Heirloom Carrot & Beet Medley with House-Smoked Pork Belly

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A vibrant vegetable medley caramelized with house-smoked pork belly fat, finished with fresh thyme and local honey for a sweet-savory Southern side. This southern-inspired vegetarian ready in about 45 minutes pairs heirloom carrots, beets, house-smoked pork belly for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 285 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

★ 4.2 (13 ratings) Prep: 20 min Cook: 25 min Serves 4 Southern cuisine 285 cal/serving
Build a week of meals around this recipe → Shop this recipe on Instacart → Shop equipment ↓

Ingredients

Equipment for this recipe

Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.

More Bakeware & baking tools → Shop all kitchen tools →

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Trim and cut heirloom carrots and beets into 1/2-inch thick coins, then toss with 1 tbsp olive oil, 1/4 tsp sea salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
  2. Step 2: Roast at 425°F for 20 minutes until edges are caramelized and tender, stirring once halfway through.
  3. Step 3: While vegetables roast, render 4 oz house-smoked pork belly in a skillet over medium heat until golden and crispy, about 8 minutes, then set aside, reserving 2 tbsp fat.
  4. Step 4: Add reserved pork fat to the skillet with 1 tbsp fresh thyme, sautéing for 30 seconds until fragrant, then add roasted vegetables and 1 tbsp local honey, tossing to coat evenly until honey glazes the vegetables and caramelizes slightly, about 2 minutes.
  5. Step 5: Season with remaining salt and pepper, garnish with crispy pork belly bits, and serve warm.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Heirloom Carrot & Beet Medley with House-Smoked Pork Belly take to make?

Total time is about 45 minutes (20 min prep + 25 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.

How do I store leftover Heirloom Carrot & Beet Medley with House-Smoked Pork Belly?

Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep heirloom carrots from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Heirloom Carrot & Beet Medley with House-Smoked Pork Belly?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale Heirloom Carrot & Beet Medley with House-Smoked Pork Belly for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

What goes well with Heirloom Carrot & Beet Medley with House-Smoked Pork Belly?

Southern vegetarian like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.

What others are saying

Related recipes