Rosemary Roasted Rainbow Carrots Recipe (2024)

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Roasted rosemary rainbow carrots are the perfect side dish for any meal. Seasoned with garlic, rosemary, salt, and pepper, these little babies are the perfect flavor combination of savory with just a hint of sweetness. They’re perfect for holidays (like a Thanksgiving side dish or Christmas) as well as weeknight meals.

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1 Save This Recipe!

2 Get the cheat sheet to BUILD A BETTER SALAD that will keep you full for hours.

3 Roasted Rainbow Carrots

4 What’s the difference between rainbow carrots and orange carrots?

5 Health Benefits of Rainbow Carrots

6 How to Use Rainbow Carrots

7 Roasted Multi Colored Carrots Ingredients

8 How to Make Roasted Rainbow Carrots with Rosemary

8.1 Common carrot recipe questions

8.2 Can I cook carrot tops?

8.4 Can I substitute orange carrots for rainbow carrots for this recipe?

8.5 How long do I roast carrots for?

8.6 Do you have to peel carrots before roasting them?

8.7 Why are my carrots mushy?

9 Roasted Rainbow Carrots

9.1 Ingredients

9.2 Instructions

9.3 Notes

10 Tips

10.1 Nutrition

10.2 Did You Make This Recipe?

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Roasted Rainbow Carrots

There is something fun about colored carrots at the dinner table. They’re festive, they’re beautiful to look at, and picky eaters love them (or, at least some of them do). For instance, my 4 year old picky eater prefers the purple ones.

What I love about the simplicity of this recipe is that almost anyone can eat them. They’re gluten-free, dairy-free, paleo, vegan, and a delicious Whole30 side dish.

Unless you’re allergic to carrots or can’t tolerate the herbs, there are no restrictions that make it an easy win for when you’re hosting dinner and want to do something a little extra with your vegetables (without any fuss of course).

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What’s the difference between rainbow carrots and orange carrots?

The obvious difference is the color.

However, when it comes to taste you’ll find that these roasted colored carrots taste very similar to the regular carrots we all know and love.

There is a slight difference in taste when you snack on them raw.

Health Benefits of Rainbow Carrots

I often tell my clients that when in doubt, eat the rainbow. Each color brings additional benefits to our health thanks to the phytonutrients that bring them their hue.

These roasted rainbow carrots are purple, red, orange, and yellow.

  • Purple foods are rich in anthocyanin. Anthocyanins are believed to slow cell aging and help with heart health.
  • Orange foods have beta carotene in them. Beta carotene is a carotenoid converted to vitamin A which benefits eye health, your immune system, skin, and more.
  • Yellow foods like these contain lutein. Lutein is another carotenoid that helps with eye health, skin, and cardiovascular health, and has anti-cancer benefits.

Source from Harvard Medical article, and NCBI.

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How to Use Rainbow Carrots

There are so many different ways to use the rainbow carrots you find at the grocery store or farmers market. Here’s a few ideas:

  • Oven roasted like these roasted rainbow carrots. Serve them as a side dish or over a salad.
  • Air fried
  • Shredded for salads (this would also make a beautiful coleslaw)
  • Eat them raw and dip them in hummus, jalapeno ranch dip, balsamic beet hummus, or even guacamole!
  • Mashed for picky eaters or babies.
  • Add them to soups and stews.

Basically, anything you use regular carrots for you can substitute with rainbow carrots. I prefer them herb roasted with a ton of garlic.

Tip: double the recipe and store leftovers in a reusable container. That way you have some roasted vegetables done for meal prep.

Roasted Multi Colored Carrots Ingredients

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What I love about these rosemary roasted carrots is that you don’t need much to have a delicious side dish. It shows that sometimes the simplest recipes, are the tastiest.

  • tri color carrots (about a pound)
  • olive oil
  • garlic
  • fresh rosemary (really any fresh herbs work amazingly here, but rosemary is the best)
  • salt
  • pepper

If you’re looking for a way to mix this recipe up: Drizzle a little maple syrup or honey over top during the last 10 minutes of roasting, a sprinkle of fresh thyme would also be delicious.

You simply cannot go wrong with roasted rainbow carrots, whichever way you make them.

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How to Make Roasted Rainbow Carrots with Rosemary

These oven roasted carrots are simple to whip up for a side dish (or as meal prep for a tasty salad topping).

More delicious side dishes:

  • Sourdough Stuffing
  • 100 Healthy Summer Side Dishes
  • Roasted Garlic Dill Potatoes Recipe
  • Roasted Sweet Potato Salad Recipe
  • Garlic Green Beans
  • Szechuan Green Beans Recipe

Common carrot recipe questions

Can I cook carrot tops?

You bet you can. They’re a beautiful addition to your plate. If you want to keep the green tops on the carrots, lightly cover them in aluminum foil so they don’t burn.

Can you eat carrot tops?

Yes, you can eat carrot tops, I recommend coating them in olive oil, garlic, and seasonings as well.

Can I substitute orange carrots for rainbow carrots for this recipe?

If no rainbow carrots are available, you can certainly use regular orange carrots! They’ll be just as delicious!

How long do I roast carrots for?

In a 375ºF oven, cook the carrots until they’re tender when pierced with a fork (I like to lay mine out on a sheet pan). About 25-30 minutes for thinner carrots or 35-40 minutes for thicker carrots.

Do you have to peel carrots before roasting them?

No, you don’t have to peel them but you should give them a good scrub beforehand to get all the dirt off.

Why are my carrots mushy?

Make sure that you lay out the raw carrots in a single layer on a sheet pan before you roast them. When they’re overcrowded the steam will soften them. Try to use carrots the same size, thinner carrots take 25-30 minutes whereas thicker carrots roast in about 35-40 minutes.

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Roasted Rainbow Carrots

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Roasted rosemary rainbow carrots are the perfect side dish for any meal. Simply garnished with garlic, rosemary, salt, and pepper, these little babies are the perfect combination of savory with just a hint of sweetness. Excellent for holidays as well as weeknight meals.

Prep Time 15 minutes minutes

Cook Time 30 minutes minutes

Total Time 45 minutes minutes

4 people

Ingredients

  • 1 pound rainbow carrots
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 tablespoon fresh finely chopped rosemary
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • ¼ teaspoon pepper
  • Additional rosemary sprigs for garnish

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Line a baking tray with aluminum foil. Set aside.

  • Wash and peel the carrots and set them in a large shallow bowl.

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  • Pour the olive oil over the carrots and sprinkle the garlic, chopped rosemary, salt, and pepper on them. Gently mix to coat the carrots.

  • Line the carrots on the prepared baking sheet, making sure there is enough space between them. *See note in “tips” section about green tops of carrots.*

    Rosemary Roasted Rainbow Carrots Recipe (11) Pin

  • Place the baking sheet in the oven and bake for 25-30 minutes for thinner carrots or 35-40 minutes for thicker carrots or until the carrots are tender when pierced with a fork. Turn the carrots once, half way through baking, so they are baked evenly on both sides.

  • Serve the carrots warm with fresh rosemary sprigs for garnish.

    Rosemary Roasted Rainbow Carrots Recipe (12) Pin

Notes

Cook time: 25-30 minutes for thinner carrots, 35-40 minutes for thicker carrots

Tips

  • If you want to keep the green tops on the carrots, lightly cover them in aluminum foil so they don’t burn.
  • If no rainbow carrots are available, you can certainly use regular orange carrots! They’ll be just as delicious!

Nutrition

Serving: 1servingCalories: 111kcalCarbohydrates: 11gProtein: 1gFat: 7gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 5gSodium: 224mgPotassium: 371mgFiber: 3gSugar: 5gVitamin A: 18945IUVitamin C: 7mgCalcium: 41mgIron: 1mg

AuthorAuthorRanda Derkson

Rosemary Roasted Rainbow Carrots Recipe (2024)

FAQs

How are rainbow carrots made? ›

Rainbow carrots are a mix of colorful carrot varieties picked at their immature stages for young harvest. Typical varieties that are grown for the mix are yellow stone, white satin, purple haze, black knight, nantes and atomic red making for a perfect array of tender-crisp, sweet and earthy carrots.

Why are my roasted carrots tough? ›

Undercook them, and the texture is tough and dense. Overcook them, and they're dry and wrinkled. The secret is to soften the carrots slightly by boiling them briefly before roasting. The texture will be firm-tender with just the right amount of caramelization on the outside.

What is the difference between rainbow carrots and regular carrots? ›

Rainbow coloured carrots do taste different from orange. Yellow carrots have an earthy sweet flavour with notes of celery and parsley. White carrots are relatively mild. Purple carrots can have a peppery flavour but can also be very sweet.”

Can you eat rainbow carrots raw? ›

In terms of flavor and texture, purple carrots are similar to orange carrots, but they may have a slightly sweeter taste and a more tender texture. Purple carrots can be eaten raw, roasted, steamed, or used in a variety of recipes, such as soups, stews, salads, and vegetable side dishes.

How do you know when rainbow carrots are ready? ›

Carrots should be ready for harvest about 60-80 days after sowing seeds, depending on the variety. The tops of the carrot roots will be about 3/4 to 1 inch in diameter and likely starting to pop out of the soil, though not necessarily.

Are rainbow carrots healthier than regular carrots? ›

All varieties of carrots are extremely nutrient dense and a great addition to a healthy diet – they're high in fiber and rich in potassium, vitamin C, and vitamin K. However, each individual color contains a specific set of phytonutrients (antioxidants) which offer slightly different nutritional benefits.

Should you boil carrots before roasting? ›

Parboiling skin-on carrots and parsnips lets you soften them without them losing too much moisture. Follow up by browning in a 375°F (190°C) oven for about 40 minutes.

What is the best temperature to roast vegetables? ›

The perfect temperature– 400 degrees Fahrenheit is the perfect temperature for most roasted vegetables. It allows for a crispy, perfectly browned exterior and a fork tender interior. But it will vary based on the types of veggies and oil used. If your veggies are not browning enough, try increasing the temperature.

What enhances the flavor of carrots? ›

Classic Spices and Herbs That Pair Well with Carrots
  • Garlic (minced, powder or granules)
  • Onion powder or granules.
  • Black malabar pepper.
  • Cinnamon (Cassia for sweeter, Ceylon for sweetness with some more complex savory and vanilla flavors)
  • Nutmeg powder.
  • Cayenne pepper powder.
  • Ginger powder.
  • Aleppo chili.
Mar 28, 2021

What are some facts about rainbow carrots? ›

What are Rainbow Carrots?
  • Purple carrots are high in anthocyanins, which are rich in antioxidants.
  • Yellow carrots contain xanthophylls, which is linked to having good vision.
  • Red carrots are a good source of lycopene, which can help fight against heart disease and some cancers.

Which color carrot is the healthiest? ›

Orange carrots are loaded (204% of the daily value recommended per day in 1 medium) with their namesake, beta-carotene, a precursor of vitamin A. The vitamin A in orange carrots is especially important for eye health, and was also recently identified as promoting brain health as well as other benefits.

Can you eat the tops of rainbow carrots? ›

Carrot greens and tops are not poisonous, and they are most certainly edible. Carrot greens do contain alkaloids, but so does nearly every leafy green vegetable. Alkaloids are chemical compounds that serve as the plant's defense mechanism against pathogens.

Which type of carrot is the healthiest? ›

Purple carrots: These are the original carrots. They are long and purple and contain antioxidants called anthocyanins that support your health by preventing blood clots, promoting muscle recovery, and more.

How long do rainbow carrots last in the fridge? ›

Raw carrots, when properly stored will usually stay fresh for around 3 to 4 weeks in the fridge. If your carrots are sliced or chopped, you can store them in the fridge and they'll last for about 2 to 3 weeks.

Can my dog eat rainbow carrots? ›

When it comes to feeding carrots to your dog, any color or size of carrot are fine to purchase for your pet. Just make sure you wash the vegetables first to remove any dirt or potential pesticides.

Are rainbow carrots natural? ›

Rainbow carrots are actually a variety of ordinary carrots. They are called that way because their main feature is their color. These carrots have their root in traditional ordinary carrots that have been used for culinary purposes for the past 1500 years.

Are colored carrots natural? ›

The modern, orange carrot likely originated from a new breed of yellow carrots, which were developed as a result of a genetic mutation. Red and purple carrots are considered Eastern varieties, while yellow, orange, or white carrots are known as Western-type carrots.

Are rainbow carrots GMO? ›

Red and purple carrots are considered the eastern varieties. As they are wild and their DNA is not altered, they are not considered GMOs.

Do rainbow carrots taste different than orange? ›

The taste difference between different colored carrots like orange, purple, red, white, and yellow isn't extreme. It isn't even as wide a range as different colored tomatoes. Yet there is some bit of a change to the flavor. It's often slight and it's subtle, mainly showing up when eating carrots raw.

References

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