Honey Dijon Peas and Carrots - easy side dish recipe! (2024)

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Sep 14, 2021 Jun 12, 2023

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Give your basic veggies a little sweet and tangy twist with this easy Honey Mustard Carrots and Peas recipe. If you enjoy glazed carrots, you’ll love the extra zip from a bit of Dijon. Ready in about 15 minutes, they are simple enough to add to a weeknight dinner, but the flavor is definitely worthy of a place on your holiday menu.

Honey Dijon Peas and Carrots - easy side dish recipe! (5)

Table of Contents

  • Not Your Basic Honey Glazed Carrots and Peas
  • Ingredients
  • How to Make Honey Dijon Carrots and Peas
  • Tips for success
  • Storing and reheating leftovers
  • Can you freeze cooked peas and carrots?
  • What to Serve Peas and Carrots With
  • Things You’ll Need
  • Get the Recipe
  • More carrot recipes

Not Your Basic Honey Glazed Carrots and Peas

Yes, having veggies with diner is pretty much a rule in my house. That doesn’t mean my kids love all veggies. And while they are willing to eat roasted cauliflower and steamed broccoli and sauteed green beans, they aren’t always thrilled about it.

Peas and carrots are always a good standby when it comes to making a vegetable dish that even the kids will happily eat. And my crew loves honey glazed carrots as much as anyone. But sometimes those candied carrots can really add a lot of extra sugar to a meal.

That’s why we love this recipe. It’s delicious and nutritious without being crazy sweet. The carrots are caramelized in butter to bring out their natural sweetness, and a bit of honey gives it that glazed goodness. But it’s all balanced out with a dollop of Dijon mustard and a splash of apple cider vinegar for a tangy twist.

Easy, healthy, kid-friendly and naturally gluten free – what more could you want?! Oh, how about that they are so fast you can make them any night of the week, but that special flavor makes them a perfect accompaniment to your Thanksgiving turkey, Christmas prime rib, or Easter ham.

Honey Dijon Peas and Carrots - easy side dish recipe! (6)

Ingredients

As long as you have some carrots, you probably have everything you need in your fridge, freezer, and pantry for this peas and carrots recipe. Gather your ingredients, and let’s get started. But make sure you scroll to the recipe card for the full amounts and directions.

  • Butter: Unsalted is preferred, but if you only have salted, just add a little less salt to the veggies later on.
  • Carrots: About a pound, peeled and sliced into 1/4- to 1/2-inch thick rounds.
  • Kosher salt and pepper
  • Frozen peas: No need to thaw them.
  • Apple cider vinegar: Adds a little extra tangy flavor. If you prefer it sweeter, use apple juice instead.
  • Honey: You can also substitute maple syrup.
  • Dijon mustard: Adds that hint of a kick. You can substitue brown or yellow mustard, if that’s what you have, but Dijon really adds the best flavor.
  • Parsley: Either dried or fresh are fine. Feel free to substitute thyme.
Honey Dijon Peas and Carrots - easy side dish recipe! (7)

How to Make Honey Dijon Carrots and Peas

You are just a few steps and about 15 minutes away from this tasty side!

Saute the carrots: Getting a bit of golden color on the carrots first gives them a nice, caramelized flavor. Start by meling butter in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add the carrots that you’ve cut into coins plus some salt and pepper. Stir and let them cook for about 5 minutes, or until they are golden and just starting to get tender.

Honey Dijon Peas and Carrots - easy side dish recipe! (8)

Glaze the peas and carrots: Add the peas. Then pour the apple cider vinegar, honey, and Dijon mustard over the peas and carrots. If you are using dried pasrley, add it now. Otherwise, if you are using fresh, wait until the very end to stir it in. Stir to coat the vegetables, cover, and simmer for 5-10 minutes, or until the carrots are tender and reach your desired doneness. If you are using fresh parsley, now is the time to stir it in.

Serve right away: Enjoy your carrot and peas immediately.

Honey Dijon Peas and Carrots - easy side dish recipe! (9)
Honey Dijon Peas and Carrots - easy side dish recipe! (10)

Tips for success

Cutting your carrots. Make sure the carrot slices are approximately the same thickness so they cook evenly. If you want to make your dish a little fancier, cut them on an angle like in the photos for these buttery peas and carrots.

Change it up. For a slightly different flavor, try maple syrup instead of the honey, or use brown or yellow mustard in place of the Dijon. Apple juice or cider instead of apple cider vinegar will make it sweeter versus tangy. And balsamic vinegar will give it a slightly different but still tasty flavor.

Add fresh herbs. I like to add parsley to bright up the flavor. But you can also use thyme, rosemary, or dill to complement whatever you are serving with your meal.

Honey Dijon Peas and Carrots - easy side dish recipe! (11)

Storing and reheating leftovers

Once they have cooled down, transfer the leftovers to an airtight container and keep them in the refrigerator for up to 3 or 4 days.

Pop them into the microwave for a minute or two until they are hot, but be careful not to cook them too long of the carrots can start to burst. You can also transfer them back to the skillet and rewarm gently over medium heat.

Can you freeze cooked peas and carrots?

Yes, you can freeze them if you have extras or want to make them in advance. I do recommend cooking them for a slightly shorter time because the thawing and reheating process will soften up the carrots. Be sire to thaw them overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.

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What to Serve Peas and Carrots With

From weeknight dinners to holiday feasts, this easy side dish pairs well switch all of your favorites, from Sloppy Joes to Mac and Cheese. And here are some other ideas:

  • Easy Chicken Dinner: Honey Mustard Chicken Bites and brown rice make a simple meal for busy nights.
  • Sunday Supper: Make a Sunday roast and mashed potatoes.
  • Holiday Feast: Whether it is Thanksgiving, Christmas, or Easter, these flavors pair well with a roast turkey or Brown Sugar Glazed Ham.
Honey Dijon Peas and Carrots - easy side dish recipe! (13)

Things You’ll Need

Brianne Recommends

  • I love my OXO Vegetable Peeler for peeling the carrots.
  • Pictured is the 3-quart stainless steel saute pan from Le Creuset. You can find it on their website, but it is not available on Amazon. This one from Tramontina is a fabulous substitute.
  • The magnetic measuring spoons are great for keeping them from getting scattered all over your drawer, but they are so much easier to separate than the ones that come on a ring.
  • Always keep plenty of wooden spoons on hand.

    Honey Dijon Peas and Carrots - easy side dish recipe! (18)

    5 from 3 votes

    Honey Mustard Carrots and Peas

    Give your basic veggies a little sweet and tangy twist with this easy Honey Mustard Carrots and Peas recipe. If you enjoy glazed carrots, you'll love the extra zip from a bit of Dijon. Ready in about 15 minutes, they are simple enough to add to a weeknight dinner, but the flavor is definitely worthy of a place on your holiday menu.

    Prep: 5 minutes mins

    Cook: 15 minutes mins

    Ingredients

    • 1 Tablespoon unsalted butter
    • 1 pound carrots, peeled and sliced into 1/4- to 1/2-inch thick rounds
    • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
    • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
    • 1/2 cup frozen peas
    • 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
    • 1 Tablespoon honey or maple syrup
    • 1 Tablespoon Dijon mustard
    • 1 teaspoon dried parsley or 1/2 Tablespoon minced fresh parsley

    Instructions

    • Heat a skillet over medium-high heat. Add the butter and swirl the pan until it is melted.

    • Add the carrots, salt, and pepper and cook for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally until they are golden.

    • Reduce heat to medium-low. Stir in the peas, then pour the apple cider vinegar, honey or maple syrup, and Dijon mustard over the peas and carrots. Sprinkle in the dried parsley (if using fresh, you’ll want to add it near the end), and stir to coat completely.

    • Cover and simmer 5-10 minutes until the carrots are cooked through and tender.

    • Serve immediately.

    Nutrition Facts

    Honey Mustard Carrots and Peas

    Amount Per Serving (1 serving)

    Calories 108Calories from Fat 27

    % Daily Value*

    Fat 3g5%

    Saturated Fat 2g10%

    Trans Fat 1g

    Polyunsaturated Fat 1g

    Monounsaturated Fat 1g

    Cholesterol 8mg3%

    Sodium 705mg29%

    Potassium 429mg12%

    Carbohydrates 18g6%

    Fiber 4g16%

    Sugar 11g12%

    Protein 2g4%

    Vitamin A 19174IU383%

    Vitamin C 14mg17%

    Calcium 48mg5%

    Iron 1mg6%

    * Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

    Author: Brianne @ Cupcakes & Kale Chips

    Course: Side Dish

    Cuisine: American

    Honey Dijon Peas and Carrots - easy side dish recipe! (19)

    Did you make this?

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    Categories:

    • Diet
    • Family Friendly
    • Gluten Free
    • Quick
    • Recipes
    • Side Dishes
    • Vegetarian
    • Veggies

    More carrot recipes

    • Brown Butter Peas and Carrots
    • Honey Roasted Carrots
    • Gluten Free Carrot Zucchini Muffins
    • Air Fryer Carrots
    Honey Dijon Peas and Carrots - easy side dish recipe! (2024)

    FAQs

    What does honey mustard pair with? ›

    Here are eight great ways to incorporate it into your next family dinner.
    • Dipping Sauce. ...
    • Chicken Fingers. ...
    • Salmon With Green Beans. ...
    • Brussel Sprout Slaw. ...
    • Cheeseburgers. ...
    • Salad Dressing. ...
    • Chicken Kabobs. ...
    • Bacon Potato Salad.

    Are carrots and peas healthy? ›

    Flavorful Duo Packs a One-Two Nutritional Powerhouse

    This peas-and-carrots combo provides fiber to help keep your digestive tract in good health as well as a rainbow of four different carotenoids that help with vision, providing protection from macular degeneration and cataracts, and giving you more healthy skin.

    Can you eat frozen peas and carrots? ›

    Frozen vegetables have usually been quickly “blanched” to inhibit the enzymes and preserve the colours. But they have not actually been cooked. They are safe to eat, but you are not getting much nutrient from them.

    What does it mean to be like peas and carrots? ›

    “Like peas and carrots” means any two things that go well together, get along very well together, or are well-suited. It is a reference to a common American vegetable side-dish, peas and carrots served as one dish. It's a quote from the Tom Hanks movie Forrest Gump: “From that day on, we was always together.

    What do you eat Dijon mustard with? ›

    It Balances Rich Dishes

    Anytime you have something fatty on the table, mustard is a welcome addition. Pork roasts, brisket, and fatty fish like salmon will benefit from a smear of mustard on the side. It may seem like a simple condiment, but you may be surprised by just how much Dijon can bring to a dish.

    What cheese goes well with honey mustard? ›

    Using honey mustard on a cheese board

    Cheddar, especially an extra sharp variety, is a good option because its sharpness will be tamed when experienced alongside the sweet mustard. Buttery and creamy cheeses like Brie, Camembert, and Gruyère are also good choices.

    Can Type 2 diabetics eat Peas and carrots? ›

    The short and simple answer is yes. Carrots, as well as other vegetables like broccoli and cauliflower, are non-starchy vegetables. For people with diabetes — and everyone else, for that matter — non-starchy vegetables are an important part of a healthy diet.

    Are frozen peas good for you? ›

    Springtime is fresh pea season. But the good news is that frozen peas allow you to get the health benefits of peas year-round, because they are frozen at their peak—helping to preserve their nutrients. Frozen peas are packed with all the protein, fiber, and other nutrients found in fresh ones.

    Do green peas increase blood sugar? ›

    Yes, peas are considered low glycemic due to their high fiber and protein content, which slows down the absorption of glucose into the bloodstream. This makes them a good option for people with diabetes or those looking to manage their blood sugar levels.

    Are peas healthier frozen or canned? ›

    Conclusion. Canned peas are not necessarily bad, especially when there are no frozen or fresh ones. They make great side dishes and still retain a few of their nutrients. Frozen peas are much healthier but fresh ones are the best.

    Can dogs eat peas? ›

    Yes, dogs can eat peas. Green peas, snow peas, sugar snap peas, and garden or English peas are all OK for dogs to find in their bowl on occasion. Peas have several vitamins, minerals, and are rich in protein and high in fiber. You can feed your dog fresh or frozen peas, but avoid canned peas with added sodium.

    Are frozen peas already cooked? ›

    Frozen peas are cooked before freezing so they don't need to be cooked! Serve – Done and ready to serve! Pour into a bowl or put straight onto dinner plates. Delicious to eat as is – I challenge you to stop at one spoonful – but suggestions for dressing up are below!

    What did Forrest Gump say about peas and carrots? ›

    Forrest Gump: Me and Jenny goes together like peas and carrots.

    What is the famous line from Forrest Gump? ›

    Life is like a box of chocolates, you never know what you're going to get. I'm not a smart man, but I know what love is. My mamma always said, 'Life is like a box of chocolates. You never know what you gonna get.

    Why is peas slang for money? ›

    'Peas' is 'p's', as in either pence or pounds. Therefore, it roughly translates as “He's making barely any money”. This is young persons' urban slang which I suspect you mave have heard in the film Attack the Block.

    What flavors pair well with mustard? ›

    Common flavor pairings for mustard
    • garlic. butter.
    • caraway seed. egg. sugar.
    • white pepper. olive oil. salt.
    • dijon mustard. olive oil. garlic.
    • goat cheese. olive oil. salt.

    What compliments mustard food? ›

    Best parings for mustard? Oh man, there's got to be a million, so I'll just list a few of my favorites. Hot dogs, pork, pretzels, chicken, thyme, white wine, apples, vinegar, bacon and beer. All of those flavors pair well with mustard.

    Does honey mustard taste good with fries? ›

    Yes, a lot of people love fries and honey mustard together. The savory and salty taste of the fries can be complemented by the sweet and acidic flavor of honey mustard, producing a delightful and filling flavor contrast. The crispy fries' texture is nicely complemented by the creamy honey mustard mouthfeel.

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