Honey glazed carrots roast up tender and caramelized with a citrusy orange honey glaze and a hint of earthy warmth from cumin seeds and Aleppo pepper.
Most glazed carrot recipes are cooked on the stovetop and require a careful balance to achieve a glaze that’s reduced enough as well as perfectly tender carrots. It’s an irresistible side dish when they’re just right, but it’s easy to end up with crunchy or mushy carrots or a glaze that’s too soupy.
I prefer to roast them in the oven for tender carrots, which turn out even better than the stovetop version because of the caramelization. Plus, baking them in the oven keeps my hands and stove free to work on the main dish.
I use a combination of orange juice and honey to make the glaze for the carrots. The glaze reduces in the oven, coating the carrots in a glossy, tangy glaze packed with citrusy flavor that brings out the natural sweetness of the carrots. To reanchor the flavors in savory territory, I add cumin seeds and a little chili. From the same family as carrots, cumin adds earthy spice while the Aleppo pepper gives them a mild, fruity kick.
Honey Glazed Carrots Ingredients
This carrot side dish is packed with sweet and savory flavor thanks to a few spice cabinet favorites. Here’s what you’ll need to make it:
- Carrots have a natural sweetness that’s emphasized by roasting and caramelizing. I use standard orange carrots, but you could use rainbow carrots or even parsnips.
- Orange: Orange juice and zest add bright citrusy flavor that balances the honey glaze.
- Extra virgin olive oil enriches the glaze and adds a complex, fruity flavor.
- Honey helps caramelize the carrots and enhances their natural sweetness.
- Cumin seeds: From the same family as carrots and parsley, cumin seeds have an earthy, nutty flavor. If you only have ground cumin, use 1 to 1 1/2 teaspoons.
- Aleppo pepper: For a mild, but flavorful kick, Aleppo pepper adds a tangy, fruity red chili pepper note.
- READ MORE: What Is Aleppo Pepper and How to Use It
- Salt and pepper enhance the flavors of the carrots and glaze.
- Parsley: A sprinkling of fresh parsley adds a pop of green and herbaceous flavor.
How to Make Honey Glazed Carrots
This one-pan side dish roasts in the oven, reducing the orange and honey sauce until it coats the carrots in a sticky, sweet glaze. Here’s how to bring it all together:
- Get ready: Position a rack in the center of the oven and heat to 425°F. Peel and trim 2 pounds of carrots. Cut the carrots crosswise into 2-inch pieces. If they are more than 1 inch thick, cut them in half lengthwise. Place in a large mixing bowl.
- Make the honey glaze: Zest and juice 1 orange. In a small bowl, whisk together the orange zest and 1/4 cup juice, 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil, 2 tablespoons honey, 2 teaspoons cumin seeds, 1/2 teaspoon Aleppo pepper, a generous pinch of kosher salt, and a good grind of freshly ground black pepper to taste.
- Season the carrots: Pour the honey glaze over the carrots and toss to coat.
- Roast: Transfer the carrots, along with the glaze, to a baking dish or rimmed baking sheet, and arrange the carrots in a single layer. Bake for 30 to 40 minutes, tossing halfway through, until the carrots are tender and the bottoms are browned.
- Serve: Transfer to a serving dish and garnish with 1 tablespoon finely chopped parsley.
Make it Your Own
Carrots and honey pair well with so many flavors, so it’s easy to customize based on what you have on hand. Here are a few ideas to get you started:
- Swap the spices. Instead of cumin seeds, try licorice-scented fennel seeds. You could use 1 teaspoon ground cardamom for its citrusy, earthy flavor, or 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon for its warm, woody flavor. Or try 2 teaspoons of a spice blend, such as ras el hanout or baharat.
- Add nuts. Garnish the glazed carrots with toasted sliced almonds or chopped pistachios.
- Change the garnish. Parsley is an easy way to add freshness, but you can garnish these carrots with other chopped fresh herbs, such as cilantro, oregano, marjoram, or mint.
- Try another vegetable. Make this recipe with rainbow carrots, parsnips, turnips, rutabaga, or a mix.
What to Serve with Honey Roasted Carrots
Honey glazed carrots are a classic holiday side, but they’re easy enough to make as a side dish for any cozy meal. They’re sweet, spiced flavor would go perfectly alongside a comforting roast, like a roast chicken, roasted pork tenderloin, or, for a special occasion, roasted beef tenderloin.
Honey glazed carrots work well with other holiday side dishes, like garlic mashed potatoes or roasted Brussels sprouts with dates and almonds. But a fresh winter salad provides a crisp contrast to the tender carrots. Try this fennel salad with parmesan and walnuts or beet salad with orange, arugula, and feta.
More Mediterranean Carrot Recipes
Soups and Stews
Carrot Ginger Soup
Moroccan and Tunisian
Moroccan-Style Carrot Salad
Dips and Condiments
Roasted Carrot Hummus with Spicy Harissa
Mediterranean Diet Recipes
Simple Roasted Carrots Recipe
Browse all Mediterranean recipes.
Visit Our Shop.
Honey Glazed Carrots with Orange and Cumin
Ingredients
- 2 pounds carrots (908g)
- 1 orange, zested and juiced
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 2 teaspoons cumin seeds
- 1/2 teaspoon Aleppo pepper
- Kosher salt
- Black pepper
- 1 tablespoon finely chopped parsley, for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Get ready. Position a rack in the center of the oven and heat to 425°F. Peel and trim the carrots. Cut the carrots crosswise into 2-inch pieces. If they are more than 1 inch thick, cut them in half lengthwise. Place in a large mixing bowl.
- Make the honey glaze. In a small bowl, whisk together the orange zest and 1/4 cup of the juice, olive oil, honey, cumin, Aleppo pepper, a generous pinch of kosher salt, and a good grind of freshly ground black pepper to taste.
- Season the carrots. Pour the honey glaze over the carrots and toss to coat.
- Roast the carrots. Transfer the carrots, along with all of the glaze, to a baking dish or rimmed baking sheet, and arrange the carrots in a single layer. Bake for 30 to 40 minutes, tossing halfway through, until the carrots are tender and the bottoms are browned.
- Finish and serve. Transfer to a serving dish and garnish with parsley.
Notes
Nutrition
Honey from The Mediterranean!
Indulge in the delicate sweetness of Italian Organic Acacia Honey, sourced from the lush acacia woods of the Pre-Alps and other regions of the Italian peninsula.
