These easy maple-glazed carrots make a quick addition to main meals. This sweet and tangy recipe is easy to incorporate into meals as a healthy side and is also a kids' favorite.
Enjoy the benefits of carotenoids
Carrots are a good source of carotenoids--a class of phytonutrients (plant chemicals), that often give many fruits and vegetable their bright red, orange, and yellow color. Beta-carotene, the kind of carotenoid found in carrots, in scientific studies has been shown to reduce the risk of metabolic syndrome, which is characterized by high blood sugar, high blood pressure, unhealthy cholesterol levels, and obesity. However, it is important to note that every fruit and vegetable has its own health footprint. Therefore, instead of relying on any one fruit or vegetable, it's best to eat a variety.
Meal plan easy maple-glazed carrots for lunch or dinner
This is a super quick recipe. It is best to make it fresh. You can cut the carrots a night before and steam in microwave instead of steamer to expedite the process.
Let's make the easy maple-glazed carrots
As illustrated in Energizing Celery and Sweet Potato soup that certain nutrients are more available to body when consumed with fat. Carotenoids are one of them. Therefore, adding a little healthy fat to carrots ensures better absorption of nutrients. Carrots is also one of few vegetables that is more nutritious when it's cooked. That is not to say that the raw carrots are not healthy. As always, vegetables taste best when they are fresh and (preferably) organic. Find the step-by-step recipe in the recipe card below. Enjoy!
Easy Maple-Glazed Carrots
Ingredients
- 1 lb carrots (washed, peeled, and cut in matchstick style)
- 1 tsp avocado oil
- 1 tbsp maple syrup*
- 1/2 tsp salt (or to taste, try no more than 3/4 tsp)
- 2 pinches freshly ground black pepper
- 1 tbsp cilantro (finely chopped for topping, or sub with equal amount parsley)
- 2 tsp fresh lemon juice
Instructions
- Step 1: Wash the carrots under running water and peel**. Cut the carrots matchstick style in about 1/4"x1/4"x2-3". You can also use baby carrots. If using stove-top steamer, put the pot on stove for water to boil. (Total Time: 7-10 Minutes)
- Step 2: The second step is to steam the carrots. The easiest way is to add a carrot to a big microwave-safe bowl with 2 tbsp of water and microwave for about 3 minutes. The preferred way, also used in making this recipe, is to either use a stove-top steamer or an instant-pot to steam the veggies. If using a stove-top steamer, then bring the water to boil and then add carrots in the steaming basket. Let it steam for about 3-5 minutes. Carrots should be al dente--cooked but still firm. (Total Time: to steam the vegetables ~3-5 minutes).
- Step 3: Heat oil in a heavy-bottom pan and add carrots with salt. Stir and add freshly ground black pepper and maple syrup. Stir to coat the steamed carrots with maple syrup. Turn the heat off and add the lemon juice. (Total Time: 3-4 minute). Enjoy!
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