Honey-Balsamic Roasted Carrots with Thyme
Sweet carrots caramelized with honey and balsamic vinegar, finished with fresh thyme. This general-inspired vegetarian ready in about 40 minutes pairs olive oil, honey, balsamic vinegar for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 180 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.
Ingredients
- 1.5 lbs, peeled and cut into 1-inch pieces carrots
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp honey
- 1 tbsp balsamic vinegar
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 1 tbsp, chopped fresh thyme
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 425°F. Toss carrot pieces with 2 tbsp olive oil, 1 tbsp honey, 1 tbsp balsamic vinegar, 1/2 tsp salt, 1/4 tsp black pepper, and 1 tsp dried thyme in a large bowl until evenly coated.
- Step 2: Spread carrots in single layer on parchment-lined baking sheet. Roast 25-30 minutes, stirring once halfway through, until carrots are tender and edges are caramelized.
- Step 3: Remove from oven and immediately sprinkle with 1 tbsp chopped fresh thyme. Let rest 5 minutes before serving to allow flavors to meld.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Honey-Balsamic Roasted Carrots with Thyme take to make?
Total time is about 40 minutes (10 min prep + 30 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 Honey-Balsamic Roasted Carrots with Thyme?
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 olive oil from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Honey-Balsamic Roasted Carrots with Thyme?
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 Honey-Balsamic Roasted Carrots with Thyme 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 Honey-Balsamic Roasted Carrots with Thyme?
General 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
- ★★★★★
Made this for my family and everyone asked for the recipe.
- ★★★★★
So much better than takeout. We'll never order general delivery again.
- ★★★★★
Kids gobbled it up without complaints — that's a 5-star in my book.
