Honey Glazed Carrots With Orange And Cumin

Honey glazed carrots roast up tender and caramelized with a citrusy orange honey glaze and a hint of earthy warmth from cumin seeds and Aleppo pepper.

Honey glazed carrots topped with chopped parsley on a patter with a spoon. Next to this is a kitchen towel, orange wedges, and bowls of cumin seeds, honey, and chopped parsley. - 4

Photo Credits: Mark Beahm

Most glazed carrot recipes are cooked on the stovetop and require a careful balance to achieve a glaze that’s reduced enough as well as perfectly tender carrots. It’s an irresistible side dish when they’re just right, but it’s easy to end up with crunchy or mushy carrots or a glaze that’s too soupy.

I prefer to roast them in the oven for tender carrots, which turn out even better than the stovetop version because of the caramelization. Plus, baking them in the oven keeps my hands and stove free to work on the main dish.

I use a combination of orange juice and honey to make the glaze for the carrots. The glaze reduces in the oven, coating the carrots in a glossy, tangy glaze packed with citrusy flavor that brings out the natural sweetness of the carrots. To reanchor the flavors in savory territory, I add cumin seeds and a little chili. From the same family as carrots, cumin adds earthy spice while the Aleppo pepper gives them a mild, fruity kick.

Ingredients for honey roasted carrots including carrots, an orange, honey, cumin seeds, olive oil, aleppo pepper, salt, black pepper and parsley. - 5

Honey Glazed Carrots Ingredients

This carrot side dish is packed with sweet and savory flavor thanks to a few spice cabinet favorites. Here’s what you’ll need to make it:

Carrots have a natural sweetness that’s emphasized by roasting and caramelizing. I use standard orange carrots, but you could use rainbow carrots or even parsnips.
Orange: Orange juice and zest add bright citrusy flavor that balances the honey glaze.
Extra virgin olive oil enriches the glaze and adds a complex, fruity flavor.
Honey helps caramelize the carrots and enhances their natural sweetness.
Cumin seeds: From the same family as carrots and parsley, cumin seeds have an earthy, nutty flavor. If you only have ground cumin, use 1 to 1 1/2 teaspoons.
Aleppo pepper: For a mild, but flavorful kick, Aleppo pepper adds a tangy, fruity red chili pepper note. READ MORE: What Is Aleppo Pepper and How to Use It
Salt and pepper enhance the flavors of the carrots and glaze.
Parsley: A sprinkling of fresh parsley adds a pop of green and herbaceous flavor.

Honey roasted carrots topped with chopped parsley on a patter. - 6

How to Make Honey Glazed Carrots

This one-pan side dish roasts in the oven, reducing the orange and honey sauce until it coats the carrots in a sticky, sweet glaze. Here’s how to bring it all together:

Get ready: Position a rack in the center of the oven and heat to 425°F. Peel and trim 2 pounds of carrots. Cut the carrots crosswise into 2-inch pieces. If they are more than 1 inch thick, cut them in half lengthwise. Place in a large mixing bowl.
Make the honey glaze: Zest and juice 1 orange. In a small bowl, whisk together the orange zest and 1/4 cup juice, 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil, 2 tablespoons honey, 2 teaspoons cumin seeds, 1/2 teaspoon Aleppo pepper, a generous pinch of kosher salt, and a good grind of freshly ground black pepper to taste.
Season the carrots: Pour the honey glaze over the carrots and toss to coat.
Roast: Transfer the carrots, along with the glaze, to a baking dish or rimmed baking sheet, and arrange the carrots in a single layer. Bake for 30 to 40 minutes, tossing halfway through, until the carrots are tender and the bottoms are browned.
Serve: Transfer to a serving dish and garnish with 1 tablespoon finely chopped parsley.

Make it Your Own

Carrots and honey pair well with so many flavors, so it’s easy to customize based on what you have on hand. Here are a few ideas to get you started:

Swap the spices. Instead of cumin seeds, try licorice-scented fennel seeds. You could use 1 teaspoon ground cardamom for its citrusy, earthy flavor, or 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon for its warm, woody flavor. Or try 2 teaspoons of a spice blend, such as ras el hanout or baharat .
Add nuts. Garnish the glazed carrots with toasted sliced almonds or chopped pistachios.
Change the garnish. Parsley is an easy way to add freshness, but you can garnish these carrots with other chopped fresh herbs , such as cilantro, oregano, marjoram, or mint.
Try another vegetable. Make this recipe with rainbow carrots, parsnips, turnips, rutabaga, or a mix.

A serving of honey glazed carrots on a plate. Next to this is a fork, bowls of aleppo pepper and chopped parsley, orange wedges, and the rest of the carrots on a platter with a spoon. - 7

What to Serve with Honey Roasted Carrots

Honey glazed carrots are a classic holiday side, but they’re easy enough to make as a side dish for any cozy meal. They’re sweet, spiced flavor would go perfectly alongside a comforting roast, like a roast chicken , roasted pork tenderloin , or, for a special occasion, roasted beef tenderloin .

Honey glazed carrots work well with other holiday side dishes, like garlic mashed potatoes or roasted Brussels sprouts with dates and almonds . But a fresh winter salad provides a crisp contrast to the tender carrots. Try this fennel salad with parmesan and walnuts or beet salad with orange, arugula, and feta .

More Mediterranean Carrot Recipes

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Roasted carrot soup topped with fresh mint leaves in a bowl. - 9

Soups and Stews

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Moroccan carrot salad, garnished with fresh cilantro and toasted sesame seeds - 11

Moroccan and Tunisian

Moroccan-Style Carrot Salad

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A close up of roasted carrot hummus topped with chopped pistachios and parsley in a bowl. - 13

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Roasted Carrot Hummus with Spicy Harissa

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Simple Roasted Carrots Recipe

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Ingredients1x2x3x

▢ 2 pounds carrots (908g)
▢ 1 orange, zested and juiced
▢ 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
▢ 2 tablespoons honey
▢ 2 teaspoons cumin seeds
▢ 1/2 teaspoon Aleppo pepper
▢ Kosher salt
▢ Black pepper
▢ 1 tablespoon finely chopped parsley, for garnish (optional)

Instructions

Get ready. Position a rack in the center of the oven and heat to 425°F. Peel and trim the carrots. Cut the carrots crosswise into 2-inch pieces. If they are more than 1 inch thick, cut them in half lengthwise. Place in a large mixing bowl.
Make the honey glaze. In a small bowl, whisk together the orange zest and 1/4 cup of the juice, olive oil, honey, cumin, Aleppo pepper, a generous pinch of kosher salt, and a good grind of freshly ground black pepper to taste.
Season the carrots. Pour the honey glaze over the carrots and toss to coat.
Roast the carrots. Transfer the carrots, along with all of the glaze, to a baking dish or rimmed baking sheet, and arrange the carrots in a single layer. Bake for 30 to 40 minutes, tossing halfway through, until the carrots are tender and the bottoms are browned.
Finish and serve. Transfer to a serving dish and garnish with parsley.

Notes

Shop this recipe: Visit our shop to browse quality Mediterranean ingredients, including the olive oil , honey , and spices used in this recipe.

Nutrition

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