How to Roast Vegetables (Plus 25 Tasty Recipes)

Roasted vegetables are one of the easiest and healthiest side dishes you will ever make. In fact, there are lots of ways you can spice them to make them taste completely different each night of the week.

Keep reading and check out 25 of my favorite roasted vegetable recipes of all time to add to your meal plan. This list also includes all the important temperatures and tips to make sure the vegetables come out with crispy edges and tons of flavors. It includes tons of seasoning ideas including the best oils to use for roasting vegetables. Finally, it includes the most important tip for making delicious roasted veggies with crispy edges.

How To Roast Vegetables: 3 Different Ways

When you roast vegetables, you are basically cooking them until they are crispy on the outside. It alters the texture of the veggies. Lots of people prefer to eat roasted vegetables more than they like raw.

How you roast the veggies can vary. It all depends on which appliance you are using and what temperature you set it at. In general, when you roast vegetables, you'll toss them in olive oil and your chosen spices, then cook them until they are crispy and golden brown.

Today, I am going to share how to roast veggies in 3 different ways:

• In the oven
• Using the air fryer
• In the Instant Pot

Let's break it down.

How To Roast Vegetables In the Oven

The oven is the easiest way that I have found to roast vegetables. You just toss them in olive oil, drizzle them with your favorite sauce or spices, and then let the oven do all the work!

Here are the general times for about how long you will roast veggies at the most common temps.

How Long To Roast Vegetables At 425 Degrees

Some people have asked how long to roast vegetables at 450, but I think that is too high of a temperature. Most people will settle for 425 (most of my recipes are roasted at 400 degrees).

How long you roast them depends on the size and density of what you are roasting.

Here is a quick overview of time estimates:

• 30-45 minutes: thicker veggies like carrots and potatoes.
• 20-30 minutes: dense winter squash like butternut and acorn squash and sweet potatoes.
• 15-25 minutes: softer veggies like zucchini, mushrooms, and broccoli, and cauliflower.
• 10-15 minutes: thinner vegetables like green beans and asparagus.

How Long To Roast Vegetables At 400 Degrees

This is the temperature that I use the most often! Even though this is 25 degrees cooler, the cooking times are basically the same as above. If you want your veggies to roast faster, cut them thinner.

Check on them towards the end of the cooking time - they might need 5-10 minutes longer.

How Long To Roast Vegetables At 350 Degrees

I do not recommend roasting veggies at 350 unless they are really thin or small pieces. It will take a lot longer for everything to cook.

If you don't mind it taking longer, here are the average cooking times for each type.

• 45-60 minutes: thicker veggies like carrots and potatoes.
• 30-45 minutes: dense winter squash like butternut and acorn squash and sweet potatoes.
• 25-40 minutes: softer veggies like zucchini, mushrooms, and broccoli, and cauliflower.
• 15-30 minutes: thinner vegetables like green beans and asparagus.

How To Roast Vegetables In The Air Fryer

If you have an air fryer, this is also a really simple way to roast them.

Prepare them with oil and seasonings just like you would for the oven. Then, set your air fryer to 375 degrees.

Place the vegetables in as flat a layer as possible. Then, cook them for 10-15 minutes, shaking the air fryer pan once or twice in the course of cooking.

How To Roast Vegetables In The Instant Pot

Honestly, if you want crispy vegetables, do not make them in the Instant Pot. Since the Instant Pot uses steam to cook the food, it will steam your vegetables. Don't get me wrong - I love steamed veggies too. It's just that steamed vegetables are not the same thing as roasted ones.

That being said, there is an air fryer and Instant Pot combo appliance you can buy that will make fried veggies. Yum!

Seasoning Ideas for Roasting Vegetables

There are so many different ways to season vegetables that will be roasted in the oven. The two main ways to add flavor are through the fat used and herbs and spices used. Here are some ideas to consider:

Best Oil for Roasting

Generally speaking, use between 1-2 tablespoons of oil for every 4 cups of vegetables. Foe those looking to lighten up the recipe, cooking spray can be used in place of some of the oil, but the vegetables won't caramelize quite as much.

• Olive oil: This the most popular oil for roasting veggies since it is neutrally flavored, widely available, and heart-healthy. There is no need to use fancy olive oil on your veggies, just choose one that has good flavor. 
• Coconut oil: Another option is coconut oil. This can be great for Asian, Caribbean, or African food where there are complementary flavors. Make sure the coconut oil is in liquid form for roasting. For lots of coconut flavor, use unrefined coconut oil. For a more delicate flavor, use refined coconut oil.
• Avocado Oil: Another great neutral oil for roasting is avocado oil. It doesn't have a strong flavor and has a high smoke point. 
• Vegetable or canola oil: Although these oils have a high smoke point and neutral flavor, they are not as healthy as olive oil or avocado oil. When possible, try to stick to more heart-healthy oil for roasting vegetables. With that said, both vegetable oil and canola can be used for roasting vegetables.
• Sesame oil: To add a touch of nuttiness to roasted vegetables, use some sesame oil or toasted sesame oil. Usually, it is best to combine sesame oil with another oil like coconut oil or olive oil since it has a lower smoke point. It can also be used after roasting to add flavor.
• Ghee: If you prefer a buttery flavor on roasted vegetables, reach for ghee. Ghee is clarified butter and works great for roasting.

Spice and Seasoning Ideas

Generally speaking, add about 2-3 teaspoons of dried seasoning blends, spices, and herbs for every 4 cups of vegetables. This can vary depending on the strength of the seasoning blend and how aggressive you want the recipe seasoned.

• Salt and pepper: Although simple, don't underestimate just how delicious roasted veggies taste with some kosher salt and fresh black pepper.
• Cajun or blackening seasoning: If you like to add a slightly spicy or smoky note to your vegetables, toss them with a spicy blend. This is especially delicious with starchy veggies like potatoes, sweet potatoes, butternut squash, and carrots.
• Italian seasoning: For a crowd-pleaser, use Italian seasoning, which is a blend of dried herbs like oregano, basil, and parsley with garlic powder.
• Garlic and herb: Everything tastes better with garlic. Both fresh minced garlic and garlic powder can work when roasting vegetables. Pair it with some dried or fresh herbs like rosemary, thyme, or oregano.
• Curry powder: This spice blend adds warmth and spice to any vegetables. This works really well with cauliflower, sweet potatoes, parnsips, carrots, and butternut squash. 

Finishing Touches

If you want to make the roasted vegetables you are preparing really sing, add some of these finishing touches:

• Cheese: Adding some shredded Parmesan cheese, crumbled goat cheese, salty feta cheese, or any other pungent cheeses to add even more flavors to your veggies.
• Citrus: Squeeze some fresh lemon juice, lime juice, or orange juice over the cooked vegetables. For extra citrus flavor, add zest along with the juice,
• Fresh herbs: Brighten up the flavor of the recipe with freshly chopped parsley, cilantro, basil, or chives,
• Nuts and seeds: Add crunch to your vegetables with nuts and seeds like sliced almonds, chopped walnuts, sesame seeds, pumpkin seeds, or chopped peanuts. 
• Vinegar: To add some tangy flavor to the roasted veggies, finish the dish with a drizzle of vinegar. Consider balsamic vinegar, apple cider vinegar, red wine vinegar, or any specialty vinegar. Vinegar can also be added before roasting when you add the olive oil.

The Secret to Perfectly Roasted Veggies

If you only follow one tip from this article, let it be this one. Do not overcrowd the pan when you are roasting veggies. The most common complaint about roasting is that the vegetables came out soft and lacked crispy edges and caramelization. This happens when the vegetables are too close in the pan.

As vegetables cook, they release liquid in the form of steam. When close together, this steam will cook the other vegetables, creating a steamed, soft texture instead of the roasted, crispy texture. If needed, divide the vegetables on two baking sheets. Just don't crowd the pan. 

25 Delicious Roasted Vegetable Recipes To Make

Here are 25 of my favorite roasted vegetable recipes! Take all that you learned about how to roast vegetables and make some new healthy side dishes.

1. Roasted Green Beans

This is an easy green bean recipe that you can pair with virtually any main meal. My favorite way to serve it is with some seafood, but you can even just eat it with steak too. The green beans comes out just browned on the outside, adding a delicious layer of caramelized flavor.

2. Crispy Baked Zucchini

Roasting and baking are pretty much the same, although roasting is normally at a higher temperature. This spin on roasted zucchini uses a crispy Parmesan and breadcrumbs topping to create a dish that the whole family will love.

3. Roasted Beets

Many people shy away from roasting beets since it can seem like a difficult process.  However, with the right tips, making homemade roasted beets couldn't be easier. Use them as a side dish, add them to salads with goat cheese and greens, or eat them cold right out of the fridge. 

4. Easy Roasted Potatoes

This potato recipe comes out perfectly every time with a crispy outside and soft tender inside. Plus there's a secret ingredient that takes the flavor of these potatoes to another level. 

5. Crispy Roasted Cabbage

Most of us don't think about cabbage when we think of roasted vegetables, but this crispy cabbage recipe is actually one of my favorite side dishes. It works with almost any main dishes, but it is especially delicious with Asian dishes and can almost serve as a noodle.

6. Roasted Delicata Squash

This is the perfect recipe to learn how to make delicata squash! In fact, this recipe offers you three different ways to season the squash that makes it taste completely different each time.

7. Roasted Parmesan Summer Squash

No matter which diet you follow, this recipe for parmesan summer squash is perfect. It's gluten-free and low-carb! The parmesan on the summer squash is the perfect way to crisp it up.

8. Balsamic Brussels Sprouts

This is a basic recipe for Brussels sprouts and it turns out crispy and perfectly cooked every time. You will love how it makes the outside of the sprouts really crispy and the inside nice and delicate.

9. Roasted Turnips

Who knew that roasted turnips could be so delicious? Add different spices from curry powder to Cajun seasoning. This often overlooked vegetable gets sweet and caramelized when it is roasted in the oven, turning it into a delicious side dish without any of the bitterness you might expect in turnips.

10. Parmesan Roasted Brussels Sprouts

The parmesan on these Brussels sprouts gives them a crispy exterior. Plus, the parmesan cheese adds a deeper flavor profile to the Brussels sprouts (which are one of my favorite veggies).

11. Honey Garlic Roasted Carrots

When it comes to carrots, many people boil them until they lose almost all their flavor. Roasting carrots in the oven brings out all the natural sweetness in carrots and creates the most delicious, crispy edges. Plus it's hard to go wrong with honey and garlic.

12. Roasted Parsnips

Are you looking for a way to replace roasted potatoes? Make some roasted parsnips!

They crisp up and are full of natural sweetness. This is a very basic recipe with lots of ideas of other spices or seasonings you can add to them to change it up.

13. Cinnamon Roasted Butternut Squash

The perfect side dish to feed an entire family is roasted butternut squash. Butternut squash is already a sweeter veggie, but when you add cinnamon and sugar to it, the result tastes like a dessert.

14. Roasted Asian Broccoli

Talk about delicious! This roasted Asian broccoli recipe makes crispy, caramelized broccoli that was drizzled with soy sauce and ginger. It's both spicy and tangy at the same time.

15. Roasted Turnips

These roasted turnips are so easy to make that you'll be eating healthier without any extra work. They are a low-carb alternative to potatoes that turn out crispy on the outside and melt-in-your-mouth on the inside.

16. Roasted Bok Choy

Looking for a new vegetable to try out. Add bok choy to the list and instead of stir-frying it, throw it on a roasting pan with garlic, ginger, and soy sauce for a side dish that is packed with flavor. This naturally pairs with Asian dishes but swap in different spices to make this relative of cabbage work with all kind of main dishes.

17. Lemon Garlic Roasted Cauliflower

When you roast cauliflower, it comes out crispy on the outside and hot and steamy on the inside! The lemon in this dish brightens it up and brings out the natural sweetness of the veggies.

18. Honey Roasted Sweet Potatoes

This roasted sweet potato dish is so sweet you'll swear you are eating dessert. It's the perfect way to replace yams if you are trying to watch how much sugar you eat.

19. Roasted Balsamic Green Beans and Mushrooms

This roasted green bean recipe is crispy and tangy. Mushrooms are incredibly filling and so good for you too!

20. Parmesan Roasted Broccoli

This roasted broccoli recipe will be ready in just 20 minutes! Even people who don't normally enjoy eating broccoli will love it.

21. Roasted Carrots and Turnips

These easy roasted carrots and turnips turn out both caramelized and nutty and are just perfect. This recipe is so basic that I included ideas in it for ways you can change it and make it different.

22. Roast Frozen Vegetables

If you want to roast frozen vegetables, this is the perfect guide. In it, you'll discover cooking times for different types of frozen veggies. Buying frozen veggies saves you lots of time on food prep, it's such a good idea.

23. Roasted Cauliflower Steaks

Looking for a vegetarian main dish, then these roasted cauliflower steaks with chimichurri should be next on the list. Roasted in the oven until caramelized on the outside and tender on the inside, this unique cauliflower dish is always a hit.

24. Roasted Asian Vegetables

Roasted Asian vegetables is a veggie-packed recipe that makes a healthy main dish or side. It's made with couscous, so it will taste completely different from any other dish you make.

25. Roasted Balsamic Root Vegetables

This is going to become one of your favorite ways to prepare root veggies. Roasted balsamic root vegetables are seriously lip-smacking good. The balsamic vinegar on them is so perfect!

Roasted Vegetables: Final Thoughts

Start making some new recipes out of healthy vegetables! Soon, you'll become a pro at it and won't need to look up new recipes. You'll be able to experiment with different spice and sauce combinations and make your own recipes.

Have fun roasting all of these vegetables!