Roasted Carrots Recipe (2024)

By Martha Rose Shulman

Updated Nov. 13, 2023

Roasted Carrots Recipe (1)

Total Time
About 1 hour
Rating
5(4,849)
Notes
Read community notes

This dish is inspired by a roasted carrot antipasto served at the now Oliveto Cafe in Oakland, Calif. The oven-roasted carrots are tossed with lots of parsley and thyme, which offset the sweetness of the carrots. This recipe makes a soft and tender carrot in about 30 minutes in the oven, but if you like browned and caramelized edges, roast uncovered for all, or part, of the cooking time.

Featured in: Carrots: Digging Deeper for Fall Flavor

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Ingredients

Yield:Serves six

  • 2pounds carrots
  • 1teaspoon fresh thyme leaves
  • 3tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • Salt
  • freshly ground pepper
  • ½teaspoon dried oregano
  • 3tablespoons finely chopped flat-leaf parsley

Ingredient Substitution Guide

Nutritional analysis per serving (6 servings)

124 calories; 7 grams fat; 1 gram saturated fat; 0 grams trans fat; 5 grams monounsaturated fat; 1 gram polyunsaturated fat; 15 grams carbohydrates; 4 grams dietary fiber; 7 grams sugars; 2 grams protein; 373 milligrams sodium

Note: The information shown is Edamam’s estimate based on available ingredients and preparation. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.

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Roasted Carrots Recipe (2)

Preparation

Make the recipe with us

  1. Step

    1

    Heat the oven to 400 degrees. Meanwhile, peel the carrots and cut into 2-inch segments, then quarter or cut into sixths lengthwise depending on size. Chop the thyme.

  2. Step

    2

    Oil a sheet pan or a baking dish large enough to fit all of the carrots in a single layer. Place the carrots in a large bowl, and toss with the olive oil, salt, pepper, thyme and oregano. Spread in an even layer in the prepared pan or baking dish. Cover with foil, and place in the oven for 20 to 30 minutes. Uncover, and if the carrots are not yet tender, turn the heat down to 375 degrees and return to the oven for 5 to 10 more minutes. (For caramelized edges, roast uncovered for all, or part, of the cooking time.)

    Roasted Carrots Recipe (3)
  3. Step

    3

    Add the parsley, stir gently, and taste and adjust salt and pepper. Serve hot, warm or at room temperature.

    Roasted Carrots Recipe (4)

Tip

  • Advance preparation: These will keep for four to five days in the refrigerator.

Ratings

5

out of 5

4,849

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Private Notes

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Cooking Notes

Great Natural Flavor on Roasted Carrots

After reading other reviews, I:
1. Wrapped a half-size baking sheet in foil for easy clean-up.
2. Cut carrots in angled wedges for a better look.
3. Used half the olive-oil stated in the recipe
4. Tossed carrots in oil, thyme, s&p in separate bowl before adding to pan. Extra oil stays in the bowl!
5. Roasted 20 min @400; then another 7 min (also @400). Next time, I'll reduce heat to 375 for the last 7 minutes.
After roasting, toss carrots in a bowl with fresh-cut parsley.
Yum!

KBK

Fresh lemon thyme is the ticket with carrots. Lots of lemon thyme.

MH

I made this with a beautiful bunch of carrots from the farmer's market and fresh oregano and thyme as I had them on hand. Threw the parsley in before the roast by accident. Turned out incredible! Lined the baking pan with aluminum foil and covered with it as well. No clean up - an absolute keeper!

Stef

Do NOT cook these covered- they will be mushy and not roasted/caramelized. I wish I had followed my gut and cooked uncovered and next time in slightly thicker pieces. Nice flavor. One of very few disappointments in NYT cooking.

PDX Maus

So easy and delicious! I just used parchment paper, without oiling it, on a half sheet. I used dried thyme as that was all I had and would definitely double to 2 tsp. The parsley added at the end really rounded out the flavor. Prefer avocado oil because it doesn't add a distinct flavor, unlike olive oil, and can handle the higher heat. Had to roast an additional 15 minutes at 375 degrees uncovered to thoroughly cook the thicker pieces. Will definitely make it again.

Nan Holcomb

I didn't have any parsley, so I washed the carrot tops and used them instead. YUM!

Kieran

Do not cover with foil. Maybe covering is needed for very large and/or old carrots. Mine were purchased fresh (with tops) and in 25 minutes covered they turned to mush.

M

Or, as a "cheat": slice carots into equal strips, douse in olive oil, sprinkle with Za'tar, s &p. Roast for 20 minutes or until desired doneness. Sprinkle with more of the Za'atar and sea salt.

Doug

Need tip- if you want to decrease the cooking time, poach the carrots for about 5 minutes in rolling boiling water, then drain and let them steam-dry. Then go ahead and prepare uncovered. It will cut the cooking time down by 20-30 minutes.

Martin

After reading other reviews, I:1. Wrapped a half-size baking sheet in foil for easy clean-up.2. Cut carrots in angled wedges for a better look.3. Used half the olive-oil stated in the recipe4. Tossed carrots in oil, thyme, s&p in separate bowl before adding to pan. Extra oil stays in the bowl!5. Roasted 20 min @400; then another 7 min (also @400). Next time, I'll reduce heat to 375 for the last 7 minutes.6. After roasting toss carrots in bowl with parsely.

RyanF

30 minutes is too long! Carrots are practically mush. Check after 15 but my guess is 20 minutes is plenty.

Adam

Martha does it again. These are absolutely delicious. I use rainbow carrots if I can find them. I've also used chopped rosemary in place of thyme because I have a ton of it in my garden. I think any savory herb would do. Don't skimp on the oil.

greygrey

WOW, cut them on the diagonal, non stick foil, and roast uncovered at 425 for 25 to 30 minutes...they carmelized...it was like eating candy

K

1. Wrapped a half-size baking sheet in foil for easy clean-up.2. Cut carrots in angled wedges for a better look.3. Used half the olive-oil stated in the recipe4. Tossed carrots in oil, thyme, s&p in separate bowl before adding to pan. (Can sub avocado oil)5. Roasted 20 min @400; then another 7 min (also @400). Next time, I'll reduce heat to 375 for last 7 min.6. Toss in bowl with fresh chopped parsley

Amy Palmer Henry

I made this for myself knowing full well that my husband doesn't like cooked carrots. Guess what? He loved them and I was forced to share. This recipe is a winner, creating carrots with a deep rich flavor and jewel-like color.

Katherine

I didn't bother peeling the carrots, just scrubbing them clean. Turned out great!

deb

Great method. Check after 15 min

Sara

This steams the carrots more than roasting. Though they do look lovely and bright orange with this method, good for presentation. Next time I will remove the foil sooner to get them more caramelized flavor.

Jane

Carrots can be made and kept 4 - 5 days in fridge

susan

I use long carrots and slice them in half long ways, they are nice visually that way and the thin ends get more crispy and browned. I bake them at 400 for about 30 minutes. I have a cookbook from a local seattle chef and she roasts sliced fennel along with the carrots, which is delicious.

Erin S

Absolutely nothing special about these roasted carrots. Not sure why they’re rated 5 stars. I’ve made better just winging it.

sparklefern

Agree with everyone else on this: don’t cover them or they will steam.

Rachel

Made this Thanksgiving morning to take to friends’ and it was very good. I put parchment on a sheet pan, tossed carrots and thyme in a bowl, followed recipe as directed. A nice colorful low-fat vegan side dish (as a counterbalance to all those wonderful heavy foods.)

Tee

Flavor was great but they were a little over cooked. Next time I make them I will cover them for half the cooking time to be more firm and cook uncovered for the remaining time to roast or caramelize them. Not sure if that will work but everyone liked them enough to try making them again.

StRita

Yes. They are 5 star for a reason. So so good. I covered the sheet pan with foil and ran a swipe of olive oil across it with paper towel. Did not cover them, baked until they started caramelizing. Didn't bother with the parsley. Easy and delicious!

Maria Angel

I asked Husband to pick up two pounds of carrots and he brought home a sack of baby carrots. He said they were the only carrots sold in a two pound bag. There was a bright side! I did not have to peel them and they were the proper size for this recipe after on chop lengthwise.Co-workers ate them up.

Kat

Used baby carrots cut into fourths because that’s what we had on hand. Kids called them carrot French fries and gobbled them up I had to make a second batch. I forgot to use the parsley and did the uncovered roast about 1 to 2 minutes extra. Very good and lets natural carrot sweetness shine.

Susannah

Made these for T'Giving in 2022 exactly as written. They were so mushy they were unusable. Very disappointing.

Edie

Best to let carrots marinate in bowl for a while if possible. Also roast uncovered @ 425. Not necessary to peel carrots- just scrub well.

Graham Hill

Really great! I added a teaspoon of brown sugar. Adds subtle depth

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Roasted Carrots Recipe (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.

Are carrots better boiled or roasted? ›

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.

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.

Should carrots be parboiled 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.

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.

Why are my carrots not getting soft in oven? ›

You're Using Too Much (Or Too Little) Oil

But skimp on that oil and those vegetables will be too dry. Luckily, it's easy to find Goldilocks' just right amount. The solution: Before hitting the sheet pan, place the vegetables in a large bowl and add a tablespoon of oil.

Are roasted carrots still healthy? ›

Your body has an easier time absorbing the carotenoids in carrots if you eat them cooked rather than raw. 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.

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

Does roasting carrots destroy nutrients? ›

Roasted or broiled — Dry heat cooking methods are a great way to enjoy vegetables without losing too many nutrients.

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.

What makes carrots taste better? ›

For carrots, you can try steaming them instead of boiling or roasting them. Steaming helps to retain more of the nutrients and natural sweetness of the carrots. You can also add some fresh herbs, such as thyme or parsley, to the steaming water to infuse some extra flavor into the carrots.

Are carrots healthier raw or roasted? ›

Carrots. Raw carrots are fine, but cooked carrots are better for you. Cooking carrots allows beta carotene, an antioxidant compound that gets converted to vitamin A in the intestine, to absorb more easily in the body, explains Beckerman.

Why are my roasted carrots bitter? ›

If carrots tend to run bitter, it's typically because the soil they grew in has issues. Also, if the stem end has a lot of unripe (green) tint, that indicates it's harvested prior to being ripe. Avoid unripe veggies!

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.

Should I oil vegetables before roasting? ›

Step 1: Don't Skimp on the Oil

Not only does the oil help the vegetables cook more evenly and crisp up in the oven, but it also adds a rich flavor that makes roasted vegetables irresistible.

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.

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