ginger, and butter. Give the whole thing a stir, and that’s it. This is a great way to make a speedy side dish with maximum flavor. Serve while hot as the perfect side dish for your weeknight dinner. 

Ingredients:

Carrots: These vegetables provide natural sweetness and vibrant color, making the dish visually appealing and nutritious. They are also a very cost-effective ingredient.

Honey adds a rich, natural sweetness that complements the carrots and balances the dish’s savory notes. Be sure to look for honey that is just honey. Some store-bought honey has added ingredients. 

Ground Ginger: Infuses the dish with a warm, spicy kick, enhancing the flavor profile with a hint of zing.

Salted Butter: Melted butter adds a creamy richness and depth of flavor, helping to meld the honey’s sweetness and the ginger’s spice with the carrots.

Substitutions And Add-Ins For This Easy Side Dish Recipe:

Carrots: You can use baby carrots or pre-cut carrot sticks if you don’t have whole carrots. For a more visually colorful side, try using rainbow carrots. 

Honey: You can replace honey with maple syrup or agave nectar. Use two tablespoons of brown sugar for a rich caramel flavor and added sweetness for a different sweetness profile. You will want to be sure it dissolves in the hot butter before serving. If you prefer a lower-sugar option, try using a sugar-free syrup.

Ground Ginger: For a different spice combination, you can use ground cinnamon or allspice. I would avoid using fresh ginger, as it can be too much when eaten raw for smaller family members. You can also omit the ginger altogether for a simpler honey-glazed carrots dish.

Salted Butter: Can be replaced with unsalted or even margarine.

​Expert Tips, Serving And Storing Suggestions For This Carrot Side.

Tip #1:  Cook Time: If using larger or thicker carrot pieces, increase the cooking time to ensure they become tender. Conversely, smaller or thinner pieces may require less time. Test for doneness by piercing a carrot piece with a fork; it should go through quickly.

Tip #2: Enhance Flavor with Fresh Herbs. For added freshness, garnish the glazed carrots with chopped fresh herbs like parsley or chervil before serving. Herbs add a pop of color and an extra layer of flavor that complements the honey and ginger.

Tip #3: Ensure Even Coating of Glaze. To achieve an even glaze on your carrots, stir them thoroughly after adding the honey, ginger, and butter.

These honey ginger glazed carrots are a great side dish to serve as part of a casual weeknight dinner or to fill out festive your holiday feasts. Serve it alongside roasted meats like chicken, pork, or beef, or pair it with other vegetable sides for a well-rounded meal. Its sweet flavor is especially delightful with holiday main dish, such as a Thanksgiving turkey or Christmas ham. For a balanced plate, consider adding a grain like quinoa or rice to complement the carrots.

Leftover cooked carrots can be kept in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. Reheat the ginger carrots in the microwave or stovetop, adding a bit of water to restore moisture if needed.

For more extended storage, you can freeze the glazed carrots. Place them in a freezer-safe bag and store them for up to 3 months. To reheat from frozen, thaw them in the refrigerator overnight and then warm them up using your preferred method. When reheating, you may notice a change in texture. The carrots might be softer than freshly cooked, but they’ll still be flavorful and suitable for soups, stews, or a side dish.

​Have you tried this recipe? I would love to hear if your family loved this simple carrot side dish as much as my family does. Tell me what type of carrot you used in the comments below. Please leave a rating for the recipe as it helps other readers to decide on whether to try it for themselves.