Honey-Sage Roasted Root Vegetables (Simple and nutritious)

A variety of root vegetables are tossed with a simple sauce made of melted butter, sweet honey, and fresh sage then roasted to perfection to create the most scrumptious and stunning side dish for any occasion.

Roasted Root Vegetables are a stunning and nutritious addition to any meal

Humble root vegetables such as carrots, beets, and parsnips get a nutritious glow-up thanks to the addition to a buttery, sweet, and herbaceous glaze in these Honey-Sage Roasted Root Vegetables. Equally stunning as they are delicious, they’re nutrient-dense addition to your holiday menu.

For a little extra sweet-and-salty we recommend drizzling the roasted vegetables with additional honey and sprinkling them with a dusting of flaky sea salt and fresh sage.

Ingredients for honey sage roasted root vegetables

You’ll be amazed at what you can do with just 6 ingredients plus a little salt and pepper. Here’s what you’ll need to create this show-stopper side dish:

• Carrots – Choose whole carrots over baby carrots for best results. Rainbow carrots may also be used to add even more color. 
• Parsnips – A white root vegetable that’s larger in diameter than a carrot. Their slightly spicy bite mellows with roasting provides a delicious contrast to the sweet carrots. 
• Beets – Deep red in color and packed with antioxidants, beets have a sweet yet earthy flavor.
• Red onion – May also use yellow onion or shallots
• Butter – For a vegan and dairy-free option, use vegan butter, avocado oil, or olive oil. 
• Honey – We use just enough to enhance the natural sweetness of the roasted root vegetables and promote flavor-boosting caramelization of the vegetables. Replace with maple syrup for a vegan-friendly option. 
• Fresh sage – This herb not only pairs well with the sweet honey but also compliments other dishes at the table such as chicken or turkey. 
• Fine salt and black pepper – Used to season the vegetables before roasting
• Flaky sea salt for garnish – An easy way to add a visual pizazz and a pleasant salty crunch to roasted vegetables. Kosher salt or coarse sea salt may also be used if you can’t find flaked sea salt (Maldon is our go-to and a box goes a long way since it’s used primarily for garnishing savory dishes or sprinkling on cookies before baking).

For the complete directions and ingredient amounts, scroll down to the recipe card below. All of our recipes include the nutrition information, listing kcals, protein, carbohydrates, cholesterol, fiber, sugar, sodium, total fat, and more per serving.

How To Make Roasted Root Vegetables with Honey-Sage Glaze

1. Preheat the oven. Want to use your air fryer? See air fryer directions at the bottom of this post. 
2. Add the vegetables to large rimmed baking sheet. 
3. Combine the melted butter, honey, sage, salt, and pepper in a small bowl and stir to combine. 
4. Drizzle the butter mixture over the vegetables and toss to coat. 
5. Roast for 40-50 minutes or until the vegetables are cooked through and slightly golden brown on the edges, tossing halfway through baking time. 
6. Drizzle with a little extra honey and sprinkle with flaky sea salt and fresh sage before serving.

How to Make in the Air Fryer

Using your air fryer not only speeds up the cooking time of these Honey-Sage Roasted Root Vegetables, it also frees up the oven for other dishes. We know that oven space is at a premium during the holidays so we’ve tested these roasted root vegetables using an air fryer in case you want to go that route.

1. Preheat air fryer to 390℉ for 2 minutes with the basket closed. 
2. In a large bowl, combine the vegetables, melted butter, honey, salt, and pepper tossing well to coat.
3. Remove the basket and lightly coat cooking surface with cooking spray. 
4. Add the vegetables to the basket and in a single layer. Depending on the capacity of your air fryer, you may need to do this in two batches). 
5. Cook at 390℉ for 15-17 minutes, shaking halfway through, until the root vegetables are tender with lightly browned and caramelized edges. Repeat with the remaining vegetables and serve. 

What to Serve with Roasted Root Vegetables

These Honey-Sage Roasted Root Vegetables are a fantastic addition to your holiday menu and can be served alongside turkey, roast beef, chicken, or fish. 

They’re also a delicious addition to a salad or grain bowl!

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The photos in this blog post were taken by Rachel Cook of Half Acre House.

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