How to Make Glazed Carrots on the Grill

Grilled fruits and vegetables are often overlooked when planning your cookouts, but they are a great compliment to your main courses. And grilled carrots are no different. Read through our blog post to learn about this delicious side dish and an easy recipe for making glazed carrots on the grill.

Glazed Carrots on the Grill – A Look Into the Dish

Glazed carrots are an ultra-simple side dish with a soft, sweet flavor and a beautiful char. These carrots are perfect for barbecues and can add lots of color in no time.

So, let’s look at our favorite grilled glazed carrot recipe. With a brush of oil and a quick toss on the grill, this recipe will soon become a staple for your cookouts.

What Makes Glazed & Grilled Carrots Different?

Carrots are naturally sweet summertime veggies. Tossing them on the grill caramelizes the outsides and adds to their sweetness. At the same time, the savory glaze counters this sweetness and adds another layer to the taste.

If the flavor alone is not enough to tempt you, consider that you can make this dish in less than ten minutes using only six ingredients. Not to mention that it is incredibly versatile, and you can serve it with anything from mango salsa to grilled salmon to chicken.

What Do You Need to Make Grilled Carrots?

As mentioned, you only need a handful of ingredients for this recipe. The list includes:

Carrots: Going for fresh carrots from a farmer’s market or your garden is always recommended.
Fresh Rosemary: You can use dried rosemary if you wish.
Balsamic Vinegar: This sweet and sour tart vinegar will serve as the base for your glaze.
Honey: When used in the glaze, honey will intensify the natural sweetness of the carrots.
Salt: To balance out the flavors.
Avocado Oil: Or any oil of your choosing.

How to Choose the Right Size of Carrots

When choosing carrots for this recipe, picking smaller-sized, thin ones is best since they are easier to peel, grill, and oil. You can also quarter and divide medium and larger carrots if needed, but make sure the carrots you use are all roughly the same size.

Instructions

1. Heat the Grill

Start by heating the gas grill to medium-high heat, around 450 F. Oil the grates with a paper towel dipped in oil or use a mister.

2. Cut the Carrots

You can skip this step if you are using small, baby carrots. But when using medium or larger ones, cut them lengthwise in quarters or halves of the same thickness for even cooking.

3. Parboil the Carrots

Fill a saucepan with water and a pinch of salt. Transfer the carrots to the saucepan and parboil them until they become tender.

Check their tenderness by piercing them with a knife; if it goes through, you are good to go. The boiling time may differ depending on the thickness of the carrot.

When tender, remove the carrots from the pan and drain the water.

4. Prepare the Glaze

While the carrots are boiling, combine the honey, balsamic vinegar, and salt in a small bowl and mix thoroughly to make your glaze.

5. Grill the Carrots

Place the carrots on a large baking sheet and spray some oil to prevent sticking. Brush the carrots with the glaze and close the lid of the grill. Grill each side for about five minutes and add more glaze in between.

6. Serve

Transfer the carrots to a plate and garnish them with rosemary. You can even drizzle the leftover glaze over them or sprinkle a little sea salt. Serve hot, and enjoy!

What to Do With the Leftover Carrots?

Do you have any leftovers? If so, you can store them for three to five days. Let the carrots cool thoroughly, then transfer them into an air-tight container. Then, place the container in the refrigerator.

What Foods Pair Well With Grilled Glazed Carrots?

The beauty of these grilled glazed carrots is that they can pair well with any main course. You can have them with steak bites or juicy beef. They would also be perfect with grilled mushrooms, stuffed turkey, pork chops, and red quinoa salad. Honestly, with a dish this versatile, the possibilities are endless!

Tailor the Recipe to Your Needs!

Still not sure if this recipe is for you? Why not change it up a little? These are a few variations that you can try to spice up your grilled glazed carrots further.

Use Olive Oil – Olive oil is a great alternative to reduce the sweetness of the honey without adding a lot of calories. You can even drizzle coconut oil or sunflower oil on your glazed carrots.
Sriracha Sauce – Want to bring a little heat? Swap out the balsamic vinegar with some sriracha sauce to mix things up. Lemon juice is another option.
Try Maple Syrup – Maple syrup is an excellent substitute for honey and can help cut down the sweetness. Some people also use brown sugar.
Opt For Soy Sauce – Squirt some soy sauce over the cooked carrots or use it as a dip at the end to get a salty flavor.
Use Other Spices and Herbs – Sprinkling on ginger powder, cinnamon, and onion powder can shift the flavor profile from sweet to savory. Thyme is another excellent herb you can use as a garnish to bring freshness to your plate.

Final Words

And there you have it! The best and easiest recipe to prepare the most amazing grilled glazed carrots that will leave everyone wanting more.

Next time you are at the store and see the carrots on sale, remember to buy them and try this recipe to get the most out of these flavorful, orange veggies.

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