The holiday season is such a wonderful time of year. The air gets chilly, festive lights twinkle everywhere, and the smell of delicious food fills our homes. But let’s be honest, putting together a huge holiday meal can be a little stressful.
Finding amazing Christmas Side Dishes Recipes that everyone will love, and that don’t take all day to make, can feel like a big challenge. That is where these incredibly simple glazed carrots come in. They are a lifesaver!
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Why You’ll Love This Recipe
First off, this recipe is so incredibly easy. You only need a handful of common ingredients and about twenty minutes. It is a fantastic choice for beginners or when your oven is already full of other dishes.
The flavor is just so comforting. The natural sweetness of the carrots gets a boost from the rich brown sugar and butter. It is a classic combination that kids and adults both enjoy.
These carrots also look beautiful on the dinner table. Their bright orange color and glossy glaze add a festive touch to your spread. They really stand out amongst all the other Christmas Food Dinner Side Dishes.
You can also prep them a little bit ahead of time which is always a bonus during busy holiday cooking. It is one of those reliable Holiday Vegetable Side Dishes you will make year after year.
Ingredients
Here is the simple list of what you will need. You probably have most of these ingredients in your kitchen right now. It is that straightforward.
- 1 1/2 lbs carrots, peeled and cut into 1/2 inch thick slices
- 1/4 cup butter
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon chopped parsley, optional for garnish
Step By Step Instructions
Let’s walk through how to make these tasty carrots. Following these simple steps will give you a delicious side dish every single time. It’s a key part of making great Christmas Side Dishes Recipes.
Step 1: Simmer The Carrots
First, place your sliced carrots into a large pan. Add about one and a half cups of water, just enough to cover them. Bring the water to a simmer over medium high heat.
Let the carrots cook for about 8 to 10 minutes. You want them to be tender when you poke them with a fork, but not mushy. This initial cook is important for getting the texture just right.
Once they are tender, carefully drain any extra water from the pan. You want the pan to be mostly dry so the glaze can form properly. A little moisture is okay, but not too much.
Step 2: Add The Good Stuff
Now for the fun part. Reduce the heat to medium. Add the butter, brown sugar, and salt directly into the pan with the cooked carrots. There is no need to use a separate bowl.
Stir everything together gently. You want to coat each piece of carrot with that buttery, sugary mixture. The heat from the pan will start melting the butter and sugar almost immediately.
Step 3: Create The Glaze
Continue to cook the carrots for another 4 to 5 minutes. As the butter and sugar melt and heat up, they will combine to create a beautiful, syrupy sauce. This is what makes it one of the Best Christmas Side Dishes.
Keep stirring occasionally. This prevents the sugar from burning and ensures all the carrots get evenly coated in the glaze. You will see the sauce thicken and become glossy. It smells amazing!
Step 4: Garnish And Serve
Once the glaze has thickened to your liking, remove the pan from the heat. If you are using fresh parsley, sprinkle it over the top now. The green adds a nice pop of color and a touch of fresh flavor.
Serve the carrots warm. They are a fantastic part of any collection of Christmas Food Dinner Side Dishes, and they go well with turkey, ham, or roast beef. Everyone will be asking for the recipe.
How To Store Leftovers
If you happen to have any leftovers, storing them is very simple. Let the carrots cool down to room temperature first. This is an important step before you put them in the fridge.
Place the cooled carrots in an airtight container. They will stay fresh in the refrigerator for up to three days. The glaze might firm up a bit when it gets cold, but that is totally normal.
When you are ready to eat them again, you can reheat them gently on the stove. Just put them in a pan over low heat for about 5 to 7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until they are warmed through.
Tips
Here are a few extra tips to make sure your glazed carrots turn out great every single time. Little things can make a big difference with simple Christmas Side Dishes Recipes like this one.
Conclusion
And there you have it! A simple, fast, and totally delicious carrot recipe that is sure to become a holiday staple. It proves that the Best Christmas Side Dishes do not have to be complicated.
This is one of those fantastic Holiday Vegetable Side Dishes that balances out the richer, heavier foods on the table. It is sweet, savory, and brings a wonderful freshness to the meal.
I hope you and your family enjoy these glazed carrots as much as mine does. They are a colorful, flavorful, and stress free part of a memorable holiday feast. Happy cooking!
FAQ
Can I Make These Carrots Ahead Of Time?
Yes, absolutely. You can prepare this dish a day in advance. Just follow the recipe, let the carrots cool completely, and store them in an airtight container in the fridge. Reheat on the stovetop over low heat until warm.
What Other Herbs Can I Use Besides Parsley?
If you are not a fan of parsley, fresh thyme or chopped chives would also be delicious. They add a different but equally pleasant fresh flavor that complements the sweet glaze.
Do I Have To Peel The Carrots?
Peeling the carrots results in a better texture and a more vibrant color. However, if you prefer to leave the skins on, just be sure to scrub them very well to remove any dirt before slicing.
What Makes This One Of The Best Christmas Side Dishes Recipes?
Its simplicity is what makes it one of the best Christmas Side Dishes. It uses few ingredients, comes together quickly, and frees up your time and oven space for other parts of the holiday meal. Plus, it is a proven crowd pleaser!
Simple Glazed Carrots
These incredibly simple glazed carrots are a lifesaver for holiday meals. With a handful of common ingredients and minimal time, they offer a comforting, naturally sweet flavor from brown sugar and butter, adding a beautiful, festive touch to any dinner table.
Requirements
Ingredients
Instructions
- Place sliced carrots into a large pan. Add about 1 1/2 cups of water, just enough to cover them. Bring to a simmer over medium-high heat.
- Cook for 8-10 minutes until tender when poked with a fork, but not mushy.
- Carefully drain any extra water from the pan, leaving it mostly dry.
- Reduce heat to medium. Add butter, brown sugar, and salt directly into the pan with the cooked carrots.
- Stir gently to coat each carrot piece. The butter and sugar will melt, forming a mixture.
- Continue cooking for 4-5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the mixture creates a beautiful, syrupy glaze that thickens and becomes glossy.
- Remove from heat. If using fresh parsley, sprinkle over the top for garnish.
- Serve the glazed carrots warm as a delightful side dish.
Notes
If you happen to have any leftovers, let the carrots cool down to room temperature first. Place the cooled carrots in an airtight container. They will stay fresh in the refrigerator for up to three days. Reheat gently on the stove over low heat for about 5 to 7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until they are warmed through.
Try to cut your carrots into pieces that are all about the same size. This ensures that they cook evenly.
If you are short on time, you can use a bag of baby carrots. Just give them a good rinse and you can skip the peeling and chopping altogether.
For a warmer flavor, add a tiny pinch of cinnamon or nutmeg along with the brown sugar. It adds a lovely holiday spice note that is very comforting.
Keep a close eye on the carrots while they simmer. You want them tender crisp, not overly soft. They will cook a little more when you make the glaze.
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