Brown Butter Roasted Carrots Recipe

Brown butter roasted carrots transform a humble vegetable into an elegant, nutty-sweet side dish that will upstage almost anything else on the table. Roasting concentrates the natural sugars in the carrots while browned butter adds a deep hazelnut richness that is impossible to resist. At 155 calories per serving, this gluten-free vegetarian side is rich in beta-carotene and vitamin A.

Ingredients

• 600g carrots (whole or halved lengthwise)
• 3 tbsp unsalted butter
• 1 tbsp honey
• 1 tsp fresh thyme leaves
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp black pepper
• 1 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
• 1 tsp flaky sea salt (for finishing)
• 1 tsp lemon juice

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 220°C (425°F). Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. Peel carrots and cut in half lengthwise. For very large carrots, cut into quarters lengthwise.
3. In a small saucepan over medium heat, melt butter. Cook for 3-4 minutes, swirling frequently, until the butter turns golden brown with a nutty aroma. Remove from heat immediately.
4. Stir honey, thyme, salt, and pepper into the browned butter.
5. Toss carrots with the brown butter mixture until evenly coated.
6. Arrange carrots cut-side down in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet.
7. Roast for 20 minutes until the undersides are caramelized and golden.
8. Flip and roast for another 10-15 minutes until the carrots are tender and deeply caramelized all over.
9. Transfer to a serving plate, drizzle with lemon juice, and garnish with fresh parsley and flaky sea salt.

Tips & Variations

• Smaller, thinner carrots roast more evenly and look more elegant. Look for baby carrots or small spring carrots.
• Watch the brown butter carefully. It goes from perfect to burnt in seconds. Remove from heat as soon as it turns amber.
• Add a tablespoon of orange zest to the brown butter for a citrus variation.
• Sprinkle with crumbled feta or goat cheese after roasting for a tangy contrast to the sweet carrots.
• Swap honey for maple syrup for a different sweetness profile.

Nutrition Breakdown

Calories: 154 kcal

Protein: 1.6g

Fat: 8.9g

Carbs: 19g

Fiber: 4.3g

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