A stunning side dish, Roasted Rainbow Carrots are simple to prepare and loved by all. Serve tri-colored carrots plain, or add a tangy Carrot Top Chimichurri to make use of the beautiful tops!
This bright and mindful recipe from Sharp Chef Michelle Miller of Sunkissed Kitchen is the perfect pop of color for any occasion.
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The Perfect Special Occasion Side Dish – Delicious Roasted Rainbow Carrots!
Carrots are one of my favorite vegetables. They are a great crunchy and sweet snack, perfect in salads, and then transformed into something entirely different (and entirely wonderful) when roasted.
If you come home from the Farmer’s Market this spring with tri-colored carrots, this is the perfect way to serve them!
Rainbow carrots are a perfect way to add to the presentation of a holiday meal! If you’re planning Easter dinner this year, add this to your menu!
- Rainbow Carrots are a crowd-pleaser! The vibrant colors mean a super-simple colorful side dish.
- The ingredients are simple. Nothing fancy is needed, which is helpful when cooking a large meal!
- Almost Zero Prep! Fresh, organic carrots have soft skins, so don’t even need to be peeled before drizzling with olive oil and sprinkling with salt and pepper! Simply wash and roast whole carrots.
- A stunning presentation on your dinner table! The multicolored carrots do all the work themselves.
Make them plain, or add a flavorful Carrot Top Chimichurri. We love them both ways!
I love my Sharp Stainless Steel European Convection Oven for holiday meals! After baking my Spiral Ham, I can pop these rainbow carrots into the oven, along with other sides that need time to warm up.
The oven is roomy inside and perfects for larger families. The built-in temperature probe helps me cook my meats just right, and the glide racks hold heavy dishes and allow for cooking or reheating multiple dishes at once.
If you need more cooking space, consider the Sharp Double Wall Oven. To double your cooking space and create the ultimate workspace, the Sharp Double Wall Oven may be the right fit. It is perfect for preparing multiple dishes at the same.
What are Rainbow Carrots?
Rainbow carrots are all the same root vegetables but are grown to present in a variety of colors. The different colors represent different amounts of nutrients. Orange carrots are higher in carotenes and yellow carrots contain more anthocyanins. Purple carrots and white carrots similarly have different nutrient profiles.
Farmers know that different conditions, such as temperature, sunlight, and nutrients in the soil, will produce carrots from purple hues to the most vibrant orange. Now we have carrots seeds that come in different colored varieties, to make rainbow carrots easier to grow.
The different nutrients also give each color of carrot a unique flavor! This is a great way to expand the nutrients on your kid’s plate since carrots are often well-liked vegetables.
What You’ll Need 
- Rainbow Carrots (of course you can use regular carrots! If I buy carrots with the tops on, I know they are fresh enough to not need to peel before roasting).
- Olive Oil
- Kosher Salt
- Black Pepper, to taste
- Fresh Thyme (optional)
- Optional: Carrot Top Chimichurri
How to Roast Rainbow Carrots
Preheat oven to 450º F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper prior to prepping your ingredients.
Step 1: Cut the leafy greens off the carrots, and add them in a single layer to a sheet pan. Drizzle the carrots with olive oil or avocado oil, and toss the carrots evenly and coat them. NOTE: There is no need to peel organic carrots or fresh garden carrots (with the greens attached), because the skins are thin. If using store-bought carrots that are not organic, peel the carrots prior to this step.
Step 2: Sprinkle the carrots generously with kosher salt and black pepper.
Step 3: Roast carrots at 450º F for 25-30 minutes, until the carrots have softened and begun to caramelize. Vary roasting times based on the size of the carrot. Thicker carrots might need up to 35 minutes to fully soften.
Step 4: Serve roasted carrots as a simple side dish, or dress them up with a zesty carrot top chimichurri. Another option is to top them with chopped parsley and a little lemon juice, for a very simple but flavorful topping.
How to Serve Roasted Rainbow Carrots
The Perfect Easter Side Dish!
Add roasted rainbow carrots to your Easter menu! They are the perfect complement to Honey Glazed Spiral Ham and Cauliflower Mash.
Add a Flavorful Carrot Top Chimichurri
Roasted rainbow carrots are delicious plain, or topped with an herby dressing.
For the most simple option, add roasted carrots to a serving platter. Top with chopped fresh herbs, like Italian parsley, and drizzle the carrots with a little lemon.
Chimichurri is a South American condiment, made with parsley, oregano, garlic, olive oil, and vinegar.
I recommend saving the green tops (they are edible!) and using them to make a Carrot Top Chimichurri. This recipe is a spin on that classic condiment, perfect for using carrot tops!
FAQ & How to Store
How to Store Leftover Roasted Carrots
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. I like to chop up the leftover carrots to make them easier to serve and reheat later.
Reheating Leftover Rainbow Carrots
Reheat leftover roasted carrots in a skillet over medium heat. Alternatively, preheat oven to 425º F, add leftover carrots to a baking sheet, and reheat carrots for about 10 minutes, or until hot throughout.
Sweet Glazed Rainbow Carrots Recipe
For a sweet twist, drizzle rainbow carrots with 2-3 tablespoons of maple syrup, along with the olive oil. This will create a sweet glaze as the carrots roast and the maple syrup becomes concentrated.
Experiment with brown sugar, orange juice, and orange zest, if you feel like getting creative!
Use 2-3 tablespoons of honey if you’d like honey-roasted rainbow carrots.
Roasted Baby Carrots (or Baby Rainbow Carrots)
If you happen to pick up baby carrots at your grocery store, use this recipe to prepare them! They make a beautiful side dish that kids, even picky eaters, adore! This makes them even simpler for a weeknight dinner.
Main Dish Recipes to Serve with Rainbow Carrots
