Roasted Rainbow Carrots Recipe
Updated Apr 14, 2025, Published Mar 24, 2025
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Elevate your dinner table with these Roasted Rainbow Carrots! Sweet, caramelized, and bursting with vibrant flavors, they’re tossed with fresh herbs, a splash of citrus, and optional crunchy nuts or a drizzle of honey for a gourmet touch. Perfect for any occasion, from weeknight dinners to holiday feasts!
Serve with roasted lamb and mashed potatoes. You’ll also love my glazed carrots.
Why you’ll love this recipe
This is my favorite way to serve rainbow carrots! Even picky eaters will enjoy this simple side dish.
- Eye-Catching Appeal: The mix of colorful rainbow carrots creates a stunning visual that adds elegance to any table setting, whether it’s a casual family dinner or a fancy holiday gathering.
- Flavor Explosion: The combination of caramelized sweetness from roasting, earthy rosemary and thyme, and the brightness of citrus juice makes every bite irresistible.
- Customizable to Your Taste: Prefer a hint of sweetness? Drizzle with honey or maple syrup. Love texture? Add roasted nuts like pistachios or hazelnuts. Want a tangy twist? Finish with balsamic glaze.
- Healthy and Nutritious: Carrots are packed with vitamins and antioxidants, and this recipe uses wholesome, fresh ingredients for a side dish that’s as good for you as it is delicious.
These roasted carrots are versatile enough to complement roasted meats, fish, pasta, or grains, making them a go-to side for any weeknight dinner.
Get all your Easter recipe ideas.
Table of Contents
Recipe Ingredients
This dish proves that simple ingredients can come together to create something truly special!
- Rainbow carrots (or orange carrots): Sweet and vibrant, perfect for roasting.
- Extra virgin olive oil: Helps caramelize the carrots and adds richness.
- Salt: Enhances the natural flavors.
- Freshly ground black pepper: Adds a mild, peppery heat.
- Fresh rosemary: Earthy and aromatic for depth.
- Fresh thyme: Delicate and floral for balance.
- Fresh lemon juice or orange juice: Brightens and enhances the dish.
- Fresh Italian flat-leaf parsley: Adds freshness and a pop of color.
Optional Toppings:
- Honey or maple syrup: A sweet touch to complement the roasted flavors.
- Chopped roasted nuts: Add crunch and a nutty flavor.
- Balsamic vinegar glaze or tahini sauce: A finishing drizzle for extra flavor complexity.
See the recipe card for quantities.
How to Make Roasted Rainbow Carrots
These colorful rainbow carrots are an easy side dish that comes with just a few simple steps and guarantees perfect results.
Prepare and peel the carrots. I like to leave the carrot tops on for a fancy look.
Combine the olive oil and herbs in a small bowl.
Arrange the carrots in a single layer on a sheet pan or baking sheet. Pour the marinade over the top and roast in the oven.
Add extra fresh herbs on top after baking. Cooking times will vary a bit depending on the thickness and size of the carrots.
How To Make Ahead Of Time
For ease and timing when making the main meal, you can prep this dish ahead of time: Prep the carrots: Peel, trim, and toss with the marinade up to 1 day in advance. Store covered in the fridge. Roast before serving: Roast as directed, reheating briefly at 400°F for 5-10 minutes before serving. Garnish last minute: Add parsley, citrus juice, and optional toppings just before serving for the freshest flavor and presentation.
FAQ’s
Rainbow carrots are a variety of carrots that come in a range of vibrant colors, including orange, yellow, purple, white, and red. They are just as sweet and crunchy as regular orange carrots but offer unique flavors—purple carrots can be slightly peppery, while yellow and white ones tend to be milder. Their stunning colors come from natural pigments like beta-carotene and anthocyanins, making them as nutritious as they are beautiful!
Absolutely! Regular orange carrots or all purple carrots work just as well and taste equally delicious.
Rainbow carrots are available at most grocery stores, especially in the produce section. Look for them at farmers’ markets, specialty stores, or organic markets for the freshest options. I love the different colors and green tops, but you can use regular carrots.
Fresh rosemary, thyme, and parsley are my classic choices. Other great options include sage, dill, or even a sprinkle of dried Italian seasoning for convenience.
My Pro Tip
Recipe Tips
Use fresh, firm carrots: Choose vibrant, unblemished carrots for the best flavor and texture.
Peel for even caramelization: Peeling helps the carrots roast evenly and caramelize beautifully.
Don’t overcrowd the pan: Spread carrots in a single layer to avoid steaming and promote caramelization.
Toss thoroughly: Coat the carrots evenly in olive oil and seasoning for maximum flavor.
Flip halfway: Stir or flip the carrots halfway through roasting for even browning.
Add fresh herbs after roasting: Sprinkle parsley or other fresh herbs at the end for a burst of freshness.
Finish with citrus or glaze: A drizzle of lemon juice, honey, or balsamic glaze elevates the dish.
Substitutions and Variations
- Carrots: Use regular orange carrots with carrot tops, or baby carrots if rainbow carrots aren’t available.
- Fresh Herbs: Swap rosemary and thyme for sage, dill, or oregano.
- Citrus: Replace lemon juice with lime or orange juice for a sweeter twist. Add a little orange zest to add extra brightness.
- Sweeteners: Use agave syrup and brown sugar, or omit them entirely for less sweetness.
- Nuts: Try walnuts, pecans, or almonds instead of pistachios or hazelnuts.
- Glaze: Substitute balsamic glaze with pomegranate molasses or skip for simplicity.
- Spices: Add cumin, paprika, or cinnamon for extra warmth and flavor.
Storage and Reheating Instructions
- Store: Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Reheat: Warm in the oven at 375°F for 8-10 minutes or microwave in 30-second intervals until heated through.
- Tip: Add a drizzle of olive oil or lemon juice before reheating to refresh the flavors.
More Delicious Recipes
Looking for other recipes? Try these:
Serving Suggestions
These are my favorite dishes to serve with these tasty glazed carrots:
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Roasted Rainbow Carrots Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 pounds rainbow carrots with tops, peeled (all orange carrots can also be used)
- 2 ½ tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice or orange juice
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 1 pinch smoked cayenne pepper, optional for heat
- 2 teaspoons fresh rosemary, finely chopped
- 2 teaspoon fresh thyme
- 3 teaspoons fresh Italian flat-leaf parsley, finely chopped (for serving)
Optional Toppings:
- Honey or maple syrup
- Chopped roasted nuts, e.g., hazelnuts or pistachios
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat your oven to 450°F (230°C).
- Prepare the marinade: In a small mixing bowl, combine the olive oil, salt, pepper, rosemary, thyme, lemon or orange juice, and a pinch of cayenne (if using). Stir well to combine.
- Arrange for roasting and coat with marinade: Spread the carrots in a single layer on a baking tray or oven-safe baking dish. Pour the marinade over the top and toss to combine, ensuring the carrots are fully coated.
- Roast: Bake for 30 to 35 minutes, or until the carrots are lightly caramelized around the edges and fork-tender. Stir and flip the carrots halfway through the cooking time to ensure even roasting.
- Finishing touches: Remove the carrots from the oven and sprinkle with freshly chopped parsley. For extra brightness, drizzle with additional lemon juice.
- Optional toppings: Transfer to a serving dish and, if desired, drizzle with honey, maple syrup, balsamic glaze, or tahini sauce. Garnish with chopped roasted nuts for added crunch and flavor.
- Serve: Serve immediately while warm and enjoy!
Notes
Feel free to experiment with flavors by swapping herbs or adding spices like cumin or smoked paprika.
These carrots pair beautifully with roasted meats, grains, or as a vibrant standalone side dish.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Made these the other night, and they were devoured! Delicious!!! Mine didn’t look as pretty, but I didn’t care, I’ll make them pretty for guests! Thank you Elena!!!
Happy you loved! They are so easy and tasty. You are welcome!
I love carrots and your recipe looks amazing!
Thank you! I hope you love them.
such a lovely recipe to enhance a humble vegetable, flavor and presentation
Thank you!
Simple but delicious. Perfect for Easter.
Yes! Thank you so much. Enjoy.
The perfect side! Love this dish!
It’s a beautiful and fresh recipe!