Alright, I think this is the perfect time of year to drop this easy, maple roasted carrots with balsamic and olives recipe on you! This is one of my all-time favorites AND most requested side dishes. This is a perfect side dish for your Thanksgiving meal!
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This roasted maple carrot recipe is my version of a side dish from one of my favorite restaurants back home in Sonoma County. The flavor combination is unreal, and the best part is that it's super quick and easy to make at home.
These carrots are drizzled with maple syrup and then roasted in the oven to create a crispy, candy-like glaze on the outside while staying tender on the inside. The creamy olives add a salty balance to the sweet carrots. Then almonds are added for crunch, and mint adds a refreshing flavor to the dish. These roasted carrots are finished with a balsamic glaze to add yet another tangy layer of flavor.
Jump to:
These Maple Roasted Carrots are:
Sweet
Salty
Nutty
Fresh
Tangy
7 Ingredients and 20 minutes is all you need to make this divine dish!
Ingredients You'll Need
Carrots
Maple Syrup -You can easily sub with honey (if not vegan)
Olives - I LOVE Castelvetrano olives
Lemon Zest
Sliced or Slivered Almonds
Fresh Mint
Balsamic Glaze - (recipe below or store-bought)
Scroll down to the recipe card for exact amounts and instructions.
How to make Roasted Carrots with Balsamic Glaze
Let's talk details....
Tips Making the Best Roasted Carrots
- Rinse the carrots under running cold water, being sure to remove any excess dirt. (Carrots do grow under ground!)
- Be sure to dry dy the carrots well. Dry carrots = crispy exteriors and soft interiors.
- You can choose to peel the carrots..or maybe not! It's up to you. I've cooked carrots with the skins on and they are just as tasty! If you are using rainbow carrots (which I highly suggest) don't peel them at all, the rainbow color is mostly in the skin, and they will lose their beautiful color.
- Slice the carrots lengthwise to create a stunning presentation. No biggie if you want to cut the carrots into chunks; they will be just as good! Just make sure to adjust the cooking time, so keep reading.
How to Make Roasted Carrots
Before roasting, toss the carrots in olive oil, salt and pepper. Drizzle maple syrup over the carrots before putting them in the oven. I find drizzling the maple syrup (instead of tossing the maple with the oil) over the carrots gives them a more caramelized exterior.
To get perfectly caramelized Maple Roasted Carrots be sure to spread the carrots out in an even layer on a baking sheet. Make sure there is plenty of space between the carrots so they can get good and roasted. If you put the carrots too close together, they will steam instead of roast, which will make them mushy.
How Long to Cook Roasted Carrots
Oven temperatures can vary slightly...or maybe a lot. It's important to keep an eye on your carrots while they are cooking to prevent burning. If overcooked, the maple syrup could burn and leave an unpleasant taste in the dish.
Here are some basic guidelines:
Thinner carrots = shorter cooking time. (15 minutes)
Bigger, thicker carrots = longer cooking time. (maybe 20. Check after 15 minutes to see if the carrots are tender)
10 minutes is a good place to start, then, flip the carrots and keep checking every 5 minutes to make sure they aren't burning.
The carrots I used for this recipe were pretty skinny, and the cooking time was only 15 minutes.
Toppings:
Castelvetrano Olives: These olives have a bright green color and meaty texture; they are buttery and rich, which makes them perfect for this recipe. I like to buy these olives with pits and remove them myself. Substitute with any mild green olive or kalamata, which would be good.
Fresh Mint: For the photos, I tore the mint leaves so they would look pretty (still tasted delicious). You can tear or chop the mint leaves, but be sure to use mint. It takes these carrots to the next level!
Balsamic Glaze adds a zippy tang to these carrots!
More Vegetable Side Dishes You May Enjoy
If you try this recipe, please let me know how it goes in the comments! I love creating new recipes and look forward to seeing you in the next post!
Suzie
Recipe
Easy, Maple Roasted Carrots with Olives + Almonds + Mint
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Ingredients
- 1 Pound Carrots Regular or Rainbow
- 1 Tbsp + 1 Tsp Olive Oil divided
- 2 tablespoon Maple Syrup drizzled
- ¼ Cup Castelvetrano Olives Chopped or crushed
- 1 teaspoon Lemon Zest
- 2 tablespoon Sliced Almonds toasted
- 1 tablespoon Fresh Mint Chopped or torn
- Salt to taste
- Pepper to taste
For the Balsamic Glaze:
- ½ Cup Balsamic Vinegar
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Instructions
Start the Glaze:
- Cook the balsamic vinegar in a small saucepan over medium heat for 10 - 15 minutes or until reduced by half and slightly thick.½ Cup - Balsamic Vinegar
For the Carrots
- Preheat the oven to 400°F
- Wash, dry and peel carrots(if not using rainbow carrots). Cut carrots in half lengthwise so that the carrots are about ½ inch thick across. If using larger carrots, you may need to cut cut carrots in half again (to make quarters). Toss them in olive oil, salt and pepper and arrange in a single layer on a baking sheet.1 Pound - Carrots1 tablespoon - Olive oilPinch - SaltPinch - Black Pepper
- Drizzle carrots with maple syrup and cook in oven. After 10 minutes, flip carrots and cook another 5 minutes or until a deep golden brown.2 tablespoon - Maple Syrup
For the Toppings
- In a small oven proof dish, bake almonds in the oven alongside the carrots for 5-10 minutes. Checking every 3 minutes until golden brown. Once light brown, remove from oven and set aside.2- 3 tablespoon - Sliced Almonds
- Pit and chop olives, place in a small bowl. Stir in lemon zest and olive oil. Set aside.¼ Cup - Castelvetrano Olives1 teaspoon - Lemon Zest1 teaspoon - Olive Oil
- Chop mint and set aside.1 - tablespoon Fresh Mint
To Assemble the Dish
- Arrange carrots on a serving dish, top with chopped olives, almonds, mint and finish with a drizzle of balsamic glaze.
- Serve with love and enjoy! 🙂
Questions, thoughts or comments? I would love to hear from you!
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