Description

A simple, impressive holiday side dish featuring carrots roasted with honey, fresh thyme, and butter. This recipe balances sweet and savory flavors, requiring minimal prep time for maximum flavor.

Ingredients

Scale

2 pounds (900g) medium carrots, peeled or scrubbed and cut into ½-inch rounds or batons
3 tablespoons (45ml) extra virgin olive oil
¼ cup (60ml) honey
2 tablespoons (30g) unsalted butter, melted
2 tablespoons (8g) fresh thyme leaves
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon kosher salt
½ teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper
Optional: Orange zest, fresh ginger, or maple syrup

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C).
Wash and prep the carrots by peeling (if desired) and cutting them into uniform ½-inch pieces.
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the olive oil, melted butter, honey, minced garlic, and fresh thyme leaves to create a glaze.
Add the carrots to the bowl and toss until every piece is evenly coated.
Spread the carrots in a single layer on a rimmed baking sheet. Do not crowd the pan.
Roast in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, flipping the carrots halfway through, until tender and caramelized.
Remove from the oven. Optionally brush with extra honey and sprinkle with flaky sea salt and extra thyme before serving warm.

Notes

Ensure carrots are in a single layer to prevent steaming. Use fresh thyme for best flavor. If your oven runs hot, check carrots at 20 minutes to prevent burning. Can be made up to 24 hours in advance and reheated in the oven.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Category: Side Dish
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: Approximately 1 cup
Calories: 120
Sugar: 12
Sodium: 200
Fat: 5
Saturated Fat: 2
Carbohydrates: 18
Fiber: 3
Protein: 1

Keywords: honey roasted carrots, thyme carrots, holiday side dish, easy vegetable recipe, roasted carrots, gluten-free side, vegan option