Spirited Cooking: Bourbon Glazed Carrots Recipe

Updated June 18, 2019

Spring celebrations call for bright, fresh produce prepared with a touch of flair. Whether it's for Easter brunch, baby showers, a sunny party on the patio, or a gathering to admire April's blossoming flowers, this is my kind of celebratory dish: tender and sweet carrots tossed in glaze of booze, brown sugar, and butter.

Look for young, small spring carrots with their tops still on—they're sweet enough that you can forgo peeling and leave the whole carrot intact for roasting. Trim the tops, leaving about an inch of greens remaining. The carrots will be lovely piled on a platter for serving guests or plated alongside slices of ham or a warm farro salad.

I used Bulleit Bourbon for this recipe, but feel free to use your favorite whiskey. I do recommend selecting a whiskey you don't mind drinking—the spirit's flavor profile is a distinct component of the finished dish.

Recipe Details

Spirited Cooking: Bourbon Glazed Carrots Recipe

Active 10 mins

Total 40 mins

Serves 4 servings

Ingredients

1 1/2 pounds small spring carrots, tops trimmed, scrubbed but unpeeled
2 tablespoons olive oil
1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
Kosher salt
Freshly ground black pepper
1/2 cup bourbon
1/4 cup dark brown sugar
2 tablespoons butter, cut into chunks
2 tablespoons freshly squeezed orange juice

Directions

Preheat oven to 375°F. Toss carrots in olive oil, smoked paprika, and a generous sprinkle of salt and black pepper. Roast for 30 minutes or until carrots are tender when pierced with a fork.
While carrots are roasting, place bourbon in a small saucepan over medium-high heat. Bring to a simmer and cook until bourbon is reduced by half, about 4 minutes. Add sugar, stirring to dissolve. Cook 2-3 more minutes, allowing sauce to thicken. Lower heat and stir in butter and orange juice until well combined. Season to taste with a pinch of salt. Keep sauce warm until carrots are done. Toss carrots in warm glaze and serve immediately.

Nutrition Facts (per serving)
219	Calories
13g	Fat
26g	Carbs
1g	Protein

Nutrition Facts
Servings: 4
Amount per serving
Calories	219
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 13g	17%
Saturated Fat 5g	23%
Cholesterol 15mg	5%
Sodium 252mg	11%
Total Carbohydrate 26g	10%
Dietary Fiber 5g	19%
Total Sugars 18g
Protein 1g
Vitamin C 10mg	50%
Calcium 65mg	5%
Iron 1mg	4%
Potassium 443mg	9%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.