Ready to make a vibrant side dish that steals the show? You’ll absolutely adore these Dill Buttered Carrots! With their tender bite, sweet buttery glaze, and the fresh lift of dill, they’re pure comfort with a twist of garden brightness. This is the kind of recipe that transforms humble carrots into a crave-worthy star at your table—quick, unfussy, and bursting with flavor.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Bright, Fresh Flavors: Tender carrots meet the fresh zing of dill and the rich silkiness of butter in every bite.
- Goes With Everything: Whether it’s a holiday roast or a weeknight chicken, Dill Buttered Carrots fit right in.
- Super Simple, Big Impact: With just a handful of pantry ingredients and a quick prep, you get restaurant-worthy results at home!
- Crowd Pleaser: Even picky eaters are won over by the sweet, buttery glaze and subtle herbal notes.
Ingredients You’ll Need
You only need a few simple ingredients to bring these Dill Buttered Carrots to vibrant life! Each one plays an essential role—think creamy richness, sweet accent, and a herby, fun pop of green. Here’s how they all shine in this dish:
- Unsalted Butter: This is the heart of the glaze, giving the carrots their luxurious, silky mouthfeel and rich flavor. Using unsalted butter lets you control the seasoning perfectly.
- Granulated Sugar: Just a touch brings out the carrots’ natural sweetness, letting them caramelize ever so slightly without overpowering the dish.
- Carrots: Go for brightly colored, fresh carrots—peeling and cutting them on a diagonal creates a pretty presentation and helps them cook evenly.
- Low-Sodium Chicken Stock (or Water): Adds depth and moisture—using stock ups the savory, cozy vibes, but water will work if you’re keeping it vegetarian.
- Black Pepper: A gentle background heat balances the sweetness perfectly; freshly ground makes a difference!
- Fine Salt: Seasoning brings all the flavors together; fine salt dissolves quickly and seasons evenly.
- Fresh Dill: The star herb! Fresh dill not only adds that iconic, garden-fresh aroma, but also a cheerful green color flecked throughout your finished dish.
Variations
The magic of Dill Buttered Carrots is just how customizable they are. With only a tweak here or there, you can easily tailor the recipe to your pantry, tastebuds, or any occasion—don’t be afraid to get creative!
- Make It Vegan: Swap the butter for a high-quality olive oil or vegan butter, and choose vegetable broth instead of chicken stock for the same richness without dairy.
- Sweeter Touch: Add a drizzle of honey or maple syrup for a deeper, nuanced sweetness, especially if your carrots aren’t peak-season sweet.
- Lemon Zest Bonus: For extra freshness, stir in a little grated lemon zest with the dill during the last minute of cooking.
- Use Other Herbs: Not a dill fan? Try chopped parsley, chives, or tarragon for a different herbal accent that still pairs beautifully with carrots and butter.
- Add Some Crunch: Toss in a handful of toasted sliced almonds or pecans just before serving for a delightful texture boost.
How to Make Dill Buttered Carrots
Step 1: Create the Buttery Glaze
Start by melting your unsalted butter in a medium-sized pan over medium heat. Once it’s nicely melted and foamy, sprinkle in the sugar. Stir it together until the sugar dissolves into that dreamy, golden butter. This is the secret to a silky glaze that’ll cling to every slice of carrot.
Step 2: Sauté the Carrots
Add the diagonally cut carrots to the pan, and toss them until each piece is lightly coated with that buttery-sweet mixture. This helps them start softening and draws out their natural color and sweetness.
Step 3: Simmer to Tender Perfection
Pour in your chicken stock (or water for a veggie option), then add the black pepper and fine salt. Give everything a good stir, bring the mixture up to a gentle boil, then lower the heat and let it simmer. Let the carrots bubble away, uncovered, until they’re tender and most of the liquid has evaporated—about 15 to 20 minutes. You want them soft but still vibrant.
Step 4: Finish with Fresh Dill
Scatter in the chopped dill and let everything cook together for another 2 to 3 minutes. The flavor of dill will infuse beautifully into the carrots and add a pop of color. Serve the Dill Buttered Carrots warm, and get ready for applause!
Pro Tips for Making Dill Buttered Carrots
- Diagonal Cuts for Wow Factor: Cutting your carrots on the diagonal isn’t just pretty—it creates more surface area, allowing the glaze and dill to coat every piece.
- Simmer Without a Lid: Let the pan simmer uncovered so the liquid reduces, concentrating the flavors and ensuring the glaze hugs each carrot.
- Fresh Dill at the End: Always add the dill right at the end to preserve its aroma and lovely green color—prolonged cooking dulls both.
- Balance the Sweetness: If your carrots are extra sweet (or not sweet enough), adjust the sugar to taste—fresh produce varies a lot!
How to Serve Dill Buttered Carrots
Garnishes
A little sprinkle of extra chopped dill adds a fresh, aromatic finish right before serving. For a holiday look, go wild: add a smattering of lemon zest, toasted sesame seeds, or even some flaky sea salt. Dill Buttered Carrots love a finishing touch that brings both color and a burst of flavor!
Side Dishes
Dill Buttered Carrots pair like magic with almost anything. They’re the perfect partner to a hearty roast chicken, a juicy baked salmon, or a weeknight pork chop. Serve them with mashed potatoes, fluffy grains, or a fresh green salad for a full and beautifully balanced plate.
Creative Ways to Present
Serve these carrots family-style in a rustic bowl, or line them up on a fancy platter with sprigs of fresh dill trailing along the edge for a whimsical touch. Try layering the carrots over creamy hummus or swirling them into pasta for an unexpected twist—Dill Buttered Carrots love to play dress-up!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you find yourself with leftover Dill Buttered Carrots, you’re in luck—they store beautifully! Simply transfer any cooled leftovers to an airtight container and pop them in the fridge, where they’ll keep for up to 3 days without losing their flavor or texture.
Freezing
Dill Buttered Carrots can be frozen, but it’s best to leave out the fresh dill until you’re ready to serve. Freeze cooled carrots in a single layer on a baking sheet before transferring to a bag or container. When you reheat, stir in fresh dill for that just-cooked vibrance!
Reheating
To reheat, warm the carrots gently on the stovetop over low heat, adding a splash of water or broth if needed to restore the silky glaze. You can also microwave them in short bursts, but cover the dish to keep in all that gorgeous moisture and flavor.
FAQs
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Can I use dried dill instead of fresh?
Yes—if you can’t find fresh dill, you can use dried in a pinch. Start with about a teaspoon, since dried herbs are more concentrated, and add more to taste. The flavor will be different—less bright and grassy—but still delicious!
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Are Dill Buttered Carrots vegetarian?
They can be—just swap the chicken stock for water or veggie broth, and you’ll have a fully vegetarian (and even vegan, if you use plant-based butter) side dish.
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What’s the best way to get carrots perfectly tender?
Simmer the carrots uncovered so the liquid can reduce and the carrots can soften evenly. Slice the carrots at an even thickness (about 1/4-inch) so they cook at the same rate, and test for doneness with a fork—they should be tender but not mushy.
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Can I double this recipe for a crowd?
Absolutely! Just be sure to use a larger pan to avoid overcrowding. You may need to extend the simmer time by a few minutes if you double the batch. Taste and adjust seasoning at the end for best results.
Final Thoughts
If you’ve never tried Dill Buttered Carrots before, this is truly the perfect recipe to start with—easy, fresh, and absolutely crowd-pleasing. I hope you’ll give them a spot at your next meal and let their sweet, herby magic brighten your table. Happy cooking!
Print
Dill Buttered Carrots Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These Dill Buttered Carrots are a flavorful side dish that pairs well with a variety of main courses. The combination of butter, sugar, and dill elevates the natural sweetness of the carrots, creating a dish that is both savory and slightly sweet.
Ingredients
Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 teaspoons granulated sugar
- 1 lb carrots, peeled and cut on the diagonal in 1/4-inch thick
- 3/4 cup low-sodium chicken stock or water
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon fine salt
- 2 tablespoons dill, roughly chopped
Instructions
- Melt butter: In a medium-sized pan over medium heat, melt butter. Once melted, add sugar, stirring to combine.
- Add carrots: Toss in carrots, then add chicken stock, black pepper, and salt. Stir to combine.
- Cook: Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer. Cook until liquid has mostly evaporated and carrots are soft, about 15 to 20 minutes.
- Finish with dill: Stir in dill and cook for an additional 2 to 3 minutes. Serve warm.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 120
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 320mg
- Fat: 6g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 16g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 15mg
