Description
Brown Sugar Roasted Carrots are a deliciously sweet and savory side dish perfect for any meal. Tender carrots are coated with olive oil, brown sugar, salt, pepper, and optional fresh thyme, then roasted to caramelized perfection. This simple yet flavorful recipe highlights the natural sweetness of carrots, enhanced by roasting at high heat to bring out deep, rich flavors.
Ingredients
Scale
Carrots
- 1 lb carrots, peeled and cut into sticks or rounds
Seasoning
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons packed brown sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1–2 teaspoons fresh thyme leaves (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare the Carrots: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) to ensure it’s hot and ready for roasting the carrots.
- Cut the Carrots: Peel the carrots thoroughly and cut them either into sticks or rounds, depending on your texture preference for the final dish.
- Toss with Seasonings: In a large mixing bowl, combine the cut carrots with olive oil, brown sugar, salt, and black pepper. Toss well until all pieces are evenly coated with the mixture.
- Add Fresh Thyme: If you choose to use fresh thyme, sprinkle it into the bowl and toss again to distribute the herb evenly over the carrots for added flavor.
- Arrange on Baking Sheet: Spread the carrots out in a single layer on a baking sheet to promote even roasting and caramelization.
- Roast the Carrots: Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and roast for 25-30 minutes. Be sure to toss the carrots halfway through the cooking time to ensure even browning and tenderness.
- Serve: Remove the carrots from the oven once they are tender and nicely caramelized. Garnish with extra fresh thyme if desired and serve immediately for the best flavor.
Notes
- Cut the carrots uniformly for even cooking.
- Use packed brown sugar to ensure proper sweetness and caramel formation.
- Fresh thyme is optional but adds a wonderful herbal note.
- For a gluten-free meal, ensure the brown sugar is certified gluten-free if necessary.
- To make this dish vegan, ensure the brown sugar is not processed with bone char.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
