December 28, 2021 | Cooking

How to Season Roasted Vegetables

two spoons with seasoning and spices

The best thing you can do for your health is to prepare your own food. The next best thing you can do is to learn how to cook it. And the third-best thing, according to many chefs is how to season properly.

The challenge with cooking isn’t knowing what ingredients are in dishes or even which ones go together (though those things help). The real challenge comes when we’re tempted to take a shortcut like adding salt and pepper without thinking about seasonings that complement the overall flavor of the meal.

In this article, you will learn how to season roasted vegetables properly.

How to Season Roasted Vegetables

Seasoning roasted vegetables is a lot like seasoning any other dish: it’s important to think about how the flavors in each component will interact when they come together.

Understanding how certain seasonings interact both with the ingredients and other seasonings will allow you to make flavor profiles that are better than anything you can buy in a box.

Experimentation, of course, is how we all learn how to season our food properly. But knowing how certain dishes are supposed to taste when they’re done will give you an idea where to start when thinking about how much salt or pepper or spice should be used.

Here’s how to season roasted vegetables.

Don’t Roast Them All

There are certain vegetables that are delightful when roasted. And then some are a little, well, not so tasty. The truth is, though, that you can roast just about any vegetable you want. It is your taste buds – and the taste buds of those you feed – that will determine which ones are the most enjoyable. Or, in other words, which ones you will make again and which vegetables you are sure to run from. 

Root vegetables such as sweet potatoes, potatoes, carrots, and parsnips are always wonderful for roasting. So are broccoli, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, onions, bell peppers, cabbage, all different types of squash, zucchini, corn, and more can make great options for roasting. 

Try new things. Experiment with vegetables you have never had before. You may be surprised at just how delicious it tastes. Even more so if you add seasonings. Not sure what type? Let’s talk about it. 

Proper Seasoning Method

Once you get the vegetables chosen for roasting, it is time to get started. Rinse, wash, and chip your vegetables of course. You want to stick to bite-sized pieces so they are easy to eat without having to pull out a knife because no one wants to cut their veggies – they just wanna toss them in their mouth. 

When you are ready, you are going to want to toss them around with good oil. You don’t want them dripping, but you want to make sure they do have a little shimmer. Now, if you want them to taste good, you are going to need to invest in good-tasting oil, such as high-quality olive oil, coconut oil, or avocado oil. Use what you like and use the right amount. 

Add some salt and pepper. You want to be generous so you taste them, but we aren’t looking to raise any blood pressure due to eating overly salted vegetables so don’t go too crazy. 

Lay them out on the pan giving them plenty of space. You want to make sure each bite has the chance to be cooked by the heat. If you need to use two pans to make this happen, the final product will be worth having to wash that second pan.

Preheat the oven to 425°F and let it get good and hot before you put those veggies in the oven. And then – wait. You are looking for toasty edges. Seeing a little black around the edges actually adds more flavor than you’d think. Keep in mind that things like broccoli will roast faster than a potato and larger pieces take longer than smaller ones. So watch it. 

Types of Seasonings 

Seasonings are great because they give a little spice or a little pizzazz right where you need it. So depending on what you have a taste for. You can add some of these flavor combinations along with your salt and pepper before you put your veggies to roast. Again, you want to taste the seasoning but you don’t want to go overboard. 

  • Try adding some turmeric, ginger, coriander, and cumin for a little curry flair.
  • Throw some garlic and basil or Italian seasoning for a little flavor.
  • A simple seasoning blend of garlic powder and onion powder does just fine for a simple treat. 
  • If you like spicy food, consider using chili powder or cayenne pepper. Even jerk seasoning is a great option.

Consider playing around with different seasonings and find the one that you enjoy the most!

Having the Perfect Oven

Let’s just say to get the most from these roasted veggie recipes and seasoning ideas, you are going to need to have the perfect oven. That means one that can give you everything you are looking for in an everyday oven for your home – and also one that will evenly roast your veggies to perfection. 

Electric ovens have proven themselves to be the best at providing consistent heat. And that is what makes them perfect for roasting your vegetables evenly. Some people love their vegetables roasted dark and crispy. Others prefer to have them lightly roasted. But when you don’t have consistent heat, then you don’t have control over how they turn out. 

THOR Kitchen’s model number HRE3601 is a 36-inch professional electric range that offers a beautiful stainless steel design and a lot of power. It also comes with the following features: 

  • Smooth glass top that looks flush that offers a seamless look for your kitchen. 
  • Five heating elements offer you cooking flexibility from a warming zone to a powerful heat. 
  • A convection fan for even heating throughout the inside of the oven – giving you the best results. 
  • A large oven capacity that can roast multiple trays of veggies all at once. 
  • Heavy-duty control knobs that give durability and sturdiness – and good looks too. 
  • Beautiful, bold blue porcelain interior that looks stunning. 
  • Multiple cooking modes so you get your food right the first time – including roasting your vegetables. 

Roasted Veggies for the Win!

You are going to go far with your health and in keeping those you feed when you learn to roast your vegetables just right. There are so many possible flavor combinations depending on the vegetables you choose to use and the seasonings you opt for. Go on – be daring and bold.Â