How To Make The Best Roasted Carrots with Harissa Glaze

Indulge in roasted carrots topped with fiery harissa sauce. A flavorful and vibrant dish bursting with spicy goodness! Absolutely delicious!

Related Roasted Vegetables Posts:

• Whole Roasted Broccoli
• Roasted Leeks
• Roasted Whole Cauliflower

Elevate your side dish game with our easy and flavorful roasted carrots topped with harissa sauce. This simple yet sophisticated dish takes humble roasted carrots to new heights with the addition of bold and spicy harissa sauce.

The carrots are roasted to perfection, bringing out their natural sweetness and caramelized edges, while the harissa sauce adds a fiery kick and depth of flavor.

Whether you're looking to impress guests at a dinner party or simply craving a delicious and nutritious side dish, these roasted carrots with harissa sauce are sure to steal the show. Get ready to elevate your meal with this easy yet elevated side dish that packs a punch of flavor!

Why take beautiful vegetables like carrots and dunk them in a sea of ranch dressing? Just because carrots are humble, don't mean they can't be cool and fly. This roasted carrots recipe is for the grown and sexy people, though I suspect if you got kids they will love them as well.

Beats and Eats (music to pair with roasted carrots)

LTQ's "Ain't Nobody" makes a great pairing with roasted carrots topped with harissa due to its upbeat rhythm and soulful vocals. The lively energy of the song enhances the dining experience, adding to the enjoyment of the bold and spicy flavors of the harissa sauce.

The song's uplifting vibe creates a perfect backdrop for savoring the sweet and smoky notes of the roasted carrots, enhancing the overall culinary experience. Together, they create a harmonious combination of music and food that delights the senses and elevates the dining experience to new heights.

I made a big batch of harissa sauce on a Sunday that I've used in a few different recipes including harissa chicken wings, meatballs, and charred asparagus. I was running low so added some grainy mustard to stretch the sauce and provide just enough to glaze these farmers market fresh carrots I came upon.

Key Flavor Ingredients To Elevate Roasted Carrots

• Harissa paste - has a bold, spicy, and slightly smoky flavor profile. It is typically made from a blend of chili peppers, garlic, olive oil, and spices. The dominant taste in harissa paste is the heat from the chili peppers, which can vary in intensity depending on the type of peppers used. Additionally, you may detect notes of garlic, earthiness from the spices, and a hint of tanginess from the vinegar or lemon juice.
• Lemon juice - adds brightness, tanginess, and a refreshing citrus flavor to harissa sauce. Its acidic nature helps to balance the richness of the spices and chili peppers, enhancing the overall taste profile of the sauce. Additionally, lemon juice adds a subtle freshness and zestiness that complements the bold and fiery flavors of harissa.
• Rice vinegar - adds a mild acidity, sweetness, and subtle tanginess to harissa sauce. Additionally, rice vinegar adds a hint of sweetness that complements the spicy and savory elements of harissa. Overall, rice vinegar adds complexity and brightness to harissa sauce, making it more flavorful and versatile.
• Extra Virgin Olive oil - brings richness, smoothness, and a silky texture to harissa sauce. Olive oil helps to bind the ingredients together, creating a cohesive and luscious consistency. Its inclusion contributes to the mouthfeel of the sauce, making it more luxurious and satisfying.
• Grainy mustard - adds a tangy, pungent flavor and a bit of texture to harissa sauce. It helps to thicken the sauce slightly, providing a more robust consistency.
• Honey - provides sweetness, depth, and a subtle floral flavor to harissa sauce. Its natural sweetness helps to balance the heat and spiciness of the sauce, providing a pleasant contrast to the bold flavors of the spices and chili peppers. Honey helps to mellow out the intensity of the other ingredients, resulting in a smoother and more enjoyable sauce. Ultimately despite the sweetness these are savory carrots.

This recipe is as easy as it gets, especially if you're like me and your Sunday meal prep consists of you making a few sauces for the week. With my mighty harissa sauce on hand, all was left for me to do was peel the carrots and roast them. A roasted carrot recipe should not be any more complicated than that. Anything else, and you're probably doing too much! Carrots are naturally sweet and the harissa sauce enhances and elevates them in so many ways.

How To Make Oven Roasted Carrots (simple easy steps)

There really isn't a lot to this recipe as far as steps go.

MAKE THE SAUCE

• In a small bowl combine the honey, olive oil, harissa, lemon juice, vinegar, and mustard. Reserve about 2 tablespoons.

Roast CARROTS

• Heat oven to 400°F. Having a hot oven is key for that deep roast flavor and netting tender roasted carrots.
• In a large bowl, toss raw carrots with the harissa honey glaze. Spread carrots in a single layer on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper
• Bake 30 minutes rotating the carrots about halfway through. Toss with reserved harissa sauce, add to your serving dish and top with fresh parsley or cilantro (optional)

What To Serve with Harissa Honey Roasted Carrots

Roasted carrots pair well with a variety of dishes and accompaniments. Here are some ideas:

1. grilled or roasted chicken: The sweetness of the carrots complements the savory flavors of grilled or roasted chicken.
2. Couscous or quinoa: Serve the roasted carrots alongside couscous or quinoa for a hearty and nutritious meal.
3. Hummus and pita: Enjoy the roasted carrots as a tasty dipper with creamy hummus and warm pita bread.
4. Salad: Add roasted carrots to a mixed green salad for added sweetness and texture.
5. Roasted vegetables: Serve the roasted carrots alongside other roasted vegetables like potatoes, bell peppers, and zucchini for a colorful and flavorful side dish.
6. Herb-roasted potatoes: Pair the roasted carrots with herb-roasted potatoes for a comforting and satisfying meal.
7. Grilled fish: The sweetness of the roasted carrots contrasts nicely with the delicate flavor of grilled fish like salmon or tilapia.

Tips For Making Perfect Roasted Carrots Recipe

• Roast whole carrots. There is no chopping and they make for a great presentation. The one exception would be if your carrots are abnormally thick, then you'd want to half them lengthwise.
• Roast at 400 degrees max. Cook too high and they'll shrivel up like raisins
• Eat immediately as they don't hold up well texture wise. If you choose to make them ahead of time, then seal them tightly in an airtight container
• Choose carrot top carrots if available and reserve tops for pesto or salsa verde
• Peel your carrots. I don't peel (I always clean them though) carrots when I'm making stock because I like that earthy taste, but roasted that taste is too much and the skin gets wrinkly which ain't a good look.

Substitutions and Variations On The Recipe

This recipe works with other roasted veggies like asparagus, green beans, and broccoli. The sauce basically makes any plain vegetable super tasty.

Honey is a needed sweetener, but other ingredients can play this role. Maple syrup is my favorite alternative, but brown sugar or agave nectar.

You can also use different types of carrots with the sauce. Top steamed baby carrots with it as well as the same with sauteed sliced carrots.

making harissa glazed carrots

Regular roasted carrots topped with harissa sauce offer a flavorful and vibrant side dish that is sure to impress. The natural sweetness of the carrots pairs perfectly with the bold and spicy flavors of the harissa sauce, creating a harmonious balance of tastes and textures.

Whether served alongside grilled meats, salads, or as part of a vegetarian meal, this dish adds a touch of excitement and sophistication to any dining experience. With its simplicity and versatility, roasted carrots with harissa sauce are bound to become a favorite go-to side dish for any occasion.

If you make this simple roasted carrot recipe, please come back and leave me a comment below with your feedback. Definitely take a photo of the dish and be sure to tag #foodfidelity so that I can see them.

If you make this simple roasted carrots recipe, please come back and leave me a comment below with your feedback. Definitely take a photo of the dish and be sure to tag #foodfidelity so that I can see them.

You can also keep up with my food exploits as well as original recipes! You can find me on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest. If you like any of the music you find on the site, visit me at Spotify to find curated monthly playlists.

For other quick and easy high heat vegetable sides try this Blistered Okra or Grilled Sweet Potato Wedges. For another fusion carrots recipe try these coffee roasted carrots or instant pot carrots.

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