Maple-Braised Root Vegetable Medley with Thyme
Tender carrots, parsnips, and sweet potatoes simmered in a sweet maple-thyme glaze, finished with a fragrant herb finish. This canadian-inspired vegetarian ready in about 50 minutes pairs maple syrup, chicken broth, leaves picked fresh thyme for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 220 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.
Ingredients
- 3 medium, peeled and cut into 1-inch chunks carrots
- 2 medium, peeled and cut into 1-inch chunks parsnips
- 2 medium, peeled and cut into 1-inch chunks sweet potatoes
- 1 medium, peeled and cut into 1-inch chunks turnips
- 3 tbsp maple syrup
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 2 tbsp, leaves picked fresh thyme
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large deep skillet over medium heat. Add 3 medium peeled and chopped carrots, 2 medium peeled and chopped parsnips, 2 medium peeled and chopped sweet potatoes, and 1 medium peeled and chopped turnip. Season with 1/2 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp black pepper, and cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until vegetables begin to soften.
- Step 2: Add 3 tbsp maple syrup and 1 cup chicken broth to the skillet, then stir in 2 tbsp fresh thyme leaves. Bring to a simmer, reduce heat to low, cover, and cook for 20-25 minutes, or until all vegetables are tender when pierced with a fork, stirring once halfway through.
- Step 3: Remove lid, increase heat to medium-high, and simmer uncovered for 5-7 minutes until liquid coats the back of a spoon and vegetables are glazed. Taste and adjust salt and pepper if needed.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Maple-Braised Root Vegetable Medley with Thyme take to make?
Total time is about 50 minutes (20 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-Braised Root Vegetable Medley 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 maple syrup from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Maple-Braised Root Vegetable Medley 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-Braised Root Vegetable Medley 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-Braised Root Vegetable Medley with Thyme?
Canadian 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
- ★★★★★
Absolutely delicious. The only change I made was adding a bit of garlic, but it was great as is.
- ★★★★★
Best root vegetable medley I've ever had. The maple really brought out the sweetness.
- ★★★★★
So simple and delicious! I made it for a Sunday roast and everyone asked for the recipe.