Maple-Aperol Roasted Carrots with Thyme
Sweet carrots roasted until tender, finished with a glossy glaze that balances Aperol's citrusy bitterness against maple syrup and fresh thyme. This mediterranean-inspired vegetarian (gluten-free) ready in about 35 minutes pairs carrots, olive oil, dried thyme for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 150 calories and feeds 2, 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 lb carrots
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1/2 tsp dried thyme
- 1 tbsp maple syrup
- 1 tbsp Aperol
- 1/4 tsp salt
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 425°F. Peel and cut 1 lb carrots into 1-inch chunks. Toss with 1 tbsp olive oil, 1/2 tsp dried thyme, and 1/4 tsp salt on a baking sheet. Roast for 20 minutes until tender but still crisp.
- Step 2: Whisk together 1 tbsp maple syrup and 1 tbsp Aperol in a small bowl. After roasting, brush the glaze evenly over carrots and return to oven for 5 minutes until sticky and glossy, with edges caramelized.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Maple-Aperol Roasted Carrots with Thyme take to make?
Total time is about 35 minutes (10 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 Maple-Aperol 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 carrots from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Maple-Aperol 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 Maple-Aperol Roasted Carrots with Thyme for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 2 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 2). 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.
Is Maple-Aperol Roasted Carrots with Thyme gluten-free?
Yes — this recipe is tagged gluten-free based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
Brought this to a potluck and it was the first dish to disappear.
