Ina Garten’s Sweet Maple Roasted Carrots Recipe You’ll Love

Maple roasted carrots bring vibrant color and unexpected sweetness to your dinner plate.

These golden-hued vegetables transform from ordinary to extraordinary with a simple glaze technique.

Humble root vegetables gain dramatic elegance through careful caramelization and gentle seasoning.

Sweet maple syrup creates a luxurious coating that enhances natural carrot flavors and produces a beautiful sheen.

Rich, woodsy notes complement the vegetable’s earthy undertones, creating a sophisticated side dish.

Home cooks appreciate how minimal ingredients can produce maximum culinary impact.

Tender, gently roasted carrots promise a delightful accompaniment that elevates any meal.

Why Maple Roasted Carrots by Ina Are Addicting

• Elevate Veggie Experience: These maple roasted carrots transform an ordinary vegetable into a stunning side dish that bursts with complex flavors, making even picky eaters fall in love with carrots.
• Quick and Foolproof Cooking: With just six simple steps and minimal ingredients, anyone can create a restaurant-quality side dish in under 30 minutes, perfect for busy home cooks seeking delicious results.
• Sweet and Spicy Flavor Symphony: The brilliant combination of sweet maple syrup and spicy cayenne pepper creates a mouthwatering balance that tingles taste buds and adds unexpected excitement to traditional roasted vegetables.
• Healthy Gourmet Upgrade: This recipe delivers maximum nutrition through whole carrots while providing a sophisticated culinary twist that looks impressive and tastes incredible, making healthy eating genuinely enjoyable.

Ingredients for Ina Garten’s Maple Glazed Carrots

• Carrots: Sweet root vegetable with a natural earthy flavor, best when fresh and crisp with bright orange color.

• Olive Oil: Helps create golden brown caramelization and adds rich, smooth texture.
• Maple Syrup: Provides natural sweetness and helps create a glossy, caramelized finish.
• Salt: Enhances overall flavor and balances the sweetness of the carrots.
• Cayenne Pepper: Adds a subtle heat and complex depth to the roasted carrots.
• Rosemary: Optional herb that brings a fragrant, woodsy note to the dish.

• Parsley: Fresh herb that adds a bright, green color and light herbal freshness to the final presentation.

Simple Guide to Roasting These Sweet Veggies

Step 1: Prepare Oven

Preheat the oven to 400°F (205°C) and position the rack in the center of the oven.

Step 2: Prepare Carrots

• Wash carrots thoroughly
• Pat dry with paper towels
• Cut carrots in half lengthwise
• Arrange carrots on a large rimmed baking sheet

Step 3: Create Maple Glaze

• Olive oil
• Pure maple syrup
• Whisk ingredients until well blended

Step 4: Season Carrots

• Kosher salt
• Cayenne pepper

Optional: Add fresh rosemary sprigs between carrot halves

Step 5: Roast to Perfection

Place baking sheet in preheated oven and roast for 25 minutes

Carefully flip carrots halfway through cooking time

Carrots should be tender and caramelized with golden edges

Step 6: Garnish and Serve

Transfer roasted carrots to a serving platter

Sprinkle with freshly chopped parsley

Serve immediately while warm and fragrant

Ina’s Carrot Tips You Didn’t Know You Needed

• Maximize Flavor Infusion: Gently massage the maple syrup and olive oil mixture into the carrots, ensuring every crevice absorbs the sweet and savory coating.
• Perfect Caramelization Technique: Use a light-colored baking sheet to monitor the browning process and prevent burning while achieving a beautiful golden glaze.
• Spice Customization: Start with a small amount of cayenne pepper and gradually increase to find your ideal heat level without overwhelming the carrots' natural sweetness.
• Slice Uniformity Matters: Cut carrots into similar-sized pieces to guarantee even cooking and consistent texture throughout the roasting process.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Prep the carrots earlier in the day and store them in the refrigerator, allowing the flavors to meld before roasting for an extra depth of taste.

How to Store These Glazed Veggies Right

• Vacuum Sealing: Lock in freshness by using a vacuum sealer for maple roasted carrots. Remove all air to prevent freezer burn and preserve the vibrant flavor and texture of your roasted vegetables for up to 4 months.
• Glass Container Method: Transfer cooled carrots to a sturdy glass container with an airtight lid. Refrigerate immediately after cooling to maintain optimal taste and prevent bacterial growth, keeping them delicious for 4-5 days.
• Portion Freezing: Divide leftover carrots into single-serving portions before freezing. Wrap each portion tightly in freezer-safe plastic wrap, then place in a labeled freezer bag to prevent flavor mixing and make reheating easier.

Fun Flavors to Add to Maple Roasted Carrots

• Honey Glazed Carrot Medley: Swap maple syrup with local honey for a golden, rich sweetness and add a sprinkle of thyme leaves for an aromatic herb touch.
• Spicy Moroccan Roasted Carrots: Replace cayenne with harissa paste and include ground cumin and coriander for a warm, North African-inspired flavor profile.
• Garlic Parmesan Roasted Carrots: Mince fresh garlic and mix with olive oil, then toss carrots with grated parmesan cheese before roasting for a savory, cheesy enhancement.
• Asian-Inspired Soy Carrots: Use sesame oil instead of olive oil, drizzle with soy sauce, and garnish with toasted sesame seeds and chopped green onions for an umami-packed side dish.

Final Roasted Thoughts on This Carrot Side

Maple roasted carrots showcase Ina Garten’s genius for simple yet sophisticated side dishes.

Her recipe transforms ordinary vegetables into extraordinary culinary experiences.

Sophisticated palates will appreciate subtle maple sweetness balanced with spicy cayenne undertones.

Rich caramelization creates complex flavor profiles that elevate humble carrots into restaurant-worthy delicacies.

Home cooks can easily master this elegant dish with minimal ingredients and straightforward techniques.

Share this fantastic recipe with friends, comment below with your roasting tips, and click that like button to spread delicious maple magic!

Ina Garten Maple Roasted Carrots Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.8 from 18 reviews

• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Maple roasted carrots from Ina Garten elevate simple root vegetables into a sophisticated side dish. Caramelized edges and sweet maple glaze create a delightful accompaniment that will charm dinner guests with its elegant simplicity.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Ingredients:

• 6 large carrots

Seasoning and Sweeteners:

• 1.5 tablespoons (22 milliliters) olive oil, melted
• 0.5 tablespoons (7.5 milliliters) maple syrup
• 1 pinch cayenne pepper (optional)
• 1 pinch sea salt

Herbs and Garnish:

• 5 sprigs fresh rosemary (optional)
• Chopped parsley, to garnish (optional)

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Prepare the oven by heating it to 400°F (205°C), ensuring an even temperature for roasting.
2. Carefully slice carrots lengthwise, creating uniform halves that will caramelize evenly on the baking sheet.
3. In a small mixing bowl, whisk together olive oil and maple syrup to create a glossy, sweet-savory glaze.
4. Generously brush the oil-syrup mixture over the carrot halves, ensuring complete and even coverage.
5. Sprinkle kosher salt and cayenne pepper across the carrots, adding depth of flavor and a subtle heat.
6. Optional: Intersperse fresh rosemary sprigs between the carrot halves to infuse an aromatic herbal essence.
7. Transfer the baking sheet to the preheated oven and roast for approximately 25 minutes, rotating the carrots midway to promote uniform caramelization.
8. Verify doneness by checking the carrots’ tenderness – they should be soft yet retain a slight firmness.
9. Remove from the oven and arrange the roasted carrots on a serving platter.
10. Garnish with freshly chopped parsley to add a vibrant, fresh touch and enhance the visual appeal of the dish.

Notes

• Elevate flavor complexity by selecting fresh, organic carrots with vibrant color and firm texture for superior roasting results.
• Experiment with alternative sweeteners like honey or agave nectar if maple syrup isn’t available, maintaining similar caramelization properties.
• Enhance presentation by cutting carrots diagonally, creating elegant, elongated pieces that maximize surface area for caramelization.
• Balance heat intensity through careful cayenne pepper application, starting with minimal amounts and gradually increasing to personal spice tolerance.
• Prevent burning by monitoring carrots closely during final roasting minutes, using a silicone baking mat or parchment paper for consistent heat distribution.

• Prep Time: 5 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Side Dish
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 100
• Sugar: 2 g
• Sodium: 200 mg
• Fat: 4.5 g
• Saturated Fat: 0.5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 15 g
• Fiber: 4 g
• Protein: 1 g
• Cholesterol: 0 mg