Oh my gosh, let me tell you about my latest obsession – these roasted carrots with honey mustard glaze! They’re the kind of side dish that makes you forget you’re eating vegetables because they taste that good. I stumbled onto this recipe when I needed something quick for a last-minute dinner party, and now my friends won’t let me show up without them.
The magic happens when the natural sweetness of roasted carrots meets that tangy-sweet honey mustard glaze. It’s like they were made for each other. I love how roasting brings out the carrots’ earthy flavor while keeping them tender-crisp. And that glaze? Just wait until you see how it caramelizes in the oven – absolute perfection!
What I really adore is how simple this is. With just a handful of ingredients and about half an hour, you’ve got a side dish that looks fancy but couldn’t be easier. Trust me, once you try these roasted carrots with honey mustard glaze, you’ll be making them weekly like I do!
Why You’ll Love These Roasted Carrots with Honey Mustard Glaze
Let me count the ways these carrots will steal your heart (and probably become your new favorite side dish):
- Quick magic: Ready in under 30 minutes – perfect for those “what should I make?” nights
- Flavor bomb: That sweet-tangy glaze transforms humble carrots into something special
- Healthy-ish: All the veggie goodness with just enough honey mustard indulgence
- Super versatile: Fancy enough for holiday meals, easy enough for Tuesday dinners
Seriously, these carrots have saved me from many a boring meal. The way that glaze caramelizes? *Chef’s kiss*
Ingredients for Roasted Carrots with Honey Mustard Glaze
Here’s everything you’ll need – and trust me, it’s nothing fancy, just pantry staples that work magic together:
- 1 lb fresh carrots (peeled and cut into uniform sticks – about ½-inch thick)
- 2 tbsp good olive oil (the better the oil, the better the roast)
- 1 tbsp honey (local if you’ve got it)
- 1 tbsp Dijon mustard (the grainy kind adds nice texture)
- ½ tsp kosher salt (plus more to taste)
- ¼ tsp freshly ground black pepper
- ½ tsp garlic powder (not garlic salt!)
- ½ tsp dried thyme (rub between your fingers to wake it up)
See? Told you it was simple! Now let’s make some magic.
How to Make Roasted Carrots with Honey Mustard Glaze
Okay, let’s get these beauties roasting! Don’t worry – it’s foolproof. Just follow these simple steps and you’ll have perfectly glazed carrots every time.
Preparing the Carrots
First things first – crank your oven to 400°F (that’s about 200°C for my metric friends). While it heats up, toss those gorgeous carrot sticks with olive oil until they’re nicely coated. Then sprinkle on your salt, pepper, garlic powder, and thyme – I like to use my hands to really massage those flavors in.
Here’s my big tip: spread them in a single layer on your baking sheet. Crowd them and they’ll steam instead of roast. We want caramelization, people!
Making the Honey Mustard Glaze
While the carrots start roasting, whip up that magical glaze. Just mix equal parts honey and Dijon mustard in a small bowl. Taste it! Want it sweeter? Add a touch more honey. More tang? Extra mustard. This is your moment to make it perfect.
Roasting and Glazing
After about 20 minutes (give them a flip halfway), pull those carrots out. They should be starting to get those gorgeous roasted edges. Now brush on your glaze – don’t be shy! Pop them back in for just 5 more minutes until the glaze gets all bubbly and irresistible.
That’s it! You’ve just made restaurant-worthy roasted carrots with honey mustard glaze in less time than it takes to watch an episode of your favorite cooking show.
Tips for Perfect Roasted Carrots with Honey Mustard Glaze
Here’s how to nail these roasted carrots every single time:
- Cut even: Keep carrot sticks about ½-inch thick so they roast evenly without burning.
- Space them out: Don’t crowd the baking sheet – give each carrot room to caramelize properly.
- Glaze smart: Brush on the glaze in the last 5 minutes to prevent burning and keep that sweet-tangy flavor perfect.
Trust me, these little tricks make all the difference between good and *wow* carrots!
Variations for Roasted Carrots with Honey Mustard Glaze
Why stop at basic when you can play with this recipe? Here are my favorite ways to mix it up:
- Sweet swap: Use maple syrup instead of honey for a deeper, earthier sweetness
- Herb boost: Toss in fresh rosemary or sage with the thyme for extra fragrance
- Spice it up: Add a pinch of cayenne to the glaze for a sweet-heat kick
- Citrus twist: Zest some orange into the glaze for bright, sunny notes
The beauty? You can make these carrots new every time without losing that magic honey mustard charm!
Serving Suggestions for Roasted Carrots with Honey Mustard Glaze
These golden beauties play well with practically everything! I love them alongside roasted chicken (that glaze was made for poultry) or piled next to a juicy pork chop. For a vegetarian feast, pair them with a hearty grain salad – the sweet carrots balance bitter greens like arugula perfectly. Trust me, they’ll disappear fast!
Storing and Reheating Roasted Carrots with Honey Mustard Glaze
Here’s my foolproof system for leftovers (if you’re lucky enough to have any!): Store cooled carrots in an airtight container for up to 3 days. To reheat, I pop them in a 350°F oven for 5-10 minutes – microwaving makes them soggy, and we definitely don’t want that!
Nutritional Information for Roasted Carrots with Honey Mustard Glaze
Here’s the scoop on what’s in these delicious carrots (per serving): about 120 calories, 3g fiber, and loads of vitamin A from those beautiful carrots! Remember, these numbers are estimates – your exact amounts will vary slightly based on your specific ingredients and how generous you are with that irresistible glaze.
Frequently Asked Questions About Roasted Carrots with Honey Mustard Glaze
I get asked about these carrots all the time – here are the answers to everyone’s burning questions:
Can I use baby carrots instead?
Absolutely! Just give them a quick peel and cut any thick ones in half lengthwise. They might roast a bit faster though, so keep an eye on them.
What if I don’t have Dijon mustard?
No worries! Yellow mustard works in a pinch, but add an extra teaspoon of honey to balance the sharper flavor. Grainy mustard adds nice texture if you’ve got that.
How do I double the recipe for a crowd?
Easy! Just use two baking sheets and swap their oven positions halfway through roasting. You might need an extra minute or two since the oven will be more crowded.
Can I make these ahead for meal prep?
Sure thing! Roast without the glaze, then refrigerate. Add the glaze when reheating – they’ll taste just-made.
For more delicious recipes and inspiration, check out Pinterest!
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Irresistible Roasted Carrots with Honey Mustard Glaze Recipe
- Total Time: 35 mins
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Roasted carrots with a sweet and tangy honey mustard glaze. A simple side dish that pairs well with any meal.
Ingredients
- 1 lb carrots, peeled and cut into sticks
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp honey
- 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp dried thyme
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Toss carrot sticks with olive oil, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and thyme.
- Spread carrots in a single layer on a baking sheet.
- Roast for 20 minutes, turning halfway.
- Mix honey and mustard in a small bowl.
- Brush the glaze over the carrots and roast for 5 more minutes.
- Serve warm.
Notes
- Use fresh, firm carrots for best texture.
- Adjust honey or mustard to taste.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
- Prep Time: 10 mins
- Cook Time: 25 mins
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Roasting
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 recipe
- Calories: 120
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 380mg
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 1g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 14g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
Keywords: roasted carrots, honey mustard glaze, easy side dish