Miso-Glazed Roasted Carrots are a tasty side dish that uses only 7 simple ingredients: baby carrots, white miso paste, soy sauce, brown sugar, garlic, salt and pepper.
I don’t often cook carrots, mostly because I think they’re boring, but these miso-glazed roasted carrots changed my mind. The roasting process really brings out the sugars in the carrots, and mixed with the salty umami of the miso makes them super tasty.
You can use baby carrots or cut up larger carrots. That makes this recipe very versatile, so you can use what you have on hand. Even carrot sticks can be used.
Why You’ll Love It
- Umami Richness: Miso paste adds a deep, savory flavor that elevates the carrots’ natural sweetness.
- Caramelized Perfection: Achieves a deliciously caramelized exterior with a tender inside.
- Nutritious: Combines the health benefits of carrots with the probiotics of miso for a guilt-free side dish.
Heidy L. McCallum says: 
These Miso glazed carrots were wonderful! We will be making them more often! Bookmarking.
Beth says: These glazed carrots are perfection! This is a hit in my home as my 5 year old LOVES cooked carrots!
Ingredients You’ll Need
- Baby carrots – Tops cut off. Baby carrots are picked before becoming fully mature. They have a more mellow taste. Feel free to use other carrots you might already have on hand.
- Olive oil – Olive oil is widely used for it’s healthy fats. It adds flavor and richness.
- White miso paste – I prefer to use white miso. White miso is fermented less than red miso. It is made from soybeans that have been fermented with a large percentage of rice, while red typical is fermented with barley or other grains. If you prefer a more intense flavor, you can use red miso paste instead.
- Soy sauce – I always use lite soy sauce, because it has a lot less sodium in it.
- Brown sugar – A little brown sugar balances the savory flavors. It’s not so much that the carrots are super sweet, though.
- Garlic – Make sure your garlic is fresh for the best flavor and aroma.
- Salt & pepper – Salt isn’t always necessary, but you can season to taste
What is Miso?
Miso is a traditional Japanese condiment made from soybeans, rice or barley, salt, and water, along with a fermentation process using a specific type of mold called koji (Aspergillus oryzae). The result is a thick paste with a unique umami flavor and a wide range of culinary uses.
The most common types of miso are white, red, and mixed. White miso is milder and sweeter, red miso is stronger and saltier, while mixed miso falls somewhere in between.
Helpful Tips
- If you can’t find baby carrots, you can use regular sized carrots, peeled and cut in half. You can also use other types of vegetables.
- You can substitute the brown sugar with honey, agave syrup, or maple syrup to give it a slightly different taste.
- If you prefer a stronger flavor try using red miso paste.
- If you want to spice these roasted carrots up, you can sprinkle on red pepper flakes at the end.
- Miso is made primarily from soy beans, so it is generally vegan and vegetarian friendly.
How to Make Miso-Glazed Roasted Carrots
Step 1: Glaze the carrots
Combine the glaze ingredients and brush the glaze over the carrots. Place them on a baking sheet. I covered my baking sheet with tin foil for easy clean up.
Step 2: Roast
Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). When it’s preheated, put the carrots into the oven for 20 minutes.
Keep an eye on them and flip them over midway through the time, so they cook evenly. At the midway point, you can glaze them again for greater depth of flavor.
Depending on their size, you may need to cook them longer than this. As you can see, my carrots are fairly small. Larger carrots can take up to 30 minutes to cook.
Step 3: Serve
Serve them hot, straight from the oven! I like to serve them with a dusting of flake salt and red pepper flakes. You can also serve them with a spoonful of the glaze drizzled over them, if you want even more flavor.
What to Serve With Glazed Carrots
Try these carrots alongside these Bacon-Wrapped Pork Chops or with a chicken legs. Also try our quick and easy Instant Pot whole chicken recipe.
Miso-Glazed Roasted Carrots are also a great accompaniment to chicken wings or beef short ribs. Pair this meal with a nice robust red wine, like Zinfandel or Cabernet Sauvignon.
How to Store & Reheat Glazed Carrots
These carrots with miso can be stored in a container in the refrigerator until you’re ready to reheat them. They make a great side dish for various meals, so you might intentionally make more so you can have them as leftovers with tomorrow’s meal.
To reheat the carrots, put them on a baking sheet, as you did the first time, and heat them through in a 350 degree F oven for 5-8 minutes. You can also microwave them, but the texture will be changed slightly.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you soften carrots before roasting?
To soften carrots before roasting, you can either blanch or steam them. This way, the carrots will be partially cooked and softened, making them easier to roast to perfection while maintaining their texture and flavor.
What are miso glazed carrots made of?
The main components of these glazed carrots are miso paste, carrots, butter/oil, sweetener, and seasonings.
What goes well with roasted carrots?
Roasted carrots are a delicious and versatile side dish that pairs well with a wide range of main courses such as; roasted chicken, grilled meats, fish, pork, stews, grain-based meals, tacos, or wraps.
Is it best to peel carrots before roasting?
If you are using fresh, young, and organic carrots with tender skins, you may consider leaving the skin on for added nutrition and texture; however, if you prefer a smoother taste and presentation or are using conventional carrots, peeling them before roasting is common.
Other Veggie Recipes to Try
- Roasted Cauliflower with Rosemary & Parmesan
- Roasted Green Beans & Mushrooms
- Instant Pot Baked Beans
YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE
Like it, Love it, Want Some More of It? Subscribe to our YouTube channel to watch us cook and follow us on Pinterest, Instagram and Facebook. We really love it when you save our recipes to Pinterest 😊
Miso-Glazed Roasted Carrots
Ingredients
- 1 pound (454 g) baby carrots with tops
- 1 tablespoon (14 g) olive oil
- 1/4 teaspoon (1.5 g) salt
- 2 tablespoons (34 g) white miso paste
- 1 tablespoon (18 g) soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon (12 g) light brown sugar
- 1/2 clove garlic minced
Instructions
- Wash and pat dry the carrots. Place them on a baking sheet. Coat with olive oil and sprinkle with salt.
- Roast the carrots at 400°F (200°C) for 10 minutes.
- To make the glaze, mix the remaining ingredients in a bowl.
- Remove the carrots from the oven and brush the glaze onto both sides of the carrots. Return the tray to the oven and roast for an additional 10 minutes, or until the carrots are tender and slightly caramalized.
- As a garnish, sprinkle the carrots with flake salt and red pepper flakes, if desired.
Notes
-
- You can substitute the brown sugar with honey, agave syrup, or maple syrup to give it a slightly different taste.
- If you prefer a stronger flavor try using red miso paste.
- If you want to spice these roasted carrots up, you can sprinkle on red pepper flakes at the end.
- Miso is made primarily from soy beans, so it is generally vegan and vegetarian friendly.
Nutrition
Pin it for later!
Laura is a home cook, with 25 years experience behind the stove, who spends an extraordinary amount of time in the kitchen cooking. She loves making new recipes and finding wonderful new things to eat, both at home or abroad. She spends a lot of time researching, crafting, and perfecting her recipes.
Not only do these carrots taste wonderful, but they make the cutest side dish. Great presentation!
These Miso glazed carrots were wonderful! We will be making them more often! Bookmarking.
Loved this side dish! It was super easy and full of flavor!
These carrots are not only delicious but so pretty to serve at our dinner table. Great flavors and so easy to make!
These glazed carrots are perfection! This is sure to be a hit in my home as my 5 year old LOVES cooked carrots!
These carrots made a quick yet intriguing side dish. I finished them off with a spritz of lemon juice and a sprinkle of finely chopped parsley. Thank you for the recipe!
what a delightful twist on a classic vegetable!
The balance of sweet and savory flavors is spot on, and the glaze adds such a wonderful depth of flavor.
Glad you liked them Valor.
I’m always on the lookout for creative ways to incorporate more vegetables into my meals, and your miso glazed carrot recipe is an absolute winner.
Glad you loved it Miles. I know what you mean. It’s nice to find something that isn’t the same old things.
The caramelization from the glaze gives the carrots a delightful sweetness, while the miso adds a unique complexity that keeps me coming back for more.
Great description Arie!
I’ve never cooked with miso before, so I’m curious if you could recommend a specific type or brand of miso that works best for this dish?
I prefer to use white miso. White miso is fermented less than red miso. It is made from soybeans that have been fermented with a large percentage of rice, while red typical is fermented with barley or other grains. If you prefer a more intense flavor, you can use red miso paste instead.
I added a pinch of red pepper flakes for a touch of heat, and it balanced out the dish beautifully.
Great idea! We often finish off a dish with red pepper flakes.
I decided to make it as a main course by roasting the carrots alongside some tofu, and the combination was fantastic.
That sounds lovely.