My father’s family always cooked carrots in some form on most holidays. One year I hosted Thanksgiving and felt obligated to serve cooked carrots in some way, but I was tired of steamed baby carrots.
This recipe happened to be a success because of two things. The kids wanted to “help” with the cooking and there were lots of extra ingredients on the counter.
I keep a crinkle cutter in the kitchen for the little ones. It’s perfect for letting kids chop vegetables because it’s not sharp enough to hurt their fingers. When my kids were really young, they could actually help out, so they stayed busy while I cooked. I usually made a few meals a week to help them chop so they could participate.
And now that my kids are older and taking cooking lessons, they can make most of their own meals.
How roasted carrots were born
While I was busy making sweet potatoes, turkey, mashed potatoes, etc., the kids asked for help. So I pulled out my crinkle cutter and a bag of carrots. Ten minutes later, the kids were cutting five pounds of carrots into crinkle slices, so I had to find a delicious recipe to make with them.
I had a pot of soup simmering, some leftover maple syrup from a pecan pie, and some fresh tarragon from my turkey, so this recipe was born. This easy recipe for roasting carrots in the oven was a hit with everyone. It makes a great side dish for special holidays like Thanksgiving or Easter, but it’s also easy enough for a weeknight dinner.
make stir-fried vegetables
Roasted vegetables are easy to make, delicious and nutritious. I often put veggies and protein on a sheet pan for quick one-pan meals. Using parchment paper makes cleaning even easier. Both Brussels sprouts and root vegetables are suitable for roasting. For flavor, you can use fresh herbs like fresh thyme or fresh parsley, but you can also use dried herbs like cumin or garlic powder.
Some recipes call for adding caster sugar or brown sugar, but it’s really not necessary. Roasting caramelizes the sugars in the vegetables, creating a flavorful side dish. I like to use maple syrup to add flavor and complement the natural sweetness of the carrots. You can also use 1 tablespoon of honey instead of the honey-roasted version of carrots.
I used regular orange carrots, but you can also use rainbow or baby carrots.
roasted carrots with maple tarragon
This easy recipe is sure to be a crowd-pleaser for the holidays! It’s also the perfect weeknight side dish.
6-8 carrots (whole or sliced) 1/2 tablespoon melted butter (or coconut oil, or extra virgin olive oil) 1/2 tablespoon maple syrup 1 teaspoon fresh tarragon, chopped or dried 1/2 teaspoon sea salt 1 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
Preheat oven to 400°F
Peel the carrots. Leave the carrots whole or slice them in half lengthwise and place them in a single layer on a large baking sheet or baking sheet.
Combine your favorite oil, maple syrup, and fresh or dried tarragon in a small bowl. Add the carrots to the mixture or brush them on.
Roast for 15-25 minutes or until fork-tender and caramelized, but not mushy. Baking time will vary depending on the size of the carrots.
Remove from the oven, season to taste and garnish with tarragon.
Nutritional information table
roasted carrots with maple tarragon
Amount per serving (1 serving)
Calories 84 Calories from fat 45
% daily value*
Fat 5g8%
Saturated fat 3g19%
Trans fatty acids 0.2g
Polyunsaturated fat 0.3g
1g monounsaturated fat
Cholesterol 11mg4%
Sodium 679mg30%
Potassium 318mg9%
Carbohydrate 11g4%
Dietary fiber 3g13%
Sugar 6g7%
Protein 1g2%
Vitamin A 15440IU309%
Vitamin C 6mg7%
Calcium 41mg4%
Iron 0.5mg3%
*Percent daily intake is based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Reheat in the oven or air fryer.
steamed carrots
If you don’t want to roast your carrots, you can also steam them. Mix the ingredients and stock and simmer until the carrots are soft. Here’s how to make the steamed version.
material:
Add all ingredients to a large pot and simmer until carrots are tender, about 10-15 minutes.
What is your favorite way to eat carrots? Share below!
