Brown Sugar Carrots

Oven Roasted Brown Sugar Garlic Carrots on baking sheet

5 from 1 vote

These brown sugar roasted carrots are perfectly caramelized, tender, and coated in a rich, buttery glaze with just the right touch of garlic. They're an easy, no-fuss side dish that goes great with everything from weeknight dinners to holiday meals. With simply ingredients and minimal prep, these baked brown sugar carrots come together in just 20 minutes for a flavorful, family-friendly dish.

Prep Time5

Cook Time20

Total Time25

Course: Side Dish

Cuisine: American

Servings: servings

Author: kara

Ingredients

1 pound whole carrots
2 tablespoons brown sugar
2 cloves garlic chopped
1 tablespoon fresh thyme
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
3 tablespoons unsalted butter melted

Instructions

Preheat your oven to 400°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper for easy cleanup.
In a small mixing bowl, stir together the melted butter, brown sugar, chopped garlic, thyme, salt, and black pepper until well combined. This buttery glaze enhances the natural sweetness of the carrots while adding a rich, caramelized flavor.
Wash and trim the carrots, keeping them whole. No need to peel or slice! Keeping them whole helps them roast evenly and develop a deep, roasted texture.
Arrange the carrots in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet. Pour the brown sugar glaze over them and roll the carrots around to ensure they’re fully coated on all sides.
Bake for 15-20 minutes, depending on your desired tenderness. The brown sugar will caramelize, creating a slightly sticky, flavorful coating.
Remove from the oven and, if desired, sprinkle with extra fresh thyme and a pinch of salt before serving.

Notes

Carrot Size Matters – If your carrots are extra thick, slice them in half lengthwise so they roast evenly. Smaller carrots may cook faster, so check them at 15 minutes.
Using Baby Carrots? – You can swap whole carrots for baby carrots, but reduce the roasting time to 12-15 minutes since they cook faster.
For Extra Caramelization – If you want a deeper caramelized glaze, broil the carrots for 1-2 minutes at the end of roasting.
Make It Sweeter – Add ½ to 1 tablespoon of honey or maple syrup to the brown sugar glaze for extra sweetness.
Fresh vs. Dried Herbs – If you don’t have fresh thyme, substitute ½ teaspoon dried thyme or use rosemary for a slightly different flavor.
Storage Tip – Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days and reheat in the oven or skillet to maintain texture.

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