If you’re looking for a side dish that’s bursting with flavor and perfect for any season, my Honey Roasted Carrots with Feta and Dill Recipe is a winner every time. This dish combines sweet, toasty roasted carrots with savory feta and fresh dill for a balance that’s both comforting and refreshing. Whether it’s a simple weeknight dinner or a special holiday gathering, you’ll find this recipe elevates your meal effortlessly.
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Why You’ll Love This
This Honey Roasted Carrots with Feta and Dill Recipe brings together vibrant flavors and textures in a way that feels homemade yet sophisticated. The roasting brings out an irresistible sweetness in the carrots while the honey glaze adds an extra layer of luscious depth. Each bite melts with the creamy saltiness of feta, while fresh dill cuts through with herby brightness—trust me, it’s a crowd-pleaser.
- Reliable Texture, Great Flavor: The roasting process ensures tender, caramelized carrots without any mushiness.
- Crisp–Golden Finish: Brushing on the honey glaze near the end creates a lovely sticky coat that’s beautifully golden.
- Pantry-Friendly Ingredients: You need just a handful of staples—carrots, honey, olive oil, dill, and feta.
- Weeknight Easy, Weekend Worthy: With minimal prep and hands-off roasting, it’s a dish you’ll love making often.
Ingredient Snapshot
Choosing fresh, high-quality ingredients makes a big difference here. Since the carrot flavor really shines in this Honey Roasted Carrots with Feta and Dill Recipe, look for firm, brightly colored carrots and tangy, creamy feta for the best results.
- Carrots: Pick fresh, firm carrots without cracks or soft spots for the sweetest roast.
- Honey: Choose a mild, liquid honey that isn’t crystallized for easier mixing and brushing.
- Olive Oil: Use a good quality extra virgin olive oil to add richness and depth.
- Feta Cheese: Opt for block feta rather than pre-crumbled—it tastes fresher and crumbles nicer.
- Dill: Fresh dill works best for garnishing, but dried dill gives solid flavor in the roasting mix.
Quick Note: Exact measurements are in the printable recipe card at the bottom.
How to Make Honey Roasted Carrots with Feta and Dill Recipe
Step 1 — Set Up & Season
Start by preheating your oven to 425°F and lining a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and make cleanup a breeze. Peel your carrots, trim the ends, then slice them on a bias into roughly 1½-inch pieces; this angled cut helps them cook evenly and look pretty. If any pieces feel too thick, slicing them lengthwise keeps everything uniform for roasting. Toss the carrots in a large bowl with olive oil, honey, minced garlic, dill, salt, and a crack or two of black pepper until each piece is glistening and coated.
Step 2 — Sear, Toast, or Mix
Using a slotted spoon, transfer the carrots to your prepared sheet so they’re spread out in a single layer—not crowded—to ensure they roast instead of steam. Don’t toss the leftover honey and oil mixture in the bowl just yet; you’ll brush this over the carrots halfway through roasting to add a sticky, caramelized finish that takes the dish from good to irresistible.
Step 3 — Finish for Best Texture
Roast the carrots for about 20 to 25 minutes total. At around the 15-minute mark, pull the tray out and give the carrots a good brush with the reserved honey-garlic mixture, then return them to the oven for the final 5-10 minutes. This step helps create that toasty, sticky glaze which clings beautifully to each bite. When you see the carrots tender, slightly caramelized at the edges, and glistening from the honey, they’re done. Immediately toss them with crumbled feta—its creamy tang is best served fresh to melt a little against the warm carrots—and sprinkle on fresh dill before serving.
Smart Little Tips
I’ve found a few tricks that make this Honey Roasted Carrots with Feta and Dill Recipe really shine. Roasting at a high temperature lets those natural sugars bloom and caramelize. Brushing on the honey mixture later, rather than before roasting, avoids burn and adds layers of sticky sweetness. Using fresh dill at the end preserves its bright flavor.
- Doneness Cue: When carrots are tender through but still have a slight bite and their edges are caramelized—they’ll smell sweet and toasty.
- Temperature Trick: 425°F is perfect to roast quickly without drying out, locking in sweetness and moisture.
- Make-Ahead Move: You can prep carrots and the honey mixture a day ahead; just mix and roast fresh for best taste.
- Avoid This Pitfall: Don’t overcrowd the pan—give the carrots space to roast instead of steam for that gorgeous color.
Serving Ideas
Finishing Touches
For the finishing touches, fresh dill really elevates the dish with its bright, herbal notes, and an extra drizzle of honey adds that perfect hint of sweet contrast to the salty feta. You’ll notice how these simple garnishes lift the entire plate, making each bite delightfully balanced and irresistible.
Pair It With
This side pairs wonderfully with roasted chicken, grilled fish, or even a hearty grain bowl. Its sweet-savory profile complements protein nicely while the feta brings creaminess that contrasts beautifully with the caramelized carrots. I love serving it alongside quinoa or couscous for a wholesome, colorful meal.
Easy Plating Upgrades
For a quick weeknight boost, serve these carrots piled high in a shallow bowl topped with a sprinkle of extra feta and dill sprigs. For special occasions, add toasted pine nuts or chopped pistachios for crunch and a pop of color. A small drizzle of good-quality olive oil right before serving adds a silky sheen that’s just beautiful on the plate.
Make-Ahead, Store & Reheat
Storing Leftovers
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. The carrots retain their texture well, but feta can absorb some moisture—so it’s best to add fresh feta when reheating or serving again. I usually keep the dill separate to garnish fresh.
Freezing Tips
This recipe freezes okay, but texture suffers a little since cooked carrots soften further and feta can become crumbly. If you plan to freeze, cool completely, then freeze in a single layer on a baking sheet before transferring to a freezer bag. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating gently.
Reheating Honey Roasted Carrots with Feta and Dill Recipe Without Drying Out
Reheat your honey roasted carrots in a 350°F oven for about 10 minutes until warmed through; this keeps them moist and tender. Alternatively, use an air fryer at 325°F for 5-7 minutes to revive their crisp edges. Avoid microwaving unless covered with a damp paper towel to trap steam and keep them from drying out. Add fresh feta and dill after reheating for the best freshness.
Frequently Asked Questions
Absolutely! Fresh dill works beautifully—just use about 1 tablespoon chopped fresh dill instead of the dried amount for a brighter, more vibrant flavor. Save some for garnishing at the end too.
I like to use a sharp vegetable peeler for thin, even peeling. If your carrots are fresh, the skin should come off easily. Peeling removes any bitterness and lets the honey and oil coat the surface better.
Sure! Skip the honey and roast with just olive oil, garlic, dill, salt, and pepper. The roasted carrots will still be delicious, but you’ll miss the sticky caramelized glaze that’s signature to this dish.
If you’re not a fan of feta, goat cheese or ricotta salata also make excellent alternatives—they provide creamy saltiness without overpowering the flavors of the carrots and dill.
Final Thoughts
PrintPrint Recipe
Honey Roasted Carrots with Feta and Dill Recipe
Delicious honey roasted carrots tossed with garlic, dill, and finished with crumbled feta cheese for a perfect balance of sweet, savory, and tangy flavors. This easy side dish is perfect for any meal and comes together quickly with simple ingredients.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 lb. carrots, washed & peeled
- 1 tablespoon honey (plus more for serving)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- ½ teaspoon dried dill (or 1 tablespoon chopped fresh dill)
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ cup feta cheese, crumbled
- Cracked black pepper, to taste
- Fresh dill, for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit and line a large baking pan with parchment paper to prepare for roasting.
- Prepare Carrots: Peel the carrots and slice off both ends. Cut the carrots diagonally into approximately 1½ inch pieces, slicing larger pieces lengthwise if needed to ensure even cooking. Place the carrots in a large bowl.
- Coat Carrots: Add olive oil, honey, minced garlic, dried dill, salt, and cracked black pepper to the bowl with the carrots. Toss well until the carrots are evenly coated with the mixture.
- Arrange for Roasting: Using a slotted spoon, transfer the carrots to the prepared baking pan, spreading them out to avoid overcrowding. Reserve the remaining liquid in the bowl for later brushing.
- Roast Carrots: Place the pan in the oven and roast for 25 minutes until tender. During the last 10 minutes, brush the reserved liquid over the carrots to enhance the glaze and flavor.
- Add Feta and Garnish: Remove the roasted carrots from the oven and transfer them to a serving platter or bowl. Toss the warm carrots gently with the crumbled feta cheese.
- Serve: Garnish with chopped fresh dill and drizzle extra honey over the top. Serve immediately for the best flavor and texture.
Notes
- For extra tenderness, you can roast the carrots up to 30 minutes depending on size.
- Fresh dill provides a brighter flavor than dried dill; use fresh if possible.
- If you prefer a stronger garlic taste, mince an additional garlic clove.
- To keep this dish vegetarian, ensure the feta cheese is made with vegetarian rennet.
- Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated gently in the oven.
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