These perfectly roasted carrots boast a crispy golden brown sear on the outside yet are tender, savory and sweet on the inside. Simply toss the carrots with olive oil, salt, Italian seasoning and black pepper and roast at a high temperature until they caramelize. This easy recipe takes just minutes to prepare but makes for an impressive side dish!
I have been roasting carrots for a long time now, but hadn't ever thought to share the recipe given how simple it is. I recently served these as a side dish while entertaining some friends and was told that this recipe needed to be shared! They specifically were impressed by the combination of crispiness and softness all in the same bite. My secret? Use enough oil so they get nice and tender as they roast.
Roasting carrots checks all the boxes for the best way to transform a relatively boring raw vegetable (unless you're making this must-try carrot ribbon salad!) into an incredibly delicious side dish. It's quick (less than 10 minutes prep), easy, inexpensive, convenient and has the absolute best flavor!
As with most roasted vegetables, all you need is olive oil and some basic spices that you likely already have in your pantry. Roasting the carrots caramelizes their natural sugars to bring out a sweet flavor that could never be expected when compared to their raw form.
Ingredients
The Italian seasoning blend is so underrated! It's a total crowd-pleaser and makes this dish feel gourmet with such little effort.
How to Make these Roasted Carrots
The key to roasting carrots is to use high heat, as that is what helps to caramelize the outside while also enhancing the natural sweetness on the inside.
1. Chop the carrots into equal-sized chunks and toss with seasoning.
2. Roast for 25 minutes. Done!
Recipe Tips
- Cut the carrots evenly. The only real margin for error in this recipe is the slicing. Regardless of whether you prefer thin or thick slices, make sure each is consistent to prevent uneven cooking.
- Don't overcrowd the pan. Spread the carrots into a single layer so that no carrots are on top of each other. Overcrowding will cause the carrots to get mushy which is obviously not the goal!
- Use a cast iron skillet if you have one! The type of pan makes a difference, especially for dishes using high heat. Roasting in a cast iron skillet will help make the carrots crispier on the outside. If you don't have one, a baking sheet will work as well.
- Peel the carrots. While not necessary, I recommend peeling the carrots for two reasons. One is that the keeping the skin on requires you to scrub off any dirt and debris prior to cutting, which I don't particularly enjoy. Secondly, the carrot skin has a bitter, earthy flavor and a somewhat grittier texture that takes away from the savoriness of this dish. The only times I don't peel the skin is when I am juicing, puréeing or using them for vegetable broth or stew.
- It's okay to cut the carrots in advance. The prep work for this dish is quick, but if you are preparing multiple dishes at once (such as for Thanksgiving or another holiday dinner), you can knock out the peeling and cutting ahead of time. Cut the raw carrots and store in the fridge for 1-2 days, and when ready to roast just season them and pop them in the oven!
Easy Oven Roasted Carrots (5 Ingredients)
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 1x
Description
These perfectly roasted carrots boast a crispy golden brown sear on the outside yet are tender, savory and sweet on the inside. Simply toss the carrots with olive oil, salt, Italian seasoning and black pepper and roast at a high temperature until they caramelize. This recipe takes just minutes to prepare but makes for an impressive side dish for the holidays or even just a simple weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
6 large carrots
4 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
½ tsp salt
½ tsp Italian seasoning
pinch of ground black pepper
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400˚F.
- Prepare the carrots. Wash and peel carrots and chop diagonally into ½ inch chunks. Feel free to go with larger chunks up to as long as 1.5 inches if desired. The key is to cut them uniformly so that each piece cooks evenly.
- Toss with seasoning. Toss the carrots, olive oil, salt, pepper and Italian seasoning directly in a cast iron skillet or pan. Spread the carrots into an even layer. Do not overcrowd the pan!
- Roast. Place the carrots into the oven for 25 minutes until the carrots are browned and tender to a fork.
- Serve immediately and enjoy!
Equipment
Buy Now → Notes
Sprinkle hemp seeds overtop for a nutrient boost and to add a complete source of plant-based protein.
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. Reheat in the oven at 400˚F for best results, as microwaving will make the carrots a little soggy.
- Prep Time: 5
- Cook Time: 25
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Roasted
Ieva says
Super simple! Will be on my Christmas plate for sure! Thanks for the recipe 🙂
Elaine Gordon says
I'm honored to be a part of your Christmas plate! Thank you Ieva!