Honey Roasted Carrots with Goat Cheese and Thyme
on Mar 05, 2024, Updated Aug 25, 2024
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Honey roasted carrots are so easy to make and you only need a handful of ingredients to make them! The addition of tangy goat cheese and fresh thyme balances out the sweetness turning them into the perfect side dish for your next meal.
If you love these roasted carrots, try garam masala and honey roasted carrots and these Moroccan roasted carrots with goat cheese, pistachios, and golden raisins.
This post has been updated since it was originally published on 11/14/2016.
Table of Contents
Why you’ll love them
Roasted vegetables – Roasting vegetables naturally enhances their flavor and often brings out their sweetness. Roasted carrots are no exception. The natural sugars in carrots allow them to caramelize and get extra sweet as they roast.
Sweet and savory – These roasted carrots are the perfect balance of sweet and savory flavors. The natural sweetness of the carrots and honey is balanced out with the salt, tangy goat cheese and fresh thyme leaves.
Holiday side dish – Honey roasted carrots are not only a great weeknight side dish, but a tasty addition to your holiday table. I usually make these to serve with Easter dinner, but they’re a wonderful Thanksgiving side dish as well.
The ingredients
- Carrots – Cut the carrots so they’re similar in size and roast evenly.
- Honey – Sweet and slightly floral in flavor depending on what variety of honey you choose. It also helps the carrots caramelize during the last half of the cooking.
- Goat cheese – Creamy, tangy, and balances the sweet flavors.
- Thyme – Fresh thyme is part of the mint family and has a slightly sweet, citrusy earthy, woody flavor.
- Olive oil, salt, and pepper – For roasting the carrots. I also like to finish the dish with a sprinkle of flaky sea salt.
How to make honey roasted carrots
This is an overview of the recipe with step-by-step photos. Full ingredients & instructions can be found in the recipe card below.
Peel and cut the carrots into approximately 3 inch long pieces that are similar in thickness. This will allow the carrots to roast evenly.
Place the carrots onto a foil or parchment paper lined baking sheet and drizzle on a couple tablespoons of olive oil. Sprinkle salt and pepper onto the carrots and then use your hands to toss them together until they’re coated.
Roast the carrots for 12-15 minutes at 400° F. then remove them from the oven and drizzle on the honey. Toss them around with a spatula and then put them back into the oven to roast for another 10 minutes.
Remove the carrots from the oven and place them into a serving bowl or onto a platter. Crumble the goat cheese onto them and sprinkle on the thyme leaves and flaky sea salt. Drizzle with extra honey and serve warm.
Variations and substitutions
- If you don’t like thyme try another fresh herb. Flat leaf parsley, dill, oregano, or rosemary would all be good options.
- I love the way the goat cheese melts onto the warm roasted carrots, but if you don’t like goat cheese try feta, or whole milk ricotta.
- Add a crunchy element such as toasted pistachios, pecans, or pepitas.
What to serve with honey roasted carrots
Leftovers and reheating
Storage – The leftover roasted carrots will keep for 4-5 days in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
Reheating – The carrots can be reheated in the microwave until warm or in a skillet over medium-low heat. You may want to refresh the flavor with a drizzle of honey and additional goat cheese and thyme.
Can I use pre-cut baby carrots?
I don’t recommend using them because they typically don’t have much flavor in comparison to whole carrots
Can roasted carrots be frozen?
Yes. However, they shouldn’t be frozen with the goat cheese. Separate the carrots you plan to freeze from the ones you are serving with the goat cheese and thyme.
Roasted carrots can be frozen for up to 3 months in an airtight container. Be aware that the texture will be softer after defrosting and reheating.
More Side Dishes
Did you make these honey roasted carrots with goat cheese and thyme? I’d love if you’d leave a recipe rating and review below.
Honey Roasted Carrots with Goat Cheese and Thyme
Ingredients
- 5 cups sliced carrots cut approximately 3 inches long
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper
- 2 tablespoon of honey
- 2 ounces goat cheese crumbled
- 2 teaspoons fresh thyme leaves
- Flaky sea salt for garnish optional
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400° F. and line a rimmed baking sheet with foil or parchment paper.
- Add the carrots onto the baking sheet and drizzle on the olive oil. Season with salt and pepper and then use your hands to toss them together until they're coated.
- Place the carrots into the oven and roast for 15 minutes. Remove them from the oven, drizzle with the honey and use a spatula to toss them around until they're coated.
- Roast the carrots in the oven for another 10 or until slightly caramelized and tender.
- Dump the carrots into a serving bowl or onto a serving platter and top them with the crumbled goat cheese, thyme, a drizzle of honey, and a sprinkle of flaky sea salt.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Made this tonight and it was delicious!
Happy to hear you enjoyed them!
Please pardon my ignorance but what is the darker purplish ‘sticks’ in the dish?
It’s not an ignorant question at all Stephanie. They are all carrots. I actually used a bag of rainbow carrots, they almost always have them at Whole Foods. You can certainly just use regular carrots as well.