Candied Carrots

Candied Carrots are a delicious side dish that is incredibly easy to make. Just boil the carrots until tender, then sweeten them with a brown sugar mixture before serving them on your holiday table. It's really that simple!

This classic Thanksgiving side dish is known for being overly sweet and rather mushy, but these easy candied carrots are anything but that. The perfectly cooked carrots are fork-tender, and they're coated in a buttery mixture of orange juice, brown sugar, cinnamon, and vanilla. This creates a delicious brown sugar sauce that highlights the natural sweetness of the yams without overpowering them. This is the best candied carrots recipe, and you'll see why once you give it a try!

Why You'll Love These Candied Carrots

• So easy to make. If you can boil carrots, you have all the skills you need to make your favorite Thanksgiving side dish from scratch. They're incredibly quick to prepare and will be done before you know it! Since they don't need to be baked, you can save the oven space for another dish as well.
• Absolutely delicious. Carrots have a natural sweetness and flavor that is often clouded by overly sweet syrup. This homemade version lets the flavor of the carrots shine through while adding just enough sweetness and flavor to make them sing.
• Perfect holiday side dish. It's not the holidays without this classic Southern side dish on the table! Surprise your friends and family with this delightful homemade version at your next special occasion (you'll want them more often than just Thanksgiving!).

Ingredient Notes

To make these delicious candied carrots, you will need the following ingredients (full measurements in recipe card below):

• carrots - peel and slice carrots into ½-inch thick pieces.
• butter - this adds a buttery flavor that brings the sauce together.
• brown sugar - dark brown sugar offers a rich, sweet flavor that enhances the yam flavor. Light brown sugar works too.
• ground cinnamon - this adds a warm flavor to this classic holiday side dish.
• vanilla extract - a little vanilla adds an enticing aroma that smells like dessert every time.
• salt and pepper - season to taste to avoid bland carrots.
• parsley - optional, for serving.

You will also need a large pot, strained, wooden spoon, and serving dish.

How to Make the Best Candied Yams

1. Boil carrots. Place carrots in a large pot and cover with water to cover the carrots by about an inch. Heat over high heat and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low and simmer until tender, about 6-8 minutes. Drain well and place the carrots back in the pot.

2. Make sauce. In the same pot, add butter, sugar, cinnamon, salt and pepper. Stir well and cook until the butter and sugar has melted and the carrots are coated in the glaze, about 2-3 minutes.

3. Serve. Garnish with parsley and serve warm.

How to Serve

This candied carrot recipe is delicious served as a side dish with dinner. It’s especially good as a side dish during the holidays, paired with some of my favorite holiday recipes including:

• Green Bean Casserole
• Sweet Potato Casserole with Marshmallows
• Homemade Stuffing
• The Best and Juiciest Roast Turkey
• Easy Make-Ahead Cranberry Sauce
• Baked Mashed Potatoes

For more recipes, see our 50 Best Thanksgiving Side Dishes.

Storing and Freezing Instructions

How to Store

Store leftover candied carrots in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days.

How to Reheat

Either microwave the leftover carrots for a few minutes or bake them in a 350 degree F oven for 8-10 minutes until fully warmed.

How to Freeze

Place your cooled leftovers in a freezer-safe container and freeze them for 2-3 months. Allow them to thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.

More Carrot Recipes

• 40 Best Carrot Recipes
• Garlic and Herb Roasted Carrots
• Roasted Carrots
• Maple Roasted Carrots with Yogurt Sauce
• Honey Roasted Carrots
• Carrot Pumpkin Soup

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