Maple-Balsamic Glazed Roasted Carrots with Thyme
Sweet carrots transformed by a tangy balsamic glaze, caramelized to perfection with a touch of maple for a sophisticated sour-sweet harmony. This french-inspired vegetarian ready in about 40 minutes pairs Carrots, Extra-virgin olive oil, 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
- 2 lbs Carrots
- 3 tbsp Extra-virgin olive oil
- 1/4 cup Balsamic vinegar
- 2 tbsp Maple syrup
- 1 tbsp Fresh thyme
- 1/2 tsp Salt
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Peel and cut 2 lbs carrots into 1-inch thick sticks, toss with 3 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1 tbsp fresh thyme in a roasting pan.
- Step 2: Roast for 25-30 minutes, stirring once halfway, until carrots are fork-tender and caramelized at the edges.
- Step 3: Whisk 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar and 2 tbsp maple syrup in a small saucepan, then simmer over medium heat for 5-7 minutes until reduced to a syrupy consistency and thickened enough to coat a spoon.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Maple-Balsamic Glazed 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 Maple-Balsamic Glazed 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-Balsamic Glazed 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-Balsamic Glazed 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 Maple-Balsamic Glazed Roasted Carrots with Thyme?
French 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
- ★★★★★
Quick to prep and the results are amazing. A real keeper.
- ★★★★★
Doubled the garlic (as one does) and it was amazing.
- ★★★★☆
Solid recipe. Not groundbreaking but definitely making it again.
