Description
This Spiced Honey Roasted Carrots recipe combines sweet and warm spices with the natural earthiness of carrots, roasted to golden perfection and topped with fresh cilantro, vibrant pomegranate seeds, and creamy feta cheese. It’s a delightful side dish that’s both flavorful and visually stunning, perfect for elevating any meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Spices and Seasonings
- 1/4 teaspoon Ground Cinnamon
- 3/4 teaspoon Garlic Powder
- 1/2 teaspoon Onion Powder
- 1 teaspoon Pink Himalayan Sea Salt
- 1/2 teaspoon Ground Cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon Ground Coriander
- 1/4 teaspoon Ground Black Pepper
Produce
- 2 pounds Carrots, peeled and cut into sticks or chunks
- 2 tablespoons Fresh Cilantro, chopped
- 3 tablespoons Pomegranate Seeds
Other Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons Olive Oil
- 1/4 cup Honey
- 1/2 teaspoon Vanilla Extract
- 2 tablespoons Feta Cheese (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit (200 degrees Celsius) to ensure it’s hot and ready for roasting the carrots evenly.
- Prepare Carrots: Peel and cut the carrots into sticks or chunks, then place them in a medium-sized bowl to prepare for seasoning.
- Mix Seasoning: In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, honey, vanilla extract, pink Himalayan sea salt, ground cinnamon, garlic powder, onion powder, ground cumin, ground coriander, and ground black pepper. This mixture forms the flavorful coating for the carrots.
- Coat Carrots: Pour the seasoning mixture over the carrots and toss thoroughly to ensure each piece is well coated with the spiced honey blend.
- Arrange and Roast: Transfer the coated carrots to a sheet pan, spreading them out evenly. Roast in the preheated oven for about 30 minutes, stirring every 10 minutes to promote even caramelization, until the carrots are golden brown and fork-tender. Depending on carrot thickness, roasting time may vary slightly.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove the roasted carrots from the oven and serve warm. Garnish with chopped fresh cilantro, pomegranate seeds, and sprinkle with optional feta cheese to add freshness, tartness, and creaminess to the dish.
Notes
- If carrots are very thick, cut them smaller or increase roasting time slightly for tenderness.
- Vanilla extract adds subtle sweetness and depth—do not omit for full flavor.
- Feta cheese is optional but provides a nice creamy and salty contrast.
- Stir carrots during roasting to prevent burning and ensure even cooking.
- Pomegranate seeds add a lovely pop of color and freshness, but can be omitted if unavailable.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Roasting
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Keywords: roasted carrots, honey roasted carrots, spiced carrots, side dish, Mediterranean vegetables, fall recipe, healthy side, vegetarian side
