Glazed Carrots Maple Pecans (Print version)

Sweetly glazed carrots combined with toasted pecans create a vibrant and flavorful side.

# Ingredient List:

→ Vegetables

01 - 1 lb carrots, peeled and cut into 1/2-inch slices

→ Glaze

02 - 2 tbsp unsalted butter
03 - 3 tbsp pure maple syrup
04 - 1 tbsp brown sugar
05 - 1/2 tsp salt
06 - 1/4 tsp ground black pepper

→ Nuts

07 - 1/3 cup pecan halves or pieces, lightly toasted

→ Garnish (optional)

08 - 1 tbsp chopped fresh parsley

# How To Make It:

01 - Place sliced carrots in a medium saucepan, cover with water, bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 5 to 7 minutes until just tender. Drain thoroughly.
02 - Melt butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Stir in maple syrup, brown sugar, salt, and black pepper until combined.
03 - Add drained carrots to the skillet and toss to coat evenly. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the glaze thickens and carrots develop a glossy finish, approximately 5 to 7 minutes.
04 - Stir in toasted pecans and cook for an additional minute to combine flavors.
05 - Transfer glazed carrots to a serving dish and optionally garnish with chopped fresh parsley. Serve warm.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The carrots turn glossy and tender while staying just firm enough to have real presence on the plate.
  • That maple-and-pecan combination feels fancy but takes less time than boiling water for pasta.
  • It's naturally gluten-free and vegetarian, which means everyone at your table can enjoy it without questions.
02 -
  • Don't skip draining the carrots well after boiling—I learned this the hard way when my glaze turned watery and never thickened properly.
  • The carrots will keep cooking a little even after you pull them off heat, so stop before they feel completely soft or they'll turn mushy.
  • Toasted pecans make a real difference; if you forget to toast them, do it quickly in a dry skillet for 2 minutes while your glaze cooks.
03 -
  • Keep the heat at medium or medium-low while the glaze cooks; too-high heat will cause it to burn rather than thicken gracefully.
  • If your glaze breaks or looks greasy, add a splash of water and stir constantly until it comes back together—this happens sometimes and isn't a disaster.

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