Name: Roasted Carrots, Turmeric Style
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 30 min
Yield: 6 servings
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 8 medium carrots (with leafy tops attached); 2 tablespoons extra light olive oil (or avocado oil); 1 teaspoon turmeric; 1 teaspoon smoked paprika; 3/4 teaspoon dried oregano; 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder; 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt; 1/2 teaspoon grated garlic; 2½ tablespoons tahini; 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice (strained to catch seeds); 1 tablespoon olive oil; warm water (for thinning dressing); 1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika; 1/4 cup chopped pistachios (for garnish); 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro (for garnish)

These turmeric roasted carrots are satisfying! Drizzle with a lemon tahini dressing, topped with cilantro and chopped pistachios, Worth the pot!

Sick of serving boring side dishes? I so feel you.

Most nights I will only make roasted broccoli because it’s effortless. That and I know my entire family will eat it. But then I started to realize that I truly needed to up my side-dish game. The cool thing about this dish is that, yes it’s technically a side BUT it could also be a light lunch or meatless dinner option too. It’s surely special enough to be the main dish, that’s for sure.

Remember when I had purchased some 5 pounds of carrots last fall? This is when I first made this method. It was sort of on a whim and sort of not, I mean I’ve seen roasted carrots with a tahini sauce before, but I never actually tasted it. When I did, I did not expect the flavors- well, once I got the spices down right, it was touch and go for a few times there but when I did… ohmylord.

Carrots are quickly tossed in a simple turmeric spice blend, roasted until caramelized and then drizzled in the most addicting lemon tahini sauce-slash-dressing everrr and then sprinkled with chopped pistachios (for crunch) and fresh cilantro (for a pop of green). When the spice that’s crusting the roasted carrots melts into the tahini sauce- it creates an out-of-this-world flavor combination you will instantly become addicted to. Promise.

For this Turmeric Roasted Carrots Recipe Set out:

carrots
light olive oil, safflower or sunflower oil
turmeric vegetable spice blend
garlic
tahini
lemon juice
olive oil
salt
pistachios
fresh cilantro

Trim the leafy green tops off of the carrots, leaving a little nub of green. This is strictly for presentation purposes, so cutting the top off completely is completely fine too- only obviously not as pretty. 😉 I find carrots with their tops on in the organic vegetable section at my local grocery store or at the specialty market around the corner.

Slice each carrot in half length-wise.

So pretty.

Drizzle 2 tablespoons of oil over top…

Add 1 teaspoon of both turmeric and smoked paprika, 3/4 teaspoon oregano (that I ground in my palm) and 1/2 teaspoon of garlic powder. This is the turmeric vegetable seasoning I like to use.

Oh and plus 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt (don’t forget that!), then toss the carrots to coat. You may want to use a metal tongs or dark colored spatula or else the turmeric will stain your fingers <— take my word for it.

Place the carrots cut-side-down onto a rimmed, metal baking sheet.

If the carrots bend or curl onto their side, press flat with your fingers and then replace your fingers by sliding another baking sheet on top to keep them flat. Slide the carrots into a preheated 450 degree oven and roast for 10 minutes, then remove the top pan and continue to roast for 10 to 15 more minutes.

While the carrots are roasting, make the lemon-tahini dressing. In a small bowl, add a 1/2 teaspoon of grated garlic (about 1/2 a clove) into a small bowl along with 2-1/2 tablespoons tahini and 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice.

Whisk to combine.

Next pour in 1 tablespoon olive oil, 1 to 2 tablespoons warm water, depending on how thick or thin you want it to be. Then season with 1/4 teaspoon of both smoked paprika and kosher salt.

Whisk until blended.

Then roughly chop up the pistachios and cilantro.

When the carrots are done, the edges will be golden and crispy and the carrots are fork tender.

Immediately transfer them to a platter.

Drizzle with the tahini dressing and then sprinkle with the chopped pistachios for crunch and cilantro because it adds a burst of herbaceous freshness.