Name: Honey Glazed Roasted Carrots with Garlic and Spices Recipe
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 30 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 2 pounds carrots, peeled; ¼ cup honey; 3 garlic cloves, minced; 2 tablespoons melted butter or ghee; 1 tablespoon olive oil; 1 teaspoon cinnamon; ½ teaspoon ground ginger; ½ teaspoon salt; ¼ teaspoon black pepper; Parsley, thyme, or other herbs for garnish (optional)

There’s something irresistibly cozy about sweet, tender carrots kissed with a sticky honey glaze and fragrant spices. This Honey Glazed Roasted Carrots with Garlic and Spices Recipe turns humble carrots into a vibrant, flavorful side that’s both easy and impressive—and I promise, it’ll quickly become your go-to veggie dish.

The image shows a white plate filled with shiny cooked carrots that are cut into medium-sized pieces with a smooth, glossy texture. The carrots have a bright orange color with some darker, slightly caramelized spots. Small green parsley leaves are scattered on top, adding a touch of fresh color. A silver spoon is partially visible at the bottom left of the plate. The plate sits on a white marbled surface. 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 Honey Glazed Roasted Carrots with Garlic and Spices Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Honey Glazed Roasted Carrots with Garlic and Spices Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Honey Glazed Roasted Carrots with Garlic and Spices Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I've made this Honey Glazed Roasted Carrots with Garlic and Spices Recipe countless times, and it never disappoints. It’s a little sweet, a touch savory, and bursting with warm spice notes—a combination that makes carrots truly shine. Plus, it’s so simple that even busy weeknight dinners get a glow-up.

Easy to Prepare: Minimal chopping and tossing means you’ll have this ready to roast in under 10 minutes.
Flavor Packed: The honey-garlic combo with cinnamon and ginger creates a sweet-spiced glaze that’s irresistible.
Versatile Side Dish: Whether it’s holiday dinner or weeknight family meal, these carrots fit seamlessly on your plate.
Impressive Presentation: Garnished with fresh herbs, the dish looks as good as it tastes—fancy without fuss.

A white bowl filled with two layers of cooked carrots, each carrot piece cut on a slight angle showing a bright orange color with a glistening texture that looks like it is coated in a light sauce or seasoning, small green parsley leaves scattered across the top adding a fresh contrast. The background is a white marbled surface with a few sprigs of parsley visible in the top right corner. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

I love how each ingredient in this Honey Glazed Roasted Carrots with Garlic and Spices Recipe plays a role in elevating the flavor. The honey brings sweetness, garlic adds a punch, and warming spices like cinnamon and ginger round everything out perfectly. Using fresh carrots with their natural sweetness makes all the difference.

Flat lay of fresh whole peeled carrots sliced diagonally into thick pieces, a small white bowl of golden honey, three whole uncracked garlic cloves, a small white bowl with melted butter, a small white bowl with olive oil, a small white bowl containing ground cinnamon powder, a small white bowl with ground ginger powder, a small white bowl of salt, a small white bowl of black pepper, and a few sprigs of fresh parsley and thyme neatly arranged, all placed 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 awthu7i m7354615311229779997

Carrots: Opt for fresh, firm carrots. Baby carrots work well too but slicing thicker carrots on the diagonal helps them cook evenly.
Honey: Choose a good quality honey for the best flavor and glaze stickiness.
Garlic: Mince fresh garlic for bright, aromatic notes that balance the sweetness.
Butter or Ghee: Adds richness and helps the glaze develop a lovely caramelization.
Olive Oil: Works with butter to evenly coat the carrots and promote roasting.
Cinnamon: Provides subtle warmth and depth without overpowering.
Ground Ginger: Lends a bit of zing and complexity to the glaze.
Salt and Black Pepper: Enhance all the flavors and keep the sweetness from becoming cloying.
Fresh Herbs (Optional): Parsley, thyme, or rosemary brighten the final dish with fresh green notes.

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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

While I adore this classic take on Honey Glazed Roasted Carrots with Garlic and Spices Recipe, I’m all about making recipes suit your taste, so don’t hesitate to tweak it. I like to play with different herbs or sometimes switch butter for coconut oil to add a subtle tropical flair.

Variation: Once, I added a sprinkle of chili flakes for a little heat—my family loved the contrast between spicy and sweet.
Make it vegan: Swap the butter for extra olive oil or vegan margarine without losing that lovely richness.
Spice it up: Experiment with warming spices like nutmeg or cardamom for a deeper flavor profile.
Herb swaps: Use fresh rosemary or sage for a different herbaceous twist, depending on what you have on hand.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Honey Glazed Roasted Carrots with Garlic and Spices Recipe

Step 1: Prep Your Carrots Like a Pro

Start by peeling the carrots, which I find really helps the glaze stick and avoids any bitter bites from the skins. Then, slice them on a slight diagonal into 1 to 1.5-inch pieces—this shape helps them roast evenly and presents beautifully on the plate. For thicker carrots, halving them lengthwise first keeps things uniform.

Step 2: Toss with Honey, Garlic & Spices

In a large mixing bowl, combine your sliced carrots with the honey, minced garlic, melted butter or ghee, olive oil, cinnamon, ginger, salt, and pepper. Toss everything well until every piece is coated in that glossy, spiced glaze. This step is key—don't rush it! The more evenly coated your carrots are, the better they'll caramelize.

Step 3: Roast to Perfection

Arrange the carrots in a single layer on a heavy-duty sheet pan. You want some space between the pieces so they roast instead of steam. Pop them into a preheated 425°F (220°C) oven and roast for about 20-25 minutes. About halfway through, give them a good toss to ensure even cooking and caramelization. For an extra caramelized finish, I like to broil them for the last 2-3 minutes—just keep a close eye!

Step 4: Garnish and Serve

Once roasted, transfer your honey glazed carrots to a serving dish and sprinkle with fresh herbs like parsley or thyme. That fresh herbal pop brightens the warm, cozy flavors beautifully. Serve them warm and watch how quickly everyone goes back for seconds.

Top Tip

Over the years, roasting carrots with honey and spices taught me a few things that really improved the final dish. These tips come from trial, error, and some happy accidents that I want you to know to make your experience smooth and delicious.

Heavy Pan Matters: Use a sturdy sheet pan that won’t warp under high heat—it ensures your carrots roast evenly without pooling glaze.
Don’t Skip Tossing: Halfway through roasting, stir the carrots well to promote even caramelization; it makes a huge difference.
Watch the Broil: If you broil at the end, stay nearby! The sugar in honey can burn quickly, so a few minutes is all you need for that caramelized edge.
Garlic Timing: Mince small garlic pieces that don’t burn easily to avoid bitter spots; mixing it well with fats helps mellow the raw garlic punch.

How to Serve Honey Glazed Roasted Carrots with Garlic and Spices Recipe

honey glazed carrots - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

Whenever I serve these carrots, fresh parsley or thyme is my go-to garnish. They add a lovely color pop and fresh finish that balances the warm spices. Sometimes I sprinkle chopped toasted almonds or sesame seeds for a bit of crunch when I’m feeling fancy!

Side Dishes

This honey glazed carrots recipe pairs brilliantly with roasted chicken, pork chops, or even a simple grain bowl. I often serve them alongside quinoa and a green salad for an easy, wholesome dinner packed with color and flavor.

Creative Ways to Present

For special occasions, I like to serve these carrots on a wooden board topped with fresh herbs and drizzle a little extra honey right before serving for gloss and aroma. Arranging them in neat rows or piles adds a rustic charm, making any meal feel a bit more festive.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I usually store leftover honey glazed carrots in an airtight container and keep them in the refrigerator for up to three days. They retain their flavor and texture well, making for an easy reheat or lunch addition.

Freezing

If I’ve made a big batch, I freeze leftovers by spreading the roasted carrots on a baking sheet to flash freeze before transferring to freezer bags. They freeze nicely for about 3 months, perfect for quick sides later on.

Reheating

To reheat, I prefer warming the carrots gently in the microwave until just heated through or tossing them back in a low oven, which helps revive their roasted texture more than microwaving alone.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use maple syrup instead of honey in this recipe?

Yes! Maple syrup is a great vegan alternative to honey and adds a lovely, slightly different sweetness that complements the spices nicely. Just swap in an equal amount and follow the rest of the recipe as is.

How do I prevent the garlic from burning while roasting?

To avoid burnt garlic, make sure the garlic is minced finely and evenly mixed with the melted butter and oil before tossing with the carrots. This coating protects the garlic during roasting. Also, stirring the carrots halfway through helps prevent garlic from sticking to the pan and burning.

Can I prepare this recipe ahead of time?

Absolutely! You can prep the carrots and glaze mixture a few hours or even the day before, then toss and roast just before serving. This is a great way to save time on busy days while still delivering fresh-roasted flavor.

What type of carrots work best for this recipe?

Fresh, firm carrots that aren’t too woody are best. If your carrots are large, slice them on the diagonal and halve thicker pieces so they cook evenly. Baby carrots work and are convenient—just toss them whole or halved for quicker roasting.

Final Thoughts

This Honey Glazed Roasted Carrots with Garlic and Spices Recipe holds a special place in my kitchen routine because it turns an everyday vegetable into something truly special with minimal effort. I hope you’ll love how simple it is to make your meals feel a little cozier and more flavorful. Trust me—your family and guests will be asking for this side dish repeatedly!