Easy Roasted Carrots Recipe - The Girl Who Ate Everything (2024)

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posted by Christy Denneyon Apr 1, 2023 (updated Feb 9, 2024) 18 comments »

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Oven Roasted Carrots that have caramelized edges and are tender enough to eat without being mushy. These are a great vegetable side dish to any meal and the best way to roast carrots. The perfect healthy side dish for your holiday dinner.

Easy Roasted Carrots Recipe - The Girl Who Ate Everything (1)

ROAST CARROTS

I know carrot recipe isn’t the most exciting thing you can make. But great recipes are simple and there are so many different ways you can prepare carrots as a delicious side dish.

These savory carrots are roasted until the natural sugars in the carrots just start to caramelize and an amazing nutty flavor appears out of nowhere. It’s my favorite way to cook carrots.

Some recipes use brown sugar but the natural sweetness comes out in these with simple ingredients.

You’ll never eat carrots any other way again because these have the best flavor. The perfect side dish for any meal.

It’s my favorite way to cook carrots and such an easy recipe.

TIPS FOR THIS RECIPE

  • Use a large baking sheet and make sure carrots are in a single layer not touching each other. The more room the carrots have the better they will roast.
  • A high heat and the correct roasting time bring out so much flavor so make sure you have a hot oven that is preheated.
  • Cut the carrots into equal sizes. This will ensure that the carrots cooking time is the same.

HOW TO MAKE ROASTED CARROTSEasy Roasted Carrots Recipe - The Girl Who Ate Everything (2)

In a large bowl, toss together the carrots with olive oil, salt, and pepper. You want to use a coarse salt like kosher salt.

Easy Roasted Carrots Recipe - The Girl Who Ate Everything (3)

Make sure you’re using a good quality extra virgin olive oil so that it doesn’t stick. You could use parchment paper if you want.

Easy Roasted Carrots Recipe - The Girl Who Ate Everything (4)

EASY SIDE DISH

You want to roast them at a high temperature until the edges just start to caramelize in the roasting process and they are fork tender. That’s flavor right there! Almost a sweet flavor from the caramelizing.

Fresh herbs make a difference. Toss them with some fresh parsley or dill, or even fresh thyme. It not only brightens the flavor but adds some color for pretty presentation.

WHAT KIND OF CARROTS TO USE?

You want to use the large whole carrots that you peel. Baby carrots are not ideal for this recipe. Fresh carrots are best.

OTHER SIDE DISHES:

  • Ruth’s Chris Sweet Potatoes
  • Edamame Quinoa Salad
  • Avocado Cucumber Salad
  • Spinach, Feta, and Orzo Salad
  • Roasted Brussels Sprouts
  • Healthy Vegetable Chicken Soup
  • Broccoli Salad
  • Sweet Potato and Black Bean Enchiladas
  • Corn salsa
  • Greek Salsa
  • Tomato, Corn, and Feta Salad

OTHER CARROT RECIPES

  • CARROT CAKE
  • MOIST CARROT SHEET CAKE

Easy Roasted Carrots Recipe - The Girl Who Ate Everything (5)

Perfectly Roasted Carrots

4 from 16 votes

These Perfectly Roasted Carrots that have caramelized edges and are tender enough to eat without being mushy.

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Ingredients

  • 12 carrots
  • 3 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 1/4 teaspoons kosher salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
  • 2 tablespoons minced fresh dill or 2 tablespoons parsley

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.

  • If the carrots are thick, cut them in half lengthwise; if not, leave whole.

  • Slice the carrots diagonally in 1 1/2-inch-thick slices. The raw carrots will shrink a lot during cooking.

  • Toss them in a bowl with the olive oil, salt, and pepper.

  • Transfer to a sheet pan in an even layer and roast vegetables in the oven for 20 minutes, until browned and tender. You may need longer depending on the thickness of your carrots.

  • Toss the carrots with minced dill or parsley, season to taste, and serve.

Cuisine: American

Course: Side Dish

Author: Christy Denney

All Recipes Easter Recipes Gluten-Free Healthy Holiday Recipes Sides Soups, Salads, Sides, and Beverages Vegetable

originally published on Apr 1, 2023 (last updated Feb 9, 2024)

18 comments Leave a comment »

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18 comments on “Oven Roasted Carrots”

  1. Liz Stewart Reply

    I browned some butter with fresh sage and tossed tri-color carrots in it and roasted them. Really good!

    • Christy Denney Reply

      Wow yum!

  2. Chandra Reply

    I tried your recipe for roasted carrots. I’d never roasted them before. A tasty changer of pace. Thank you fur sharing.

    • Chandra Reply

      Correction: change of pace

  3. Sasha Jamison Reply

    Great looking recipe. I was wondering if you could give any feedback on how to develop recipes on your own? I usually don’t write a lot of what I do down I just go with my gut and often I get inspired by what I read and see or try elsewhere. Any advice? Thanks!!!

    • Christy Denney Reply

      Inspiration comes in all forms and will be individual to each person. Look for what inspires you!

  4. Alma Reply

    I’m sure these are great! I make roasted sweet potatoes which are also great. If you add a dash of cinnamon, cumin, termeric and a few pepper flakes. These are also good when added to regular potatoes, or any veggie. Mix it up. My grandKids love them!! They are all teens though.
    Continue to take time for yourself!!
    Very important for you and your kids!!

    • Christy Denney Reply

      I’ll have to try the sweet potatoes!

  5. Keith @ How's it Lookin? Reply

    They look great, and perfect like you said, thanks a lot

  6. Kari Reply

    I love roasting veggies. The slight caramelization that you get is so delicious!
    Kari
    http://www.sweetteasweetie.com

  7. Julie Evink Reply

    I’m so glad you shirked your responsibilites and came to Portland! It was a blast hanging out with you. I totally agree. I never leave my children and when I do it’s total mom guilt city. My mother never left us either, but I keep telling myself a few breaks means I come back energized and I’m a better mom right!? A better Mom who will be feeding my kids these awesome carrots. LOVE roasted carrots!

    • Christy Denney Reply

      Yes, I agree!!

  8. Karen Reply

    Do you think using baby carrots would work? I guess just watching the time on those. I think they look great!

  9. cookbook queen Reply

    I am so glad you DID travel — I enjoyed spending time with you in Portland.

    Carrots are one of the few veggies my boys will actually EAT, so I’m excited to try this side dish. Yay for no soggy carrots!!

    • Christy Denney Reply

      You are so sweet and how do you have time to comment on blogs? You are amazing!

  10. Vivian | stayaliveandcooking Reply

    Roasted carrots are such a great side dish: I love how you make the carrots themselves be the star of the dish by not overpowering them with other flavours. Great recipe!

    • Christy Denney Reply

      Thanks!

Leave a comment »

Easy Roasted Carrots Recipe - The Girl Who Ate Everything (2024)

FAQs

How to make Gordon Ramsay carrots? ›

Cooking instructions

Heat the olive oil in a large sauté pan, then add the carrots and parsnips and toss to coat in the oil. Add the thyme, cinnamon, star anise and some seasoning. Cook over a medium heat for 15-20 minutes, turning the vegetables frequently, until golden brown and almost cooked through.

What makes carrots taste better? ›

Or, to bring out their fresh, woody flavor, add some anise. If you're roasting your carrots, toss them in olive oil first. This will help keep the moisture in them. To bring out the sweetness in your carrots, season them with orange or lemon juice or a little brown sugar and butter.

Why are my roasted carrots tough? ›

Undercook them, and the texture is tough and dense. Overcook them, and they're dry and wrinkled. The secret is to soften the carrots slightly by boiling them briefly before roasting. The texture will be firm-tender with just the right amount of caramelization on the outside.

What is the best way to eat carrots cooked? ›

Boiled or steamed: Boiling or steaming carrots can help retain their natural flavor and nutrients. Simply place carrots in a pot with enough water to cover them and bring to a boil. Cook for 5-10 minutes until tender.

How do you get the most flavor out of carrots? ›

Here's some of our favorites to sprinkle on carrots:
  1. Garlic (minced, powder or granules)
  2. Onion powder or granules.
  3. Black malabar pepper.
  4. Cinnamon (Cassia for sweeter, Ceylon for sweetness with some more complex savory and vanilla flavors)
  5. Nutmeg powder.
  6. Cayenne pepper powder.
  7. Ginger powder.
  8. Aleppo chili.
Mar 28, 2021

Why are my roasted carrots bitter? ›

Some varieties are naturally high in terpenoids, which make the carrots taste bitter. Because terpenoids develop earlier than sugars, a carrot that is harvested too young might taste bitter.

Do carrots make your stomach feel better? ›

Meanwhile, pectin when entering the intestine begins to swell and form a sticky gel, thereby reducing diarrhea. In particular, the pectin in carrots is also likened to a magnet with the ability to attract mucus, water and gastric acid, bacteria, and good toxins to help support normal mucosal function.

Why do carrots make my stomach feel better? ›

The fiber in carrots (and any high-fiber vegetables, actually) acts like a natural vacuum cleaner in your gastrointestinal tract, picking up debris as it runs through your body. Carrots can also help keep gut cells healthy, supporting a decreased risk of illness and improving your health overall.

Should I boil my carrots before roasting them? ›

I only boil these for a couple of minutes; you don't want them fully cooked when you par-boil. You want them partially cooked so that you can finish them off by roasting them. If you don't par cook the carrots, they will cook faster on the outside than the inside when they are in the oven.

What is the best temperature to roast vegetables in the oven? ›

The perfect temperature– 400 degrees Fahrenheit is the perfect temperature for most roasted vegetables. It allows for a crispy, perfectly browned exterior and a fork tender interior. But it will vary based on the types of veggies and oil used. If your veggies are not browning enough, try increasing the temperature.

Do you roast vegetables on top or middle rack? ›

You should always roast vegetables on the bottom of your oven.

Are carrots good for your prostate? ›

Some studies have found a link between alpha-carotene, a nutrient in carrots, and a decrease in prostate cancer risk. The studies found eating a medium-sized carrot each day, or drinking freshly pressed carrot juice, to be helpful.

How many carrots can I eat a day? ›

As per various health sites, eating too many carrots for a prolonged period can discolour your skin and give it an orange shade due to the beta carotene present in it. Ideally, you should not consume more than 1 or 2 carrots in a day.

What is the healthiest way to cook carrots? ›

Another study showed both boiling and steaming increased levels of beta carotene. But try to cook carrots whole, as cutting can reduce nutrients by 25%. Wait and wash veggies just before cooking to preserve nutrients. In fact, cooking veggies whole is often the best choice to preserve nutrients.

Should I boil carrots before blending? ›

It will make it far easier to blend. Just don't boil them for too long since you'll start to lose flavour. You could probably get away with microwaving them tbh since you're blending them so texture isn't important. Microwaving also keeps the vitamins in them if that's something you care about.

Is it better to steam or bake carrots? ›

No matter which way you cook them, carrots are a healthy choice. Steaming is a slightly better pick since the carrots don't lose as many of their nutrients to the water. (Steaming is also more environmentally friendly since it uses less water.)

Should you soak carrots before cooking? ›

You don't want to soak them, you want to cook them. The prep and method of cooking will determine how long it will take to soften the carrots. Quickest: slice and boil in salted water; done in a few minutes. Best tasting: clean carrots, toss in oil and a little bit of salt.

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