These amazing maple-glazed carrots provide a sweet and savory flavor that enhances any meal, making them an irresistible side dish. They are especially perfect for a holiday feast, pairing wonderfully with bourbon-orange glazed ham and creamy French au gratin potatoes for a festive dining experience.

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🥕 The Ingredients
With just a handful of ingredients, they come together harmoniously to create a delicious dish that delights the palate. Find ingredient notes (including substitutions and variations) below.

🌿 Substitutions and Variations
- Vegetables - The carrots can be cut into matchsticks or sliced into medallions. Frozen carrots can be substituted, but they need to be completely thawed, drained, and dried. We don't recommend canned carrots, but they can be used in a pinch. Fresh parsnips can be used in place of the carrots, or in addition to them.
- Herbs - Dried parsley can be substituted, but only go with 1 tsp. Fresh thyme adds additional flavor, too.
- Broth - Chicken broth is delicious, but vegetable stock is a great choice, too, which will keep the dish vegetarian.
- Maple Syrup - Be sure to use 100% pure maple syrup. We do not recommend pancake syrup.
See the recipe card (with video) below for a full list of ingredients and measurements.
Expert Tip
This recipe serves four. If you are serving more folks, then the recipe doubles easily. You can prepare the dish in advance and then reheat before serving, but it's so easy to make, we recommend serving it fresh from the skillet.
🙋🏽♂️ Frequently Asked Questions
We love the matchstick version mostly because they are so attractive, but you can certainly slice them into small circular medallions. Since carrots vary in size, the cooking time may be less. Test for tenderness until you reach the desired texture.
In a pinch, yes. But they will be extremely soft, almost mushy. But, still tasty.
You can prep the carrots, shallots, and parsley in advance. You can prepare the dish a few hours in advance, and then reheat on the stove until hot, but we do recommend serving these fresh.

Ready to make the best side dish in town? Go for it!
And when you do, be sure to take a photo, put it on Instagram, and tag @HowToFeedaLoon and hashtag #HowTofeedaLoon!

Maple Braised Carrots
These carrots are amazing. Peel carrots, and then cut into equal-sized 'sticks.' Saute shallots in butter, throw in the carrots with salt, pepper, maple syrup, and stock (chicken or vegetable)...and finish with fresh-cut parsley...and they are an incredible side dish to a very special meal.
Print Pin RateServings: 4 people
Calories: 243kcal
Instructions
Heat the butter over medium heat in a large skillet with a tight-fitting lid.
2 tablespoon unsalted butter
Add the shallots and cook, stirring often, until soft, about 4 minutes.
1 shallot
Add the carrots to the pan and season with salt and pepper. Raise the heat to high and add the pure maple syrup and broth.
4 large carrots, ½ teaspoon Kosher salt, ¼ teaspoon black pepper, ¼ cup pure maple syrup, ¾ cup chicken stock
Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to medium-high, cover, and cook for 8 minutes.
Uncover and continue to cook until the liquid has reduced to a glaze and the carrots are very tender, about 10 minutes longer.
Stir in the parsley and serve at once.
1 tablespoon Italian parsley
Notes
Nutrition
Calories: 243kcal | Carbohydrates: 27g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 8g | Saturated Fat: -2g | Cholesterol: 34mg | Sodium: 857mg | Potassium: 652mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 16g | Vitamin A: 24572IU | Vitamin C: 12mg | Calcium: 59mg | Iron: 1mg
POST UPDATE: This recipe was originally published in November 2016, but was updated with improved tweaks to the recipe, new tips, photography, and a fabulous new video!
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