Roasted Carrot Salad Tahini (Printable Version)

Sweet roasted carrots atop fresh greens with a creamy tahini-lemon drizzle and a touch of crunch.

# What You Need:

→ Vegetables

01 - 1 lb carrots, peeled and cut into 2-inch sticks
02 - 5 oz mixed salad greens (arugula, spinach, baby kale)
03 - 1 small red onion, thinly sliced
04 - 1/4 cup pomegranate seeds (optional)

→ Roasting

05 - 2 tbsp olive oil
06 - 1/2 tsp ground cumin
07 - 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
08 - 1/2 tsp sea salt
09 - 1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper

→ Tahini-Lemon Drizzle

10 - 1/4 cup tahini
11 - 2 tbsp freshly squeezed lemon juice
12 - 1 tbsp maple syrup
13 - 1 small garlic clove, minced
14 - 2 to 3 tbsp water, as needed
15 - Salt, to taste

→ Garnish

16 - 2 tbsp toasted sunflower seeds or pumpkin seeds
17 - 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley

# Directions:

01 - Preheat the oven to 425°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
02 - Toss the carrots with olive oil, ground cumin, smoked paprika, sea salt, and black pepper in a large bowl until evenly coated. Spread the carrots in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet.
03 - Roast the carrots for 20 to 25 minutes, turning once halfway through, until tender and caramelized. Remove from the oven and let cool slightly.
04 - Whisk together tahini, lemon juice, maple syrup, minced garlic, and a pinch of salt in a small bowl. Gradually whisk in water until the sauce reaches a smooth, pourable consistency.
05 - Arrange mixed greens on a serving platter or individual plates. Top with roasted carrots and sliced red onion. Drizzle generously with tahini-lemon dressing.
06 - Sprinkle pomegranate seeds, toasted seeds, and chopped parsley over the salad. Serve immediately.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The roasted carrots develop a natural sweetness that feels like dessert masquerading as salad.
  • The tahini sauce is so creamy and garlicky that even skeptics of healthy eating become converts.
  • It's naturally vegan and gluten-free without sacrificing any richness or satisfaction.
  • Comes together in under an hour, making it perfect for weeknight dinners or impressing guests.
02 -
  • Don't whisk the tahini sauce too vigorously or it can separate; gentle, patient whisking keeps it silky and unified.
  • The tahini dressing thickens as it cools, so make it slightly looser than you think it should be if you're serving it warm.
03 -
  • Make extra tahini drizzle and keep it in the fridge—it's perfect on roasted vegetables, grains, and even as a dip for raw veggies.
  • Roast your sunflower or pumpkin seeds yourself in a dry pan for two minutes to wake up their flavor; it makes a noticeable difference.
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