Bored of eating steamed carrots? Then you should try Orange Glazed Carrots. These honey orange glazed carrots take only 20 minutes to make in the microwave!
The taste is heavenly. Perfect for formal holiday feasts like Christmas, Thanksgiving, or Easter, yet easy enough to serve on a hectic evening!
Ingredients
- 1/3 cup orange juice
- 2 teaspoons cornstarch
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- 3 cups baby carrots (or peeled and sliced or julienned)
What substitutions can I use for these Orange Glazed Carrots?
Baby Carrots –You may use regular-sized carrots and julienne them or chop them into coins. As an alternative to fresh carrots, you might use a bag of frozen ones.
White Sugar – You may use honey or brown sugar in the same amount for the white sugar.
Parsley – You can leave this out completely if desired.
How do you make Orange Glazed Carrots in the Microwave?
- In a small bowl, combine sugar, salt, cornstarch, and 1 tablespoon of orange juice.
- In a 1.5-qt microwaveable casserole dish, combine the carrots and the remaining orange juice.
- 6 minutes on high with a cover.
- Put the Microwave back on after tossing the cooked carrots with the cornstarch mixture.
- For an additional 2 to 3 minutes, cook uncovered.
- Midway through the cooking process, stir.
- Before serving, let the carrots stand for 5 minutes.
Pro Tip
Before you cut the orange in half to juice it, make sure you zest it. A whole orange is considerably easier to zest than two previously squeezed halves! And, while zesting, don’t go above the top layer of orange peel. Otherwise, the dish will taste bitter.
Yields and Cooking Time
- Prep Time: 5 Minutes
- Additional Time: 5 Minutes
- Total Time: 20 Minutes
- Cook Time: 10 Minutes
- Yields: 4 servings
Nutrition Information:
- Calories: 67
- Total Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 16g
- Fiber: 2g
- Sugar: 12g
- Protein: 1g
- Saturated Fat: 0g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
- Sodium: 355mg
Can I replace baby carrots with regular carrots?
Yes, you can replace baby carrots with regular carrots. But I like to use baby carrots for this recipe because they take less time to prepare.
How do I Orange Glazed Carrots in the Microwave without Baby Carrots?
To use regular carrots instead, peel them and cut them into whatever shape you want. Thick slices cut at an angle or sticks would work well, or you could try a fancy roll cut. Try to cut them into pieces about the same size so they will cook at the same rate.
Then follow the rest of the recipe as written, but if your carrot pieces are much bigger or smaller than a typical baby carrot, which is about 1/2 inch (1.3 cm) in diameter and 2 inches (5 cm) long, you will need to change the microwave time.
If your pieces are smaller, take 1–2 minutes off the cooking time and add more time if necessary. For larger pieces, add 1 to 2 minutes on top of the 8 minutes, and more if needed.
How do you store leftover Orange Glazed Carrots?
For up to 3–4 days, store them in the refrigerator in a closed container.
Is it safe to cook a carrot in the microwave?
Yes, you can cook carrots in the microwave. I’ve been cooking fresh vegetables in the microwave for years because it’s quick and easy, and the vegetables keep more of their nutrients that way.
Can you pre-cook glazed carrots?
Yes. If you do, I’d suggest boiling the carrots for a minute or two less, so they don’t get mushy when you reheat them.
Can you make these Orange Glazed Carrots in the Microwave ahead of time?
Absolutely! They can be prepared a day in advance. Store them covered in the refrigerator. When you are ready to serve, warm the carrot in the Microwave for 3 to 4 minutes.
Can glazed carrots be reheated?
To reheat, cook carrots in a greased pan over medium heat until heated. If the Glazed Carrots are too dry, add a bit more butter. Reheat in the microwave for one minute, then at 30-second intervals until well heated.
