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Roasted Carrots Recipe

4.5 from 103 reviews

Maple Carrots are a deliciously sweet and savory side dish featuring tender roasted carrots coated in a flavorful maple Dijon glaze. Roasted to perfection with hints of balsamic vinegar, garlic, and thyme, they’re finished with a garnish of fresh parsley, crumbled cheese, and toasted nuts for extra texture and depth of flavor. This easy-to-make recipe is perfect for a healthy and vibrant accompaniment to any meal.

Ingredients

Scale

Carrots

  • 1 lb carrots, peeled and cut into sticks or left whole if small

Maple Dijon Glaze

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 ½ tablespoons pure maple syrup
  • 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
  • 1 teaspoon balsamic vinegar
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper
  • ½ teaspoon dried thyme or 1 teaspoon fresh thyme
  • ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional, for heat)

Garnishes

  • Chopped fresh parsley
  • Crumbled feta or goat cheese
  • Toasted nuts (walnuts, pecans, or almonds)

Instructions

  1. Preheat the Oven and Prepare the Baking Sheet: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease it with oil to prevent the carrots from sticking during roasting.
  2. Prepare the Carrots: Peel large carrots and cut them into evenly sized sticks to ensure even cooking. For baby or thin carrots, you can leave them whole as they will cook evenly without peeling.
  3. Make the Maple Dijon Glaze: In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, maple syrup, Dijon mustard, balsamic vinegar, garlic powder, salt, black pepper, thyme, and optional red pepper flakes. This glaze imparts a beautiful caramelized flavor to the carrots when roasted.
  4. Coat the Carrots: Place the carrots in a large mixing bowl and pour the maple Dijon glaze over them. Toss carefully to coat each carrot stick evenly with the flavorful glaze.
  5. Arrange on Baking Sheet: Spread the coated carrots in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet. Avoid overcrowding to ensure they roast evenly and caramelize well.
  6. Roast the Carrots: Bake the carrots in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, flipping them halfway through to achieve even roasting. For a deeper caramelization and golden-brown color, roast an additional 5 minutes if desired.
  7. Garnish and Serve: Remove the roasted carrots from the oven and transfer to a serving dish. Sprinkle with chopped fresh parsley, crumbled feta or goat cheese, and toasted nuts to add brightness, creaminess, and crunch. Serve warm and enjoy this delightful side dish!

Notes

  • Use baby carrots or thin carrots whole to save prep time; larger carrots should be cut for even cooking.
  • Red pepper flakes are optional and add a subtle heat; omit if you prefer no spice.
  • To toast nuts, place them in a dry skillet over medium heat for 3-5 minutes until fragrant, stirring frequently to prevent burning.
  • Maple syrup can be substituted with honey for a slightly different sweetness profile.
  • This recipe pairs wonderfully with roasted chicken, pork, or as part of a vegetarian meal.

Keywords: Maple Carrots, Roasted Carrots, Maple Dijon Carrots, Side Dish, Healthy Carrots, Roasted Vegetables