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Cardamom Roasted Carrots with Pomegranate Seeds

Plant-based | Gluten-free | Fall side dish | Thanksgiving-ready

Gorgeous jewel-tone carrots coated in warming cardamom, cinnamon, and cayenne. Roasted until tender with slightly crispy skin, then topped with bursts of juicy pomegranate seeds. A stunning side dish that celebrates the best flavors of fall.


IngredientAmountNotes
Small to medium whole multicolor carrots3 lbsTrimmed, tops on
Lemon juice2 tbsp
Tahini2 tbsp
Ground cardamom2 tsp
Ground cinnamon½ tsp
Cayenne pepper¼ tsp
Pomegranate seeds½ cup
Black pepperTo tasteFreshly ground

  1. Preheat: Oven to 400°F. Line large rimmed baking sheet with parchment or silicone mat.

  2. Prep glaze: In small bowl, whisk together lemon juice, tahini, cardamom, cinnamon, cayenne, and ¼ cup water.

  3. Coat carrots: Place carrots on prepared baking sheet. Lightly brush glaze over carrots.

  4. Roast: Roast about 40 minutes until browned and tender, brushing with lemon juice mixture several times during cooking.

  5. Serve: Transfer to serving platter. Sprinkle with pomegranate seeds and season with black pepper.


Even cooking: Use carrots of similar thickness, or cut the fattest ones lengthwise

Tops on: Leaving the tops on gives a farm-to-table look and they’re totally edible

Make ahead: Roast carrots up to 2 hours ahead, serve at room temperature or reheat


  • Room temperature: Up to 2 hours
  • Refrigerate: Up to 3 days
  • Reheat: Warm in 350°F oven 10-15 minutes, add pomegranate seeds just before serving

  • Calories: ~138
  • Protein: 3g
  • Carbs: 26g
  • Fiber: 7g
  • Fat: 3g

Adapted from: Nancy Macklin / Forks Over Knives

Prep: 10 min | Cook: 50 min | Serves: 6