Oven Roasted Carrots Recipe - Butter & Baggage (2024)

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5 from 2 votes

Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links.

A Roasted carrots recipe with a vinaigrette dressing is a delicious sideto add to any meal. Sweet golden carrots combined with a light dressing will brighten up your holiday feast or weeknight dinner.

Oven Roasted Carrots Recipe - Butter & Baggage (1)

Don’t you love having a side dish that you can add to almost any dinner menu. These roasted carrots are great alongside turkey and all the heavy Thanksgiving side recipes but are also great for a dinner party or weeknight dinner.

You can make the dressing ahead of time and all you have to do is pop the carrots in the oven. They’re great with bacon wrapped pork tenderloin and can turn a simple rotisserie chicken dinner into something special.

Over the holidays I was trying to find somethinghealthyto throw in with all the decadent food we were eating. Since my girls are not fond of broccoli, and we were making our favorite green bean casserole for our big dinner, I decided to trythis roasted carrots recipe topped with a homemade vinaigretteout on them and they LOVED it. So much so that I made them a second time the following week!

Now they ask for them every time they come home. Natalie loves The Pioneer Woman’s cookbooks which is where we got the idea for this recipe.

Roasting carrots is a great way to bring out their natural sweetness and I’ve found that most people like roasted carrots even if they’re not fond of other vegetables. I throw them with chicken and wine, add them to a ranch chicken sheet pan dinner and they are the star of the show roasted in chicken with couscous.

Why you’ll love this Oven Roasted Carrots Recipe

  • The natural sweetness of the carrots makes them delicious and you don’t have to use honey or brown sugar so you can save your calories for another dish!
  • It’s an affordable, under used vegetable that most people like
  • Be prepared for an amazing dish that is just as good warm as at room temperature
  • Even picky eaters will love them
  • They’re the perfect Thanksgiving Side to combat all the other rich foods

You’ll see a lot of recipes for carrots where they add brown sugar or honey, but roasting them in the oven brings out their natural sweetness. Save your calories for dessert and enjoy this perfect side to almost any meal.

What you’ll need for this Roasted Carrots in Oven recipe

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  • Carrots – whole carrots are perfect for this, peeled or just scrubbed. You can also use baby carrots, just adjust the cooking time,
  • Olive oil – to drizzle over the carrots before roasting.

Simple Vinaigrette Ingredients

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  • Olive oil – for the base
  • White wine vinegar – this is milder than distilled white vinegar
  • Dijon mustard – for flavor and to keep the dressing from separating
  • Fresh herbs – thyme and rosemary can be found in the refrigerated section of your grocer’s veggie department and they’re easy to grow in a pot. Depending on where you live, they’ll come back every year.
  • Garlic – always use fresh

How to make Oven Roasted Carrots

Step 1: Cut carrots into 3 inch long strips and drizzle with olive oil on a baking sheet lined with foil. Sprinkle with salt and pepper.

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Step 2: Roast in a hot oven, 425º. Toss about ½ way through.

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Step 3: Drizzle with vinaigrette.

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Adding an easy homemade vinaigrette that takes no time to prepare creates the perfect combination of flavors in this recipe. You’ll love how the fresh herbs make the flavors pop.

What temperature is best for roasting vegetables?

Roast carrots in a hot oven of at least 400º. I prefer a little hotter at 425º to brown the outside of the carrots.

How to make Vinaigrette Dressing

Add oil, vinegar, mustard, garlic, fresh thyme and rosemary to a jar with a lid.

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Shake! Don’t forget the mustard. It’s the secret to keep it from separating.

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How long to roast carrots?

Roast the carrots at a high temperature, 475º for about 15 minuets depending on how thick they are. You’ll be able to easily pierce them with a fork when they’re done.

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How to serve the Best Roasted Carrots

Roasted carrots are one of those vegetables that goes with just about anything. Try serving it when you have richer sides like scalloped potatoes, to add some contrast to your meal.

Roasted Carrots in the Oven storage

To store leftover carrots, let them come to room temperature then store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator. You can also freeze them and warm up in the microwave or oven.

More simple side dishes

  • The Best Crispy Oven Roasted Potatoes
  • Corn and Cucumber Salad Recipe
  • Balsamic Asparagus and Mushrooms
  • Green Beans with Bacon and Onions

If you loved this recipe, give it a star ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ rating! Also, snap a picture of your finished dish and share it with me onInstagramusing the hashtag #butterandbaggage and tagging me @butterandbaggage.

Roasted Carrots in the Oven

Author: Barbara Curry

Roasted carrots recipe with vinaigrette are a healthysideto add to any meal. The dressing is light but flavorful. Simple and easy doesn’t have to mean bland and boring with this vinaigrette addition to the vegetables.

5 from 2 votes

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PREP: 15 minutes minutes

COOK: 12 minutes minutes

Servings: 8

Ingredients

  • ¼ cup olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons white wine vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon dijon mustard
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 tablespoon fresh thyme
  • 1 tablespoon fresh rosemary
  • salt and pepper
  • 3-5 lbs carrots cut into 3 inch pieces
  • olive oil
  • salt and pepper

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 425º.

  • Vinaigrette:

  • In a jar with a lid, combine olive oil, vinegar, mustard, garlic, thyme, rosemary and salt and pepper. Shake to combine and set aside.

  • Cut carrots in to halves or quarters depending on the thickness of the carrot and then cut into 3 inch pieces. Place on 1-2 baking sheets depending on the amount of carrots. Drizzle with olive oil and add salt and pepper.

  • Roast carrots for 10-12 minutes until slightly tender and brown on the edges, tossing half way through the cooking time.

  • Remove and drizzle with vinaigrette. You won’t need all of it.

Barbara’s Tips + Notes
  • For perfectly roasted carrots, spread them out on the pan so they have plenty of room.
  • Try to cut the carrots the same thickness so they roast evenly.
  • If using baby carrots, decrease the cooking time.
  • If you don’t want to peel the carrots, just scrub them well beforehand.

Nutrition

Calories: 134kcal | Carbohydrates: 17g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 7g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 139mg | Potassium: 554mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 8g | Vitamin A: 28465IU | Vitamin C: 12mg | Calcium: 62mg | Iron: 1mg

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Oven Roasted Carrots Recipe - Butter & Baggage (2024)

FAQs

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 healthiest way to cook carrots? ›

The healthiest way to cook carrots depends on your priorities: Nutrient Retention: Steaming or microwaving with a little water are generally considered the best methods to retain the most nutrients in carrots, particularly vitamins and minerals like vitamin A and potassium.

How many carrots per person roasted? ›

When determining how many carrots to roast, use one to two carrots per person, depending on size. No one is going to be upset if you make a few extra. To prepare the carrots, cut off the top and bottom, then peel them.

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.

What enhances the flavor of carrots? ›

Classic Spices and Herbs That Pair Well with Carrots
  • Garlic (minced, powder or granules)
  • Onion powder or granules.
  • Black malabar pepper.
  • Cinnamon (Cassia for sweeter, Ceylon for sweetness with some more complex savory and vanilla flavors)
  • Nutmeg powder.
  • Cayenne pepper powder.
  • Ginger powder.
  • Aleppo chili.
Mar 28, 2021

Is it better to cook carrots in the oven or boiling them? ›

Roasted carrots have the best texture, and the flavor is amazing. Roasting draws out the natural sweetness and you get a nice caramelized flavor. They're so much better than boiled carrots! Roasting is also easy; it's hard to overcook a roasted vegetable: if it gets too done, it's clearly burned.

How does Gordon Ramsay cook 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.

Is it healthier to roast or boil carrots? ›

Cooking breaks down the vegetable's cell walls, making its nutrients more available. Of course, how you cook them matters—boiling vegetables can leach out nutrients, so it's better to steam, sauté, or roast. If you still prefer boiling your carrots, throw them in the water whole—you'll keep the most nutrients.

Are roasted carrots still healthy? ›

Boiling or steaming carrots has been known to increase their cancer-fighting carotenoids by 14 percent! This recipe for whole roasted carrots is the best way to really benefit from carrot's nutritional benefits. Roasting them whole locks in the nutrients and gives them a beautiful texture.

How healthy are roasted carrots? ›

Health Benefits of Cooked Carrots:
  • Antioxidant Release:Cooking can release antioxidants, such as beta-carotene, which is a precursor to vitamin A. ...
  • Nutrient Absorption:The cooking process can break down cell walls, making certain nutrients more accessible and enhancing their absorption.
Jul 30, 2023

How many carrots in a 2 lb bag? ›

We checked 1 pound bags of carrots and found. It generally contained 7-9 carrots of all sizes, so the USDA data is about right. 2 pound bags tended to have more larger carrots and generally contained 14-15 carrots.

Why do my roasted carrots burn? ›

Roasting at the wrong temperature

The sweet spot is between 400°F and 425°F. Go any higher, and the outside of your veggies will start to burn before the inside has a chance to cook through.

Can you cut carrots ahead of time for roasting? ›

Carrots: Carrots can be peeled in advance (if roasting them whole) or peeled and chopped, shredded, or grated up to 3 to 4 days in advance. Store in a sealed bag or container with an airtight lid in the refrigerator. Bell Peppers: Can be washed, cored, and seeded 2 to 3 days in advance.

What happens if you don't peel carrots before roasting? ›

As with many vegetables, roasting carrots brings out their sweet inner nature. Peel the carrots or don't peel the carrots—it's up to you. Peeling takes a bit more time, obviously, but also leads to a more consistent final texture to the dish.

Why are my carrots so hard? ›

Left to grow too long, especially to the stage of bolting to seed, any carrot will become tough, woody, and bitter tasting. However, this problem is made worse by inconsistent watering with periods of dryness.

Why are my cooked carrots rubbery? ›

Specifically, if carrots lose too much water, they tend to turn from crisp and crunchy to limp and rubbery. This moisture loss can result from the carrot tops absorbing too much water, which leaves the root dehydrated, or simply from storing them in too dry an environment.

How do you keep carrots from getting rubbery? ›

The key is to seal them up and prevent any moisture from escaping the roots. They get floppy as they lose water. I have some in my fridge now that are at least 3 months old and still crisp. This works for some other root vegetables as well, such as beets, turnips, and rutabagas.

Why do carrots take so long to cook in oven? ›

Carrots are much denser and starchier than many other vegetables, so it can take a while for them to cook. If you've tried grilling or roasting raw carrots alongside other vegetables, you've surely noticed this.

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