These Bourbon Glazed Carrots are tender and caramelized, coated in a rich, sweet bourbon sauce with a hint of smokiness, and finished with a sprinkle of fresh parsley. It’s a delicious way to get your daily dose of vegetables! While these are a must-try (in my opinion, anyway😉), I also have Roasted Carrots and Air Fryer Carrots–perfect for when your oven is being used. Both are packed with delicious flavors and easy to make!
Ingredients & Substitutions
- Carrots: Look for a pound and a half of whole carrots. Peel them, then trim the leafy tops. They are roasted until tender and sweet.
- Butter: Melted unsalted butter helps make the sauce rich and smooth. It also helps the glaze stick to the carrots. If using salted butter (which will work, too), I would lessen the amount of salt.
- Bourbon: We can’t have bourbon-glazed carrots without the bourbon! It gives the carrots a little smokiness and adds a little sweetness to the sauce. If you don’t have bourbon, you could use another type of whiskey, rum, or brandy instead.
- Brown Sugar: Light brown sugar sweetens the sauce and helps it thicken, giving the carrots a caramelized glaze. If you don’t have brown sugar, you can replicate it by mixing 1/3 cup granulated sugar with a teaspoon of molasses.
Can I Use Baby Carrots Instead Of Whole Carrots?
Yes, you can use baby carrots instead of whole carrots! They will cook faster since they’re smaller, so you might need to shorten the cooking time. Just make sure to check them a little earlier to see if they’re tender.
Can I Make Bourbon Glazed Carrots Without Bourbon?
Yes, you can make Bourbon Glazed Carrots without bourbon! If you don’t want to use alcohol, you can substitute it with apple cider, maple syrup, or even a splash of vanilla extract. These will still give the carrots a delicious, sweet flavor! Or, simply leave out the bourbon.
How To Store Bourbon Glazed Carrots
To store bourbon-glazed carrots, first, let them cool to room temperature. Next, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Reheat in a skillet or microwave, stirring to coat them in the sauce. Add a little water if the sauce is too thick.
Bourbon Glazed Carrots
Ingredients
- 1 ½ pounds medium whole carrots, peeled, with the leafy tops trimmed to about 1-2 inches
- ½ cup (1 stick / 113 g) unsalted butter, melted
- ½ cup (4 ounces) bourbon
- ⅓ cup (67 g) light brown sugar, packed
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- parsley, chopped for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 425°F (220°C). Arrange the carrots in a single layer in a large, shallow baking dish.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the melted butter, bourbon, brown sugar, salt, and pepper until smooth.
- Pour the sauce evenly over the carrots, ensuring they are coated. Arrange them in an even layer.
- Roast the carrots for 45-55 minutes, turning them occasionally to recoat them in the sauce, until the carrots are tender. (Depending on the size of the carrots, you may need to adjust the cooking time.)
- Remove the dish from the oven and transfer the carrots to a serving platter.
- Garnish with parsley before serving.
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What the Test Kitchen had to say about this recipe:
Autumn
These are not your regular carrots! I love the rich flavor from the bourbon and brown sugar.
Elizabeth
These are quite a step up from the cooked, mushy carrots I had growing up! I loved them, especially the caramelization that happens.
Annabelle
These look fancy but are super easy to make. I liked them.
Bella
I usually go for raw carrots, but the sweet glaze with the bourbon flavor is amazing.
Selena
These carrots are great! The bourbon adds a bold flavor, and the carrots turn out perfectly tender and flavorful!
