These bourbon-glazed, butter-soaked carrots are the greatest special occasion vegetable side dish of all time. Sweet, savory, and oh-so glossy.
Prep Time::10 mins
Cook Time::15 mins
Total Time::25 mins
Servings::6
Ingredients
½ cup butter
2 pounds carrots, peeled, cut into equal-sized pieces
½ teaspoon salt, or more to taste
½ cup bourbon whiskey
⅓ cup brown sugar
freshly ground black pepper to taste
1 pinch cayenne pepper, or to taste
2 sprigs fresh thyme, for garnish (Optional)
Directions
Melt butter in a heavy skillet over medium-high heat until foaming. Add carrots and salt; cook and stir in hot butter until liquid evaporates and carrots begin to brown around the edges, 5 to 6 minutes.
Reduce heat to medium-low and pour in bourbon carefully. Cook and stir until bourbon is almost evaporated, about 2 minutes. Sprinkle in brown sugar; cook and stir until carrots are almost cooked through, about 5 minutes more.
Increase heat to medium-high and cook until glaze thickens, 15 to 30 seconds. Season with ground black pepper and cayenne pepper. Transfer carrots to a serving dish and garnish with thyme leaves.