How to Roast Vegetables (Plus 6 Ways to Enjoy Them!) (2024)

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How to Roast Vegetables (Plus 6 Ways to Enjoy Them!) (1)

Hello friends! Consider this your step-by-step tutorial on how to roast vegetables (with and without oil)!

We believe roasting vegetables is a basic cooking skill that everyone should know. It’s also easy to do year-round with whatever produce is in season. And it’s a sneaky and proven way to convert veggie skeptics into veggie lovers.

Plus, did we mention it’s EASY!?

Which Vegetables Can Be Roasted

Nearly any vegetable can be roasted, but we find that those that typically work best have a lower moisture content (such as sweet potatoes and carrots) or lots of flavor (such as onion, garlic, and cherry tomatoes).

A lower moisture content helps them develop a perfectly browned, caramelized exterior and those with lots of flavor become even more concentrated through the cooking process.

Here are some of our favorite roasted vegetables:

  • Root vegetables (sweet potato, potato, butternut squash, carrots, beets, radish, onion, garlic, etc.)
  • Cruciferous vegetables (broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, Brussels sprouts)
  • Others (asparagus, slow roasted tomatoes, zucchini, mushrooms)
How to Roast Vegetables (Plus 6 Ways to Enjoy Them!) (2)

Tips for Success

There are a few key tips to keep in mind for cooking perfectly roasted vegetables every time!

  • Slice veggies evenly to ensure even cooking. If you don’t mind some crunchier and crispier pieces, this is less important.
  • Group veggies by cooking time– root vegetables generally take longer than cruciferous ones (40 minutes vs 25 minutes). Group on separate pans so that they finish baking at the same time.
  • Avoid overcrowding the pan(s)– arrange the veggies on enough baking sheets to allow them to sit in a single layer. Crowding can cause them to cook unevenly and steam rather than roast (meaning less caramelization).
  • Season appropriately– we love adding a heavy coating of curry powder and a generous pinch of salt. Fresh herbs are also delicious. But if you plan to freeze them for adding to smoothies (carrots, sweet potatoes, cauliflower, etc.), then it is best to only season with salt.
  • 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. If they are browning before they are fully cooked, try reducing it.
How to Roast Vegetables (Plus 6 Ways to Enjoy Them!) (3)

How to Reheat Roasted Vegetables

Roasted vegetables are best served fresh, but are also delicious served cold the next day or reheated by a dry heat method (baking, broiling, grilling, sautéing or roasting).

To maintain the best texture when reheating, we recommend reheating roasted vegetables in a cast-iron skillet over medium heat or in a 375 degree Fahrenheit oven until hot.

Reheating them in the microwave is not ideal as they tend to become soggy.

How to Roast Vegetables (Plus 6 Ways to Enjoy Them!) (4)

How to Use Roasted Vegetables

Roasted vegetables can be enjoyed alongside a main dish (such as our Vegan Lentil Nut “Meatloaf”) or creatively added to salads, dips, bowls, smoothies, soups, and more.

We have included 6 delicious and easy ways to put roasted vegetables to use so you can feed yourself and those you love!

  • Kale Salad (similar to video)
  • Pasta Salad (similar to video)
  • Beet Hummus (similar to video)
  • Grain Bowl (similar to video)
  • Carrot Smoothie (similar to video)
  • Soup (similar to video)

Check out the video to see these recipes in action!

If you try this recipe, let us know! Leave a comment, rate it, and don’t forget to tag a photo #minimalistbaker on Instagram. Cheers, friends!

How to Roast Vegetables!

A step-by-step visual tutorial on how to roast vegetables of all kinds (with and without oil), plus 6 delicious ways to put them to use!

Author Minimalist Baker

Print SAVE

How to Roast Vegetables (Plus 6 Ways to Enjoy Them!) (5)

5 from 9 votes

Prep Time 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time 35 minutes minutes

Total Time 45 minutes minutes

Servings 8 (Servings)

Course Side Dish

Cuisine Gluten-Free, Vegan

Freezer Friendly 1 month

Does it keep? 4-5 Days

Ingredients

US CustomaryMetric

VEGETABLES

  • 1 medium sweet potato (well rinsed, skin on, sliced into 1/4-inch rounds)
  • 1 large beet (well rinsed, skin on, sliced into 1/4-inch rounds)
  • 2 large carrots (well rinsed, peeling optional, thinly sliced on a slant)
  • 1 bulb garlic (cloves removed and separated, peeling optional)
  • 1 small red or white onion (skin removed, sliced into thin wedges from top to bottom)
  • 1 small head cauliflower (cut into large bite-sizes pieces)
  • 1 small head broccoli (cut into large bite-sizes pieces)
  • Any other seasonal vegetables you have on hand (well rinsed, peeling optional, sliced in bite-size pieces)
  • 1-2 Tbsp neutral oil (such as avocado or coconut // or try our Oil-Free Method! )
  • Sea salt to taste
  • Other seasonings as desired* (like our DIY Curry Powder!)

HOW TO USE THEM!

  • Kale Salad (similar to video)
  • Pasta Salad (similar to video)
  • Beet Hummus (similar to video)
  • Grain Bowl (similar to video)
  • Carrot Smoothie (similar to video)
  • Soup (similar to video)

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (204 C) and prepare 1-2 large baking sheets (depending on how many vegetables you’re roasting) with parchment paper or a non-stick sheet.

  • Follow the tips above to prepare vegetables for roasting by rinsing as needed, peeling as desired, and slicing/piecing into bite-size pieces. Peeling the garlic is optional – it can be roasted peeled OR with the skin on.

  • Add vegetables to the same baking pans according to their required cook time. Root vegetables (beets, carrots, potatoes, etc.) generally tend to take longer (up to 40 minutes), so I like to group them together so they finish baking at the same time.

    Cruciferous vegetables (like cauliflower, broccoli, and cabbage), as well as garlic and onion don’t tend to require as much time to cook (~25 minutes) so we recommend grouping them together on a separate pan so they finish baking at the same time.

  • Once on the pan, drizzle with a little oil to coat (see this method for oil-free!), a pinch of salt, and desired seasonings of choice. We prefer a heavy coating of curry powder. NOTE: However, depending on how you intend to use the vegetables, you may choose not to season. For instance, if you plan to freeze your roasted carrots or sweet potatoes and then add them to smoothies, maybe just add a little salt and omit any further seasoning.

  • Rub the oil and seasonings of choice into the vegetables and arrange into even layers so there isn’t much or any overlap. Then bake until golden brown and tender (anywhere from 20-30 minutes for cruciferous vegetables, onions, and garlic, and anywhere from 25-40 minutes for root vegetables).

  • Remove from oven and enjoy immediately on things like salads, bowls, in pasta salads and more! See the video below for inspiration. I like to freeze my roasted (or even steamed) carrots and sweet potatoes to add to smoothies throughout the week. My favorite way to use beets is blended into hummus. And roasted broccoli and cauliflower are perfect for grain bowls, pasta salads, and more.

  • Enjoy when fresh, or store leftovers covered in the refrigerator up to 4-5 days. Reheat in a cast-iron skillet over medium heat, or in a 375 degree F (190 C) oven until hot.

    You can also freeze up to 1 month, but it’s usually best to add these frozen roasted vegetables to things like smoothies, stews, and vegetable brothwhere their texture will be masked.

Video

Notes

*Nutrition information is a rough estimate for 8 (1-cup) servings of vegetables with 1 Tbsp avocado oil and no salt or seasonings // make adjustments to nutrition information as needed when altering volume of ingredients).

Nutrition (1 of 8 servings)

Serving: 1 servings Calories: 87 Carbohydrates: 15.3 g Protein: 3.8 g Fat: 2.2 g Saturated Fat: 0.3 g Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.31 g Monounsaturated Fat: 1.23 g Trans Fat: 0 g Cholesterol: 0 mg Sodium: 66 mg Potassium: 520 mg Fiber: 4.2 g Sugar: 4.6 g Vitamin A: 5800 IU Vitamin C: 121.3 mg Calcium: 70 mg Iron: 1.1 mg

Reader Interactions

All commentsI made thisQuestions

  1. Andrenette Marshall says

    Sound easy. I will try this this weekend.

    Reply

    • How to Roast Vegetables (Plus 6 Ways to Enjoy Them!) (6)Support @ Minimalist Baker says

      Yay! Let us know what you think if you give it a try, Andrenette!

      Reply

  2. Jo says

    Thanks for the inspiration. Making this now with whats in the fridge. Carrots, celeriac, parsnips and butternut squash. Wish I could send a picture it looks amazing. Thank you 😁

    Reply

    • How to Roast Vegetables (Plus 6 Ways to Enjoy Them!) (7)Support @ Minimalist Baker says

      Love that! Thanks so much for sharing, Jo!

      Reply

  3. Carole L says

    Love these easy roasted veggies! I added your suggested measurement of curry powder and it took the veggies to a whole new level – Healthy and delicious. Thanks for all your great recipes. They are consistently wonderful.

    Reply

    • How to Roast Vegetables (Plus 6 Ways to Enjoy Them!) (8)Support @ Minimalist Baker says

      Yay! We’re so glad you enjoyed this recipe, Carole! Thanks so much for the lovely review! xo

      Reply

  4. Busisiwe Mzimela says

    Will try it for Christmas. Thanks for the cooking tips

    Reply

    • How to Roast Vegetables (Plus 6 Ways to Enjoy Them!) (9)Support @ Minimalist Baker says

      Let us know how it goes!

      Reply

    • Kevin Duff says

      Your name is absolutely beautiful!
      I hope it would not be considered rude to comment, or to ask the correct pronunciation…?
      I am also using some of these same tips for cooking my roast veggies this Christmas as well
      Sorry to bother you if I did, and I hope you have a great holiday season.
      Cheers

      Reply

  5. Jess MacGregor says

    OMG!! Why did I live in this hole where I thought roasting vegetables was time consuming/hard!!!

    I love the way they taste, so excited to add roasted veggies to everything. Heck I love just eating them. Thank you for the guide!

    Reply

    • How to Roast Vegetables (Plus 6 Ways to Enjoy Them!) (10)Support @ Minimalist Baker says

      Whoop! Welcome to the club ;)

      Reply

    • How to Roast Vegetables (Plus 6 Ways to Enjoy Them!) (11)Support @ Minimalist Baker says

      Sure! Those subs should be fine.

      Reply

  6. Abigail says

    i tried it and i love it !! thanks :)

    Reply

    • How to Roast Vegetables (Plus 6 Ways to Enjoy Them!) (12)Support @ Minimalist Baker says

      Yay! Thanks for sharing!

      Reply

  7. Jeannette says

    Perfection! Thank you for another great recipe!

    Reply

  8. Alex says

    A roasting tip: be careful not to crowd the pan. The pictures in this post look like the pan is crowded. I have heard from many cooking shows and books “don’t crowd the pan!” and finally learned from Samin Nosrat (“Salt, Fat, Acid, Heat”) why crowding is a problem. Your veggies will steam, so they won’t get nice and crispy and as browned and caramelized.

    Reply

    • How to Roast Vegetables (Plus 6 Ways to Enjoy Them!) (13)Dana @ Minimalist Baker says

      Thanks for sharing, Alex!

      Reply

  9. Caroline says

    I sprinkle dhuka over my veggies and use oil from a spray can, that way I can control the oil and not use too much. I love the timing you suggested as I am still working on getting everything ready at the same time. Thanks

    Reply

    • How to Roast Vegetables (Plus 6 Ways to Enjoy Them!) (14)Support @ Minimalist Baker says

      Thanks so much for the lovely review and for sharing your modifications, Caroline. We are so glad you find this recipe helpful! Next time, would you mind leaving a rating with your review? It’s super helpful for us and other readers. Thanks so much! xo

      Reply

    • Kate Gann says

      Do I need to stir veggies during roasting?

      Reply

      • How to Roast Vegetables (Plus 6 Ways to Enjoy Them!) (15)Support @ Minimalist Baker says

        You can for more even roasting, but it’s not essential.

        Reply

  10. Lola says

    The way you made soup and adding roast veggies to a smoothie have blown my mind. Need to try. I am a horrible roaster (everything burns), maybe because we use fan assisted ovens here in the UK? I will keep experimenting. Gotta try this soup approach!

    Reply

    • Adam says

      With fan assist you need to turn down the temp by at least 25 F – 15C . Hopefully that will prevent burning when you would prefer roasted

      Reply

      • How to Roast Vegetables (Plus 6 Ways to Enjoy Them!) (16)Support @ Minimalist Baker says

        Thanks for the suggestion, Adam!

        Reply

  11. Iris Madelyn says

    I love roasted veggies and these instructions are spot on! I like making a large batch at the beginning of the week for a nice Sunday night dinner and then have left overs throughout the week. They are especially great with pesto sauce, but smothered in tahini is a close second favorite.

    Reply

    • How to Roast Vegetables (Plus 6 Ways to Enjoy Them!) (17)Support @ Minimalist Baker says

      Yum! Love these ideas, Iris! Thanks so much for sharing! xo

      Reply

  12. Ilir says

    I know you mention your curry powder but is there any other spices and herbs you would recommend for this recipe? I love curry powder but not for roasted veggies.

    Reply

    • How to Roast Vegetables (Plus 6 Ways to Enjoy Them!) (18)Support @ Minimalist Baker says

      We also really enjoy fresh rosemary with roasted veggies. Hope that helps!

      Reply

    • Faith says

      I usually use basil, rosemary, and a small amount of thyme on mine. Sometimes I make a sweet & spicy version and use paprika, chili powder, and a small sprinkle of brown sugar

      Reply

    • Arene says

      I used Mrs. Dash. Excellent flavor.

      Reply

  13. Elaine Archibald says

    Delicious, colorful and it was a hit! Thanks for sharing your recipes! Recently, my husband was diagnosed with diabetes, it’s been a learning process. We’re more aware of vegetables now and I’m always looking to try new things!
    New subscriber!

    Reply

  14. Daphne says

    This recipe turned out beautifully. It was a side dish for Christmas dinner and it was well liked. Thank you for the recipe.

    Reply

  15. jennifer says

    Any suggestions for roasting zuccini? I always over cook it :(

    Reply

    • JaxJayne says

      Hi Jennifer. I often roast zucchini and yellow squash together. I slice them lengthwise about 1/3 inch thick and roast on 400 degrees for about 15 minutes sometimes 20 depending on the vegetable moisture content.

      Reply

    • Shelley says

      I roast my zucchini in my panini press. I like my zucchini tender but not mushy, and this is perfect every time.

      Reply

      • Marilyn Brick says

        Hi

        I love frying Zucchini in a pan with butter for 5 minutes then putting so.e fresh sliced tomatoes on toppings g and then adding medium yellow cheese and melting it. One awesome side dish.

        Marilyn

        Reply

How to Roast Vegetables (Plus 6 Ways to Enjoy Them!) (2024)

FAQs

What is the secret to roasting 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.

How long should I roast my vegetables in the oven? ›

General Roasting Times for Vegetables

Winter squash (butternut squash, acorn squash): 20 to 60 minutes. Crucifers (broccoli, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts): 15 to 25 minutes. Soft vegetables (zucchini, summer squash, bell peppers): 10 to 20 minutes. Thin vegetables (asparagus, green beans): 10 to 20 minutes.

Do you put oil on vegetables before roasting? ›

Coat the vegetables generously with oil before roasting.

You can use olive oil or avocado oil. Drizzle oil over vegetables and toss with your hands, rubbing the oil into the veggies to make sure they are well coated. You can do this in a large bowl or right on the sheet pan.

What are two tips to remember when roasting vegetables? ›

How to Roast Vegetables: 7 Secrets to Making Perfect Roasted Vegetables
  1. Use a rimmed baking sheet. ...
  2. Use high heat (450) and roast in the center of the oven.
  3. Cut the vegetables into even pieces. ...
  4. Don't crowd the vegetables—spread them evenly and give them a little space (I often use two baking sheets).
Aug 29, 2022

Should I cover vegetables with foil when roasting? ›

A: Yes, when roasting vegetables, parchment paper is better than foil. Recent research in the International Journal of Electrochemical Science suggests that when we use aluminum foil during cooking, some aluminum leaches into food.

Do you roast vegetables covered or uncovered? ›

There is no need to cover vegetables when roasting. Covering them creates steam, so they won't get as crispy and caramelized. Don't forget to stir once or twice while cooking so the vegetables get nicely browned on all sides. Other than that, you can't really go wrong.

Should you season vegetables before roasting? ›

Additional tips on roasting vegetables. Heavy duty pans are ideal since they allow for even heat distribution and circulation. Because salt draws moisture out of the food, season veggies just before roasting.

Which veggies are good for roasting? ›

Best Vegetables To Roast

Many vegetables can be roasted. Obvious choices are root veg like carrots, potatoes, and parsnips. But crucifers like Brussels sprouts, broccoli, and cauliflower roast well, too. More delicate veggies like cabbage, tomatoes, onions, and squash roast spectacularly well.

Do you need to wash vegetables before roasting? ›

Afraid so – although boiling or steaming your veg will kill off any bacteria, there's still the problem of pesticides, which can wash off the vegetables and hang around in the water while cooking. Thorough washing and drying with clean kitchen paper will help remove any pesticide traces.

Which of the following vegetables is not well suited for roasting? ›

Vegetables to Avoid Roasting

Green beans, broccoli, and other green-colored vegetables are not as well-suited for roasting because they tend to turn olive green.

Why won't my roast veggies go crispy? ›

The Oven Temp Is Too Low

But, they'll turn out soft and soggy instead of crispy and caramelized. The solution: Turn the oven temperature up to 400°F to 425°F.

Should I season vegetables before or after roasting? ›

Additional tips on roasting vegetables. Heavy duty pans are ideal since they allow for even heat distribution and circulation. Because salt draws moisture out of the food, season veggies just before roasting.

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