28 minutes
Transform simple carrots into a delectable dish with this Caramelized Brown Sugar Carrot Medley. Roasting not only enhances their natural sweetness but also gives them a delightful tender texture with a glossy, caramelized finish.
Medium carrots, peeled and cut into 2 by 1/2-inch pieces
0 lb
Unsalted Butter, melted
tablespoons
Dark Brown Sugar
tablespoons
teaspoons
teaspoons
1. Prep and Preheat
Preheat your oven to 475 degrees F (245 degrees C) with the oven rack adjusted to the middle position. Place a rimmed baking sheet inside the oven to heat for 10 minutes.
2. Toss and Combine
In a medium bowl, thoroughly toss the prepared carrots with the melted butter, brown sugar, salt, and pepper until they are well coated.
3. Roast to Perfection
Carefully remove the hot baking sheet from the oven. Spread the carrots out in a single layer on the sheet to ensure even roasting. Place the baking sheet back in the oven and roast the carrots until they start to brown on the bottom, about 15 minutes.
4. Final Caramelization
Take the pan out of the oven, gently toss the carrots to redistribute, then continue roasting. Roast for an additional 3 minutes, or until the carrots are tender and have developed a deep amber color. Remove from the oven and serve warm.
Replace some or all of the carrots with parsnips, sweet potatoes, or butternut squash. Each of these vegetables has sugars that will caramelize beautifully, adding their unique flavors to the dish.
Mix in other root vegetables such as parsnips, sweet potatoes, or beets, to add variety in flavor and color. Each vegetable will caramelize slightly differently, offering a range of sweet and earthy notes.
Replace carrots with thick slices of onion. Once they're caramelized, deglaze the pan with balsamic vinegar for a sweet and tangy glaze that's perfect for topping burgers or steaks.
Use maple syrup in place of brown sugar for a deeper, more autumnal sweetness. The unique flavor of maple pairs exceptionally well with carrots.
Change the herb profile to add a different dimension of flavor. If you typically use thyme, try swapping it for fresh rosemary, sage, or a hint of dill. This can transform the flavor profile without overpowering the sweetness of the carrots.
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