Garlic Butter Roasted Carrots

$For Garlic Butter Roasted Carrots, you will need: - 1 pound of baby carrots (or regular carrots, peeled and cut into sticks) - 4 tablespoons unsalted butter - 4 cloves garlic, minced - 1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves (or 1 teaspoon dried thyme) - 1 teaspoon honey - Salt and pepper to taste - 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley (for garnish) I use common measurement units to keep it simple. - Pound: This measures the weight of carrots. - Tablespoon: This is for butter, honey, and herbs. - Teaspoon: This is for dried thyme and seasoning. Using fresh ingredients gives a bright taste. Fresh thyme adds a lovely aroma. Dried thyme works well too but has a stronger flavor. When cooking, I prefer fresh garlic because it has more flavor. Fresh parsley adds color and taste at the end. Keep in mind, always taste your dish. Adjust the flavor to your liking! {{ingredient_image_1}} To start, you need one pound of baby carrots. If you prefer, you can use regular carrots. Just peel and cut them into sticks. Next, preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). This step is key for even cooking. While the oven heats, melt four tablespoons of unsalted butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. After the butter is melted, add four minced garlic cloves. Cook this mixture for one to two minutes. You want it fragrant, but be careful not to let it brown. Now, take the saucepan off the heat. Stir in one tablespoon of fresh thyme leaves and one teaspoon of honey. Add salt and pepper to taste. This mix adds a rich flavor to the carrots. In a large baking dish, toss the prepared baby carrots with the garlic butter mixture. Make sure they are evenly coated. Spread the carrots in a single layer. This helps them roast nicely. Place the dish in the preheated oven. Roast for 25 to 30 minutes. Be sure to stir the carrots halfway through cooking. This step prevents them from sticking and helps them caramelize. Once they are tender and golden, take them out of the oven. Before serving, sprinkle two tablespoons of chopped fresh parsley on top. This adds a fresh touch. For even roasting, try to cut your carrots to a similar size. This way, they cook at the same rate. When you spread them out in the baking dish, ensure there is space between them. If they are crowded, they will steam instead of roast. Stirring them halfway through cooking also helps. It allows all sides to get that lovely caramelization. If you want a bit more flavor, you can add a pinch of red pepper flakes for heat or a squeeze of lemon juice for brightness. To get tender carrots, I recommend using baby carrots. They cook faster and stay sweet. If you use regular carrots, peel and cut them into sticks. Aim for equal sizes for even cooking. The key is to roast them at 400°F (200°C) for 25 to 30 minutes. Stir them halfway through to ensure uniform roasting. You want them soft but not mushy. Garlic butter is great, but you can make it even better! Try adding a pinch of cayenne pepper for heat. A dash of lemon juice brightens the dish. Fresh herbs like rosemary or dill add a nice touch too. If you love sweetness, mix in a bit more honey. Just remember, balance is key. Don’t overpower the natural carrot flavor. You can prep these carrots ahead of time. Simply wash and cut the carrots, then store them in the fridge. You can also make the garlic butter mix in advance. Just melt the butter and mix in the garlic, thyme, and honey. Store this in a jar in the fridge. When you’re ready to cook, just toss them together and roast. It saves time without losing flavor. Pro Tips Choose Fresh Carrots: Selecting fresh, vibrant carrots will enhance the flavor and texture of your dish. Look for firm, smooth carrots without any blemishes. Adjust Garlic to Taste: If you're a garlic lover, feel free to add more minced garlic for an even stronger flavor. Just be careful not to burn it when sautéing. Experiment with Herbs: While thyme is a great choice, you can also try other herbs like rosemary or dill for a different flavor profile that complements the carrots. Perfect Caramelization: For the best caramelization, make sure the carrots are spread out in a single layer on the baking dish. Overcrowding can lead to steaming instead of roasting. {{image_2}} You can switch up the thyme in the recipe. Try using rosemary for a woodsy flavor. Oregano adds a nice kick too. Basil gives a sweet touch that pairs well with garlic. Experimenting with these herbs can create new tastes. While baby carrots work great, you can use regular carrots too. Just peel and cut them into sticks. Purple or yellow carrots make your dish colorful. Each type has a unique taste, so feel free to explore. You can add other veggies to your dish. Small potatoes or bell peppers roast well with carrots. Zucchini or asparagus can bring fresh flavors to your meal. Just make sure to cut them to similar sizes for even cooking. Mixing vegetables can keep your meals exciting. To keep your garlic butter roasted carrots fresh, let them cool first. Use an airtight container to store them in the fridge. They last about 3 to 5 days. Make sure to keep them away from strong-smelling foods. This will help keep their flavor intact. When you're ready to eat the leftovers, you can reheat them easily. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Spread the carrots on a baking sheet. Heat them for about 10 minutes. This will help keep them tender and tasty. You can also microwave them for 1-2 minutes. Just cover them to avoid drying out. If you want to save some for later, you can freeze the carrots. First, let them cool completely. Place them in a freezer-safe bag. Squeeze out the air before sealing. They will stay good for up to 3 months. When you're ready to use them, thaw in the fridge overnight. Then, reheat as described above. This way, you can enjoy this simple and tasty dish anytime! For roasting, I recommend using baby carrots. They are sweet and tender. If you can’t find baby carrots, regular carrots work great too. Just peel them and cut them into sticks. This helps them cook evenly. The key is to keep the pieces similar in size. This way, they roast nicely. Yes, you can use vegetable oil. However, it will change the flavor. Butter gives a rich taste that pairs well with garlic. If you prefer oil, choose a light one, like canola or olive oil. Use the same amount as the butter. This will help keep the carrots moist while roasting. To check if the carrots are done, look for a golden brown color. They should be tender when you poke them with a fork. Stir the carrots halfway through roasting for even cooking. If they start to caramelize, that’s a sign they are ready. Enjoy your tasty garlic butter roasted carrots! This guide covered everything you need for roasting carrots perfectly. We explored the most effective ingredients, step-by-step cooking, and helpful tips. Remember to choose fresh carrots for the best taste. Experiment with spices and veggies to keep it exciting. Store leftovers properly to keep them fresh. With these techniques, you will enjoy delicious garlic butter roasted carrots anytime. Get ready to impress everyone with your cooking!$

Deliciously roasted carrots tossed in garlic butter and fresh herbs.

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Prep Time 10

Cook Time 30

Total Time 40

Course Side Dish

Cuisine American

Servings 4

Calories 150 kcal

Ingredients

1 pound baby carrots
4 tablespoons unsalted butter
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves
1 teaspoon honey
to taste salt
to taste pepper
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley

Instructions

Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
In a small saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and cook for 1-2 minutes until fragrant but not browned.
Remove the saucepan from the heat and stir in the thyme and honey. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
In a large baking dish, toss the baby carrots with the garlic butter mixture until evenly coated.
Spread the carrots out in a single layer on the dish.
Roast in the preheated oven for 25 to 30 minutes, stirring halfway through, until the carrots are tender and caramelized.
Remove from the oven and sprinkle with fresh parsley before serving.

Notes

For extra flavor, you can add a pinch of red pepper flakes.

Keyword butter, carrots, garlic, roasted, vegetable