Orange-Glazed Carrots

With their sweet, silky sauce, these Orange-Glazed Carrots will beg for a starring role on any buffet or dinner table.

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I love carrots. They are fun to eat raw with veggie dips or guacamole, or enjoyed in various cooked dishes, from sweet to savory. I think carrots are one of the most versatile vegetables, as you can bake them into cakes, breads, soufflés, and muffins, make delicious and healthy carrot chips, or turn them into a unique soup. From juicing to grating, slicing, dicing, and pickling, there are so many ways to use carrots that you will always want to keep a bag on hand.

One of my favorite ways to make carrots, however, is with a sweet and citrusy glaze. Orange-glazed carrots look and sound fancy, but are really a breeze to make. I love serving them for dinner parties, especially during the spring with the season’s first carrots harvested from my garden. But you don’t need a special occasion to make orange-glazed carrots. After all, they take less than 20 minutes to go from prep to table.

You can use fresh-squeezed or bottled orange juice in this recipe. For a slightly different flavor profile, try blood oranges, tangerines, clementines, and other orange varieties. Adding a little orange zest helps increase the taste; just remember to avoid the white pith when zesting, as that is bitter.

Are Orange-Glazed Carrots Healthy?

Carrots are a healthy vegetable, providing abundant vitamin A and fiber to the diet. This recipe is low in sodium but does add fat and sugar to a meal. It can be part of a well-balanced meal when served alongside other healthy options, such as lean protein and a side salad or green vegetables. The recipe is naturally gluten-free and can be made dairy-free by substituting plant-based butter.

A Beautiful Presentation

Baby carrots make mealtime quick and easy, as you don’t have to worry about peeling and cutting the veggies. Today, you can also find packages of tricolor baby carrots that make for a beautiful and colorful presentation on your dinner or buffet table. If using larger carrots, slicing them diagonally is visually appealing in this dish.

You can also sprinkle on some orange zest or even a mix of orange, lime, and lemon zest for added color and flavor. For a tangy contrast, crown them with some crumbled goat cheese. If it’s a touch of crunch you’re after, finish the carrots with toasted slivered almonds or chopped pistachios.

FAQs & Tips

How Do I Store Leftovers?

After they reach room temperature, orange-glazed carrots can be refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 4 days. They can also be frozen for up to 3 months. When freezing, use a freezer bag or container, and thaw frozen carrots overnight in the refrigerator before reheating. You may need to add 2 to 3 tablespoons of water to the saucepan when reheating.

What Other Sweeteners Can I Use For Orange-Glazed Carrots?

You can use any sweetener you like. I’ve tried coconut sugar, maple syrup, honey, and date syrup, all of which worked well. While I haven’t tried them, I’m sure most keto sweeteners, molasses, and granulated sugar would also provide good results.

Are There Other Options For Spices?

Cinnamon, ginger, cloves, and allspice are great options to switch up the flavor profile. For a sweet and savory taste, add a pinch of garlic powder and dried thyme. Then, for the garnish, sprinkle on some fresh, chopped thyme.

Serving Suggestions

Orange-glazed carrots are ideal for your holiday dinner or buffet table. They are so good you’ll find multiple ways to incorporate them into regular weeknight meals as well, including with entrées such as Easy Turkey Meatloaf, Shake-And-Bake-Chicken, Pork Steak In Air-Fryer, and Fish Cakes. Some savory side dishes to help balance the sweetness include Microwave Spinach, Roasted Brussels Sprouts And Asparagus, Crock-Pot Green Beans, and this delicious Healthy Broccoli Salad Recipe.