Delicious Boiled Carrots

Try out this simple and tasty recipe for Boiled Carrots — a delightful side dish that works with any entrée in your arsenal.

These aren’t your regular, run-of-the-mill carrots. This delectable side dish comes straight from my granny, who used to prepare these delicious boiled carrots when I was a kid. The aroma of maple syrup and olive oil just takes me down memory lane. Every. Single. Time. It comforts me just as much today as it did back then. And while the smell won’t evoke memories of my granny for you, I can tell you that it will smell like… comfort and nostalgia.

Even if you aren’t as nostalgic about boiled carrots as I am, taking this sweet veggie and coating it in a luscious glaze of olive oil and sweet maple syrup simply tastes good and is a warm, sweet treat that goes with any meal.

If you’ve already tried your hand at my Simply Sautéed Vegetables or my Maple Roasted Butternut Squash and Apple, you’ll find this delicious boiled carrots recipe gives you a similar satisfaction of blending sweet with savory. It’s a heartwarming side for any meal, so get your aprons ready, my friends, it’s carrot time!

This Is Why My Boiled Carrots Recipe Is So Great

• It is an easy-peasy recipe that’s sure to impress your taste buds!
• It brings a burst of flavor that will leave you wanting more.
• Whether you crave a delicious side dish or a guilt-free snack, these carrots have got your back.

Ingredients

Prep time: 5 minutes
Cooking time: 5 minutes
Yields: 5 servings

Use more or less carrots depending on how many you are cooking for; the recipe is easy to scale.

• 1 lb. carrots, peeled and sliced
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tbsp maple syrup
• salt and pepper
• 2 tsp parsley, chopped

Instructions

• Boil a pot of water. Put the carrots in and cook for 4-5 minutes depending on how soft/firm you want.

• Drain the carrots.
• Drizzle over the olive oil and maple syrup. Sprinkle the salt, pepper, and chopped parsley over the carrots and enjoy.

Variations

• Trade the carrots for parsnip. Parsnip has a slightly sweet taste so you may want to ease up on the maple syrup.
• Spice things up with a dash of cinnamon or nutmeg.
• Add in some minced garlic with the olive oil for a Mediterranean twist.
• If you want to add a bit of crunch, toss in some roasted pecans. I love how the firmness of the nuts contrasts with the soft carrots.

Tips & Tricks

I recommend going for the freshest and brightest carrots you can find. They’re bursting with natural sweetness and flavor.

You should cook your carrots for 4-5 minutes, they should be tender, not mushy.

You need 100% pure maple syrup.

If you find boiled carrots a bit bland on their own, have fun experimenting with other spices (as I said above, cinnamon and nutmeg work really well)

FAQs

Serving Suggestions

These delicious boiled carrots will taste wonderful alongside your favorite roasted meats or fish dishes. Alternatively, you can pair them with a warm quinoa bowl for a nutrition-packed, vegan-friendly meal.

How to Store Boiled Carrots

If you’re making your carrots ahead of time, the trick is to slightly undercook the carrots and then reheat them when you’re ready to serve. Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge where they should last for 4-5 days. To reheat, quickly sauté them in a pan with a bit of olive oil until they’re warm, or pop them in the microwave for a minute or two.