Print

Roasted Garlic Smashed Carrots Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.9 from 69 reviews

Roasted Garlic Smashed Carrots is a flavorful side dish featuring tender roasted carrots combined with sweet, mellow roasted garlic, fresh parsley, and a hint of lemon juice. This recipe is simple to prepare and brings out the natural sweetness of carrots through roasting and mashing, enhanced with butter and olive oil for richness. Perfect as a healthy side or snack, it balances savory, tangy, and fresh notes for a comforting vegetable dish.

Ingredients

Scale

Vegetables

  • 2 pounds of carrots, peeled and cut into uniform pieces
  • 1 whole head of garlic

Oils and Fats

  • 2 tablespoons of olive oil, divided
  • 1 tablespoon of butter

Seasonings and Herbs

  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
  • 2 tablespoons of fresh chopped parsley
  • Juice of half a lemon

Instructions

  1. Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) to ensure it reaches the right temperature for roasting the carrots and garlic evenly.
  2. Prepare the Garlic: Cut the top off the head of garlic to expose the cloves slightly. Place the garlic on a piece of aluminum foil, drizzle with 1 tablespoon of olive oil, and wrap it tightly in the foil to roast and soften the garlic inside.
  3. Season the Carrots: Toss the peeled and cut carrot pieces with the remaining tablespoon of olive oil, salt, and freshly ground black pepper. Spread them out evenly on a baking sheet to roast uniformly.
  4. Roast Garlic and Carrots: Place the foil-wrapped garlic and the baking sheet with carrots in the oven at the same time. Roast the garlic for about 30-35 minutes until soft and caramelized, and roast the carrots for 25-30 minutes until tender and slightly caramelized.
  5. Prepare Roasted Garlic: Once the garlic is roasted, carefully unwrap the foil and allow it to cool slightly. Squeeze the softened, roasted garlic cloves out of their skins into a mixing bowl.
  6. Mash Carrots and Garlic: Add the roasted carrots to the bowl with the roasted garlic. Add 1 tablespoon of butter, then mash the mixture using a potato masher or a large fork until you achieve your preferred consistency, whether chunky or smooth.
  7. Add Flavorings: Stir in the fresh chopped parsley and the juice of half a lemon. Taste the mixture and adjust seasoning by adding more salt and freshly ground black pepper if needed.
  8. Serve: Serve the roasted garlic smashed carrots warm as a delicious and healthy side dish or enjoy it as a nutritious snack.

Notes

  • Ensure carrots are cut into uniform sizes for even roasting.
  • Use fresh parsley for vibrant flavor; you can substitute with cilantro if preferred.
  • The lemon juice adds brightness; adjust quantity to taste.
  • For a vegan option, substitute butter with a plant-based alternative.
  • Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated gently.

Keywords: Roasted garlic, smashed carrots, side dish, healthy vegetable recipe, roasted vegetables, easy carrot recipe

Find it online: https://foodbylina.com/roasted-garlic-smashed-carrots-recipe/