Honeyglazed Sautéed Carrots with Fresh Thyme
Recipe Introduction
Quick Hook
Ever wondered how to make carrots exciting? Sauteed carrots are the answer! These honey glazed carrots offer a sweet and savory flavor that's totally addictive.
Brief Overview
This easy carrot recipe is inspired by French techniques. It's ready in under 30 minutes. It makes 4 servings.
Main Benefits
Carrots are packed with vitamin A. Carrot side dish is perfect for weeknights. What makes this recipe special is the glaze.
Let's Get Sautéing!
Okay, let's get these carrots cooking! These aren't your nan's boiled carrots. These are tender crisp carrots with a delicious glaze. honestly, I used to hate carrots. Until I discovered this recipe.
What Are We Making?
We're making Honey Glazed Sauteed Carrots with Fresh Thyme . This is a simple side that elevates any meal. The honey complements the carrots. The thyme adds a touch of fancy.
Prep Time
First, peel and slice the carrots. Aim for slices about 1/4 inch thick. Even slices mean even cooking. Trust me on this one. I've had my fair share of unevenly cooked carrots.
Ready to Cook?
Heat butter and olive oil in a large pan. Add the carrots and cook. Stir occasionally until they soften. We want them slightly tender. Not mushy!
Seasoning is Key
Season with salt and pepper. Add honey and water. This creates the magic glaze. Keep stirring until the glaze thickens. Watch the heat. We don't want burnt honey. It's happened to me.
The Finishing Touch
Stir in fresh thyme before serving. It adds a lovely aroma. Serve immediately and enjoy. These carrots with honey are divine.
It is important that you taste the flavor of thyme in the carrots.
Tips and Tricks
Don't overcook. Nobody likes mushy carrots. Adjust the sweetness to your liking. More honey? Less honey? It's up to you.
If you don't have fresh thyme, dried thyme works too. But fresh is always better.
Serving Suggestions
These sauteed carrots with thyme pair well with roast chicken. They also go great with pork tenderloin. Or add them to a quinoa salad.
The options are endless. I actually had them with some halloumi last night.
Okay, Let's Get These Carrots Cooking!
This recipe is a game changer. It's a quick carrot side dish that everyone will love. How to sauté carrots is now a question you can confidently answer! Enjoy your healthy carrot recipes !
Ingredients & Equipment: Let's Get Carrots Cooking!
Okay, let's get these carrots cooking! First, we need to grab the essentials. This honey glazed carrots recipe is pretty straightforward.
Even I managed to pull it off without setting the kitchen on fire!
Main Ingredients for Awesome Carrots
Here's the shopping list. We're making the carrot side dish of your dreams.
- 1 pound ( 450g ) carrots, peeled and sliced. Look for firm, bright orange carrots. Seriously, nobody wants bendy carrots.
- 2 tablespoons ( 30 ml ) unsalted butter. Good butter does make a difference, honest.
- 1 tablespoon ( 15 ml ) olive oil. Extra virgin, because we're fancy.
- 1/4 teaspoon ( 1.5g ) salt. Sea salt is my go-to.
- 1/4 teaspoon ( 0.5g ) black pepper. Freshly ground is always better.
- 2 tablespoons ( 30 ml ) honey. Local honey is the best, if you can get it.
- 1 tablespoon ( 15 ml ) water. Tap water is fine. No need to get fancy.
- 1 tablespoon ( 15 ml ) fresh thyme leaves, chopped. This makes the sauteed carrots with thyme .
Seasoning Notes: It's All About the Flavor, Babe!
Thyme, honey, and butter? The perfect trifecta. You could substitute rosemary if you're feeling adventurous. A tiny pinch of red pepper flakes? Go for it! This elevates the glazed carrots recipe .
It gives it a little kick.
Equipment Needed: Keep it Simple, Silly!
- Large skillet or frying pan.
- Cutting board.
- Chef's knife.
- Measuring spoons and cups.
That's it. You probably already have all of this. If you don't have a fancy chef's knife, don't stress. A regular knife will do the job just fine.
A simple way to prepare tender crisp carrots is with a skillet.
Honestly, this recipe is all about the ingredients and the technique. Not the fancy gear. So, are you ready to make some seriously good sauteed carrots ? I know I am.
Let's get to it! If you follow this easy carrot recipe you will be sure you get all the compliments.
Don't forget that this quick carrot side dish is a healthy carrot recipe .
Cooking Method: Let's Get These Carrots Cooking!
Okay, let's get these carrots cooking! I'm gonna show you how to make honey glazed carrots that are seriously addictive.
Forget boring boiled veggies. We're talking sauteed carrots with thyme , a side dish even your picky kids will devour.
Honestly, this easy carrot recipe is almost too simple to be true.
Prep Like a Pro for Tender Crisp Carrots
First things first. Get your mise en place sorted. We need 1 pound of carrots. Peel them. Slice them into 1/4 inch rounds.
Even slices, mind you! This is important for cooking evenly . Two tablespoons of butter, one of olive oil, salt, pepper, honey, water, and thyme.
Chop the thyme.
Get Sautéing, step-by-step
Time to cook! This is where the magic happens.
- Heat 2 tablespoons of butter and 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
- Add the sliced carrots. Cook, stirring, till they soften a bit. This takes about 5 minutes.
- Season with 1/4 teaspoon of salt and 1/4 teaspoon of pepper.
- Pour in 2 tablespoons of honey and 1 tablespoon of water. Stir it all up. Make sure the carrots are coated.
- Cook, still stirring, until the carrots are tender crisp. The glaze should thicken nicely. This should take around 5- 8 minutes. Watch that heat. You do not want to burn the honey!
- Stir in 1 tablespoon of fresh thyme leaves.
- Serve immediately. Boom! You've got amazing carrots with honey .
Pro Tips: Level Up Your Carrot Side Dish
Want to make these next level? Use good quality honey. It makes a difference. Also, don't overcrowd the pan. Overcrowding steams the carrots instead of sautéing them.
You are aiming for a little browning, remember? Easy carrot recipe can be done in a nonstick pan to prevent sticking! Quick carrot side dish done right!
Now you can serve these sauteed carrots alongside roast chicken, pork tenderloin, or even add them to a quinoa salad.
Feel free to change it up. Try maple syrup instead of honey. Or add a pinch of red pepper flakes for heat.
You got this!
Recipe Notes: Nailing Those Sauteed Carrots
Okay, let's get these carrots cooking! Honestly, sometimes the easiest things are the trickiest. You know? Like, how hard can it be to make sauteed carrots ? But getting that perfect tender crisp bite with just the right amount of glaze.
.. that's the challenge. So, here's a few notes to help you along the way.
Serving Suggestions: Let's Make 'Em Look Good!
Right, so you've got these gorgeous, honey glazed carrots with honey . How do we make them shine ? Think about plating.
A simple swirl on a plate next to a juicy roast chicken works a treat. Or, get fancy! Arrange them artfully beside a grilled pork tenderloin.
These are awesome! They also taste great cold, maybe serve with some Quinoa Salad. The lemon from the vinaigrette really highlights them.
I remember one time I tried piling them too high and the whole thing toppled. Don't do that!
As for sides, a simple quinoa salad adds a nice earthy note. I also like pairing these honey glazed carrots with a crisp green salad. Something about the contrast just works .
Storage Tips: Keepin' it Fresh
Got leftovers? No worries! These tender crisp carrots keep well. Pop them in an airtight container and they'll be good in the fridge for up to 3 days .
To reheat, a quick zap in the microwave is fine, but honestly, a quick saute in a pan is best to bring back that glaze.
Freezing sauteed carrots isn't my favorite, if I'm honest. They tend to get a bit mushy. But if you must , make sure they're completely cool before freezing and thaw them overnight in the fridge.
Variations: Mix it Up!
Fancy a change? I love adding a pinch of red pepper flakes for a bit of heat. It's so good! For a vegan option, try using vegan butter and agave nectar instead of honey.
It is amazing, it doesn't lose any favour!. Oh, and if you're feeling adventurous, try swapping the thyme for rosemary.
You know, seasonal ingredient swaps can make this dish feel totally new. I think that its amazing.
Nutrition Basics: Goodness in a Bite
Alright, so, what's the good news here? Carrots are packed with Vitamin A, which is great for your eyes. We all know that! This easy carrot recipe gives you a healthy dose of sweetness.
Each serving of these sauteed carrots with thyme gives you a healthy portion. It includes good fats from the butter and vitamins.
About 120 calories per serving, that's a small price to pay!
So, there you have it! Some quick and easy healthy carrot recipes ! Honestly, these glazed carrots recipe are pretty straightforward.
Just have fun with it, experiment a little, and don't be afraid to get a bit messy! You'll be whipping up the best carrot side dish in no time.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I make sure my sauteed carrots aren't mushy? No one wants a soggy carrot!
The key to avoiding mushy sauteed carrots is to not overcook them! Keep the heat at medium and stir occasionally. You're aiming for "tender crisp," meaning they're cooked through but still have a bit of bite. Similar to how al dente pasta is a sign of a well prepared pasta meal.
Can I use frozen carrots for sauteed carrots? I'm all about convenience!
While fresh carrots are ideal, you can use frozen sliced carrots in a pinch. However, they tend to release more moisture, so you might need to cook them a bit longer to evaporate the excess liquid. Also, frozen carrots can be softer, so be extra careful not to overcook them.
It is still faster than going to the shops, I guess!
What's the best way to store leftover sauteed carrots? I usually have a bit left over after dinner.
Leftover sauteed carrots can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. To reheat, simply sauté them in a pan with a little butter or oil until warmed through.
You could also microwave them, but they might lose some of their texture (similar to when you reheat yorkshire puddings!).
I'm trying to eat healthier. Are sauteed carrots a healthy side dish?
Absolutely! Carrots are packed with vitamins and fiber. This sauteed carrots recipe, especially with a modest amount of honey and healthy fats from butter and olive oil, can definitely be part of a balanced diet.
To make it even healthier, you could reduce the amount of honey or swap it for a sugar substitute like stevia.
Can I add other vegetables to these honey glazed sauteed carrots?
Definitely! Feel free to add other vegetables that complement carrots. Onions, parsnips, and even a bit of ginger can add another layer of flavor. Just be mindful of the cooking times for different vegetables to ensure everything is cooked evenly, a common pitfall when using different vegetables in a stir fry!
My kids are picky eaters! Any tips to make these sauteed carrots more appealing?
Ah, the picky eater challenge! Try cutting the carrots into fun shapes like stars or coins. You can also adjust the sweetness of the honey glaze to suit their preferences, and don't be afraid to add a tiny pinch of salt, or even a tiny knob of butter at the end.
Sometimes, presentation is everything, just like how Heston Blumenthal's restaurant The Fat Duck once served a deconstructed snail porridge to entice picky eaters, but those kind of techniques are a bit extreme.
Honeyglazed Sauteed Carrots With Fresh Thyme
Ingredients:
Instructions:
Nutrition Facts:
| Calories | 120 |
|---|---|
| Fat | 6g |
| Fiber | 3g |
