Maple Bourbon Carrots are a sweet and savoury side dish. These carrots can be cooked on the BBQ or in the oven, making them a great side dish for any meal.

An aluminum pan with Maple Bourbon Carrots. There is fresh thyme sprinkled over the carrots.

These carrots are decadent and indulgent. The flavours of the maple and bourbon come together to create a flavour profile that complements the sweet, earthy flavour of the carrots.

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What Ingredients Are Needed For This Recipe?

The great thing about this recipe is that there are only seven ingredients needed, and everything can be mixed in the pan.

Fresh Carrots. This recipe has only been tested with fresh carrots.
Butter. We use salted butter for this recipe.
Maple Syrup. Pure 100% Canadian Maple syrup is all we use for any of our recipes.
Bourbon. The type of bourbon for this recipe is up to you.
Brown Sugar. The addition of brown sugar complements the maple and bourbon flavours and helps the sauce to caramelize.
Salt. Only a little sea salt is added to help balance the flavours of this dish.
Fresh Thyme. For this recipe, fresh thyme works best, and we don’t recommend using dried. If you can’t find fresh thyme, fresh rosemary is a good alternative.

What Kind Of Bourbon Works Best?

There isn’t a brand or type that works best. When it comes to bourbon, it’s a matter of personal preference. We recommend using a bourbon that you like.

Some of our favourites are Basil Hayden, Knob Creek, Wild Turkey, and Angel’s Envy.

Can This Dish Be Made Without Bourbon?

Although bourbon is one of the main ingredients in this recipe, it can be left out if you don’t want to use alcohol. An alcohol-free bourbon can also be used.

Rye whiskey, scotch, or brandy can be substituted for the bourbon as well.

How To Cook Bourbon Maple Carrots

Cooking this recipe can be done in a few ways. We have tested each method and have had great results with all of these methods.

BBQ:

This can be a gas grill or charcoal BBQ. Either one will work just like an oven when it comes to cooking. We use direct heat and stir the carrots often so they don’t burn on the bottom. Stirring often is especially important if using a charcoal BBQ.

Oven:

The recipe gives the directions for cooking in the oven. It is a simple way of cooking the carrots and involves less stirring.

Air Fryer:

This method is simple and takes less time than the oven. We use this method if we have to cook indoors in the summer. The air fryer we use is a French door type but we have also used traditional basket-type air fryers with great results.

Serving Maple Bourbon Carrots

Serve this dish hot because the butter needs to stay melted for the best results. If the dish is made ahead, reheat it in a warm oven until the butter is melted, and stir well to combine.

This dish is one of our favourite side dishes to serve at Thanksgiving and Christmas, along with our Garlic Bacon Green and Yellow Beans. The warm flavours are a perfect pairing for turkey and ham.

Storing Leftovers

Store leftover carrots in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days. Reheat in the oven or microwave before serving.

If you’ve made this recipe, we would love to hear about it. Leave a comment below to let us know.

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