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    Home » Sides/Salads

    Easy Roasted Root Vegetables with Balsamic

    The vegan recipe developer and author Connie Edwards McGaughy in her kitchen.
    Modified: Apr 19, 2026 · Published: Feb 5, 2020 by Connie Edwards McGaughy · This post may contain affiliate links

    Jump to Recipe

    Easy Roasted Root Vegetables with Balsamic đŸ„• It's time to get back to your roots, starting with these delicious, nutritious roasted carrots & beets glazed with balsamic vinegar and maple syrup. Vegan & GF.

    Vegan roasted root veggies including carrots and beets, on top of salad greens and drizzled with avocado basil dressing.

    This easy recipe for roasted root vegetables with balsamic vinegar is a simple and delicious way to bring out the natural flavors of carrots, beets or any of your favorite root veggies. The addition of a drizzle of pure maple syrup combined with balsamic creates a light and lovely sweet glaze as the veggies are baking.

    Oven roasting is a great method for cooking vegetables. It preserves so much flavor and texture, unlike boiling and steaming, which can make some veggies too soft or mushy - which is why I love roasted Brussels sprouts so much more than steamed. I adore Mediterranean roasted vegetables like artichokes, mushrooms, eggplants, peppers, zucchini, and yellow squash. And of course, root vegetables are perfectly suited for roasting, like my favorite lemon roasted potatoes.

    ★★★★★"We had the roasted root veggies with avo basil dressing the other night. It was fantastic!! " Cindy T.

    Table of Contents
    • đŸ„•Why you should try this recipe
    • đŸ„•Ingredients
    • đŸ„•Instructions
    • đŸ„•Serving Suggestions
    • đŸ„• FAQ's
    • Recipe
    • Comments
    Avocado basil dressing with roasted root veggies on a plate.

    Roasted root vegetables are perfectly delish all on their own, served as a side dish or on a bed of salad greens topped with this gorgeous vegan avocado basil dressing and a sprinkle of pomegranate seeds. They're also perfectly paired with a warm bowl of delicious carrot ginger soup.

    đŸ„•Why you should try this recipe

    • It's so simple to prepare
    • You can use this method with many different vegetables
    • Kids love them!
    • Clean-up is quick & easy
    • Roasted veggies are full of flavor and super delish
    A green salad topped with roasted root veggies, avocado basil dressing and pomegranate seeds.

    One of the many things I LOVE SO MUCH about being vegan is enjoying the beautiful colors of the fruits and veggies I eat every day. Our plates look like painters palettes. Vibrant greens of every shade, brilliant tomato and pepper reds, deep eggplant purples, bright lemony yellows, radiant oranges, berry blues. This recipe for roasted root vegetables with balsamic is loaded with so much flavor and color, it's like eating the rainbow!

    đŸ„•What are root vegetables?

    Root vegetables are edible plant parts that grow underground. Some are 'true roots' or taproots, others are bulbs, corms, rhizomes, and tubers. So while not all of them are actually 'roots', tubers - like potatoes and yams - are still considered root vegetables. Likewise, ginger, turmeric, ginseng, and arrowroot - all rhizomes - grow underground. Carrots, beets, parsnips, radishes, daikon, turnips, rutabagas, jicama, are 'true roots' or taproots.

    đŸ„•Ingredients

    Fresh red and golden beets and rainbow carrots on a cutting board.

    đŸ„• See the printable recipe card below for quantities & details

    • Beets - red and golden
    • Carrots - rainbow variety or regular
    • Olive oil - extra virgin
    • Salt - coarse
    • Balsamic vinegar - red or white
    • Maple syrup

    Variations & add-ins

    • Parsnips, turnips, rutabagas, sweet potatoes,
    • Substitute maple syrup with with vegan honey or agave nectar
    • Add slices of red onions or leeks
    • Add fresh herbs
    • Use fresh ground pepper
    Washed and peeled rainbow carrots.

    đŸ„•Instructions

    Preheat oven to 400ÂșF

    Sliced fresh red and golden beets and rainbow carrots on a cutting board.
    1. Prepare and chop veggies
    A cast iron skillet with sliced rainbow carrots and a baking pan with red and golden beets ready for roasting.

    2. Line pans with parchment paper or lightly grease surface of pans. Arrange beets on one pan, in a single layer.

    Sliced rainbow carrots in a cast iron skillet.

    3. Do the same with carrots on a separate pan or oven-safe skillet.

    Peeled and sliced red and golden beets on a baking sheet, brushed with olive oil.

    4. Brush beets and carrots lightly with olive oil. Sprinkle with salt. Place carrots in oven at 400Âș for 15 minutes until just tender. Place beets in oven for 20 - 30 minutes until just tender.

    đŸ„•Want to prepare this recipe without oil? See my notes in the printable recipe card below for an oil-free option.

    Roasted root veggies including carrots and beets in a cast iron pan next to a plate with salad greens and a dish of avocado basil dressing.

    5. Combine balsamic vinegar and maple syrup in small bowl. Brush carrots and beets with vinegar and syrup. Place both pans back into oven for an additional 10 minutes, allowing the vinegar/syrup mix to caramelize.

    Remove from oven and enjoy!

    Roasted root veggies including carrots and beets in a cast iron pan next to a plate with salad greens and a dish of avocado basil dressing.

    đŸ„•Serving Suggestions

    Roasted root vegetables with balsamic make a perfect partner with tofu, tempeh or seitan. Pile them in a buddha bowl with rice, quinoa or ancient grains. What a beautiful side dish on a vegan Thanksgiving table. I love serving them on top of a bed of fresh salad greens drizzled with my Avocado Basil Dressing and a handful of pomegranate seeds sprinkled on top.

    đŸ„• FAQ's

    Do root vegetables need to be peeled?

    I prefer to wash and peel root vegetables. That's just me. Veggies with thin peels, like carrots, don't have to be peeled if you prefer not. Just be sure to scrub them really well before using.

    Why roast root vegetables?

    Roasting root vegetables enhances their natural flavors, caramelizes their sugars, and creates a deliciously crispy exterior while maintaining a tender interior.

    What vegetables can I roast together?

    You can roast a variety of root vegetables together, such as carrots, potatoes, sweet potatoes, parsnips, and onions. Choose vegetables that have similar cooking times and flavors that complement each other.

    What seasonings work well with roasted root vegetables?

    Common seasonings include olive oil, salt, pepper, garlic powder, thyme, rosemary, and paprika. Experiment with different herbs and spices to find your preferred flavor profile.

    How do I store leftover roasted root vegetables?

    Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven or microwave until heated through before serving.

    If you love this recipe ★★★★★ please be sure to rate it below! Sharing your experience lets me know that you enjoyed it and will help other readers decide if they should give the recipe a try too. Thanks a bunch!đŸ„•

    Recipe

    Vegan roasted root veggies, including carrots and beets, on top of salad greens drizzled with avocado basil dressing.

    Easy Roasted Root Vegetables with Balsamic

    5 from 4 votes
    by Connie Edwards McGaughy
    Return to your roots by enjoying the gorgeous colors and flavors of roasted rainbow carrots & red and golden beets.
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe SaveSaved!
    Prevent your screen from going dark
    Prep Time 20 minutes mins
    Cook Time 40 minutes mins
    Course Dinner, Lunch, Salad, Side Dish
    Cuisine Vegan
    Servings 6
    Calories 171 kcal

    Equipment

    • veggie peeler
    • 2 baking sheets
    • Parchment paper (optional)
    • Chef's knife
    • paring knife
    • basting brush

    Ingredients
     
     

    • 4 large beets red and golden - washed, peeled, cut into bite-size wedges
    • 6 large carrots rainbow variety or regular - washed, peeled, cut into œ" rounds
    • 2 tablespoon olive oil extra virgin
    • œ teaspoon salt coarse
    • 2 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
    • 2 tablespoon maple syrup

    Instructions
     

    • Preheat oven to 400Âș
    • Line 2 baking pans with parchment paper or lightly grease surface of pans.
    • Arrange beets on one pan, in a single layer. Do the same with carrots on a separate pan.
    • Brush beets and carrots lightly with olive oil. Sprinkle with salt.
    • Place carrots in oven at 400Âș for 15 minutes until just tender. Place beets in oven for 20 - 30 minutes until just tender.
    • Combine balsamic vinegar and maple syrup in small bowl.
    • Brush carrots and beets with vinegar and syrup. Place both pans back into oven for an additional 10 minutes, allowing the vinegar/syrup mix to caramelize.
    • Remove from oven.

    Notes

    đŸ„•Roasted root veggies make a delicious & nutritious simple side dish. You can pair them with everything from tofu to rice to salads. . .use your imagination! I love to serve roasted root veggies on a bed of vibrant salad greens topped with my yummy creamy Vegan Avocado Basil Dressing. 
    đŸ„•Oil-free - To prepare these veggies without oil, I suggest steaming the carrots for 3-5 minutes prior to roasting. Just until they are slightly tender. Follow the directions on the recipes, simply omitting adding oil. 

    Nutrition

    Calories: 171kcalCarbohydrates: 30gProtein: 4gFat: 5gSaturated Fat: 1gSodium: 387mgPotassium: 841mgFiber: 7gSugar: 20gVitamin A: 12088IUVitamin C: 13mgCalcium: 60mgIron: 2mg

    These are estimated values generated from a nutritional database using unbranded products. Please do your own research with the products you're using if you have a serious health issue or are following a specific diet.

    Tried this recipe?Rate it below & tell us how it was!

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    About Connie Edwards McGaughy

    Connie Edwards McGaughy is a San Diego-based vegan recipe developer, cookbook author, and founder of The Carrot Underground. She began her journey toward plant-based living in 1977 and has spent nearly five decades creating plant-based recipes and inspiring compassionate living.

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      Recipe Rating




    1. Nancy Andres says

      February 02, 2026 at 8:40 am

      5 stars
      So colorful and nutritious. I pinned it twice, once to my main course board and once to my salad board. Love the combination of root veggies and greens. Nancy Andres @ Colors 4 Health.

      Reply
      • Connie says

        February 02, 2026 at 11:28 am

        Thank you kindly Nancy!

        Reply
    2. Connie Edwards McGaughy says

      February 22, 2022 at 11:53 am

      5 stars
      This recipe for oven roasting root veggies has become my favorite way to cook carrots, beets and other root vegetables. It's super simple to do, and so delicious. Give it a try, I think you're going to love it too!

      Reply
    3. Mom o’ snobs says

      January 21, 2021 at 10:39 am

      5 stars
      I just had to write a review on this one.
      ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
      My adult kids are food snobs. Don’t get me wrong, they will eat anything put before them, and gratefully, but they do reserve their serious praise for things they can compare favorably to the amazing restaurants they’ve had the opportunity to visit on both coasts with friends who could afford them, treating.

      My daughter said “This is amazing! This could be served in a Michelin Star restaurant!” Truly, the combination of textures and flavors, sweet ant tart, as well as the colors for presentation... just Exceptional.

      It’s very easy to make, yet can be served to the most discerning of guests as a complex and beautiful side dish. Absolutely scrumptious and gorgeous! A keeper recipe.

      Notes to Anyone making this:
      Serving it on a small bed of crisp greens really does add to its overall texture effect, it’s not just for creating a very lovely presentation. Try it! Even for people who aren’t beet fans, just use golden beets only., along with the carrots. It’s really the red ones that have such an irony flavor.

      Reply
      • Connie Edwards McGaughy says

        January 21, 2021 at 11:25 am

        So happy you and your family enjoyed this recipe! It's such a great way to enjoy root veggies. I wasn't a beet fan either until I tried roasting them. Thanks for sharing!đŸ’šđŸ„•

        Reply
    4. Susie Edwards says

      April 28, 2020 at 6:50 am

      5 stars
      Very Good

      Reply
      • Connie Edwards McGaughy says

        April 28, 2020 at 5:25 pm

        So glad you like it!đŸ„•

        Reply
    The vegan author Connie Edwards McGaughy inside her kitchen.

    Hi, I'm Connie! I created The Carrot UndergroundđŸ„• as your place to find easy & delicious recipes and inspiration for enjoying the goodness of vegan living.

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