Carrots are usually asked to behave. Sit beside the main course. Add color. Don’t cause trouble. But coat them in Dick’s Gold Rush and a little honey, roast them until their edges caramelize, and suddenly they’re the reason someone asks for seconds.
Gold Rush is mustard-forward with paprika, turmeric, garlic, and a gentle peppery finish. That tangy backbone balances sweet carrots and honey beautifully. The secret is to roast first, glaze later, so the sugars don’t scorch before the carrots become tender.
Recipe at a glance
- Serves: 4–6
- Prep: 10 minutes
- Cook: About 25–35 minutes
- Featured rub: Dick’s Gold Rush
- Farm pairing: Legacy Acres honey, when available
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 pounds carrots, peeled or scrubbed
- 1 1/2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon Dick’s Gold Rush seasoning
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 1 tablespoon melted butter
- 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
- Optional: chopped parsley and a squeeze of lemon
Method
- Heat the oven. Preheat to 425°F. Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment rated for that temperature or use a lightly oiled pan.
- Cut for even cooking. Slice thick carrots lengthwise and keep smaller carrots whole. The goal is pieces of roughly similar thickness.
- Season and roast. Toss carrots with olive oil and Gold Rush. Spread in one layer and roast for about 20 minutes, turning halfway, until beginning to brown and almost tender.
- Mix the glaze. Stir honey, melted butter, and cider vinegar together in a small bowl. Toss carrots with the glaze and return to the oven for 5–10 minutes until glossy and fork-tender. Watch the last few minutes so the honey doesn’t burn.
- Finish. Add parsley or a little lemon juice if you want a brighter finish. Taste before adding salt; the seasoning blend already contains it.
A grill version
Cook the carrots on a covered grill-safe tray over indirect heat until almost tender. Stir in the honey glaze near the end and briefly move toward moderate direct heat if you want a little char. A roaring burner underneath a honey coating is a shortcut to bitterness.
What to serve with them
These go especially well with Hard Maple pork tenderloin, Bird Dog chicken, or Prime Cut beef. They’re also excellent with roasted potatoes and a simple green salad if you want a vegetable-forward supper.
The nice thing about this recipe is that you need very little honey to make the carrots shine. Look for farm honey and current pickup availability at Legacy Acres’ Farm Stand, and get Gold Rush at Dick’s Rubs.
A family-food note: Do not serve honey to infants younger than 12 months.