These Roasted Carrots with Whipped Feta are an EASY yet elegant side dish that’s perfect for your holiday table or a simple weeknight dinner! They’re roasted with a drizzle of honey and a blend of savory dried spices until tender and served over a bed of creamy, lemony feta sauce. The flavors are bold, bright, and will let carrots finally take center stage!

“Holy smokes! We call these “sexy carrots” in our house because they’re so good.” – Claire H, So Much Food reader

The Ultimate Carrot Side Dish for Special Occasions and Holidays

I am a huge carrot lover! I grow about 6 different varieties in my backyard and one of my favorite ways to enjoy fresh carrots is to pull them from the dirt, clean them up, and roast them. The flavors really get a chance to shine!

Serving roasted carrots over lemony whipped feta adds a whole new level of elegance and flavor. These carrots are dressed with olive oil, za’atar, and sumac, then roasted until lightly charred and tender.

And the tangy feta spread? So good! I would literally serve this with anything, including just devouring it with some crusty bread.

These Middle Eastern-inspired roasted carrots definitely deserve a spot on your holiday table. They’re an incredible side dish that all your guests will love!

Kitchen Tools I Recommend

• Baking Sheet
• Sharp Knife
• Cutting Board
• Food Processor

The Ingredients (+ Substitutions)

You can find the full list of ingredients, quantities, and method in the recipe card at the end of the page.

• Whole carrots. Carrots are the star of the dish so make sure to use quality carrots! Opt for some nice carrots from the farmers market or organic carrots with the tops still on from the store. The rainbow carrots from Trader Joe’s are great too!
• Olive oil. Has a great fruity flavor that works well in this side dish.
• Za’atar. A spice blend made with herbs like oregano, thyme, lemon, sesame seeds, and salt that’s Middle Eastern in origin.
• Sumac. Another Middle Eastern spice that tastes somewhat like fresh lemon juice – a bit sour and astringent! But it’s much more complex and nuanced in flavor. It’s truly one of my favorite spices and I love using it when roasting, like with my sumac fries.
• Lemon. You’ll need some zest and juice for the whipped feta.
• Garlic. Adding garlic to the feta spread is a must!
• Feta. Try to find a whole block of feta packed in brine and not the crumbled feta.
• Greek yogurt. I like using full-fat greek yogurt, but you could use 2% or fat free as well. Just make sure it’s unflavored!
• Honey. Adds a bit of sweetness to the carrots and feta spread.

How to Make Roasted Carrots with Whipped Feta

1. Make the whipped feta. The feta spread tastes like it came from a fancy restaurant but it’s SO easy to prepare! Just add all of the ingredients to the bowl of a food processor and blend until smooth.
2. Season the carrots. Toss the cleaned carrots with a mixture of olive oil, honey, za’atar, sumac, salt, and pepper. You can do this right on the baking sheet or in a big bowl.
3. Roast the carrots at 400ºF. I suggest using small to medium whole carrots, which roast in about 20 minutes. If your carrots are on the larger side, you might want to slice them lengthwise to make them thinner (otherwise the outside will char before the inside is fork tender).
4. Serve over whipped feta. Spread the whipped feta onto a serving plate and top with the roasted carrots. For a prettier presentation, I like to drizzle the carrots with extra olive oil and sprinkle some flaky sea salt and chopped parsley on top.

Make-Ahead Instructions

These carrots can easily be prepped in advance, making them an ideal holiday side dish.

• Whipped feta spread. Can be made up to 3 days in advance. Store it in an airtight container in the fridge and let it come to room temperature before serving.
• Carrots. Prep the carrots by trimming and cleaning them. Rinse and pat them dry and store in a ziplock bag lined with a dry paper towel for up to 3 days. Wait to roast them until just before serving.

Serving Suggestions

While these whipped feta carrots would make an amazing Thanksgiving side dish, it’s also perfect for pairing with any weeknight dinner. Here are some of my favorite main dishes to pair with roasted carrots:

• Holiday entrees. Red Wine Braised Beef, White Wine Braised Lamb Shanks, Glazed Cornish Game Hens
• Quick weeknight dinners. Grilled Lemon Herb Chicken, Herb Roasted Chicken, Roasted Pork Tenderloin
• Comfort food favorites. Mom’s Classic Pot Roast, Steak au Poivre, Cider Pork Chops

If you do give this recipe a try, be sure to let me know! Leave a comment with a star rating below. Be sure to subscribe to my weekly newsletter and never miss a new recipe! You can also snap a photo & tag @JENNYGOYCOCHEA on Instagram. I LOVE hearing about & seeing your SMF creations!

More Easy Vegetable Side Dishes You’ll Love

• Brussels Sprouts Gratin
• Parmesan Creamed Corn
• Miso Honey Glazed Brussels Sprouts
• Creamed Spinach
• Garlic Green Beans with Almond Gremolata

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