This Honey Balsamic Glazed Rainbow Carrots recipe is tasty, colorful and so delicious. This simple dish comes together with minimal prep time and just 5 ingredients. The sweet and savory flavors are sure to impress on a holiday menu or just a weeknight meal.
Love carrots? Also try my Garlic Parmesan Roasted Carrots, Honey Glazed Crock Pot Carrots, and Maple Glazed Carrots
Honey Balsamic Glazed Rainbow Carrots recipe
Oh my, this Honey Balsamic Glazed Rainbow Carrots recipe is so delicious. If you are looking for a tasty and simple rainbow carrots recipe, you have to dive into this one. It roasts the carrots to tender perfection and then tops them with a simple and tangy honey balsamic glaze which could not be richer and more delicious.
I just love the gorgeous rainbow carrots that come in a collection of purple, white, orange, and yellow. They cook the same way as traditional orange carrots but are sure to wow a crowd or even just your family.
Sure you could just serve the carrots roasted, but if you want to elevate your side dish, taking the time to add the simple glaze at the end makes these carrots pop. My Honey Balsamic Glazed Rainbow Carrots are sweet and savory at the same time and all around magically delicious.
Because this recipe is simple but a little extra, it works equally as well on the holiday table (Easter dinner, Easter brunch, Thanksgiving, Christmas) as it does for a weekday or weekend dinner. It's the perfect unexpected side dish.
Honey Balsamic Rainbow Carrots - perfect for Easter! Share on X
Why You'll Love this Honey Balsamic Glazed Rainbow Carrots recipe...
- This Honey Balsamic Glazed Rainbow Carrots recipe is made with just 5 ingredients and only 10 minutes of hands-on time.
- The carrots are roasted in the oven first to bring out the flavors and tender texture.
- The simple glaze is made with just honey and balsamic.
- It's a bit extra, making it a great dish for the holiday table.
- This dish looks fancy but is budget-friendly for a crowd.
- If you are looking for a great rainbow carrots recipe, this is it!
Ingredients:
Here's an overview of what you'll need to make this Honey Balsamic Glazed Rainbow Carrots recipe, but keep scrolling for the full recipe amounts.
- Rainbow Carrots: Look for colorful rainbow carrots in the grocery store near the regular carrots. To prep the carrots, wash and peel them and cut them into ¼ inch circles like shown below.
- Olive Oil: A touch of your favorite olive oil helps with the roasting.
- Balsamic Vinegar: Use a flavorful balsamic vinegar for a rich tang to the recipe. I like this one.
- Honey: Honey adds some sweetness and helps make the glaze.
- Sea Salt & Pepper
What are rainbow carrots?
- Rainbow carrots are a variety of carrots that grow in different colors like purple, yellow, and white.
- These gorgeous carrots are not just fun to look at but can have a wider variety of vitamins than regular carrots.
- They have the same makeup as traditional orange carrots and taste about the same, but offer a bit more variety to your diet.
- I think they have a slightly milder, more tender taste.
- Red carrots have more lycopene, yellow carrots have more lutein, and purple carrots have more anthocyanins.
- You can often find them in a bag in health food stores.
- You can cook and prepare them in the same way as traditional orange carrots.
Instructions:
This is an overview of the instructions to make this Honey Balsamic Glazed Rainbow Carrots recipe, but the full detailed printable recipe is below in the recipe card.
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees. For easy cleanup, line a baking sheet with foil or parchment paper and spray it with cooking spray.
- In a medium bowl, toss together the cut rainbow carrots with the olive oil and salt and pepper.
- Pour carrots onto a cookie sheet that has been coated in cooking spray. Make sure the carrots are evenly spaced on the pan, so they will roast and not steam.
- Roast carrots in the oven for 25-30 minutes or until fork tender. You want them to be soft but still have a little bite.
- A few minutes before carrots are done, combine the balsamic and honey in a sauté pan. Allow to warm and combine over medium heat.
- Take carrots from the oven and carefully put them into the same pan with the balsamic and honey glaze.
- Sauté carrots with the balsamic honey mixture for 5-10 minutes or until the liquid completely glazes over the carrots. This turns the roasted carrots into honey balsamic carrots.
Variations
I love this Honey Balsamic Glazed Rainbow Carrots as written, but here are some fun variations.
- Add Fresh Herbs: When serving you can add a sprinkling of fresh herbs like fresh thyme, parsley, or fresh rosemary.
- Jazz it Up: After plating the dish on a serving platter, add a crumble of goat cheese, feta, pistachios, a drizzle of balsamic glaze, or even pomegranate arils to jazz up the rainbow carrots recipe for the holidays.
- Make it Maple: Swap out the honey or pure maple syrup.
- Make Roasted Rainbow Carrots Recipe: You can also just use this recipe to roast the rainbow carrots. Just don't add the glaze.
FAQ
Storage & Leftovers
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to five days. Because of the glaze though, this recipe is best enjoyed fresh.
Freezing
I don't recommend freezing this recipe.
Can I use baby carrots?
Yes, sometimes you will find baby rainbow carrots at the store. You can use these for this recipe too. It will take about the same time to roast the baby carrots, but just check them to make sure you don't overcook them or undercook them.
Can I use regular orange carrots?
Can't find rainbow carrots? Yes, you can prepare this recipe with traditional orange carrots.
Do rainbow carrots taste different?
They taste almost identical and don't taste much different. I think they have a very subtle lighter, milder taste that's slightly less bitter, but it's a very small difference. They taste like carrots. 🙂 They are just a lot prettier.
What are rainbow carrots used for?
You can use your rainbow carrots in any recipe that calls for carrots. I like to use them for simple recipes that let the beauty of the colors of the recipe shine.
This Honey Balsamic Glazed Rainbow Carrots is so Unique!
This Honey Balsamic Glazed Rainbow Carrots recipe is so tasty and unique. It's a fabulous and unexpected way to serve those pretty rainbow carrots you picked up at the store and don't know what to do with. It's such a fun vegetable to eat.
I love this colorful side dish for any weeknight dinner. Or simply add this to your holiday menu like Easter, Thanksgiving, or Christmas now! They would be fabulous with the rest of the meal.
Make it a Meal:
- Cheesy Asparagus Casserole
- Vegan Stuffed Butternut Squash
- Vegetarian Stuffing
- Cheesy Green Bean Casserole
- Roasted Acorn Squash
- Crock Pot Mashed Potatoes
- Crock Pot Mac and Cheese
- Simple Baked Salmon with Rosemary
- Blackened Mahi Mahi
Honey Balsamic Rainbow Carrots - perfect for Easter! Share on X
More Carrot Recipes to Try:
If you make this Honey Balsamic Glazed Rainbow Carrots , I’d love to hear what you think! Leave a comment and a star rating ★ below. Make sure to follow me on Instagram, Pinterest, and Facebook too!
Honey Balsamic Glazed Rainbow Carrots
Ingredients
- 4 cups rainbow carrots, cut in ½ inch slices (about 6 large carrots)
- 2 teaspoons olive oil
- 3 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
- 2 tablespoons honey
- salt and pepper to taste
- Cooking spay
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees and line a baking sheet with foil and spray with cooking spray.
- In a bowl, toss the carrots with the olive oil and season with the salt and pepper.
- Pour carrots onto a baking sheet.
- Roast carrots in the oven for 25-30 minutes or until tender. You want them to be soft but still have a little bite.
- A few minutes before carrots are done, combine the balsamic and honey in a sauté pan. Allow to warm and combine over medium heat.
- Take carrots out of the oven and carefully put them into the same pan.
- Sauté carrots with the balsamic honey mixture for 5-10 minutes or until the liquid completely glazes over the carrots.
Notes
Nutrition
Pin for later:
Sandra says
350 degrees for 30 minutes was not getting them roasted. I had to crank up to 400 for 10 more minutes.
Shirley Deters says
I saw these carrots a few weeks at Ingles. I thought they looked interesting but not knowing how I would cook them, I passed them up. Now your recipe sounds delicious. I will definitely try them this week. I've enjoyed many of your recipes. Thank you.
JulieWunder says
Thanks Shirley! I hope you enjoy them. I love how to colors seem so spring like.
Emilie says
Rainbow carrots are SO good. I'd never heard of them until my brother grew them in his garden two summers ago. I usually roasted with olive oil, salt & pepper but this sounds so good. I never would have thought to combine honey and balsamic here!
Farrah says
I've never seen rainbow carrots before, but I love all the colors! <3! This looks so pretty! (Colorful foods have been making this winter a litttle bit more cheery, hehehe.)
Tricia@MissSippiPiddlin says
Oh wow, those look so tasty! I love carrots, raw or cooked! I know I'd like these!
JulieWunder says
I love carrots as well! So yummy and healthy!
Blane Sherer says
Rainbow carrots are new to me.
I like how you prepared them.
Looking forward to the weekend!
JulieWunder says
Thanks Blane! Happy weekend!
Julie @ Girl on the Move says
How have I never seen this kind of carrots?!? I think I'll need to go find some!
JulieWunder says
I had never seen them before last week! They are a lot of fun!
Jess @hellotofit says
I've never seen rainbow carrots before, but love roasting carrots!! Perfect winter side dish 🙂 P.S. so jealous of your 70-degree weather 😛
JulieWunder says
Just one day at 70, but I'll take it! Can't wait for it to stay at 70.
Gingi says
These look amazing!! I need to make these!! <3 - http://www.domesticgeekgirl.com
JulieWunder says
Thanks Gingi!
Ivanna says
These look so good and very creative. A must try for sure. I never really eat carrots but this is a new twist I'll have to try for my family and myself.
JulieWunder says
Thanks Ivanna! I think the glaze makes them even more interesting.
Deborah @ Confessions of a Mother Runner says
I've never cooked with the rainbow carrots. So pretty!
JulieWunder says
Thanks Deborah!
Robin @ Simply Southern Baking says
Love these Julie. I need to head to TJ's and get a bunch!
JulieWunder says
Thanks Robin! Great to see you today!
Jenny says
I love rainbow carrots! In my mind, they taste even better than 'regular' carrots... 😉 I can always find them at Trader Joe's and we love roasting them--I'm totally going to make your glaze next time! And for Fashion Friday, you had me at makeup. Can't wait. 🙂
JulieWunder says
I think they taste better too 🙂 Or maybe I'm just happier when I eat them!
Jen @ SavedbytheKale says
Those carrots are beautiful and the recipe sounds delicious! My husband and I were just talking about Asheville this morning and about how we miss and it the biscuits from Biscuit Head! 🙂
JulieWunder says
Oh... those are absolutely sinful!!! I'm totally craving them now!
Sam @ PancakeWarriors says
Holy gorgeous carrots. I love those rainbow carrots they are so gorgeous!! Isn't the weather in NC crazy?!? Sigh o was really loving the idea of spring!! I have to try these carrots. Honey and balsamic, sign me up!!
JulieWunder says
Asheville is crazy! I'm ready for it to get and stay 70! Thanks for stopping by today!
Annmarie says
I LOVE rainbow carrots! I wanted to make them the other day but my grocery store didn't have any 🙁
Jenny says
Trader Joe's always has them! 🙂
Danyelle Musselman says
I've never seen rainbow colored carrots before! What a beautiful dish to make for company!
JulieWunder says
Easy too!
Meg @MegBollenback.com says
Very pretty recipe, again! I love the rainbow variety...so much more fun than just orange sometimes. 🙂
JulieWunder says
I know! Such a fun switch up for a regular dinner!
Linda says
I've never seen these carrots before either but I'll sure look for them. They're gorgeous. And this recipe looks so delicious and easy to make. Thanks Jilie for another great idea.
JulieWunder says
Thanks Linda! They are really yummy!
Stacie @ SimplySouthernStacie says
Those carrots are gorgeous! I just have plain ole orange ones, but I have everything else on hand and will be making these tomorrow night with my dinner. Thanks for the idea! You know I'm game for anything with honey.
JulieWunder says
It will be awesome with your orange ones too! I hope you like it!
Sue @ This Mama Runs for Cupcakes says
I have never had nor seen rainbow carrots before!! I must find these! This recipe looks amazing!
JulieWunder says
I had not seen them before a few weeks ago! I am a big fan now!
Susie @ SuzLyfe says
Rainbow carrots are SO GOOD. I love the different levels of sweetness. And you know that I love a good balsamic!
JulieWunder says
Thanks Susie! I can't resist them in the store!