These Honey Balsamic Roasted Carrots are beautifully caramelized in a sweet and sticky glaze. The perfect side dish for your Sunday roast.
Balsamic Roasted Carrots with Honey
For someone without a prominent sweet tooth, the sight of honey usually gives me fear. But when it’s balanced out with some acidity and glazed over my FAVE vegetable of all time ever ever ever, I think I can manage. And by manage I mean give me the whole tray please.
How to prep your carrots
Should you peel your carrots?
In short, it doesn’t make a huge difference. Certainly not in this instance anyway.
Peeled carrots give off a brighter glow, so if you’re throwing them in a salad they do look a bit gnarly with the skins left on. But in this case i.e roasting, visually it won’t make a huge difference if they’re peeled or not. When it comes to taste, some people claim the skin can taste bitter and slightly earthy. Personally I see very little difference, especially when roasting and glazed to the high heavens.
Finally, usually when I’m cooking carrots it’s with a roast dinner or a nice bit of meat that needs some tlc. So in this instance I never peel them, work smarter not harder and all that.
In the end it’s totally up to you! However, either way give those dang things a good scrub in hot water.
To slice or not to slice?
I do highly recommend slicing your carrots, at least in half. If they’re particularly large then consider quartering them. The reason being you want the carrots to cook through the centre before the glaze fully caramelizes. If they’re too big the glaze will burn by the time they’re completely softened. Slightly thinner carrots work best for this recipe.
How to Roast Carrots in Honey Balsamic Glaze
Okay, so you’ve prepped your carrots, let’s talk glaze. The honey balsamic glaze itself is actually really simple, and consists of honey, balsamic vinegar, olive oil and salt & pepper. It’s a fairly runny consistency in the first instance, but it will caramelize and go sticky as the carrots roast.
I also like to throw in a few sprigs of fresh thyme, because carrots and thyme are a match made in heaven. I highly recommend using fresh thyme for this recipe, just pluck out the stalks at the end.
How to make honey balsamic roasted carrots (quick summary)
- Scrub your carrots.
- Slice the tip off.
- Slice vertically.
- Add to a baking tray with fresh thyme.
- Pour over glaze and roast.
- Take out, flip carrots and pour over leftover glaze. Roast until caramelized.
When they come out the oven, it’s time to serve up! I love to sprinkle over fresh parsley and if I think it needs it, I’ll give the carrots a final drizzle of honey and/or splash of balsamic vinegar. I also recommend another pinch of salt, just to balance out the sweetness from the honey glaze.
All in all these honey balsamic roasted carrots are the perfect way to jazz what could potentially be an average side dish. Sweet and sticky, yet fresh and flavoursome, these are sure to be the best dang carrots you’ve ever had.
Hey, whilst you’re here why not check out my other recipes?
Roast Dinner Sides
- Garlic Green Beans
- Parmesan Roasted Cauliflower
- Goose Fat Roast Potatoes
- Broccoli and Cauliflower Cheese
- Yorkshire Puddings
Alrighty, let’s tuck into these sweet roasted carrots shall we?!
How to make Honey Balsamic Roasted Carrots (Full Recipe & Video)
Honey Balsamic Roasted Carrots
Equipment:
- Baking Tray
- Spatula/Turner
- Small Bowl (for glaze)
- Peeler (optional)
- Sharp Knife & Chopping Board (for parsley)
Ingredients (check list):
- 1lb / 500g medium sized Carrots (see notes)
- 2 tbsp Honey
- 2 tbsp Balsamic Vinegar
- 1 tbsp Olive Oil
- few sprigs of Fresh Thyme
- sprinkle of Fresh Parsley, finely diced
- Salt & Pepper, to taste
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 375/190c. In a small bowl, mix 2 tbsp honey, 2 tbsp balsamic vinegar, 1 tbsp olive oil and a pinch of salt and pepper.
- Trim the tips off your carrots and slice in half lengthways, to make 2 even and thinner carrots. If your carrots are large then quarter them. If your carrots are very thin/small then you can leave them whole. It's important that all the carrots are similar size/thickness. (see notes)
- In a suitably sized tray, combine your carrots, a few sprigs of thyme and 3/4 of your glaze, ensuring you coat the carrots as evenly as possible. Roast for 15-20 mins or until the carrots start to caramelize. If at any point you see the vinegar beginning to char on the baking tray, mix the carrots and nudge down the heat.
- Take the tray out the oven, flip the carrots and pour over the rest of your glaze. Pop back in the oven until fully caramelized and sticky. This can take up to another 20-25mins depending on the size of your carrots. Please be vigilant and don't be tempted to whack up the heat. Anything over 390f/200c risks burning the glaze.
- Serve by removing the thyme stalks and sprinkle with fresh parsley. I also recommend another pinch of salt at the end, just the balance out the sweetness. If you particularly love balsamic vinegar then use a brush to flick over some at serving, or if you particularly love honey then feel free to give them a tiny drizzle.
Quick 1 min demo!
Notes:
Your Private Notes:
Nutrition:
If you loved these Honey Balsamic Roasted Carrots be sure to pin the recipe for later! Already made them or got a question? Give me a shout in the comments below and pick up your free ecookbook along the way!
38 Comments
Anne
December 14, 2022 at 3:55 pmThis sounds delicious! Could I use baby carrots?
Chris Collins
December 15, 2022 at 10:34 amI imagine they’ll work fine, they just might cook a bit quicker depending on size 🙂
Kamea
October 28, 2022 at 9:51 pmAbsolutely delicious! Family said it was the best carrots they have ever had. This is definitely becoming a family favorite 🙂
Chris Collins
October 29, 2022 at 12:16 pmAh that’s so great to hear, Kamea! Thanks so much for the review 🙂 C.
Chris Collins
October 29, 2022 at 12:16 pmAh that’s so great to hear, Kamea! Thanks so much for the review 🙂 C.
Cindy
September 28, 2022 at 5:31 pmOh my word!! Easy AND delish!! Quick question: I wonder … would parboiling the carrots for a minute help prevent charring? Or would that result in too soft of a texture?
Chris Collins
September 28, 2022 at 7:44 pmYou could do that! Or just slice them thinner so they cook quicker. Glad the recipe went down well 🙂 C.
Debbie
August 2, 2021 at 8:26 pmI absolutely love honey and balsamic vinegar so I knew this recipe would be so delicious! My carrots caramelised nicely and paired well with chicken!
Chris Collins
August 2, 2021 at 8:32 pmGreat to hear, Debbie! Thanks for the review 🙂
Rosemary Collmer
July 20, 2020 at 8:56 pmHow about this on brussell sprouts????
Chris Collins
July 20, 2020 at 9:12 pmI’ve never tried this but I imagine it would be tasty! 🙂
Susan
November 7, 2019 at 12:56 amThe glaze is so good! Can you use it with other vegetables? Thanks
Chris Collins
November 7, 2019 at 8:17 pmI’ve only used it on carrots thus far, but I imagine it would work great with roasted parsnips and even roasted sprouts too!
Donna
September 21, 2019 at 6:50 pmThumbs done from my crew!!
Too “vinegary”
Chris Collins
September 23, 2019 at 1:33 pmThat’s a shame they didn’t go down too well! Hopefully if you try them again, with a little less vinegar, they’ll go down great 🙂
Tana
August 18, 2019 at 2:20 pmEveryone loved these carrots will make them again
Chris Collins
August 20, 2019 at 12:53 pmThat’s awesome to hear! Glad they were enjoyed 🙂
Roberto
March 7, 2019 at 2:53 pmLove carrots. Needless to say, not everyone shares my opinion. This recipe is delicious. I prefer to toss the carrots in a bag and let sit for a while, and then, poor onto sheet. I have another recipe where I make a tin foil pouch that uses honey and fresh mint. That’s tasty as well. Thank you for the recipe.
Chris
March 7, 2019 at 4:02 pmSo glad you love the recipe Roberto! I’ll definitely have to try the foil pouch with honey and fresh mint, that sounds delish!!
Marty W.
December 15, 2018 at 8:52 amThese were totally Awesom had them for Thanksgiving. Will make lots more so tasty..
was a great hit, and so easy too.
Chris
December 15, 2018 at 3:46 pmThat’s so awesome to hear! Glad you enjoyed them 🙂
Gwen
November 21, 2018 at 4:53 pmCan these be made ahead of time? Like the day before?
Chris
November 21, 2018 at 5:37 pmHi Gwen! I definitely prefer them fresh out the oven, but if you were to make them in advance I’d take them out the oven before the second glaze (after around 20mins), pop them in the fridge, then reheat in the oven with the last bit of glaze until they’re nice and caramelized. If you’re really pushed for time/space, you could make them as instructed, then just reheat in the microwave. The flavour will be there but that fresh-out-the-oven caramelization won’t be. Hope that helps!
Jillian
November 20, 2018 at 4:41 amOh man! These look amazing and I would eat them as a main dish!
Andrea Metlika
November 20, 2018 at 3:35 amI’ve put balsamic on veggies in the past but these carrots with honey and balsamic sound Fabulous! Pinning this recipe.
Claudia Lamascolo
November 20, 2018 at 12:44 amthese look wonderful I love carrots usually raw but these are nice change will give it a go!
Marlee Brady
November 20, 2018 at 12:01 amI get scared of honey as well!!! But this is a fantastic way to conquer my fears!
Syama Nair
November 19, 2018 at 11:22 pmThese carrots look incredible ! The glaze – sweet with a touch of savory , just PERFECT !
Michelle @ Vitamin Sunshine
November 27, 2017 at 9:39 pmThose look so delicious! My husband and son love carrots so I am pinning these to try for them!
Chris
November 28, 2017 at 10:07 amFantastic! Enjoy 🙂
kellie@foodtoglow
November 27, 2017 at 8:50 pmFirst of all – love your blog name. So cute! And we adore vegetables in any way shape and form so these bright and sticky beauties certainly “a-peel” 😉
Chris
November 27, 2017 at 9:02 pmLiterally the best comment ever.
Amy | The Cook Report
November 27, 2017 at 8:33 pmThese look lovely, such a perfect side dish!
Chris
November 27, 2017 at 8:36 pmThanks, Amy! 🙂
Jamie | A Sassy Spoon
November 27, 2017 at 8:32 pmPretty AND delicious? Sign me up! These honey balsamic roasted carrots are the perfect side for my holiday table. Thank you for sharing!
Chris
November 27, 2017 at 8:34 pmThanks for your kind words, Jamie 🙂
Lucy @ Supergoldenbakes
November 27, 2017 at 8:16 pmSo simple yet so good looking. I think it would be a shame to remove the skin on these beauties but I’m so glad to read why you glazed towards the end of cooking. It’s a great tip.
Chris
November 27, 2017 at 8:21 pmSo glad you agree! Too pretty to peel 🙂