Quick and Tasty Hot Honey Carrots Recipe

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If you're tired of bland vegetable side dishes, it's time to spice things up with hot honey carrots. These fresh veggies pack a punch of sweetness and spice that will impress dinner guests or liven up your weeknight dinners.

I usually avoid food trends like the plague. I tend to do the same with pop culture, too. (Sorry, but I've still not seen Ted Lasso.) But sometimes, I break down and give them a try. While I was not a fan of this one, I briefly got into sourdough during COVID.

I'm happy to report that hot honey is one trend I can get behind, even if it is a bit overdone. The sweet and spicy combo is nothing new—it's classic. We already know that the contrast of the two opposite flavors will work. It just happens to have latched onto honey and chiles and there's nothing wrong with that.

I like that it's a simple flavored honey you can make yourself, and it doesn't require spending money on special tools or expensive ingredients. Even better, because it's made of honey, it'll keep nearly forever and it has a multitude of unexpected uses, like on these carrots.

😍 Why you'll love these spicy honey glazed carrots

It's a super fast side dish that cooks in under 20 minutes.
There's a great balance of spice and sweetness.
The simplicity of the dish let's the carrots shine.

For more carrot recipes, check out these:

Jump to:

😍 Why you'll love these spicy honey glazed carrots
🥕 Ingredients
🔥 Substitutions & Variations
🍳 How to make hot honey carrots
🔥 Top Tip
🥡 Storage
🤔 FAQ
🍗 Pairing
📖 Recipe
🥔 Related Recipes
💬 Comments

🥕 Ingredients

Here's everything you need to make this recipe.

Key Ingredients

Carrots: You'll need about a pound of fresh carrots for four servings. You can always double the recipe if cooking for a larger crowd.
Honey: A quarter cup of honey is all you need.
Red pepper flakes: About ½ teaspoon of standard red pepper flakes is a good place to start for some heat, but a tolerable level for most people. You can use a teaspoon if you like things spicier.
Broth: A half cup of vegetable or chicken broth will help to braise the carrots and create a glaze with the hot honey.
Thyme: Garnishing the carrots with a few fresh thyme leaves—about a tablespoon will do the job—before serving, adds another layer of freshness with just a hint of herbiness. Some chopped parsley is a good substitute, or you can omit fresh herbs altogether.

See the recipe card below for the full list of ingredients and quantities.

🔥 Substitutions & Variations

Make it hotter: Double the amount of red pepper flakes to 1 teaspoon.
Hot maple carrots: Replace the honey with an equal amount of maple syrup.
Baby carrots: Baby carrots may be used in place of the whole carrots. You can use them as is without cutting and adjust the cooking time as needed.
Garlic: Everything is better with garlic, so if you feel inclined, add a minced clove or two to the pan with the butter and carrots. I left it out just to keep things simple.
Hot honey roasted carrots: To make this recipe in the oven instead of on top of the stove, start with steps 1 and 2, add the butter and carrots to a baking sheet, and cook in a 400 degree oven for about 5 minutes. Then add the broth and hot honey, stir, and return to the oven to cook another 15 minutes or until the liquid has reduced to a glaze and the carrots are tender. Top with pepper and thyme, as described.
Make it colorful: Use a variety of rainbow carrots to create an even more eye-catching side dish. Carrots taste the same, no matter the color.
Make it vegan: Substitute olive oil in place of the butter.
Mike's Hot Honey carrots: Already have a bottle of Mike's Hot Honey? Then, skip making your own hot honey and add a couple of tablespoons to the carrots when you add the broth. Then, top with more, if needed, before serving.

🍳 How to make hot honey carrots

How to make these easy hot honey carrots side dish.

Step 1: Slice the carrots in half and each half into two to three-inch pieces.

honey and red pepper flakes cooking in a pan

Step 2: Heat the honey and the red pepper flakes in a small pot over low heat for about 3-4 minutes until bubbly. Turn off the heat and stir in the apple cider vinegar. Let sit.

Step 3: Melt the butter over medium heat in a saute pan. Add the carrots and cook 2-3 minutes until lightly browned.

hot honey sauce being poured into pan of carrots

Step 4: Pour the hot honey and broth over the carrots. Cover and simmer for about 5 minutes. Remove the lid, stir, and cook another 5-6 minutes until the liquid has glazed the carrots.

fresh thyme leaves being torn over carrots

Step 5: Garnish the carrots with fresh thyme leaves and sprinkle with pepper.

Step 6: Serve the cooked carrots warm or at room temperature.

🔥 Top Tip

These carrots are best when they have a little bite, so try to avoid overcooking. After the first five minutes of cooking, don't skip taking the lid off the pan and then allow the carrots to cook uncovered until the liquid has reduced to a glaze and the carrots are tender but not too soft.

🥡 Storage

Store any leftover carrots in an air-tight container in the fridge for 3-4 days.

🤔 FAQ

What is hot honey made of?

Hot honey is a combination of honey flavored with chile peppers. In this recipe, we use crushed red pepper flakes - an ingredient found in most home kitchens.

What is the best way to cook carrots until soft and tender?

A great way to cook carrots is braising. It starts by sauteeing the carrots, then adding liquid and allowing them to continue to cook until tender and a glaze has formed. It takes only one pan and the carrots cook faster than roasting and are more flavorful than steaming or boiling.

Can you soak carrots in sugar water to make them sweet?

Soaking carrots in sugar water will not do much to make them sweet. Instead, cook them with honey or maple syrup. You can also roast them, which will help to bring out more of the natural sweetness in the carrots.