Name: Maple Glazed Carrots Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 25 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 lb carrots cut into 2” x 1 ½” sticks; ½ cup water; 1 ½ tablespoons salted butter; 2 tablespoons light brown sugar, firmly packed; 1 tablespoon maple syrup; 2 sprigs fresh thyme (optional); ¼ teaspoon salt plus additional to taste; ¼ teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper plus additional to taste

If you’re looking for a side dish that’s both comforting and a little special, this Maple Glazed Carrots Recipe might just become your new favorite. It’s sweet, buttery, and herbaceous – perfect for dressing up any weeknight dinner or holiday feast.

The image shows a close-up of glossy, cooked carrots cut into about two-inch pieces placed in a black pan sitting on a white marbled surface. The carrots are bright orange with a shiny texture, and small green herb leaves are scattered lightly on top. A few sprigs of fresh green herbs lie on the white marbled surface near the pan. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Maple Glazed Carrots Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Maple Glazed Carrots Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Maple Glazed Carrots Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I’ve made these maple glazed carrots countless times, and they never fail to impress guests and family alike. The way the glaze perfectly hugs each tender carrot stick is pure magic, and the hint of thyme elevates the flavor to something truly cozy and fresh.

Quick and Easy: Ready in just 25 minutes from start to finish, perfect for busy evenings.
Simple Ingredients: Uses pantry staples plus fresh thyme for a subtle herbal touch.
Versatile Side Dish: Pairs well with anything from roasted chicken to holiday ham.
Beautiful Presentation: Glossy, vibrant carrots that look as good as they taste.

Ingredients & Why They Work

For the best results with this maple glazed carrots recipe, I always recommend fresh, crisp carrots and pure maple syrup for that authentic sweetness. Here’s a quick rundown of the main players you’ll need and why they’re essential.

Flat lay of fresh bright orange carrot sticks cut into uniform pieces, a small white ceramic bowl of light golden maple syrup, a small white ceramic bowl with pale creamy salted butter, a small white ceramic bowl of packed light brown sugar, a small white ceramic bowl of clear water, two fresh green sprigs of thyme, a small white ceramic bowl containing coarse sea salt, and a small white ceramic bowl filled with freshly cracked black pepper, all arranged symmetrically on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Carrots: Choosing fresh carrots ensures tenderness and sweetness; cutting them into uniform sticks helps them cook evenly.
Water: Used to gently steam the carrots until just tender before glazing.
Salted Butter: Adds richness and helps create that luscious, glossy finish on the carrots.
Light Brown Sugar: Contributes a mellow, caramel-like sweetness that balances the maple syrup.
Maple Syrup: The star ingredient that brings a warm, natural sweetness and depth to the glaze.
Fresh Thyme: Provides a subtle herbal note which gives the dish an elegant flavor lift – it’s optional but highly recommended.
Salt: Enhances all the flavors and balances out the sweetness.
Freshly Cracked Black Pepper: Adds just a touch of heat and complexity to round out the glaze.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

Maple Glazed Carrots are wonderfully versatile, so don’t hesitate to tailor this recipe to your taste or what you have on hand. Small tweaks can bring out different flavors and make the dish uniquely yours.

Use Baby Carrots: For a quicker prep, baby carrots work beautifully without peeling or chopping. I often keep a bag in the fridge for those busy weeknights when time is tight.
Peel for Extra Brightness: Although optional, peeling the carrots makes the glaze look extra glossy and the color pop, which is perfect for impressing guests at dinner parties.
Swap the Sweetener: If maple syrup isn’t your thing, honey is a delicious stand-in. It adds a slightly different floral sweetness that pairs wonderfully with the thyme and butter.
Add a Twist: Sprinkle a pinch of cayenne or a dash of smoked paprika to add a subtle heat and smoky dimension—something I like to experiment with when serving alongside roasted meats.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Maple Glazed Carrots Recipe

A white pan holds about three layers of bright orange carrot pieces that are shiny and cooked, each piece thick and smooth with a few small green thyme sprigs scattered on top. A wooden spatula rests in the pan, partially under some carrot pieces. The pan sits on a wooden board placed on a white marbled surface. Nearby, a small wooden bowl filled with white coarse salt and a sprig of thyme lie on the marble, and a red cloth is partly visible at the bottom right. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Step 1: Combine and Melt

Start by placing your carrot sticks, water, salted butter, light brown sugar, maple syrup, fresh thyme sprigs, salt, and freshly cracked black pepper in a 10” skillet over medium heat. Stir frequently until the butter has completely melted and everything is well mixed — you’ll notice the sugar dissolving and the maple syrup blending in to create a lovely base for the glaze.

Step 2: Bring to a Boil

Turn up the heat to medium-high. Keep stirring as the mixture comes to a gentle boil. This is when all those flavors start to marry beautifully, and the butter-sugar-maple syrup combo begins to thicken slightly.

Step 3: Simmer and Soften

Reduce the heat to a simmer, cover the skillet, and let the carrots cook for 10 minutes. Check their tenderness by piercing with a fork—you're aiming for just tender, not mushy. This step lets the carrots soak in all those sweet and savory flavors.

Step 4: Glaze to Perfection

Remove the lid, increase the heat back to medium-high, and stir frequently to evaporate the remaining liquid. Watch as the sauce thickens and turns into a glossy glaze that beautifully coats each carrot stick. This is the stage where the magic happens—the texture and shine make this dish irresistible.

Step 5: Final Seasoning Touches

Give your glazed carrots a final taste and sprinkle in any additional salt or black pepper as needed. Sometimes just a pinch more seasoning can balance the sweetness perfectly, bringing all the flavors into harmony before you serve.

Top Tip

These tips will help you get the perfect balance of sweetness and tenderness in your Maple Glazed Carrots Recipe every time, making sure the glaze is luscious and the carrots are cooked just right.

Use Uniform Carrot Sticks: Cutting the carrots into even 2” x 1 ½” sticks ensures they cook evenly and develop a beautifully consistent glaze.
Don't Skip the Stirring: Stirring frequently while the glaze reduces prevents the sugar and butter from burning and keeps the carrots glossy and tender.
Adjust Seasoning at the End: After glazing, taste and add more salt or freshly cracked black pepper to boost flavor and balance the sweetness.
Peeling for Appearance: While optional, peeling carrots can make the glaze shine brighter, giving you that gorgeous, restaurant-quality look.

How to Serve Maple Glazed Carrots Recipe

The image shows a close-up view of cooked carrot pieces laid out randomly, each piece is thick, bright orange, and has a smooth, slightly glossy texture that shows they are moist and tender. The carrots vary in length but are mostly cut into chunks about two inches long, with some pieces showing rounded ends. Small green herb leaves are scattered lightly on top, adding a tiny touch of contrast. The background is a white marbled texture, softly blurred to keep the focus on the vivid orange carrots. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Garnishes

Try garnishing your Maple Glazed Carrots with a sprinkle of chopped fresh thyme or parsley to complement the subtle herbaceous notes. Toasted pecans or walnuts add a lovely crunchy contrast, while a light dusting of flaky sea salt can highlight the sweetness beautifully.

Side Dishes

Maple Glazed Carrots pair wonderfully with roasted meats like turkey or chicken, making them a favorite holiday side. They also brighten up simple weeknight meals alongside mashed potatoes, quinoa, or a savory grain salad. The buttery sweetness complements pork chops or grilled salmon perfectly too.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Store any leftover Maple Glazed Carrots in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. This keeps them fresh without losing that lovely glaze or tender texture.

Freezing

While you can freeze glazed carrots, the texture may soften a bit upon thawing. To freeze, place cooled carrots in a freezer-safe container or bag, removing as much air as possible. They’ll keep well for up to 2 months.

Reheating

Reheat gently in a skillet over medium heat, stirring occasionally to revive the glaze’s shine. Alternatively, microwave covered for about 1-2 minutes until warmed through. Avoid overheating to prevent drying out the carrots.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use baby carrots instead of cutting regular carrots?

Absolutely! Baby carrots are a convenient substitute and save time since you don’t need to peel or chop them. Just follow the recipe as usual.

Can I substitute honey for the maple syrup?

Yes, honey is a great alternative that offers a different sweetness profile but still complements the buttery glaze beautifully.

How do I know when the carrots are done?

The carrots are ready when they are just tender and easily pierced with a fork, which usually takes about 8-10 minutes simmering.

Can I make this recipe vegan?

Yes! Simply substitute the salted butter with a plant-based margarine or vegan butter alternative while keeping the rest of the ingredients the same.

Final Thoughts

There’s something truly comforting about Maple Glazed Carrots—the way the sweet maple syrup and buttery glaze bring out the natural earthiness of the carrots is pure magic. I hope this recipe becomes a go-to side at your table, whether it’s a cozy weeknight or a special occasion. Enjoy every glossy, tender bite!