My Favorite Way To Cook Carrots Takes 4 Ingredients and 15 Minutes

They're like roasted carrots, but no need for the oven.

By
Alexandra Shytsman
Alexandra Shytsman
Alexandra Shytsman
Alexandra Shytsman is a recipe developer, food photographer, and cookbook author. As the creator of The New Baguette, a plant-based recipe site, her mission is to demystify vegan food and inspire others to cook healthier meals at home. (The New Baguette is the winner of IACP's 2023 Food Blog of the Year award.)
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Published November 26, 2025
Alexandra Shytsman
4-ingredient honey-glazed carrots in a skillet

Simply Recipes / Alexandra Shytsman
  • With just four ingredients, this honey-glazed carrot recipe is quick and unfussy.
  • The entire dish cooks in one pan on the stovetop for easy preparation and cleanup.
  • You get roasted-style caramelized edges without needing to turn on the oven.

If you’re like me, you always have a bag of carrots rumbling around your vegetable drawer. (Isn’t it magical that they never seem to go bad?) When the rest of my fridge is bare and I don’t have any other veg to turn into a side dish, I reach for the bag and make these four-ingredient honey-glazed carrots.

What I love most about this recipe—apart from the extra-short ingredient list—is that it comes together quickly, entirely in one pan, and on the stovetop. With this clever technique, you don’t need to turn the oven on but still end up with candy-sweet carrots with caramelized edges that we all know and love.

The Stovetop Technique

This flavorful carrot side dish comes together in three easy steps. The technique gives you similar results to roasting, but it’s so much faster since you don’t have to wait for the oven to preheat.

First, I place chopped carrots in a skillet with a splash of water and cook them covered with a lid until they’re softened slightly. The lid is key because it traps the moisture in the skillet, steaming and softening the carrots. Next, I remove the lid, add oil and spices, and cook the carrots for a few more minutes, until they have some browning around the edges. Finally, I drizzle in a bit of honey.

Although you can certainly play around with the seasonings here (ideas below), I highly recommend za’atar, a Middle Eastern seasoning of dried herbs, sumac, and sesame seeds. The citrus notes of sumac in particular balance the sweetness of the carrots nicely.

Seasoning Substitutions

Feel free to play around with different seasonings here. Instead of the za’atar, you can use an equal amount of ground cumin or coriander, or a mix of both. Ras el hanout would also work wonderfully here. If you don’t have honey or are vegan, use maple syrup. For extra oomph, sprinkle the carrots with chopped parsley or cilantro before serving.

More Quick and Easy Side Dishes

Honey-Glazed Carrots

Prep Time 10 mins
Cook Time 15 mins
Total Time 25 mins
Servings 2 to 4 servings
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Ingredients

  • 3/4 pound carrots, peeled and cut into approximately 1/2-inch spears

  • 2 tablespoons water

  • 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil

  • 1 teaspoon za’atar, cumin, or coriander

  • 1/4 teaspoon salt

  • 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

  • 1 tablespoon honey

  • Chopped fresh parsley, for serving, optional

Method

  1. Steam the carrots:

    Place the carrots in a large skillet and add the water. Cover tightly with a lid and place over medium-low heat. Cook until the carrots are just starting to soften, 8 to 10 minutes. Remove the lid and allow the remaining water to evaporate if needed.

  2. Brown and season the carrots:

    Add the oil, za’atar, salt, and pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the carrots are browned around the edges, 6 to 8 minutes. Drizzle in the honey, toss to coat the carrots, and turn off the heat.

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Nutrition Facts (per serving)
77 Calories
4g Fat
12g Carbs
1g Protein
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 2 to 4
Amount per serving
Calories 77
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 4g 5%
Saturated Fat 1g 3%
Cholesterol 0mg 0%
Sodium 197mg 9%
Total Carbohydrate 12g 4%
Dietary Fiber 3g 10%
Total Sugars 7g
Protein 1g
Vitamin C 3mg 16%
Calcium 29mg 2%
Iron 0mg 3%
Potassium 209mg 4%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate. In cases where multiple ingredient alternatives are given, the first listed is calculated for nutrition. Garnishes and optional ingredients are not included.