Bring a pop of color and flavor to your table with these apricot glazed carrots. Tossed in olive oil, roasted until tender, and finished with a sticky-sweet apricot sauce, theyโre the perfect side dish to impress without complicating the cooking process. Whether itโs a holiday meal or an easy weeknight dinner, this original recipe will wow your taste buds every time.
Why Youโll Love This Recipe
- Sweet and savory glaze made with apricot jam, soy sauce, apple cider vinegar, and chili crisp.
- A sophisticated side dish that feels restaurant-worthy but uses easy recipes and simple ingredients. Looking for other easy side dish recipes? Try our easy cornbread recipe without buttermilk, crispy garlic parmesan smashed potatoes, or easy air fryer pita chips.
- Works for any time of yearโholiday gatherings, summer barbecues, or everyday dinners.
- Flexible cooking timesโcarrots roast until tender, then get coated in a glossy apricot sauce.
- A refreshing twist on classic side dishes that pairs well with chicken, turkey, pork, or fish. Try serving with our crockpot honey sesame chicken.
- Balanced flavors that wake up your taste buds with a little sweetness, tang, and spice.
Ingredient Notes
- Carrots - whole carrots look beautiful when roasted, but baby carrots or sliced large carrots will also work. For even cooking times, try to keep them the same size. If you like softer carrots, roast a little longer until fork-tender
- Apricot preserves (or apricot jam) - this is the base of the glaze and gives the carrots their signature sweetness. Choose a brand with fewer added sugars if you prefer a lighter option. Peach or orange marmalade are good swaps if you donโt have apricot on hand.
- Soy sauce - adds a salty, umami depth that balances the sweetness of the preserves. Regular, low-sodium, or even tamari (gluten-free) all work well here.
- Chili crunch - Chili crisp (or chili crunch) is a spicy, savory condiment made from chili flakes, garlic, and crispy aromatics in oil, adding heat and crunch to dishes. You can usually find it in the Asian foods aisle or near sauces and condiments at most grocery stores. It brings a subtle heat and crunchy texture that makes this feel like a sophisticated side dish. Adjust the amount to match your spice tolerance, or substitute red pepper flakes if you donโt have chili crisp.
See the recipe card below for a complete list of ingredients and measurements.
Recipe Tips & Variations
- Carrots: Use whole carrots for presentation, or slice into sticks/rounds for faster cooking times.
- Glaze: Swap apricot jam for peach or orange preserves if thatโs what you have.
- Spice level: Adjust the amount of chili crisp for a mild or spicy kick.
- Soy swap: Use tamari or coconut aminos for a gluten-free option.
- Serving idea: Garnish with fresh parsley or sesame seeds for an extra sophisticated side dish finish.
- Make it richer: Add a pat of butter to the warm glaze before tossing with carrots for a silkier texture.
How to Make Apricot-Glazed Carrots
For the full recipe instructions, scroll down to the recipe card at the bottom of the page.
Step 1: Preheat your oven to 400ยฐF. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Rinse and scrub the exterior of the carrots but leave the whole. You can peel the carrots if you prefer, but we leave them unpeeled for this recipe.
Toss the carrots with olive oil, salt, and pepper. Spread in an even layer. Roast the carrots for 20-25 minutes, stirring halfway through, until tender and starting to brown on the edges.
Step 2: While the carrots roast, whisk together the glaze in a small bowl. Warm in a microwave for 15โ30 seconds to loosen it, if needed.
Step 3: After 20 minutes, remove the carrots from the oven and drizzle the glaze over them. Toss gently to coat. Return to the oven and roast for another 8โ10 minutes, until caramelized and sticky.
Apricot Glazed Carrots FAQs
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Eat within 3-4 days.
Chili crisp (or chili crunch) is a spicy, savory condiment made from chili flakes, garlic, and crispy aromatics in oil, adding heat and crunch to dishes. You can usually find it in the Asian foods aisle or near sauces and condiments at most grocery stores.
They can be gluten free with the use of tamari or coconut aminos in place of soy sauce. They are dairy free, vegan, and vegetarian.
Other Easy Vegetable Sides
If you make this apricot glazed carrots recipe, please let us know how it turns out in the comments below and/or rate the recipe! Donโt forget to tag us on Instagram to show us your finished productโit makes our day every time we see you trying the recipes we love!
Roasted Apricot Glazed Carrots
Ingredients
- 1 ยฝ pounds whole carrots (can also use baby carrots)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- ยฝ teaspoon salt
- ยผ teaspoon black pepper
For the glaze
- 3 tablespoons apricot preserves
- 1 teaspoon soy sauce (or coconut aminos for a gluten-free option)
- 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
- 2-3 teaspoons chili crunch (or chili crisp)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 400ยฐF. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Rinse and scrub the exterior of the carrots but leave them whole. You can peel the carrots if you prefer, but we leave them unpeeled for this recipe.
- Toss the carrots with olive oil, salt, and pepper. Spread in an even layer. Roast the carrots for 20-25 minutes, stirring halfway through, until tender and starting to brown on the edges.
- While the carrots roast, whisk together the glaze in a small bowl. Warm in a microwave for 15โ30 seconds to loosen it, if needed.
- After 20 minutes, remove the carrots from the oven and drizzle the glaze over them. Toss gently to coat. Return to the oven and roast for another 8โ10 minutes, until caramelized and sticky.
Notes
- Save time/prep ahead:
- Prep ahead: If peeling or cutting carrots, you can do this up to 2 days in advance and store in the fridge.
- Glaze ahead: Whisk the apricot sauce together (apricot preserves, soy sauce, vinegar, chili crisp) and refrigerate for up to 3 days. Just warm slightly before using.
- Double batch: Make extra glaze and use it on chicken, salmon, or pork for another tasty recipe.
- This recipe can be gluten free with the use of tamari or coconut aminos in place of soy sauce. It is dairy free, vegan, and vegetarian.
- The recipe can be found on My Fitness Pal by searching "BWB Apricot Glazed Carrots." The nutrition content provided for each recipe is an estimate created through the My Fitness Pal database. Please be aware that the nutritional content of each recipe may vary based on the products you use, the precision of your measurements, and the source you use to obtain nutrition data. While we try to provide accurate information, we give no guarantee regarding the accuracy of the nutritional information provided.
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