Roasted carrots with butter, honey, and balsamic vinegar are one of the best side dishes out there. They don’t require a ton of work for a weeknight meal and they taste amazing.

Roasted carrots is one of my go-to veggies for busy weeknights or when we have company because most people love them and they don’t take a lot of prep work. If you don’t have balsamic vinegar, these Honey Roasted Carrots are my second favorite.

Roasting carrots is also a great way to use up carrots if you’re not going through them as fast as you expected. They also make a budget-friendly healthy side dish. I’m all for tasty not-boring food that’s still pretty low-key (and healthy) to make. In fact, I show you how to roast veggies with whatever you have on hand so be sure to save that page.

What kind of carrots should you use?

You can use any kind of carrots you like. I’ve used orange or rainbow carrots and baby carrots. Baby carrots take a little less prep work but not much less unless you peel your carrots.

Do you peel carrots before roasting?

You can peel carrots before you roast them if you like but really, I don’t bother. Roasting them, especially with this honey balsamic glaze, takes away the bitterness some people complain about. Just wash them well. I like to use a small bristled brush like this.

How do you cut carrots for roasting?

You want to cut the carrots so they are roughly the same size and thickness. The ends tend to be a bit thinner but I throw them on anyway. They get a little crunchier but that’s okay. No point in wasting the carrot. I cut each carrot into approximately 3-inch pieces then cut them in half lengthwise then each half-round gets cut into 2-4 pieces lengthwise depending on how fat it is. You want them to be between 1/4-1/2 inch thick.

Do you have to use butter?

You don’t need to use butter. I really like the flavor it adds but you can use your favorite oil instead. You may need to add additional salt to the recipe though.

Can you roast them on a lower temperature?

I do not advise this. The high heat is what helps them cook quickly and caramelize so beautifully.

Can you roast them on a higher temperature?

Yes. I wouldn’t go higher than 450 degrees Fahrenheit. If you choose to roast them at this temperature please check them at more like 7 minutes so you don’t risk burning them.

Can you cover them while they are cooking?

Sure. You can cover them but you’ll end up with steamed carrots rather than roasted carrots. I much prefer a honey balsamic roasted carrot with those sugars caramelized rather than languishing in honey balsamic liquid.