Ina Garten’s Sweet & Savory Tzimmes Recipe for Comfort

Tzimmes, a vibrant Jewish culinary tradition, weaves together sweet and savory notes in a comforting dish that speaks to cultural heritage and family gatherings.

Rich root vegetables dance with subtle spices, creating a symphony of warmth and depth on your plate.

Sweetness from caramelized ingredients mingles with earthy undertones, transforming humble produce into an extraordinary experience.

Slow-cooked textures reveal layers of complex flavors that embrace classic comfort food principles.

Each carefully selected ingredient contributes its unique character, building a harmonious blend that feels both nostalgic and innovative.

Cultural cooking techniques transform simple components into something profoundly meaningful and deliciously memorable.

Why Tzimmes from Ina Garten Is a Comfort Classic

• Create a Flavor Explosion: This tzimmes bursts with a magical combination of sweet and savory notes, blending tender roasted vegetables with the rich sweetness of prunes and a hint of citrusy orange zest.
• Embrace Effortless Comfort Cooking: The one-pot method makes this recipe incredibly simple, requiring minimal prep and cleanup while delivering maximum flavor with just a few easy steps of sautéing and baking.
• Celebrate Nutritious Comfort Food: Packed with nutrient-dense vegetables like carrots, sweet potatoes, and butternut squash, this dish offers a wholesome meal that feels indulgent yet provides substantial nutritional benefits.
• Experience Versatile Holiday Magic: Perfect for Jewish holiday gatherings or as a stunning side dish, this tzimmes transforms ordinary vegetables into a spectacular, warmly spiced comfort food that brings people together around the table.

What You’ll Need for This Sweet-Savory Side

• Carrots: Sweet and colorful root vegetable that adds natural sweetness and vibrant orange color to the dish.
• Sweet Potatoes: Creamy and nutritious root vegetable with a rich, sweet flavor that complements the other ingredients.
• Butternut Squash: Hearty and smooth winter squash with a buttery texture that adds depth to the tzimmes.
• Onions: Aromatic base vegetable that provides a savory foundation and enhances overall flavor.

• Prunes: Soft, sweet dried plums that bring a rich, deep sweetness and tender texture to the dish.

• Chicken Stock: Flavorful liquid that helps cook and steam the vegetables while adding depth to the dish.
• Orange Zest, Orange Juice: Bright citrus elements that provide a fresh, tangy undertone and balance the sweetness.
• Brown Sugar: Rich, molasses-flavored sweetener that caramelizes and adds depth to the tzimmes.
• Butter: Rich dairy component that adds smoothness and helps bind the flavors together.
• Cinnamon: Warm, aromatic spice that brings a comforting and traditional flavor to the dish.
• Salt: Essential seasoning that enhances and balances all the other flavors.
• Black Pepper: Subtle spice that adds a gentle heat and complexity to the overall taste.

• Olive Oil: High-quality fat used for sautéing onions and preventing sticking, with a mild fruity flavor.

How to Prep Tzimmes the Easy Ina Way

Step 1: Preheat Oven

Set the oven temperature to 325 degrees Fahrenheit to prepare for cooking.

Step 2: Sauté Onions

Heat olive oil in a large Dutch oven or ovenproof pot over medium to medium-low heat. Cook onions, stirring occasionally, until they become soft and translucent (about 15 minutes).

Step 3: Combine Vegetable Ingredients

• Carrots
• Sweet potatoes
• Butternut squash
• Chicken stock
• Orange zest
• Orange juice
• Brown sugar
• Butter
• Cinnamon
• Salt
• Black pepper

Step 4: Add Prunes

Gently distribute prunes across the top of the vegetable mixture.

Step 5: Bring to Simmer

Place the pot on the stovetop and bring the liquid to a gentle simmer.

Step 6: Bake in Oven

Cover the pot and transfer to the preheated oven. Bake for 40-45 minutes, or until vegetables are tender and easily pierced with a fork.

Step 7: Serve and Enjoy

Remove from oven, stir the tzimmes thoroughly, taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Serve warm as a delightful side dish.

Tricks to Keep Your Tzimmes Full of Flavor

• Slice Strategically: Uniform vegetable cuts guarantee consistent texture and even cooking throughout the tzimmes.
• Stock Up on Flavor: Homemade chicken stock elevates the dish's richness, but a premium store-bought version works wonderfully as a quick alternative.
• Sweet Balance: Customize the sweetness by gradually adding brown sugar, tasting as you go to achieve your perfect flavor profile.
• Zest is Best: Orange zest brings a vibrant, citrusy brightness that cuts through the dish's richness and adds complexity to every bite.
• Prep Like a Pro: Chop vegetables ahead of time and store in the refrigerator to streamline your cooking process and reduce day-of stress.

The Best Way to Store and Reheat Tzimmes

• Airtight Glass Container Method: Transfer tzimmes to a clean, high-quality glass container with a sealed lid. Prevent moisture and odor absorption by choosing a container with a tight-fitting seal. Glass maintains flavor integrity and allows easy visibility of contents.
• Portion Freezing Method: Divide tzimmes into individual serving sizes before freezing. Use freezer-safe plastic containers or heavy-duty freezer bags. Label each container with the date and contents to track freshness. Portion freezing enables quick reheating and reduces food waste.
• Temperature Control Method: Store tzimmes in the coldest part of the refrigerator, typically the back shelf. Maintain consistent temperature between 35-40°F to preserve texture and prevent bacterial growth. Always cool tzimmes to room temperature before refrigerating to prevent condensation and potential flavor compromise.

Make Tzimmes Your Own With These Creative Ideas

• Spicy Mediterranean Tzimmes: Add diced jalapeños and sprinkle smoked paprika for a warm, zesty kick that elevates the traditional sweet profile.
• Vegan Root Vegetable Medley: Replace chicken stock with vegetable broth and swap butter with coconut oil to create a plant-based version packed with hearty root vegetables like parsnips and turnips.
• Citrus-Herb Mediterranean Fusion: Incorporate fresh rosemary and thyme, then intensify the citrus notes by adding lemon zest alongside orange juice for a bright, aromatic alternative that brings complex layers of flavor.
• Nutty Autumn Harvest Edition: Scatter toasted pine nuts and chopped pecans on top before baking, introducing a delightful crunch and rich, earthy undertones that complement the sweet roasted vegetables.

Final Thoughts on This Tzimmes Treasure

Jewish culinary heritage shines through Ina Garten’s tzimmes, a symphony of autumnal sweetness and earthy warmth.

Orange zest and brown sugar whisper nostalgic memories of family gatherings, while tender vegetables dance with rich, complex flavors.

Prunes add luxurious depth, creating a side dish that transcends mere accompaniment.

Mediterranean and Eastern European influences merge seamlessly in this comforting recipe.

Balanced spices and carefully selected ingredients elevate this traditional dish from simple to sublime.

Kitchen explorers and cultural enthusiasts: savor each spoonful, share this recipe’s story, drop a comment celebrating its roots, and spread deliciousness across your social networks.

Ina Garten Tzimmes Recipe

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4.9 from 28 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
• Yield: 8 1x

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Description

Ina Garten’s tzimmes celebrates Jewish culinary heritage with sweet roots and earthy charm. Rich carrots, sweet potatoes, and honey blend in this traditional Ashkenazi side dish that brings warmth and comfort to family gatherings.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Vegetables:

• 3 cups (710 milliliters) chopped yellow onions (2 large)
• 1 pound (454 grams) carrots, unpeeled and cut into 2-inch chunks
• 2 pounds (907 grams) sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into 1½-inch chunks
• 2 pounds (907 grams) butternut squash, peeled and cut into 1½-inch chunks

Fruits and Sweeteners:

• 2 cups (300 grams) pitted prunes
• ½ cup (120 milliliters) freshly squeezed orange juice (2 large oranges)
• ¼ cup (50 grams) light brown sugar, lightly packed
• 1 teaspoon (5 milliliters) grated orange zest

Liquids, Seasonings, and Other Ingredients:

• 1 cup (240 milliliters) chicken stock, preferably homemade
• 2 tablespoons (30 grams) unsalted butter, diced
• ½ teaspoon (2.5 milliliters) ground cinnamon
• Good olive oil
• Kosher salt
• Freshly ground black pepper

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Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 325 degrees Fahrenheit (163 degrees Celsius), ensuring the rack is positioned in the center.
2. Pour of extra virgin olive oil into a 10 to 11-inch (25 to 28 centimeters) Dutch oven or heavy-bottomed ovenproof pot, allowing the oil to warm over medium heat.
3. Add chopped onions to the heated oil and sauté, stirring occasionally, until they become translucent and soft, approximately 15 minutes.
4. Incorporate diced carrots, cubed sweet potatoes, and butternut squash into the onion mixture, creating a colorful vegetable medley.
5. Pour in the chicken stock, freshly grated orange zest, and freshly squeezed orange juice, creating a fragrant liquid base for the dish.
6. Sprinkle brown sugar, add butter cubes, ground cinnamon, of salt, and 1½ teaspoons (7.5 grams) of freshly ground black pepper to enhance the flavor profile.
7. Gently distribute the prunes evenly across the top of the vegetable mixture.
8. Bring the liquid to a gentle simmer, allowing the flavors to begin melding together.
9. Cover the Dutch oven and transfer to the preheated oven, baking for 40-45 minutes until the vegetables are tender and easily pierced with a fork.
10. Remove from the oven, stir thoroughly to combine all ingredients, taste, and adjust seasoning if needed. Serve warm, allowing the aromatic dish to showcase its rich, comforting flavors.

Notes

• Zesting technique matters – use light pressure to avoid bitter white pith when removing citrus skin.
• Room temperature ingredients blend more smoothly, creating better overall texture and consistent flavor distribution.
• Wooden spoon works best for stirring – prevents scratching delicate cookware and helps maintain recipe integrity.
• Measuring brown sugar precisely impacts final sweetness, so pack it firmly into measuring cup for accurate results.
• Chill prepared dish briefly before serving to allow flavors to meld and intensify, resulting in more complex taste profile.

• Prep Time: 30 minutes
• Cook Time: 45 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Jewish

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 300 kcal
• Sugar: 15 g
• Sodium: 250 mg
• Fat: 8 g
• Saturated Fat: 2 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 56 g
• Fiber: 8 g
• Protein: 3 g
• Cholesterol: 5 mg