Glazed Bourbon-Maple Roasted Carrots
Sweet and smoky roasted carrots glazed with bourbon and maple syrup for a flavorful side dish. This american-inspired vegetarian (vegetarian) ready in about 40 minutes pairs bourbon, pure maple syrup, olive oil for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 120 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 peeled and cut into 3-inch sticks carrots
- 2 tbsp bourbon
- 2 tbsp pure maple syrup
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 0.5 tsp salt
- 0.25 tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp fresh thyme leaves
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C). Toss 1 lb peeled and cut carrots with 1 tbsp olive oil, 0.5 tsp salt, and 0.25 tsp black pepper in a bowl until evenly coated.
- Step 2: Arrange carrots on a rimmed baking sheet in a single layer. Roast for 20 minutes, stirring halfway through, until tender and starting to caramelize.
- Step 3: Meanwhile, in a small saucepan, combine 2 tbsp bourbon and 2 tbsp pure maple syrup. Bring to a simmer over medium heat and cook for 3-4 minutes until slightly thickened.
- Step 4: Remove carrots from oven and drizzle the bourbon-maple glaze over them, tossing gently to coat. Return to oven for 5 more minutes until the glaze is sticky and glossy.
- Step 5: Remove from oven and sprinkle 1 tsp fresh thyme leaves over the glazed carrots before serving warm.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Glazed Bourbon-Maple Roasted Carrots take to make?
Total time is about 40 minutes (10 min prep + 30 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 Glazed Bourbon-Maple Roasted 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 bourbon from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Glazed Bourbon-Maple Roasted 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 Glazed Bourbon-Maple Roasted 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.
Is Glazed Bourbon-Maple Roasted Carrots vegetarian?
Yes — this recipe is tagged vegetarian based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.