Honey Glazed Carrots & Peas Recipe
Honey Glazed Carrots & Peas is a vibrant and flavorful side dish combining tender carrots and sweet peas coated in a luscious honey-soy glaze. Perfectly balanced with savory, sweet, and aromatic notes, this dish offers a beautiful glossy finish and a fresh herb garnish, making it an ideal accompaniment to any meal.
- Author: Lila
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Sautéing and Simmering
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Vegetables
- 1 pound carrots, peeled and sliced into ½ inch thick rounds
- 1 cup frozen peas
Glaze & Seasonings
- 3 tablespoons honey
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 tablespoon low sodium soy sauce
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt, or to taste
- ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Garnish (Optional)
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped
- Prepare the Carrots: Begin by peeling your carrots thoroughly. Once peeled, slice them into rounds approximately ½ inch thick. Uniformly sized pieces ensure even cooking, which prevents some pieces from being overcooked while others remain undercooked. Aim for consistent thickness for the best texture and presentation.
- Sauté the Carrots: Place a large skillet over medium heat. Add the butter and let it melt completely, swirling it around to coat the bottom of the pan. Once melted and slightly shimmering, add the sliced carrots to the skillet. Sauté the carrots for about 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally. This process softens the carrots slightly and brings out their natural sweetness before glazing. You will notice them becoming tender and their color deepening.
- Add Glaze Ingredients: In the skillet with the sautéed carrots, pour in the honey and soy sauce. Sprinkle in the garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. Stir well to ensure the carrots are evenly coated in the honey-soy mixture. This combination creates a flavorful and slightly sticky glaze as it cooks down.
- Simmer and Glaze: Reduce the heat to low, cover the skillet, and let the carrots simmer for 10-12 minutes, or until tender-crisp. Cooking with the lid traps steam and gently softens the carrots in the glaze. Check tenderness by piercing with a fork; carrots should still retain a slight bite. Remove the lid and increase heat to medium. Cook for another 2-3 minutes, stirring frequently to thicken the glaze and coat carrots beautifully. Be careful to avoid burning by stirring and adjusting heat if needed.
- Add Peas: Once carrots are perfectly glazed, add frozen peas to the skillet. Stir to combine and cook for 2-3 minutes until peas are heated through and bright green. Do not overcook peas to maintain texture and color.
- Serve and Garnish: Remove skillet from heat. Taste and adjust seasoning with more salt or pepper if desired. Transfer to a serving dish and garnish with freshly chopped parsley for a fresh, colorful finish. Serve immediately and enjoy this delightful side dish.
Notes
- Use fresh carrots for the best texture and natural sweetness.
- Low sodium soy sauce helps control the saltiness while adding umami.
- Do not overcook peas to maintain their vibrant color and texture.
- Adjust honey quantity to your preferred sweetness level.
- Butter can be substituted with olive oil for a dairy-free version.
- Fresh parsley is optional but enhances color and freshness.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 of recipe (about 150g)
- Calories: 110 kcal
- Sugar: 9g
- Sodium: 150mg
- Fat: 4g
- Saturated Fat: 2.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 1g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 17g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 8mg
Keywords: honey glazed carrots, honey glazed peas, glazed carrots and peas, easy vegetable side dish, honey soy vegetables, vegetarian side dish