Citrus Roasted Carrots (Printable version)

Tender carrots roasted with orange zest, honey, and thyme offer a bright and flavorful side.

# What you need:

→ Vegetables

01 - 1 lb carrots, peeled and cut into sticks or thick slices

→ Citrus & Flavorings

02 - Zest and juice of 1 orange
03 - 1 tablespoon lemon juice
04 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
05 - 1 tablespoon honey or pure maple syrup for vegan option
06 - 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves or ½ teaspoon dried thyme
07 - ½ teaspoon salt
08 - ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

→ Garnish (optional)

09 - 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
10 - Additional orange zest

# How To:

01 - Preheat oven to 400°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
02 - Whisk orange zest, orange juice, lemon juice, olive oil, honey, thyme, salt, and pepper in a large bowl.
03 - Add peeled carrot sticks to the bowl and toss thoroughly to coat with the citrus mixture.
04 - Spread the coated carrots evenly in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet.
05 - Roast for 25 to 30 minutes, stirring halfway through, until carrots are tender and lightly caramelized.
06 - Transfer carrots to a serving platter, garnish with chopped parsley and extra orange zest if desired, and serve warm.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It turns ordinary carrots into something you actually crave, not just tolerate.
  • The citrus brightens everything without covering up the natural sweetness.
  • You can prep it in ten minutes and forget about it while it roasts.
  • It works as a weeknight side or something impressive enough for company.
02 -
  • Cut the carrots evenly or the thin ones will burn before the thick ones are done.
  • Don't skip the halfway stir; the glaze pools and the bottoms can scorch.
  • If your carrots are really thick, add five more minutes and check for tenderness with a fork.
03 -
  • Zest the orange before you juice it; it's nearly impossible the other way around.
  • If the glaze looks dry halfway through roasting, drizzle a tablespoon of water over the carrots before stirring.
  • Use a rimmed baking sheet so the juices don't spill and smoke up your oven.

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