How to Make Roasted Carrots

1512 5. Tightly cover pan with foil. Bake at 400° for 10 minutes. Uncover and return pan to oven; bake an additional 18 minutes or until carrots are tender, turning once.

You're only a few simple steps away from enjoying a drool-worthy side dish.

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Achieve Perfection

Photo: Jennifer Causey

Oven roasting surrounds vegetables with dry, hot, even heat that heightens flavor, browns and crisps exteriors, and cooks interiors to perfect tenderness. Use these guidelines for success.

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1. Preheat oven to 400°.

Photo: Jen Causey

Why? Cranking up the oven temperature caramelizes the vegetables’ outer layer. If too high, the interior won’t fully cook; if too low, the vegetables won’t brown well. Roasting temperatures will range between 375° for larger items and 450° for smaller items.

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2. Scrub carrots, and dry well; peel, if desired.

Photo: Jason Varney

Why? The goal is a dry roasting environment. Excess moisture can make outer surfaces mushy and inhibit browning. Peeling is a matter of choice: Some peels taste bitter.

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3. Arrange carrots in a single layer, well spaced on a baking sheet.

Photo: Jennifer Causey

Why? Roast similar types and sizes of vegetables together so everything cooks at the same rate. To encourage caramelization, make sure each vegetable sits directly on the sheet pan, and allow room for heat to circulate.

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4. Drizzle with oil, turning to coat all over. Sprinkle with salt and pepper

Photo: Levi Brown

Why? A light coating of oil promotes browning and prevents sticking. But go easy: Too much oil will just soak into porous vegetables, or pool and “fry” nonporous ones. Avoid using butter, which can burn.

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5. Tightly cover pan with foil. Bake at 400° for 10 minutes. Uncover and return pan to oven; bake an additional 18 minutes or until carrots are tender, turning once.

Photo: Jennifer Causey

Why? Covering the pan creates a mini oven within the oven and speeds up roasting. It’s essential to remove the foil early on to prevent buildup of steam from the vegetables’ own juices.

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How to Make Roasted Carrots

1 of 7

Achieve Perfection

2 of 7

1. Preheat oven to 400°.

3 of 7

2. Scrub carrots, and dry well; peel, if desired.

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3. Arrange carrots in a single layer, well spaced on a baking sheet.

5 of 7

4. Drizzle with oil, turning to coat all over. Sprinkle with salt and pepper

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5. Tightly cover pan with foil. Bake at 400° for 10 minutes. Uncover and return pan to oven; bake an additional 18 minutes or until carrots are tender, turning once.

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How to Make Roasted Carrots

1 of 7

Achieve Perfection

2 of 7

1. Preheat oven to 400°.

3 of 7

2. Scrub carrots, and dry well; peel, if desired.

4 of 7

3. Arrange carrots in a single layer, well spaced on a baking sheet.

5 of 7

4. Drizzle with oil, turning to coat all over. Sprinkle with salt and pepper

6 of 7

5. Tightly cover pan with foil. Bake at 400° for 10 minutes. Uncover and return pan to oven; bake an additional 18 minutes or until carrots are tender, turning once.

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