How to Roast Vegetables to Tender Perfection Every Time
Get our tips and tricks for perfect roast veggies, plus how to score a caramelized exterior, good flavor, and tender texture.
No matter the type or the quantity, if you know how to roast vegetables, you'll always have a side dish that everyone at the table quickly devours. This easy yet impressive cooking method will feed a crowd or just a couple. Whether you're learning how to roast vegetables for the first time or want to branch out from roasted carrots and try roasted asparagus, we'll teach you how to do it. You don't have to stick to just one, either. You can roast a mix of all your favorite veggies in one go.
Related: 16 Roasted Vegetables That Will Have You Craving More Veggies
BHG / Cara Cormack
Best Vegetables to Roast
When it comes to how to roast vegetables, not all are created equal. Before you preheat your oven, choose good veggies to roast for the best and most delicious results. Vegetables such as onions, potatoes, carrots, beets, winter squash, and other hearty root vegetables work well. Tender vegetables, such as asparagus and mushrooms, also transform in the oven's heat.
Related: Medley of Roasted Root Vegetables
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. Green beans shrivel before becoming tender.
How to Roast Vegetables in the Oven
Using a high temperature to roast vegetables is key so they caramelize on the outside. For all of our veggies, we keep the oven at 450°F. If the oven temperature is too low, the vegetables will overcook before achieving the desired browning.
Tools Needed
A heavy 13x9-inch roasting pan ($40, Wayfair) works well for roasting vegetables, but you can also use a large baking pan. To keep cleanup to a minimum, line the pan with foil. Place the vegetables that take the longest to cook in the pan. Don't crowd the vegetables, or they'll steam instead of roast. Add 1 or 2 heads garlic with the tops trimmed off, several sprigs of thyme, and/or snipped fresh rosemary, oregano, or sage if you like.
Related: The 8 Best Roasting Pans of 2023, Tested and Reviewed
Seasoning the Vegetables
Toss the vegetables with a seasoned oil mixture (or just oil if you want the veggie flavors to shine) to keep them from drying out and to flavor the vegetables as they roast. In a small bowl, combine olive oil with lemon juice, salt, and ground black pepper. Drizzle the seasoned oil over the vegetables in the pan, tossing lightly to coat all of the vegetables. A basting brush also works to coat the vegetables with the oil.
Related: 16 Roasted Vegetables That Will Have You Craving More Veggies
How Long to Roast the Vegetables
Don't guess how long it takes to roast vegetables in the oven. Use our guide. Roast longer-cooking vegetables, uncovered, about 30 minutes, stirring once. Remove the pan from the oven and add the vegetables with shorter cooking times. Toss to combine, then return to the oven. Continue to cook about 10 to 15 minutes more, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are tender and brown on the edges. The timings here are approximate and will depend on the vegetables you choose.
BHG / Cara Cormack
Vegetable Roasting Times
A real benefit to oven-roasted vegetables is the ability to cook a combination of colorful veggies, resulting in a full-flavor side dish or meatless entrée. Use this as a guide for how to prep and how long to roast different vegetables. Make sure you thoroughly wash your veggies.
Asparagus
Break off woody bases where asparagus spears snap easily. Leave spears whole or cut into 1-inch pieces. Roast at 450°F for 10 to 15 minutes.
Baby Leeks
Trim and halve lengthwise. Rinse well and pat dry with paper towels or clean dish towel. Roast at 450°F for 10 to 15 minutes.
Beets, Baby or Regular
Scrub and peel beets with a peeler. Trim off stem and root ends. If desired, halve or quarter baby beets. Cut regular beets into 1-inch pieces. Roast at 450°F for 30 to 40 minutes (you may want to cover the beets with foil if they start to burn).
Related: Thyme-Roasted Beets
Bell Peppers, Regular or Mini
For regular-size peppers, wash, seed, and cut into ½-inch-wide strips. For small peppers, if desired, roast whole, then remove stems and seeds. Roast at 450°F for 10 to 15 minutes.
Brussels Sprouts
Trim stems of Brussels sprouts and remove any wilted outer leaves; wash. Cut any large sprouts in half lengthwise. Roast at 450°F for 30 to 40 minutes.
Carrots, Baby or Regular
Trim and peel or scrub baby carrots or regular carrots. Cut regular carrots into bite-size pieces or thin strips. Roast at 450°F for 40 to 45 minutes (thin strips may cook faster).
Related: Roasted Caraway Carrots
Cauliflower
Wash and remove cauliflower leaves and woody stem. Break into florets. Roast at 450°F for 10 to 15 minutes.
Fennel
Trim stalks and cut a thin slice from the bottom of the bulb. Cut the bulb into thin wedges. Roast at 450°F for 30 to 40 minutes.
Onions
Remove papery outer layer. Cut into thin wedges. Roast at 450°F for 30 to 45 minutes.
Related: Caramelized Balsamic Onions
Parsnips
Trim and peel parsnips. Cut into bite-size pieces or thin strips. Roast at 450°F for 40 to 45 minutes (thin strips may cook faster).
Potatoes, New or Regular
Whole tiny potatoes, quartered, work exceptionally well for roasting. For larger potatoes, cut them into bite-size pieces. Peeling is unnecessary but scrub well with a vegetable brush before use. Roast at 450°F for 40 to 45 minutes.
Roma Tomatoes
Wash and halve lengthwise. Roast at 450°F for 20 to 30 minutes.
Related: 10 Must-Know Tips for Growing Tomatoes Indoors
Small Eggplant
Peel if desired. Quarter lengthwise and cut into ½-inch-thick slices. Roast at 450°F for 10 to 15 minutes.
Sweet Potatoes
Scrub and peel. Cut into bite-size pieces. Roast at 450°F for 40 to 45 minutes.
Zucchini, Pattypan, or Yellow Summer squash
Baby zucchini, pattypan, or summer squash can be roasted whole. For larger squash, cut into bite-size pieces or slices. Roast at 450°F for 10 to 15 minutes.
Roasted Vegetable Recipes
If you're craving roasted vegetables but don't have a favorite in mind, try a basic roasted veggies recipe. It yields 13 cups of roasted vegetable deliciousness, so you'll have plenty of leftovers for the week! Eating on a Mediterranean diet? Choose from a variety of common Mediterranean vegetables like carrots, eggplant, onions, leeks, peppers, shallots, mushrooms, tomatoes, and zucchini. Or try them out in an Italian roasted chicken and vegetable salad for dinner.
Now that you know how to roast vegetables, here are some suggestions for using them in recipes:
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