Roasted Carrots Recipe

Carrot roasting calls for some essential ingredients that bring flavors. Rest assured the ingredients are easily accessible in your kitchen. So, take a look and gather them accordingly: 

Carrots

They are the base of this recipe. Grab fresh carrots with no trace of any scratches, or blemishes. Baby carrots also work well besides the mature ones, so pick those based on your choice. 

Olive Oil

Olive oil gives moisture to the carrots and also helps hold the seasonings as a result the carrots turn out to be delicious. If possible use olive oil, otherwise, it’s still good to use any vegetable oil. 

Salt and Black Pepper

Salt is the ultimate flavor enhancer. We all know the dish tastes so lifeless with no salt. So it brings life to the dishes. Use kosher or sea salt. Regular salt will work too. 

Black pepper introduces a slight hotness to the carrots. Freshly grounded pepper is good to use. 

Dried Parsley

Parsely holds an aromatic fragrance that will make you drool. Since we’re roasting so it’s better to use powdered parsley than green leaves. If green ones to use, sprinkle at the end before serving. 

Tools Needed

• Well-functioning Oven
• Knife and Cutting Board
• Measuring Spoons
• Baking Sheet
• Parchment Paper
• Tongs
• Serving Plate

Carrots are a versatile vegetable that literally goes well with any dish. Among several carrots recipes, roasting them is something else. You just need to do a bit of prep ahead and the caramelized carrots get ready! 

This recipe is easy and lets you enjoy a savory version of plain carrots. So, let’s go through each step and learn how to make roasted carrots at home: 

Ingredient Measurements

• Carrots: 2 pounds
• Olive Oil: 2 tablespoons
• Salt: 1 teaspoon (adjust to taste)
• Black Pepper: ½ teaspoon
• Dried Parsely: 1 teaspoon
• Garlic Cloves (optional): 2-3, chopped

Step 1: Preheat the Oven

Very firstly, set the oven to heat (425°F) as this high temperature helps achieve crispy edges. Also, the carrots roast a bit quickly. 

Step 2: Clean the Carrots

Wash the carrots in the water thoroughly. Carrots grow under soil, they have some dirt or impurities so washing the carrots makes them edible. 

After the wash, put them on a tray. Next, wipe off the remained moisture using a paper towel. This eases the further handling process. 

Step 3: Trim the Carrots

Carrots have top and bottom ends which are slightly bitter flavor. So cut those ends using a sharp knife on the cutting board. You can skip this step if both ends don’t bother you while eating. 

Peeling is another thing to do but it is also optional. Simply peel off the outer skin of carrots with a peeler but make sure the layer comes thinly. 

Note: Cut the carrots into cubes or any shapes if desired, or you can simply roast the whole carrots. So the choice is all yours!

Step 4: Season the Carrots

Let’s season the carrots to make them flavorful. First, we’ll pour 2 tablespoons of olive oil all over the carrots. Then, sprinkle salt and black pepper for salty and hot flavors. Feel free to adjust these seasonings.

Instead of spoons, use your cleaned hands and toss the carrots nicely. Do this until seasonings cover the carrots with a good coating. 

Step 5: Place the Carrots on the Baking Sheet

Let's arrange the carrots on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. The parchment paper prevents sticking. As a result, the cleaning phase becomes more easy.

Don’t pile carrots one over the other, just place them in a manner that one is ½ inch away from the other. That way carrots roast evenly and build the caramelized edges beautifully. 

Overcrowding will only generate steam among the carrots resulting in steamed carrots rather than roasted. 

Step 6: Roast the Carrots

Finally, we can put those carrots inside the oven for roasting. The roasting time takes roughly 20-30 minutes.

Note that cooking time differs based on the size of the carrots and the oven’s performance. 

Step 7: Flip the Carrots and Add Seasonings 

Halfway through cooking, switch the sides of the carrots using tongs. By this time, one side of the carrots turns into a deep golden brown color with crispy edges. 

And this is the perfect time to add any other seasonings if you want to. Spread chopped garlic cloves, and dried parsley for the pleasing aroma. Again, roast the carrots for 10 more minutes. 

Step 8: Check for the Doneness

Besides the color change, use a fork or knife to do the doneness test. Target the thickest part of a carrot and insert the fork in there, if it goes easily, your carrot is well-cooked.

If the fork needs some pressure to get into the carrots, then needs to roast for a few more minutes. 

Step 9: Serve the Carrots

Soon after 10 minutes pass, remove the carrots from the oven and let them breathe some normal air for a few minutes.

Once cooled, give a touch of some green herbs or any seasonings if you like and proceed towards serving. Now enjoy a plate of nutritious carrots and their deep flavors. 

Roasting is an effective way to bring the natural sweetness of carrots noticeably. 

Knowing the steps to cook carrots is not enough for roasting. One should have a good idea about the cooking time too, this way you save yourself from the risk of overroasting the carrots and ruining the whole thing. 

Here’s a general guide on the roasting time: 

Roasting Time

• Small carrots: 15-20 minutes
• Medium carrots: 20-30 minutes
• Large carrots: 35-40 minutes

So, consider this time when cooking carrots of those sizes. Along with this time, the deep golden color and caramelized edges also help you decide whether the carrots are ready for the serving. 

The above-mentioned time won't be the same for boiling carrots or grilling. It may take 8-10 minutes to boil whereas, 10-12 minutes for grilling in the case of medium-sized carrots.

From preparation techniques to size considerations and peeling advice, follow these suggestions to make your recipes for baked carrots truly stand out.

1. Prep ahead of time:

• Cut carrots up to a day in advance for easier meal preparation.
• Store pre-cut carrots in water in an airtight container to maintain color and crispness.
• Pat dry with a kitchen towel before seasoning and roasting.

2. Cut the slices large (if cutting)

• Carrots shrink in the oven, so cut them into larger chunks than you might expect.
• Use a mandoline on its thickest setting to get uniform-sized pieces.

3. Ensure even sizing

• Try to cut all carrot pieces to roughly the same size.
• This promotes even cooking throughout.

4. Peel the skin for best taste:

• While not mandatory, peeling is recommended for optimal flavor.
• The outer skin of carrots can have a bitter taste when roasted.
• Peeling ensures a sweeter, more enjoyable flavor in the finished dish.

5. Wash thoroughly if not peeling:

• If not peeling the carrots, scrub the carrots nicely to remove any dirt.
• The skin is edible as long as cleaned properly.

Need some tips for flavor enhancement? Then, look for them below:

• Add Sweetness: Use some honey or maple syrup for a glossy and flavorful top. Do this 5 minutes before the cooking ends.
• Experiment with Seasonings and Herbs: There are countless options- rosemary, thyme, dill, and more besides the parsely. Use cinnamon powder and nutmeg for better seasonings. 
• Incorporate Cheese: Grate your favorite cheese over warm roasted carrots 5 minutes before roasting ends. Then, enjoy a blend of sweet and cheesy combo. 
• Try a Pesto Topping: Give a spoonful of pesto to the roasted carrots or use it as a dipping sauce. 

Storing carrots means you can use them any time in the future and most importantly, it prevents any kind of wastage. That is so relieving, right?

Got a lot of raw fresh carrots? Or have leftover roasted carrots? In both cases, this storage guide is what you should know. 

Storage of Fresh Carrots

Fresh carrots go well for a whole week in the refrigerator. So, bring a clean airtight jar or a zip-lock bag and fill the jar with raw carrots. Then, pop them in the refrigerator. You can also freeze the raw carrots which will last for up to 10-12 months. 

Storage of Roasted Carrots

In the case of roasted carrots, you need to put them for cooling before refrigerating. If not cooled, it increases the chances of bacterial growth leading to sooner spoilage.

Once they cool, transfer them into a jar and cover its lid tightly. Next, place the jar in the place which is most cool in the fridge. This way those roasted carrots stay fresh for 3-5 days.

Whereas, the freezer keeps roasted ones edible for up to 3 months. A constant cooling temperature is the key here, so set it at 0°F (freezer) or 37°F (refrigerator).

Roasted carrots indeed taste good when eaten just like that. But the flavor just goes to a new level when served with other dishes.

So, here are some ways to serve roasted carrots: 

• Meat Dishes: Meat like Chicken, beef, or any seafood makes a good pairing with roasted carrots. The sweet, caramelized texture and meaty flavor is what you enjoy here. 
• Steamed Broccoli: Prepare a bowl of broccoli with a touch of salt and pepper. Now, serve this healthy vegetable with roasted carrots. 
• Noodles: Give a side of roasted carrots to hot noodles and experience a stomach-filling meal. 
• Soups: Roasted carrots go well with any soups- veg or non-veg. This combination makes you feel light and filling.