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These citrus glazed carrots are roasted until tender, then tossed with butter for a bright, flavorful side dish. The grapefruit juice adds a fresh twist that brings out the natural sweetness of the carrots.

colorful carrots on a white plate next to a red napkin.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

  • Quick and Easy: Minimal prep and cooks in about 20 minutes.
  • Bright, Fresh Flavor: Grapefruit juice adds a citrusy twist that balances the carrots’ natural sweetness.
  • Great Side Dish: Pairs well with chicken, fish, or pork.
  • Perfectly Portioned: Just the right amount for one or two servings.

This simple glazed carrots recipe is one I come back to often. I love how the citrus brings out the natural sweetness of the carrots, and the buttery glaze gives them just the right finishing touch. It’s a beautiful, flavorful side dish that feels a little special without any extra effort.

These bright, citrusy carrots make a great side for many of our easy meals for one. They pair especially well with pan-fried ham steak, roasted turkey breast, baked shrimp for one, broiled chicken, single serve baked cod, and pork tenderloin—adding a fresh, tangy contrast to each one.

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Ingredients

carrots, butter, salt, pepper, and juice on a brown countertop.

If you have any ingredients leftover from this citrus glazed carrots recipe, check out our Leftover Ingredients Recipe Finder.

  • Carrots: I like using rainbow carrots for the vibrant color they bring to the plate, but regular orange carrots work just as well. Use 8 ounces (about 2 to 4 carrots, depending on size). Extra carrots can be used in Chicken Fried Rice, Sheet Pan Steak and Potatoes, or Morning Glory Muffins.
  • Olive oil: I use extra virgin olive oil for its rich flavor and quality. A lighter olive oil can be used if you prefer a milder taste.
  • Grapefruit juice: Freshly squeezed juice gives the best flavor, but bottled works too. Try leftover juice in a Grapefruit Posset for one or a mini Grapefruit Cake. Orange juice can be used instead.
  • Salt and black pepper: These season the carrots and bring out their natural sweetness.
  • Butter: Melted butter is added after roasting to glaze the carrots and add richness.

How To Make Glazed Carrots

See the recipe box below for ingredient amounts and full recipe instructions.

  1. Peel and trim the carrots, then slice them in half or into 2-inch pieces. Place on a parchment or foil-lined baking sheet. Drizzle with olive oil and grapefruit juice, then sprinkle with salt and pepper. Toss with your hands to coat evenly.
rainbow carrots on a parchment lined baking sheet.
  1. Bake at 400°F for about 20 minutes, or until tender. Remove from the oven, toss with melted butter, and serve.
melted butter in a small red bowl being poured over baked carrots.

Expert Tips

  • Even Cooking: Cut the carrots into similar-sized pieces so they roast evenly.
  • Proper Spacing: Spread the carrots in a single layer on the baking sheet for better browning.
  • Best Temperature: Roast at 400°F for tender carrots with lightly crisp edges.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use baby carrots instead of whole carrots?

Yes, baby carrots can be used. Just be sure they’re all similar in size for even roasting.

What if I don’t have grapefruit juice?

You can use orange juice as a substitute for a slightly sweeter flavor.

How do I reheat leftover glazed carrots?

Reheat in the oven at 350°F for 5–7 minutes or in a skillet over medium heat until warmed through.

Ways To Use Leftover Ingredients

If you have any ingredients leftover from this recipe, check out our Leftover Ingredients Recipe Finder or you might like to consider using them in any of these single serving and small batch recipes:

If you’ve tried these citrus glazed carrots or any recipe on One Dish Kitchen please let me know how you liked it by rating the recipe and telling me about it in the comment section below.

Also, if you take a picture please tag us on Instagram (@onedishkitchen) we’d love to see it!


Cooking For One Made Easy
Because you’re worth it

Citrus Glazed Carrots For One

5 from 1 vote
By: Joanie Zisk
Prep: 5 minutes
Cook: 20 minutes
Total: 25 minutes
Servings: 1 serving
These citrus glazed carrots are roasted until tender, then tossed with melted butter for a rich, flavorful finish. A simple side dish with bright citrus notes and a touch of sweetness.

Equipment

Ingredients 
 

  • 3 – 4 small carrots (8 oz) – Peeled, trimmed, and cut in half or into 2-inch pieces.
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 2 teaspoons grapefruit juice or orange juice
  • ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
  • teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • ½ tablespoon salted butter -melted
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Instructions 

  • Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment or foil and spread the carrots out in a single layer.
  • Drizzle with olive oil and grapefruit juice. Sprinkle with salt and pepper, then toss by hand to coat evenly.
  • Roast for about 20 minutes, or until the carrots are tender.
  • Remove from the oven and toss with melted butter. Serve immediately.

Notes

  • Even Cooking: Cut the carrots into similar-sized pieces so they roast evenly.
  • Proper Spacing: Spread the carrots in a single layer on the baking sheet for better browning.
  • Best Temperature: Roast at 400°F for tender carrots with lightly crisp edges.

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving, Calories: 253kcal, Carbohydrates: 19g, Protein: 2g, Fat: 20g, Saturated Fat: 6g, Trans Fat: 1g, Cholesterol: 15mg, Sodium: 178mg, Potassium: 744mg, Fiber: 6g, Sugar: 9g, Vitamin A: 38064IU, Vitamin C: 16mg, Calcium: 77mg, Iron: 1mg

The information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.

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Iโ€™m Joanie, chef, author of The Ultimate Cooking for One Cookbook, and creator of One Dish Kitchen. With 10+ years of experience developing single serving and small batch recipes, Iโ€™m passionate about making cooking for one simple and enjoyable. So glad youโ€™re here!

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5 from 1 vote

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Recipe Rating




5 Comments

  1. S says:

    I have tried many Of your recipes and I find them very helpful when making out my grocery list. Being single, this is exceptionally helpful. If I make 2 servings I’ll either eat it the next day or freeze it in the freezer for an upcoming meal. Keep them coming.โ˜บ๏ธ

    1. Joanie Zisk says:

      I’m so happy to hear that the recipes have been helpful for planning your meals and grocery tripsโ€”thatโ€™s exactly what we hope for! Itโ€™s great that youโ€™re finding ways to stretch a recipe into future meals too. Thanks so much for sharing this with me, and yes, more recipes are definitely coming!

  2. Valerie says:

    I am not able to eat grapefruit, so would the recipe turn out okay if I used orange juice? Thank you.

    1. Joanie Zisk says:

      Yes, orange juice would be a delicious substitution.

  3. Chris G says:

    I made these carrots to go with my ham steak. I used orange juice since I didn’t have grapefruit and sprinkled them with just a pinch of dried thyme. So good!