How to make perfectly roasted vegetables every time (2024)

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Chef notes Preparation FAQs

Chef notes

Craving cruciferous vegetables, summer squash or juicy tomatoes? Sometimes there's nothing better than a nutritious and delicious plate of roasted vegetables.

When you're ready to roast, it's important to brush up on how best to prepare your vegetables of choice— because nobody wants undercooked beets, overcooked zucchini or soggy green beans.

The first thing to consider when roasting is understanding which type of vegetable you want to cook. Root vegetables, for example, typically have longer cook times and often require a smaller dice. Some vegetables, like beets, can be wrapped in foil whole and and roasted until a knife easily pierces the center. Vegetables with a higher water content, like squash or eggplant, need a hotter oven and a shorter cook time, otherwise you'll end up with a dry, shriveled-up side dish.

Best vegetables to roast

When it comes to which vegetables taste best when roasted in the oven, it can be hard to choose the wrong one! Carrots, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, any variety of squash, pumpkin, potatoes, onions, parsnips and beets are some great options.

The only veggies that don't roast well? If you're thinking about roasting delicate salad greens, like baby spinach or arugula, don't.

Most veggies roast up well simply seasoned with just some olive oil, salt and pepper.You can always spruce up your veggies with a little bacon fat, just like Al Roker.

The basics of oven-roasting

Always make sure the oven is fully preheated before roasting: About 375-400 F for root vegetables, and 400-425 F for veggies that have more water. If the oven is the wrong temperature, your cooking time might not yield the desired result.

Preheat your tray in the oven while you prepare your vegetables. This way, when they make contact with the tray, they instantly begin to sizzle and roast. You also may not want to use parchment paper when roasting my vegetables because it limits the browning you get on the surface of the vegetables (but, of course, if you don't want to clean the baking sheet, by all means, use it).

To make sure your vegetables are evenly coated with oil and seasoning, toss everything together in a bowl before laying them out on the tray. Don't overcrowd the veggies or the hot air won't circulate and the veggies will steam instead of roast.

About every 10 minutes or so, rotate the tray in the oven so all the vegetables are being evenly roasted. You should also stir them around a bit using a spatula to make sure they’re crisping evenly and not sticking to the tray. Some ovens have hot spots where one side cooks more than the others, which is why its always good to rotate your trays while roasting.

If you try to flip your veggies and they're sticking to the pan, it means they're not ready to flipped. Have patience and the veggies will respect you.

How to roast frozen vegetables

Follow the same basic tips as you would with raw veggies when roasting frozen ones. That being said, because they have more water in them, they will likely steam before browning and will therefore take a little more time to achieve that an ideal roasted golden-brown color.

How to roast vegetables without oil

Roasting vegetables without seasoning is possible, but not advised. Don't expect the veggies to get the same caramelization and browning as if you had used oil. If you really don't want to use any oil, consider roasting the veggies on parchment paper or aluminum foil for easier cleanup. Make sure to flip them as you would any other roasted veggies.

How to reheat roast vegetables

There are several ways to get leftover roasted vegetables back to their deliciously crisp state. Put them back in the oven, spread them out evenly on a baking tray and reheat them for about 10 minutes. You can also throw them in a skillet with a little oil, add them into a stir-fry recipe, or use an air fryer or a toaster oven until they're warmed through and slightly crisp. Whatever you do, don't reheat them in the microwave, as they can get soggy and mushy.

Your key takeaways

Be sure to season your vegetables generously with salt.

Don't overcrowd the vegetables or the hot air won't circulate and they'll steam instead of roast.

Rotate the trays and stir the vegetables around a bit with a spatula to make sure they're crisping evenly and not sticking to the tray, every 10 minutes or so.

Actual cooking times may vary based on the oven, quantity being roasted and your preference of doneness (how fork-tender they are).

Although not necessary, starting with a hot pan will expedite cooking time and help increase caramelization.

Preparation

How to roast vegetables:

1.

Preheat the oven (375-400 F for root vegetables, and 400-425 F for veggies that have more water).

2.

Cut vegetables to desired size, if necessary. In a large bowl, toss prepared vegetable (or fruit), olive oil, salt and pepper and any other desired seasonings or herbs, until evenly coated.

3.

Spread out evenly onto baking tray, being sure not to overcrowd.

4.

Roast according to cooking times listed below,rotating every 10 to 15 minutes.Toss vegetables with a spatula before placing tray back into the oven to ensure they are roasting evenly.

5.

Roast until vegetables are browned and tender. The time will vary per type of vegetable, so keep your eye on them. A medley of vegetables like parsnips, onions, bell peppers and beets cut into about 1-inch pieces will take about 30 to 40 minutes.

Vegetable cooking times:

Asparagus (pencil), whole with ends trimmed: 15 to 20 minutes

Bell pepper, cut into 1/4-inch strips: 15 to 20 minutes

Broccoli, cut into florets: 20 to 25 minutes

Brussels sprouts, halved: 20 to 25 minutes

Carrots (small), whole: 20 to 25 minutes

Cauliflower, cut into florets: 15 to 20 minutes

Onion, cut into 1/4-inch slices: 15 to 20 minutes

Potato (fingerling), halved lengthwise: 25 to 30 minutes

Butternut squash, peeled and cut into 3/4-inch cubes: 20 to 25 minutes

Sweet potato, cut into 1/4-inch medallions: 15 to 20 minutes

Tomato (grape or cherry), whole: 15 to 20 minutes

Zucchini, cut into 1/4-inch medallions: 15 to 20 minutes

How to make perfectly roasted vegetables every time (2024)

FAQs

Why won t my roast veggies go crispy? ›

The Oven Temp Is Too Low

But, they'll turn out soft and soggy instead of crispy and caramelized. The solution: Turn the oven temperature up to 400°F to 425°F.

What is the best temperature to roast vegetables at in the oven? ›

Divide the vegetables evenly between the two sheets, spreading them into a single layer. Roast the vegetables at 400 degrees F for 25 to 35 minutes (or if you have the convection option, do a convection bake at 375 degrees F for 20 to 25 minutes).

Do you put oil on vegetables before roasting? ›

Step 1: Don't Skimp on the Oil

Once you've cut your vegetables down into bite-sized pieces, toss them with some good-tasting oil. Use enough to give the vegetables a slick, glossy coating, but not so much that you have puddles in the bottom of your bowl — a tablespoon or two will usually get the job done.

How do chefs roast vegetables? ›

Combine vegetables and oil and toss until completely coated. Add in seasonings of choice (if using) and pinch salt/pepper. Place on a baking pan, stone, or foil lined cookie sheet in a single layer. Bake for 25-60 minutes, turning once during cooking.

Should you add dry spices before or after roasting vegetables? ›

Because salt draws moisture out of the food, season veggies just before roasting. Place vegetables hot side down when applicable. Ideally, roast different vegetables separately since they all cook at different times.

Should you season vegetables before roasting? ›

Before cooking your vegetables, decide how you want to season them. It's always best to toss the veggies with a little oil and seasoning (at least 1 tablespoon of oil for each baking sheet of veggies) before they cook so they don't stick to the pan.

Can I roast all vegetables at the same time? ›

Cook in steps: Cook the hardiest vegetables, like potatoes, first. Then add medium-length vegetables, like broccoli and Brussels sprouts, to the sheet pan, and cook until almost tender. Lastly, add quick-roasting vegetables like peppers and peas. Finish roasting everything all together.

What is the best seasoning to put on vegetables? ›

Garlic, rosemary, chilli, Cajun and thyme work really well when sprinkled on roast veg. Mediterranean vegetables are a firm favourite in the oven too! Don't forget to stir halfway through to baste the vegetables in their own seasoned juices.

Is it better to roast vegetables with or without parchment paper? ›

I've found this is most important for the root and winter vegetables and potatoes, which all take longer to cook in general. Line your pan with parchment paper. This is one of my favorite tips. Maybe it's my imagination, but it seems to help the vegetables brown a bit better, and makes for super easy clean up.

What is the single ingredient you need for the crispiest roasted vegetables? ›

The next time you roast vegetables, add some cornstarch. Yes, cornstarch—that box in your pantry is the secret to a super-crispy exterior on veggies, from potatoes to cauliflower. Cornstarch is commonly used to coat proteins like chicken or beef to achieve a crispy exterior, so why not use it with vegetables?

Should I cover my vegetables when roasting? ›

Generally, you don't cover vegetables when roasting them in the oven. Covering vegetables will steam them instead of browning them. However, covering with foil is a tried-and-true method for roasting garlic. To make tender (but not crispy) baked vegetables, season them and place them on the dull side of an 18×12-in.

Should I cover vegetables with foil when roasting? ›

A: Yes, when roasting vegetables, parchment paper is better than foil. Recent research in the International Journal of Electrochemical Science suggests that when we use aluminum foil during cooking, some aluminum leaches into food.

Do you roast vegetables covered or uncovered? ›

There is no need to cover vegetables when roasting. Covering them creates steam, so they won't get as crispy and caramelized. Don't forget to stir once or twice while cooking so the vegetables get nicely browned on all sides. Other than that, you can't really go wrong.

Should I season vegetables before or after roasting? ›

Additional tips on roasting vegetables. Heavy duty pans are ideal since they allow for even heat distribution and circulation. Because salt draws moisture out of the food, season veggies just before roasting.

How do you get char on roasted vegetables? ›

Preheat oven to 450 degrees Fahrenheit. In a large bowl, toss the vegetables with the oil, herbs, and salt and pepper. Pour into a large jelly roll pan and bake 20-25 minutes, tossing once or twice during the cooking process. The vegetables are done when they have nice char marks and are still vibrant in color.

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