Black Gum Tree Maple Glazed Carrots
Honeyed carrots simmered in a delicate maple-thyme glaze, echoing the natural sweetness of a black gum tree's sap. This american-inspired vegetarian ready in about 22 minutes pairs (trimmed) baby carrots, unsalted butter, pure maple syrup for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 155 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 1 lb (trimmed) baby carrots
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter
- 2 tbsp pure maple syrup
- 1 tbsp fresh thyme leaves
- 1/4 tsp kosher salt
- 1/8 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Place 1 lb trimmed baby carrots in a saucepan with 1/4 cup water. Bring to a simmer over medium heat, cover, and cook for 8 minutes until tender but still crisp when pierced.
- Step 2: Drain carrots and return them to the saucepan. Add 2 tbsp unsalted butter, 2 tbsp maple syrup, 1 tbsp fresh thyme leaves, 1/4 tsp kosher salt, and 1/8 tsp black pepper.
- Step 3: Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until butter melts and syrup thickens into a glossy coating that clings to the carrots, about 3-4 minutes, with visible caramelized edges.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Black Gum Tree Maple Glazed Carrots take to make?
Total time is about 22 minutes (10 min prep + 12 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Black Gum Tree Maple Glazed Carrots?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep (trimmed) baby carrots from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Black Gum Tree Maple Glazed Carrots?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Black Gum Tree Maple Glazed Carrots for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Black Gum Tree Maple Glazed Carrots?
American vegetarian like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
Doubled the garlic (as one does) and it was amazing.
- ★★★★★
My whole family loved this.
- ★★★★☆
Really good but took about 10 minutes longer than stated.
