Spicy Harissa Roasted Carrots (Printable)
Sweet carrots glazed with smoky harissa, roasted and garnished with fresh herbs for a flavorful side dish.
# What You’ll Need:
→ Vegetables
01 - 1 lb carrots, peeled and cut into sticks or left whole if thin
→ Marinade
02 - 2 tbsp olive oil
03 - 1½ tbsp harissa paste (adjust to taste)
04 - 1 tbsp honey or maple syrup
05 - ½ tsp ground cumin
06 - ½ tsp smoked paprika
07 - ¼ tsp sea salt
08 - ¼ tsp freshly ground black pepper
→ Garnishes
09 - 2 tbsp chopped fresh cilantro or parsley
10 - 1 tbsp toasted sesame seeds or chopped pistachios (optional)
11 - Lemon wedges, for serving
# Steps:
01 - Preheat oven to 425°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
02 - Whisk together olive oil, harissa paste, honey or maple syrup, cumin, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper in a large bowl.
03 - Add carrots to the marinade and toss thoroughly to ensure even coverage.
04 - Spread the marinated carrots in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet.
05 - Roast for 25 to 30 minutes, tossing halfway through, until tender and caramelized at the edges.
06 - Transfer carrots to a serving platter, sprinkle with fresh herbs and sesame seeds or pistachios, and serve with lemon wedges.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- Harissa transforms humble carrots into something complex and crave-worthy without requiring a long ingredient list or special skills.
- The natural sweetness of roasted carrots plays perfectly against the smoky heat, creating a balance that works as a side to almost anything.
- Prep takes barely ten minutes, and the oven does all the real work while you attend to other things.
02 -
- Harissa brands vary dramatically in both heat level and flavor profile, so taste yours before committing the full amount—you can always add more, but you can't take it back.
- Tossing the carrots halfway through roasting is genuinely important; it's the difference between some pieces caramelized and others steamed, and those caramelized edges are what make people want seconds.
03 -
- Cut your carrots roughly the same size so they roast evenly—uniform pieces are the unsung hero of roasted vegetables.
- Don't skip the lemon wedges at the table; that final squeeze of acid transforms the whole dish and lets people customize the brightness to their taste.