Maple-Glazed Roasted Carrots with Toasted Pecans
Sweet roasted carrots finished with a sticky maple glaze and crunchy toasted pecans for a simple yet elegant side dish. This american-inspired quick meals (vegetarian, gluten free) ready in about 40 minutes pairs maple syrup, olive oil, salt for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 180 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
- 3 tbsp maple syrup
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/3 cup, roughly chopped pecans
- 1 tsp, chopped (optional) fresh thyme leaves
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 425°F. In a large bowl, toss 1 lb peeled carrot sticks with 2 tbsp olive oil, 3 tbsp maple syrup, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper until carrots are evenly coated.
- Step 2: Spread the carrots in a single layer on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Roast for 25-30 minutes, stirring halfway through, until carrots are tender and edges start to caramelize.
- Step 3: While carrots roast, toast 1/3 cup roughly chopped pecans in a dry skillet over medium heat for 3-4 minutes, stirring frequently, until fragrant and lightly browned. Remove from heat.
- Step 4: Transfer roasted carrots to a serving dish, drizzle any remaining maple glaze from the pan on top, sprinkle with toasted pecans and 1 tsp chopped fresh thyme leaves if using. Serve warm.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Maple-Glazed Roasted Carrots with Toasted Pecans 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 Maple-Glazed Roasted Carrots with Toasted Pecans?
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 maple syrup from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Maple-Glazed Roasted Carrots with Toasted Pecans?
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 Maple-Glazed Roasted Carrots with Toasted Pecans 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 Maple-Glazed Roasted Carrots with Toasted Pecans vegetarian?
Yes — this recipe is tagged vegetarian, gluten free based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.
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