A quick, simple recipe that blends sweet carrots with thyme for the perfect side dish to chicken, beef or fish. It’s the side dish you’ve been looking for!

So, I never seem to have a problem figuring out main courses to make for dinner. There are so many recipes waiting in the queue for me to get around to them, I worry that I will never get around to all of them.
For example, I recently had no trouble coming up with a recipe for beef nacho quesadillas, which I whipped up in the Southern daughter’s Mickey Mouse waffle maker.

It was the perfect size, and a waffle maker is the easiest way I know to make quesadillas (no flipping required!) and one day I will get around to posting this recipe. If you desperately need it sooner, email me!
But side dishes…they are a whole different kettle of fish. They stump me (unless they involve potatoes, and then I am full of ideas!).
So when I figure out a good one I make it on the regular, and that is the story with this recipe for carrots with thyme.
What Is The Healthiest Way To Cook Carrots?
Sautéing fresh carrots in a little bit of water is definitely the best way to go.
This recipe involves the smallest bit of butter and sea salt and a generous amount of fresh thyme to boost the flavor.
More and more you can find cute little packets of just the right amount of fresh thyme in the produce section of your supermarket, and of course in the summertime you can grow it in pots outside.
Here’s how you make carrots with thyme!
First you need a bunch of these guys….

There’s something about carrots with the green tops still on them that just gets me every time, although this recipe will turn out just as perfectly with regular carrots in the bag.
You can also use baby carrots, although they might take another minute or two to cook up.
If you have the big guys, peel and cut them into 1/2 inch slices. Whatever carrots you have, you are going to simmer them up with a little water and butter and thyme into carroty scrumptiousness.
Fresh thyme does make all the difference with this one you can get it, although if you can’t find it, I have made this with dried thyme and that works just fine.
These carrots are perfect with any sort of meat or chicken dish (I’m looking at YOU, coconut lime chicken), and simple enough that you can make it alongside whatever else you are cooking up without any trouble at all. And isn’t it all kinds of beautiful?
Now back to my ever-multiplying stack of dessert recipes that I have on deck. I’m thinking cinnamon sugar snack cake?
If you are looking for more carroty deliciousness, I do love this good and good for you carrot soup! And if you have any speedy scrumptious side dish ideas, send them my way?
Love, Kate
Print
Carrots with Thyme
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 15 minutes
Yield: 4 1x
Category: Side Dish
Method: Stovetop
Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
A quick, simple recipe that blends sweet carrots with thyme for the perfect side dish to chicken, beef or fish. It’s the side dish you’ve been looking for!
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 pounds carrots cut on the diagonal into 1/2 inch slices (or you can use baby carrots!)
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 4 sprigs thyme, leaves stripped off
- 1/2 cup water
- Sea salt
Instructions
- Combine carrots, butter, thyme and water in a large skillet, and bring to a simmer.
- Cook until the water is absorbed and the carrots are tender, about 10 minutes. You can check for doneness by poking one piece with a paring knife – it should go in easily. If your carrots need more time, add a little more water.
- Season to taste with sea salt and [email protected]
Notes
Need to add something to your kitchen equipment to make this recipe? Below are some of the items we used in the Framed Cooks kitchen to help cook this up. These are affiliate links to things we use and love, which helps to pay for all that bacon I keep buying!
Updated (and made even more delicious!) from a previously published Framed Cooks post!
Question re carrots and thyme recipe..can use oil instead of butter..I have a vegan coming to Easter dinner..also ..is thyme able to be microwaved if the stove is too,busy..have steamed carrots in microwave but never thyme
Thankyou for your time
Blessings
Sharon
Hi Sharon! Yes, you can definitely use oil – olive oil would be ideal – and yes, the thyme can go in the microwave. Happy Easter! 😊
Thankyou
Happy Easter 🐣