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.

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's the best way to eat carrots? ›

But, what is the best way to eat carrots — cooked or raw? “While raw carrots are great to get falcarinol, cooked carrots have beta-carotene as heat disintegrates plant cellulose and releases beta-carotene. So, for eye, skin, and hair health, eat soup, steamed, baked, stir-fried, or boiled carrots,” suggested Luke.

Can you freeze roasted carrots? ›

Can you freeze cooked carrots? Yes, you can freeze carrots that have been roasted, sautéed, mashed, or made into soups. Transfer these preparations to freezer bags or containers, leaving a couple inches of headspace to allow for expansion in the freezer. Most recipes can last for up to 3 months in the freezer.

How does Gordon Ramsay roast carrots? ›

Boil the carrots and butternut squash first for aprox 8 minutes, then add in the parsnips and swede and cook all together for another 5 minutes. Drain, and place in a shallow roasting tray with a drizzle of oil and a sprinkle of salt and pepper. Roast for 20 – 30 minutes till golden and crisp.

Should I pre-cook carrots before roasting? ›

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 enhances the flavor of carrots? ›

Flavor Enhancements

Use spearmint, marjoram, a small bay leaf, thyme, grated ginger root, chopped chives, dill or parsley.

Should you parboil carrots before roasting? ›

Roasting Tips

Parboiling skin-on carrots and parsnips lets you soften them without them losing too much moisture. Follow up by browning in a 375°F (190°C) oven for about 40 minutes.

Do carrots cleanse the gut? ›

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.

What does eating lots of carrots do to you guts? ›

But even though the nutrient is a key part of a balanced diet, eating too much fiber at once — which can happen if you have too many carrots — or quickly upping your daily fiber intake can lead to stomach pain after eating carrots, along with symptoms like gas, bloating and cramping, per the Mayo Clinic.

Are peanut butter and carrots a thing? ›

Crunchy, sweet carrot sticks topped with creamy peanut butter create a snack that will keep you going all afternoon. Add to both kids' and adults' lunch boxes, or enjoy as an after-school snack for a perfect pick-me-up.

Do roasted carrots reheat well? ›

How to Store & Reheat Roasted Carrots. The best way to store your baked carrots is to place them in an airtight container and store them in the fridge after they have cooled down. To reheat them, simply spread the carrots out on a baking sheet and warm them up in the oven at 350°F until they're heated through.

Why are my carrots turning brown in the freezer? ›

The dulling of color in frozen vegetables and cooked foods is usually the result of excessive drying due to improper packaging or over-lengthy storage.

How long do roasted carrots last in the fridge? ›

Stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator, cooked carrots will last for about four days. Let cooked carrots cool completely. Transfer cooked and cooled carrots to an airtight container, and place it in the refrigerator.

What is the carrot trick frying? ›

It works best if you add the carrots along with the food you're frying. Otherwise, the carrots might shrivel up and burn before whatever you're frying is finished. You might have to switch out the carrots in between batches of food—again, to avoid burning the carrots and thus defeating the purpose of the tip.

What makes carrots more tasty? ›

Sweeten carrots.

Other citrus, such as lemon, can enhance the carrot flavors too. Add a little brown sugar to carrots to bring out the sweetness in carrots. Add one teaspoon of butter to 2 tablespoons of brown sugar in a pan and melt together gently; add boiled or fried carrots and coat well.

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.)

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