Maple-Glazed Roasted Carrots with Thyme and Sea Salt
Sweet roasted carrots coated in a sticky maple glaze accented with fresh thyme and a sprinkle of flaky sea salt. This american-inspired vegetarian ready in about 40 minutes pairs olive oil, pure maple syrup, whole sprigs fresh thyme sprigs for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 110 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 lb, peeled and cut into 3-inch sticks carrots
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 3 tbsp pure maple syrup
- 4 whole sprigs fresh thyme sprigs
- 1 tsp sea salt flakes
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat the oven to 425°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Toss 1 lb peeled carrots cut into 3-inch sticks with 2 tbsp olive oil, 3 tbsp pure maple syrup, and 1/4 tsp black pepper in a large bowl until evenly coated.
- Step 2: Spread the carrots out in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet and tuck in 4 fresh thyme sprigs among them.
- Step 3: Roast for 25-30 minutes, turning halfway through, until the carrots are tender and caramelized around the edges.
- Step 4: Remove from the oven and discard the thyme sprigs. Sprinkle 1 tsp flaky sea salt evenly over the carrots and toss gently to combine.
- Step 5: Serve warm as a sweet and savory side dish.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Maple-Glazed Roasted Carrots with Thyme and Sea Salt 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-Glazed Roasted Carrots with Thyme and Sea Salt?
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 Maple-Glazed Roasted Carrots with Thyme and Sea Salt?
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-Glazed Roasted Carrots with Thyme and Sea Salt 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-Glazed Roasted Carrots with Thyme and Sea Salt?
American 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.
