Oven Roasted Carrots Recipe - Butter & Baggage (2024)

Home » Recipes » Side Dishes » Best Roasted Carrots Recipe

Published: Jan 19, 2018 · Modified: Sep 23, 2021 by Barbara Curry · This post may contain affiliate links.

Jump to Recipe

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

Oven Roasted Carrots Recipe - Butter & Baggage (2)

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

Oven Roasted Carrots Recipe - Butter & Baggage (3)

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.

Oven Roasted Carrots Recipe - Butter & Baggage (4)

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

Oven Roasted Carrots Recipe - Butter & Baggage (5)

Step 3: Drizzle with vinaigrette.

Oven Roasted Carrots Recipe - Butter & Baggage (6)

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.

Oven Roasted Carrots Recipe - Butter & Baggage (7)

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

Oven Roasted Carrots Recipe - Butter & Baggage (8)

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.

Oven Roasted Carrots Recipe - Butter & Baggage (9)

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

Print Pin

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

Follow Me On SocialDid you make this recipe? Mention @ButterandBaggage or tag #ButterandBaggage on Instagram!

Explore Recipes

Side DishesLow CarbVegetarianBakedChristmasThanksgiving

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.

How long does it take to cook carrots at 250 degrees? ›

The vegetables cooked at 250° F seemed to have potential, but most had a rawness rather than a sweetness—even after 55 minutes. Yes, we could have roasted for longer (B.A. suggests checking after 60 to 90 minutes when roasting whole carrots), but it's not worth it for chopped vegetables.

View Details ›

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.

Get More Info ›

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.

See Details ›

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? ›

Make sure the bottom of the baking sheet is oiled and that you don't layer the vegetables. They should be distributed evenly across the pan in a single layer. Then drizzle oil on top (and seasoning if you prefer).

Show Me More ›

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.

View Details ›

What is the secret to roasting vegetables? ›

Tips for Roasting

Use a High Temperature. The best temperature for roasting vegetables is 400 degrees F. If you have convection oven, use the bake setting and reduce to 375 degrees F.
Don't Crowd the Pan. ...
Use Enough Olive Oil. ...
Rotate the Pan(s). ...
Switch Upper and Lower Racks.

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.

What makes carrots taste better? ›

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. You can also add cardamom to make carrot deserts, like Indian carrot halwa.

Tell Me More ›

How does Gordon Ramsay cook carrots? ›

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.

Find Out More ›

What flavors go well with carrot? ›

For example, carrots are said to pair exceptionally well with butter, ginger, lemon, maple syrup, orange, parsley, and sugar. Other ingredients that are said to pair well with carrots include cinnamon, coriander, dill, lime, spearmint, olive oil, parsnips, salt, tarragon, thyme, etc.

Discover More ›

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.

Discover More Details ›

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.

Discover More Details ›

How do you firm up rubbery carrots? ›

Cut a thin slice off the bottoms and submerge them in a bowl of cold clean water, which you'll place in your fridge on the coldest shelf. Sure, you can use them after about an hour of soaking, but if you ignore them until the next day you should have crisp carrots just begging to be eaten.

Explore More ›