Easy Roasted Beets & Carrots With Maple Orange Glaze

This easy holiday recipe is a great addition to your Thanksgiving holiday table, but I love that it's simple enough for a weeknight dinner. Its vibrant colors and tart pomegranate seeds make every plate feel festive and balanced. Sometimes my daughter will even ask for extra pomegranate seeds in her serving bowl!

For more autumn-inspired side dish recipes, try my Roasted Parsnips and Carrots or Crispy Roasted Sweet Potatoes. They’re perfect for effortlessly elevating your dinner menu. Let’s get roasting!

These oven roasted root vegetables are a healthy side dish that’s as beautiful as it is delicious! They turn any dinner into a fantastic meal.

Quick prep: It's ideal for busy holiday schedules.

Super colorful: You have bright orange carrots, purple beets, ruby-red pomegranate seeds, and lush green thyme.

Classic: No holiday dinner is complete without maple-glazed roasted veggies.

Versatile: Pairs well with any main dish, from turkey and chicken to vegetarian dishes.

This fall vegetable recipe with sweet orange glaze only requires a few ingredients! Scroll to the end of this post for the recipe card with exact ingredient amounts.

• Beets: Add an earthy flavor and stunning red hue.
• Carrots: Feel free to use yellow carrots or rainbow carrots for variety.
• Olive oil: Helps achieve those crispy, golden edges everyone loves. Extra virgin olive oil or avocado oil is my favorite.
• Maple syrup: Enhances the vegetables' natural sweetness. Honey and agave nectar are great swaps.
• Orange zest: Adds a bright, citrusy punch. Lemon zest is a good alternative.
• Orange juice: Freshly squeezed is best. Lemon juice or apple cider vinegar can replace it.
• Fresh thyme: If using dried thyme, only use ¼ teaspoon.
• Ground cinnamon: Adds cozy, spiced depth. Nutmeg or allspice are great swaps.
• Salt: Kosher salt is best.
• Black pepper: I prefer freshly ground black pepper for a spicier flavor.
• Pomegranate seeds: These offer a juicy, tart garnish.

See recipe card for quantities.

This simple roasted vegetables recipe brings orange-y, caramel-like flavors to your table! Toss, roast, and garnish for a stunning beet and carrot side dish.

1. Step 1: In a large bowl, mix olive oil, maple syrup, orange juice, zest, thyme, cinnamon, salt, and pepper.

2. Step 2: Add diced beets and carrots, tossing gently to coat evenly.

3. Step 3: Spread on a sheet pan and roast 35–40 minutes, tossing halfway, until tender and caramelized. Sprinkle with pomegranate seeds and serve warm.

Want to switch up this orange-maple-glazed root veggies recipe for your gatherings? Here are some easy ways to make it your own:

Add more veggies: Toss in other root vegetables like parsnips, sweet potatoes, or turnips for a heartier mix. Brussels sprouts and butternut squash pair wonderfully with it too.

Sweet and tangy: Drizzle with 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar or balsamic glaze before roasting for a sweet-tangy flavor combination.

Make it spicy: Whisk ¼-1/2 teaspoon chili powder, red pepper flakes, or chili oil into the oil mixture before tossing for a spicy variation.

Swap the herbs: Using fresh rosemary, sage, or fresh parsley instead of thyme lets you use up whichever herbs you already have at home.

This sweet-and-savory vegetarian holiday dish can be made year-round! Here are our favorite ways to enjoy these roasted vegetables, whether or not it's pumpkin season:

• Serve alongside roast chicken, Thanksgiving turkey, or pork tenderloin for a classic holiday feast.
• Pair with 5-Ingredient Chickpea Curry or Sweet Potato Black Bean Coconut Curry for a vegetarian spread.
• Bring to a family dinner or potluck with my Air Fryer Sweet Potato Wedges and Corn Black Bean Feta Dip for more sides.
• Add to a Thanksgiving menu with Creamed Corn with Jalapeño and Cucumber Pepper Salad.
• Use leftover roasted carrots and beets in a fresh salad with kale, crumbled feta, and a honey-mustard vinaigrette.

Prepping ahead or need to store leftover roasted carrots and beets? Here’s how to keep this seasonal side dish fresh and tasty!

Refrigerator

Refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 5 days.

Freezer

Store in a freezer-safe container or bag for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge.

Reheating

Warm at 350F for 10–12 minutes, or microwave in 20-second increments until heated through.

These simple tips will ensure your cinnamon-spiced roasted beets and carrots are perfect every time!

Cut them uniformly: Dice beets and carrots into similar size pieces, about 1-inch cubes, for even roasting.

Don’t overcrowd: Spread veggies out on the sheet pan to ensure they roast, not steam. There should be a bit of space between them.

Avoid stains: Peel beets on a cutting board covered with parchment to avoid staining surfaces. I also recommend washing your hands immediately after to help prevent stains on your clothes later.

Play with the garnishes: Chopped pecans, candied walnuts, dried cranberries, creamy goat cheese, and puffed quinoa are great garnishes for more flavor and texture.

Use a bag: Sometimes I'm not in the mood to clean more bowls, so I'll add everything to a large Ziploc bag, shake well, then place the veggies on the baking sheet immediately. Then I'll just throw the Ziploc bag away!

Here’s what other home cooks are asking about this easy side dish!

Yes! Rainbow carrots or yellow carrots add vibrant colors and work wonderfully with this recipe. Avoid baby carrots because they're not thick enough and will overcook.

Absolutely! Prep and toss the veggies in the glaze a few hours ahead, then roast just before serving.

Use dried thyme, fresh rosemary, or fresh herbs like parsley for a similar flavor.

Yes! Swap with chopped nuts, goat cheese, or dried cranberries for a festive garnish.

Looking for other recipes like this? Try these:

Easy Oven-Roasted Green Beans with Garlic and Lemon

Easy Roasted Parsnips and Carrots with Herbs – Perfect Side for Any Season

Spicy Creamed Corn Recipe with Jalapeño (Easy Holiday Sides)

How To Bake Crispy Roasted Sweet Potatoes In The Oven

These are my favorite dishes to serve with this Roasted Beets and Carrots Recipe:

Easy 5-Ingredient Chickpea Curry (Vegan Dinner in Minutes)

Sweet Potato Black Bean Coconut Curry (Easy One-Pot Recipe)

Mexican Street Corn Chicken Salad

Oven Shrimp Skewers With Old Bay Seasoning

These roasted carrots and beets are one of our favorite recipes when we're craving cozy fall flavors like cinnamon, maple syrup, and oranges. Share your creations on social media with Hungry Whisk, and don’t forget to subscribe for more side dish recipes and recipe cards!