Honey Thyme Roasted Carrots with Herby Tofu Sauce
Looking for a side dish that’s easy to make but still stands out next to the main dish? These Honey Thyme Roasted Carrots with Herby Tofu Sauce are the perfect balance of sweet, savory, and herby flavors. Whether you’re serving them as part of a weeknight dinner or elevating a holiday spread, these roasted carrots might just steal the show
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Roasted carrots are a classic, but the honey-thyme combo adds the knock-your-socks-off flavor we need for a memorable side dish. The natural sweetness of the honey caramelizes beautifully, while thyme adds that earthy, aromatic touch. We’re using silken tofu to create a creamy, protein-packed sauce that keeps it dairy-free and vegan-friendly. Plus, with chopped pistachios for a crunchy garnish, this dish looks and feels perfect for fall.
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Key Ingredients for Honey Thyme Roasted Carrots
Rainbow Carrots: The star of this dish. Roasting them brings out their natural sweetness and makes them a colorful addition to your plate.
Honey: Helps the carrots caramelize beautifully while adding a touch of sweetness.
Fresh Thyme: A perfect herb for roasted vegetables. Thyme adds a subtle earthiness that pairs well with the honey.
Silken Tofu: Using tofu here packs in some plant-based protein and gives us a substantial sauce that really pumps up this dish. We’re going with silken tofu since it blends up nice and creamy. If you don’t have or want to use tofu, an unsweetened plain yogurt will substitute well.
Pistachios: The perfect crunchy garnish to complement the tender carrots and creamy sauce.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Prep and roast the carrots
Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C). Trim and peel the rainbow carrots, leaving some of the green tops for presentation if you like. Toss the carrots in olive oil, honey, salt, and pepper. Spread the carrots on a lined baking sheet and roast for 20-25 minutes, turning halfway through.
Step 2: Make the herby tofu sauce
While the carrots are roasting, mix the silken tofu with fresh parsley, thyme, garlic powder, olive oil, and a pinch of cumin or smoked paprika (if using). Season with salt and pepper to taste. Adjust the flavor as needed.
Step 4: Garnish and serve
Once the carrots are out of the oven, toss them with fresh thyme and an optional squeeze of lemon juice for brightness. Serve with the herby tofu sauce and garnish with toasted pistachios for added crunch.
Honey Thyme Roasted Carrots with Herby Tofu Sauce
Ingredients
For the carrots:
- 1 bunch of rainbow carrots about 1 pound, trimmed and peeled. Cut in half lengthwise if larger than about 1 inch.
- 1 tbsp honey
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp fresh thyme leaves lightly chopped
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 tbsp lemon juice optional
For the herby tofu sauce:
- 1 package of silken tofu
- 1 tbsp fresh parsley finely chopped
- 1 tsp fresh thyme leaves chopped
- 1/4 tsp garlic powder adjust to taste
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- A pinch of cumin
- A pinch of smoked paprika
- Salt and pepper to taste
For garnish:
- finely chopped pistachios/almonds
- fresh thyme and parsley for extra herb garnish
Instructions
Roast the carrots:
- Preheat the oven to 425°F (220°C).
- In a bowl, toss the carrots with olive oil, honey, salt, and pepper.
- Spread the carrots in a single layer on a lined baking sheet.
- Roast for 20-25 minutes, turning halfway through, until they are tender and caramelized.
- Once the carrots are done, toss them with fresh thyme leaves and lemon juice (optional) for a bright, herbaceous finish.
Make the herby tofu sauce:
- In a small bowl, combine the tofu t with parsley, thyme, garlic powder, olive oil, and a pinch of cumin or smoked paprika (if using), salt and pepper. Mix well.
- Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
Garnish (optional):
- For added texture, sprinkle the dish with toasted seeds or chopped nuts just before serving.
- Garnish with extra fresh thyme or parsley for presentation and freshness.
Serve:
- Spread the tofu mixture on a serving platter and arrange the roasted carrots on top. Garnish with toasted seeds/nuts and fresh herbs and optionally an extra drizzle of honey.
FAQs for Honey Thyme Roasted Carrots
Can I use regular tofu instead of silken tofu?
Silken tofu works best for this sauce because of its smooth texture. However, if you’re using regular tofu, you’ll need to blend it thoroughly to achieve the same creamy consistency.
What can I use if I don’t have honey?
You can substitute maple syrup or agave for a similar sweetness and caramelization effect.
Will dried thyme work instead of fresh thyme?
Yes, you can use dried thyme instead of fresh. Just use about half the amount you would for fresh thyme, and toss it with the carrots before roasting.
How do I store leftovers?
Store any leftover roasted carrots and sauce in separate airtight containers in the fridge. The sauce and carrots will be good for 3-4 days.
Can I make this recipe ahead of time?
Yes! You can roast the carrots and make the sauce ahead of time. Simply reheat the carrots in the oven before serving and give the sauce a stir.
Don’t forget to leave a rating and comment below if you give this one a try!
