Glazed Mint Carrots and Peas: A Simple Spring Side 

This vintage sugar-glazed mint carrot and peas side dish recipe is super delicious! If you love simple sides, these glazed carrots make an easy and flavorful one everyone loves. The savory and sweet side dish is seasoned with lots of fresh, chopped mint leaves and has a beautiful springtime feeling! The natural sweetness of the glazed carrots, the grassy flavor of the peas, and the burst of mint make for a delightful combination that brightens up any meal.

Carrots were always plentiful growing up. My mother had a huge vegetable garden, and she was sure to have planted a couple of rows of carrots. I recall how pulling carrots from the ground was frustrating and rewarding. The carrot tops often ripped right off the carrot that I could see peaking out of the earth. How I wanted that crisp carrot, and it eluded me. My fingers would poke angrily around the carrot, getting dirt under my nails and making me feel frustrated. Those early garden lessons were great for teaching me patience and perseverance. They also instilled a great connection to where food comes from. How hard it is for farmers to grow food for the masses.

Peas, on the other hand, were a springtime favorite of mine. They were easy to find and polish off right from the vine. My mother often grew both edible pods and snap peas, which meant that, as a small child, I learned that edible pods were much easier to digest. Also, the taste of fresh peas grown in the best soil can’t be beaten!

This nostalgia for the garden and my mother’s vegetables made me think of this side dish. It’s a classic carrot, peas, and mint combination with roast chicken or lamb. This sugar mint glazed carrots side reflects spring flavors and is refreshing from the usual side dish lineup.

If you are looking for more great healthy recipes that use up carrots, be sure to try my honey ginger carrots and my sauteed carrot and parsnip dish with brown butter.

​Why You Will Love This Easy Side Dish Recipe:

Quick and Simple: With just a few ingredients, you can quickly whip up this delightful side dish in no time for your busy weeknight meals.

Perfect for Spring: This side dish’s vibrant colors and fresh flavors make it the perfect accompaniment to spring meals, especially when served alongside lamb or other springtime favorites.

Affordable and Nutritious: Carrots are inexpensive and packed with vitamins, making this dish a healthy and budget-friendly option.

The History of Mint-Based Dishes in North America

​Mint-based dishes have a long history in North American cuisine, particularly in the spring when fresh mint is abundant. Mint is a versatile herb often used to add brightness to sweet and savory dishes. In many cultures, mint has been paired with vegetables, especially carrots and peas, to create refreshing, fragrant side dishes. 

The tradition of adding mint to vegetables in North America has roots in European and Indigenous cuisines, where mint was prized not only for its flavor but also for its digestive benefits. Over time, mint became a common herb in light, seasonal dishes, making it the perfect herb to elevate this simple springtime side dish.

Mint is also incredibly easy to grow, often becoming almost like a weed in gardens. It thrives in various conditions and can be planted in the ground or in containers. If not kept in check, it can spread rapidly, overtaking other plants. This rapid growth and hearty nature made it an attractive herb for early settlers who sought reliable, low-maintenance plants for their gardens. Its ability to grow almost anywhere and its delightful fragrance have made it a staple in gardens and kitchens for generations.

 Let’s Make This Simple Glazed Mint Carrots and Peas

 To make this simple glazed mint carrots and peas dish, place the baby carrots into a saucepan and cover them with water. Bring the water to a boil and boil carrots for about 15 minutes or until they are fork-tender. At the 10-minute mark, add the frozen peas (or canned peas) to the saucepan with the carrots. This allows the peas to cook (heat) through and blend with the flavors of the carrots.

Once the carrots are fork-tender and the peas are heated through, drain the carrots and peas and return them to the saucepan. Add the butter and sugar, stirring gently, to coat the vegetables thoroughly. Let the mixture cook for five more minutes, allowing the sugar to melt and create a glossy, glassy glaze on the vegetables.

When the glaze has formed, stir in the freshly chopped mint leaves and add black pepper to taste. This springtime side dish makes enough to feed a family and will be a refreshing change from plain cooked carrots. Serve them hot, and enjoy them as a sweet, fragrant addition to your meal!

Note: Frozen peas are often more economical in Canada than fresh peas, especially during the off-season. Fresh peas can be pricey due to harvesting, transportation, and shorter shelf life. Frozen peas, however, are available year-round and are more affordable, making them a great budget-friendly option for this recipe.

Ingredients:

Baby Carrots (Bag From Store): Carrots are the star of this dish, providing a naturally sweet and earthy flavor. Baby carrots from the store are ideal because they cook quickly, are tender, and have a uniform size. Plus, you only have to rinse them before cooking, making them easy to prepare. Their mild sweetness pairs perfectly with the sugar glaze, creating a comforting, classic flavor.

Salted Butter: Butter adds richness and helps create the glossy, smooth texture of the glaze. The salted butter balances out the sweetness of the sugar, ensuring the flavors are well-rounded and not too overpowering.

Granulated Sugar: The white sugar is essential for creating the glaze that coats the carrots and peas. It melts and combines with the butter to form a glassy, sweet coating on the vegetables, adding flavor and visual appeal. The sweetness of the sugar enhances the natural sugars in the carrots, creating a delicious contrast with the savory elements of the dish.

Fresh Mint: This bright, refreshing flavor lifts the dish. The mint complements the sweetness of the carrots and sugar while introducing an herbal note that gives the dish a fresh, spring-like feel. 

​Frozen Green Peas: These are a convenient and economical choice for this dish. Their natural sweetness pairs beautifully with the carrots and mint, and they add a burst of color and texture. The peas quickly cook and retain freshness, making them a great addition to this simple, easy-to-prepare side dish.

Black Pepper: It balances the butter’s richness and the sugar’s sweetness, providing an extra layer of flavor.

​Substitutions And Add-Ins For The Glazed Mint Carrots and Peas.

Baby Carrots (Bag From Store): Regular carrots, peeled and sliced into thin rounds.

Salted Butter: Unsalted butter or plant-based butter for a dairy-free option.

Granulated Sugar: Honey, maple syrup, or brown sugar can be used.

Fresh Mint: Dried mint (about 1/3 of the amount), basil, or parsley.

Frozen Green Peas: Fresh garden peas (if in season) or frozen mixed vegetables will also work. If you have grown edible pod peas like snow peas, you can also use them. 

Black Pepper: Can be omitted.

If you’re looking to make this carrot recipe a bit more savory, try cutting up the green stems of green onions and adding them raw to the dish. Additionally, a little sprinkle of dried parsley or chives can add some flare to the finished side dish recipe.

Expert Tips, Serving And Storing Suggestions For This Simple Recipe:

Tip #1: Don’t Overcook the Carrots: Make sure the carrots are fork-tender but not mushy to achieve the perfect texture. Overcooking them can cause them to become soft and lose their natural sweetness. Keep an eye on them; when a fork easily pierces the carrot, they’re ready for the next step.

Tip #2: Use Fresh Mint for Maximum Flavor: For the best flavor, use fresh mint leaves. Dried mint can be a good substitute, but nothing beats the vibrant, aromatic notes that fresh mint adds to the dish. Chop the mint leaves finely to release their oils and infuse the glaze with a refreshing punch. Add it at the end of cooking to preserve its fresh flavor.

Tip #3: Balance Sweet and Savory: While the sugar glaze adds sweetness, don’t forget the salt in the butter and the pepper. A pinch of black pepper will enhance the natural flavors of the vegetables, and a small amount of salt will balance the sweetness of the sugar, creating a harmonious flavor profile. Taste as you go to adjust the balance to your preference.

Glazed Mint Carrots and Peas is a versatile side dish complementing various meals. For a classic pairing, serve it alongside your lamb dish with your favorite potato—the mint in the carrots and peas naturally enhances lamb’s rich, savory flavors. This combination is perfect for a spring feast, especially with roasted potatoes or a simple garden salad. Another great option is to pair it with grilled chicken. Whether it’s lemon or herb-marinated, the sweetness of the glazed vegetables balances beautifully with the smoky, charred notes from the grill. If you want a comforting side, this dish works wonderfully with mashed potatoes. The buttery glaze on the carrots and peas adds a delightful contrast to the creamy texture of the potatoes, creating a satisfying, hearty meal.

For a more special occasion, glazed mint carrots and peas make a perfect addition to a spring brunch spread. Its vibrant colors and fresh mint flavor are ideal for Easter or Mother’s Day occasions. Serve it with scrambled eggs, a fresh fruit salad, and some crusty bread for a refreshing brunch. Lastly, the dish can be served with grilled fish, such as salmon or tilapia. The freshness of the mint and sweetness of the carrots complement the mild flavors of the fish, making it a well-balanced and healthy option for seafood lovers.

These serving suggestions will ensure that your glazed mint carrots and peas are a delightful side dish, perfect for any meal or special occasion.

To store Glazed Mint Carrots and Peas, follow these simple guidelines to ensure the dish stays fresh and delicious:

Let the dish cool to room temperature for short-term storage before transferring it into an airtight container. Store it in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. The carrots and peas may lose some crispness, but the flavors remain intact.

If you want to store the dish longer, you can freeze it. Place the glazed carrots and peas into a freezer-safe container. The dish can be frozen for up to 2-3 months. When you’re ready to enjoy it, thaw it in the fridge overnight or microwave on a defrost setting. To reheat it in a saucepan over low heat, stirring occasionally. 

You can also use the microwave to reheat the dish. Place the vegetables in a microwave-safe bowl and cover them with a damp paper towel to prevent drying out. Heat in short intervals, stirring in between, until the dish is heated.

Remember that the fresh mint might lose some flavor during storage, so if you want to keep the dish tasting as fresh as possible, consider adding a little more chopped mint just before serving.

If you’ve tried this Glazed Mint Carrots and Peas recipe, I’d love to hear your thoughts! Please take a moment to rate the recipe and leave a comment below. Your feedback helps others find delicious, easy recipes and inspires me to share more tasty ideas. Whether you made any adjustments or just loved the dish, and as always, happy cooking!