These Miso Glazed Carrots are sweet, buttery, and just a little salty in the best way. I love how the miso brings out the natural sweetness of the roasted carrots, while the sesame seeds add a nice finishing touch. It’s such an easy way to make carrots more exciting.
Jump to Recipe
Why This Recipe Works
I love making these Miso Glazed Carrots when I want an easy side dish that feels a little special. They’re buttery, sweet, and savory, with so much flavor in every bite!
- Sweet and Savory Flavor: The combination of honey, miso, and butter gives these carrots the perfect balance of sweetness and saltiness.
- Perfectly Roasted Texture: Roasting brings out the natural sweetness of Dutch carrots while giving them lightly caramelized edges and tender centers. The miso butter coats every carrot beautifully.
- Ready in Under 30 Minutes: This is one of my favorite side dishes when I’m short on time. With just a handful of ingredients and a quick roast in the oven, it’s an easy addition to any meal. They’re just as easy to make as my Air Fryer Carrots.
- Simple but Full of Flavor: A sprinkle of sesame seeds and fresh cilantro adds a little crunch, freshness, and color. If you love flavorful carrot dishes, you’ll also enjoy my Korean Carrot Salad (Koreiskaya Morkovka).
- Perfect for Any Occasion: These carrots look beautiful on a holiday table but are easy enough for a weeknight dinner. I especially love using colorful Dutch carrots to make the dish even more inviting.
If you enjoyed this recipe, please come back and give it a rating. I ❤️ hearing from you!
Ingredients
- Dutch Carrots – I love using Dutch carrots for this recipe because they’re naturally sweet, tender, and look beautiful when roasted. You can use regular carrots instead, just cut them into similar-sized pieces for even cooking.
- Miso Paste – Adds a rich, savory umami flavor that pairs beautifully with the sweet carrots. I recommend white miso for its mild, slightly sweet flavor, but red or blended miso works too.
- Honey – Adds a touch of sweetness and helps the carrots caramelize as they roast. Maple syrup is a great substitute.
- Sesame Seeds – Add a subtle nutty flavor and a little crunch to the finished carrots. Toasted sesame seeds work especially well here.
For full list of ingredients and instructions, see recipe card below.
Instructions
- Make Miso Butter: In a small bowl, mix the softened butter and miso paste until smooth and well combined.
- Prep Carrots: Wash, peel, and trim the Dutch carrots. Toss them with olive oil and sea salt until evenly coated.
- Roast Carrots: Arrange the carrots in a single layer on a baking sheet or shallow baking dish. Roast for 10 minutes at 400°F.
- Add Glaze: Remove the carrots from the oven. Drizzle with honey and add half of the miso butter. Toss gently to coat, then return to the oven for another 8 to 10 minutes until tender and lightly caramelized.
- Finish & Serve: Remove the carrots from the oven and toss with the remaining miso butter until evenly coated. Transfer to a serving platter, sprinkle with sesame seeds and freshly chopped cilantro, and serve warm!
For full list of ingredients and instructions, see recipe card below.
Substitutions & Variations
Here are some of my favorite substitutions and variations:
- Carrot Options: I love using Dutch carrots because they’re naturally sweet and roast beautifully. You can also use regular carrots or even rainbow carrots. Just cut larger carrots into even pieces so they cook evenly.
- Miso Options: I recommend white miso for its mild, slightly sweet flavor. You can also use red miso for a stronger, saltier taste or blended miso for something in between.
- Sweetener Swaps: Honey adds a lovely sweetness and helps the carrots caramelize. I sometimes swap it for maple syrup, which works just as well with the savory miso butter.
What to Serve with Miso Glazed Carrots
Main Dishes
- For an easy weeknight dinner, we love serving these miso glazed carrots alongside Easy Sesame Ginger Baked Salmon or Miso Glazed Salmon Bites. Their savory, Asian-inspired flavors complement the sweet honey and umami-rich miso butter beautifully.
- If we’re craving chicken, Air Fryer Chicken Thighs With Honey Soy Glaze and Ginger Chicken are delicious options. The juicy chicken and bold seasonings pair perfectly with the tender, caramelized carrots.
- For a hearty family meal, try Korean Ground Beef Bowls or Air Fryer Asian Pork Meatballs. Both bring plenty of savory flavor, making the sweet and buttery carrots an irresistible side.
Holiday Favorites
- For a festive Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner, we love serving these carrots alongside Stuffed Turkey Breast or Herbed Prime Rib Roast With Horseradish. The savory, herb-infused meats pair beautifully with the sweet, caramelized carrots.
- When we’re planning a larger holiday spread, Cheesy Au Gratin Potatoes and Wild Mushroom And Sausage Stuffing are wonderful additions.
FAQs
Do I need to peel the carrots before roasting?
I prefer peeling Dutch carrots for a smoother texture, but it’s not necessary. If you leave the skins on, give them a good scrub under running water to remove any dirt before roasting.
How do I keep the miso glaze from burning?
The key is to roast the carrots with olive oil first, then add the honey and miso butter during the last 8 to 10 minutes. This gives the carrots time to soften without exposing the glaze to too much heat. Keep an eye on them toward the end since honey can caramelize quickly.
Can I make Miso Glazed Carrots ahead of time?
Yes! You can peel and trim the carrots and prepare the miso butter a day in advance. Store everything separately in the refrigerator, then roast and glaze the carrots just before serving for the best texture.
How do I store and reheat leftover Miso Glazed Carrots?
Store leftover carrots in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 to 6 days. Reheat them in a 400°F oven or a skillet over medium heat until warmed through. You can also microwave them for 1 to 2 minutes, although they may become a little softer.
More Family Recipes You’ll Enjoy
- Miso Glazed Salmon Bites – Miso Glazed Salmon Bites is an easy-to-make recipe that highlights sweet and savory Japanese flavors. Serve it for a quick weeknight meal!
- Pan-Seared Miso Salmon Rice Bowls – These Pan-Seared Miso Salmon Rice Bowls are layered with plenty of toppings for big flavor. Perfect for lunch, dinner, or meal prep!
- Creamy Garlic Butter Steak Bites with Mushrooms – Creamy Garlic Butter Steak Bites with Mushrooms combine seared sirloin steak cubes, mushrooms, and a garlic butter-infused cream sauce.
- Easy Sesame Ginger Baked Salmon – You’ll be enjoying this Easy Sesame Ginger Baked Salmon in less than 15 minutes! It’s a healthy, sweet, and flavorful Asian dish for anytime of day.
If you try this Miso Glazed Carrots recipe, let me know what you think! Rate and review this recipe in the comments below. Don’t forget to take a picture and tag me on Instagram @lenaskitchenblog!
Miso Glazed Carrots
Servings: 4 servings
These Miso Glazed Carrots are sweet, buttery, and just a little salty in the best way. I love how the miso brings out the natural sweetness of the roasted carrots, while the sesame seeds add a nice finishing touch. It's such an easy way to make carrots more exciting.
Ingredients
Roasted Miso Butter Glazed Carrots
- 2 bunches dutch carrots, trimmed and peeled
- 1 ½ tbsp olive oil
- sea salt, to taste
- 1 ½ tsp miso paste
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter, softened
- ½ tbsp honey
Garnish
- 1 tsp sesame seeds
- 1 tbsp cilantro, finely chopped
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F.
- Mix the softened butter and miso paste together in a small bowl.
- Clean, peel, and trim the carrots as necessary.
- Rub the olive oil and salt into the carrots, place them on a baking sheet or in a shallow baking dish, then roast for 10 minutes.
- Remove from the oven and pour on the honey and half of the miso butter. Toss gently before placing them back in the oven for another 8 – 10 minutes.
- Once cooked, toss the carrots in the remaining miso butter. Transfer them to a serving platter and add garnish with sesame seeds and cilantro.
Notes
- Use similar-sized carrots. Choose Dutch carrots that are roughly the same thickness so they roast evenly. If some are larger, slice them in half lengthwise.
- Don’t overcrowd the pan. Arrange the carrots in a single layer with a little space between them. This helps them caramelize instead of steam.
- Start with olive oil. Roast the carrots with olive oil and salt for the first 10 minutes before adding the glaze. This helps them soften without burning the honey.
- Choose white miso. I recommend white miso for its mild, slightly sweet flavor. If you’re using red miso, start with a smaller amount since it’s saltier.
- Soften the butter first. Room-temperature butter mixes much more easily with miso paste, giving you a smooth glaze that coats the carrots evenly.
- Save half the miso butter. Add only half the miso butter during roasting, then toss the cooked carrots with the rest. This gives them a rich, buttery finish.
- Watch the roasting time. Dutch carrots cook quickly, so check them after 8 minutes of the second roast. They should be fork-tender with lightly caramelized edges.
- Go easy on the salt. Miso paste is naturally salty, so start with a small pinch of sea salt. You can always add more after roasting.
- Garnish just before serving. Add sesame seeds and fresh cilantro right before bringing the carrots to the table. This keeps the herbs fresh and the sesame seeds crunchy.
- Prep ahead. Peel and trim the carrots and mix the miso butter up to a day in advance. Keep them refrigerated separately until you’re ready to roast.
- Reheat in the oven. Warm leftover carrots at 400°F until heated through to help maintain their texture. Microwaving works too, but the carrots will be softer.
Alina P
I made these as a side dish for for my husbands birthday dinner, when I say they were an absolute hit, that’s an understatement. I had to make a second batch mid dinner because everyone loved them so much. The flavors are amazing!
lena gladstone
That is so great to hear, thank you so much for trying the recipe and loving it.
Larisa Sidorov
Made these for thanksgiving dinner and they were such a hit. They are so easy to make and are different from anything I’ve tasted before, which is amazing. I loved them & so did everyone else. Recipe is also very concise & easy to read.
lena
I’m not a fan of carrots and this is the only way I’ll eat them, so happy to hear you loved the recipe Larisa, thank you.
Alisha
Made this to pair with our steak tonight and they were such a big hit!! Definitely going to be added to our weekly rotation, so easy to make and delicious!!
lena
Thanks so much for giving this recipe a try, I love to hear that it was enjoyed!
Teresa
Made these tonight and they were so delicious! I couldn’t find Miso paste so I substituted with soy sauce- tasted great! Thanks Lena for another wonderful recipe!
Inna
Oh my yumminess!!! crazy obsessed already!
Lana Akinshin
Delicious and is a unique twist to roasting carrots! Recommend 10/10!
Tina
Hi Lena, I am new to Miso paste, is there a specific one you like to use?
lenaskitchen
Hi Tina, so I prefer white miso paste. They usually come white or red. The white has a lighter taste than the red. I get mine at the Asian market.