Ingredients
Equipment
Method
Step 1: Prep the Oven & Carrots
- First, preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Prepare carrots by peeling them and slicing diagonally into 2-inch thick pieces. If very thick, cut them in half lengthwise. Place sliced carrots onto a baking sheet, drizzle with extra-virgin olive oil, and season with kosher salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and a pinch of cracked red pepper flakes. Toss well to coat evenly, then spread into a single layer on the baking sheet.
Step 2: Roast to Perfection
- Roast the carrots in the preheated oven for about 25 to 30 minutes, tossing once halfway through. They are perfectly roasted when tender and their edges are lovely brown. Remove from the oven and allow to cool completely to room temperature before assembling the salad.
Step 3: Craft the Aromatic Dressing
- In a small saucepan or microwave-safe bowl, gently warm the honey and apple cider vinegar. While warming, add a sprig of fresh thyme or rosemary and a teaspoon of Dijon mustard. Just gentle warmth is needed to release aromatics. Remove the herb sprig, then vigorously whisk until smooth and cohesive, forming a stable, emulsified vinaigrette.
Step 4: Combine Carrots & First Dressing Toss
- Once cooled, transfer the roasted carrots to a large mixing bowl. Drizzle about half of the prepared aromatic dressing over the carrots. Toss gently but thoroughly to ensure they are well coated.
Step 5: Add Mix-ins
- Add the toasted sliced almonds, dried cranberries, and crumbled feta cheese to the bowl with the carrots. Toss everything gently again to distribute evenly.
Step 6: Final Assembly & Serving
- Just before serving, add the baby arugula to the mixing bowl. Toss the salad with the remaining dressing, if needed, combining just before serving to prevent wilting. Enjoy your perfectly crafted Roasted Carrot Salad!
Nutrition
Notes
This salad is great for meal prep; roast carrots and make dressing up to 3 days in advance. Always cool roasted carrots completely before adding arugula to prevent wilting. For optimal freshness, assemble the salad with greens and dressing just before serving. If you prefer to serve warm, gently reheat only the undressed carrots. Nutrition information is estimated based on common ingredients and serving sizes and may vary.