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Honey Glazed Carrots and Green Beans Recipe

5 from 50 reviews

Honey Glazed Carrots & Green Beans is a vibrant and flavorful side dish featuring fresh carrots and green beans roasted to tender-crisp perfection with a luscious honey-balsamic glaze. Enhanced with garlic, thyme, and olive oil, this easy recipe delivers a beautiful balance of sweet, savory, and tangy notes, making it an ideal accompaniment to poultry, fish, pork, and vegetarian mains. Perfect for busy weeknights or special occasions, these glazed vegetables offer both health benefits and delightful taste with a touch of elegant caramelization.

Ingredients

Scale

Vegetables

  • 1 pound fresh carrots (whole carrots peeled and cut into 1-inch diagonal pieces or baby carrots)
  • 1 pound fresh green beans (trimmed, vibrant, and snap easily)

Glaze

  • 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 3 tablespoons honey (local or wildflower preferred)
  • 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme (or 1 tablespoon fresh thyme, chopped)
  • Salt, to taste
  • Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Optional Garnishes

  • Chopped fresh parsley
  • Toasted sesame seeds

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Vegetables: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Wash and trim the green beans by snapping off the stem ends. Peel whole carrots if using, then cut them into roughly 1-inch thick diagonal pieces for even roasting. If using baby carrots, use them whole or halve them lengthwise if they are thick. Ensure carrots and green beans are similar in size to cook uniformly.
  2. Make the Honey Glaze: In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, honey, balsamic vinegar, minced garlic, dried thyme, salt, and freshly ground black pepper until fully combined and emulsified. Taste the glaze and adjust salt and pepper as needed for balanced flavor.
  3. Coat the Vegetables: Place the prepared carrots and green beans in a large mixing bowl. Pour the honey glaze over them and toss gently but thoroughly to ensure each piece is evenly coated and glistening with the glaze. Use a spatula or your hands to achieve full coverage.
  4. Roast the Vegetables: Spread the glazed vegetables in a single layer on a large baking sheet, avoiding overcrowding to prevent steaming. Use two baking sheets if needed to maintain spacing for proper browning and caramelization.
  5. Roasting Time and Monitoring: Roast in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, checking around 20 minutes. The carrots should be tender but firm enough to pierce with a fork, and the green beans bright green with a slight snap.
  6. Achieve Caramelization: For extra caramelized edges, broil the vegetables for the last 1-2 minutes, watching closely to prevent burning as honey caramelizes quickly under high heat.
  7. Rest and Serve: Remove the baking sheet from the oven and let the vegetables rest for 1-2 minutes to allow the glaze to thicken and adhere further. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley or toasted sesame seeds if desired, and serve immediately for best flavor and texture.

Notes

  • Use fresh, firm vegetables for the sweetest flavor and best texture.
  • Cut vegetables into uniform pieces to ensure even cooking and tenderness.
  • Avoid overcrowding the baking sheet to promote roasting instead of steaming.
  • Adjust honey or balsamic vinegar quantities to suit sweeter or tangier preferences.
  • Add a pinch of red pepper flakes for a modest spicy kick if desired.
  • You can substitute honey with maple syrup or agave nectar to make the dish vegan-friendly.
  • Glaze can be prepared 2-3 days ahead and stored refrigerated; whisk again before using.
  • Leftovers keep well in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days and can be reheated gently in a skillet or oven.
  • Frozen vegetables may be used if fully thawed and dried, adjusting roasting time as needed.
  • Alternative vinegars like apple cider or red wine vinegar can replace balsamic vinegar, though flavor varies slightly.
  • Sautéing is an alternative cooking method for quicker preparation but yields a different texture and less caramelization.
  • Grilling is also possible by tossing vegetables and glaze then placing in a grill basket over medium heat for 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Keywords: Honey glazed carrots, honey glazed green beans, roasted vegetables, healthy side dish, honey balsamic glaze, easy vegetable recipe, honey glazed veggies, holiday side dish, vegetarian side