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    Whip & Wander » Recipes » sides

    Published: Nov 14, 2021 by Jenni · This post may contain affiliate links.

    Za'atar Roasted Carrots with Labneh, Honey, and Pistachios

    This page may contain affiliate links. Please see my full disclosure policy for details.
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    honey and pistachios on roasted carrots and labneh cheese
    a platter containing Za'atar Roasted Carrots with Labneh, Honey, and Pistachios resting on a yellow gauzy cloth
    closeup of Za'atar Roasted Carrots with Labneh, Honey, and Pistachios
    a platter of roasted carrots on top of labneh cheese, topped with honey and pistachios
    a gold spoon resting in a platter of Za'atar Roasted Carrots with Labneh, Honey, and Pistachios

    a gold spoon resting in labneh cheese with roasted za'atar carrots on top

    A creamy and crunchy, sweet and savory side dish

    Za'atar Roasted Carrots with Labneh, Honey, and Pistachios is a stunning side dish special enough for the holidays, but easy enough to assemble for weeknight dinners. This dish starts with a bed of creamy labneh cheese, then layered with roasted carrots tossed in garlic-infused olive oil, lemon, and za'atar seasoning blend. A drizzle of honey and sprinkle of pistachios finish the dish delivering a sweet finish to a savory, herbaceous, and lightly tart dish that offers a balance of creamy and crunchy texture.

    a sheet pan with za'atar seasoned carrots resting on top

    closeup of za'atar seasoning on raw carrots

    roasted carrots seasoned with za'atar spice blend

    What is za'atar?

    Za'atar (pronounced zah-tahr) is used to describe two completely different culinary seasonings. The first refers to a family of Middle Eastern herbs, most often a type of wild thyme that is native to the region. The second, which is more commonly used in the United States, is actually a spice blend rather than a singular spice. The latter is what I use for this recipe as it is the most accessible option where I live. Though I generally buy a pre-mixed za'atar spice blend, you can make your own with the following ingredients:

    • Thyme
    • Sesame seeds (often toasted)
    • Sumac
    • Marjoram
    • Cumin
    • Black pepper
    • Salt

    Making Labneh

    Labneh Cheese is a soft cheese made of strained yogurt that is popular in Middle Eastern and Mediterranean cuisines. The texture is smooth and creamy and depending on how long it’s strained, the consistency can be as light as a thick dip or as dense and moldable as thick cream cheese. Labneh can be prepped in a matter of minutes with 3 simple ingredients and then transferred to the fridge for a totally hands-off finish. The flavor is creamy and tangy and pairs equally well with sweet, savory, and spicy dishes. Find my recipe for Easy Labneh Cheese here. You’ll want to prep a half batch of labneh the day before you assemble this dish.

    a hand spreading labneh cheese on a dark blue platter with a gold spoon

    closeup of the texture of labneh cheese

    What to serve with these Za'atar Roasted Carrots

    These roasted carrots pair well with chicken, beef, pork, fish, or hearty vegetarian grain dishes like tabbouleh. Here are some of my favorite recipes to pair them with:

    • Roasted Leg of Lamb (coming soon!)
    • Greek Lamb Meatballs with Tzatziki Sauce
    • Grilled Skirt Steak with Avocado Chimichurri Sauce
    • Pressure Cooker Barbacoa Beef

    a blue platter with labneh cheese, roasted carrots, honey, and nuts resting on a yellow cloth

    closeup of honey and pistachios on top of roasted carrots

    What tools do I need to make this recipe?

    • A cutting board
    • A chef's knife
    • A vegetable peeler
    • A kitchen scale
    • Measuring spoons
    • A baker's half sheet
    • Parchment paper
    • A spoon

    Are you looking to upgrade to your cooking tools or replenish your pantry? Check out my kitchen tools shop page and pantry staples shop page to find my must-have kitchen tools, pantry items, and other Whip & Wander favorites.

    a platter resting on a yellow cloth topped with roasted carrots, labneh, and pistachios

    pistachios and honey on top of roasted carrots on a bed of labneh cheese

    Looking for more side dish inspiration?

    Love this Za'atar Roasted Carrots with Labneh, Honey, and Pistachios recipe? Here are some more of my favorite side dish recipes:

    • Chili Lime Watermelon with Labneh and Honey
    • Crispy Cauliflower with Romesco and Feta
    • Roasted Greek Potatoes with Whipped Feta
    • Mediterranean Roasted Rainbow Vegetables
    • Roasted Delicata Squash and Beets with Horseradish Cream and Candied Walnuts
    • Grilled Corn Salad with Spicy Honey Lime Dressing
    • Roasted Cinnamon Garlic Sweet Potatoes
    Print
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    a gold spoon resting in labneh cheese with roasted za'atar carrots on top

    Za'atar Roasted Carrots with Labneh, Honey, and Pistachios

    • Author: Whip & Wander
    • Prep Time: 5 minutes
    • Cook Time: 30 minutes
    • Total Time: 35 minutes
    • Yield: 6 servings 1x
    • Category: Sides
    • Method: Oven
    • Cuisine: Middle Eastern, Mediterranean
    • Diet: Gluten Free
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    Description

    Za'atar Roasted Carrots with Labneh, Honey, and Pistachios is a stunning side dish special enough for the holidays, but easy enough to assemble for weeknight dinners. This dish starts with a bed of creamy labneh cheese, then layered with roasted carrots tossed in garlic-infused olive oil, lemon, and za'atar seasoning blend. A drizzle of honey and sprinkle of pistachios finish the dish delivering a sweet finish to a savory, herbaceous, and lightly tart dish that offers a balance of creamy and crunchy texture.


    Ingredients

    Scale
    • 16 oz (½ batch) of Easy Labneh Cheese, or storebought (If you make your own you'll want to prep a minimum of 24 hours in advance)
    • 680 g (about 5 cups) carrots, peeled and sliced into two-inch diagonal pieces
    • 2 tbsp garlic-infused olive oil (may sub for 2 tbsp olive oil + 2 cloves minced garlic)
    • 2 tsp lemon juice
    • 2 tsp za'atar spice blend
    • 1 tsp dried parsley
    • ½ tsp Kosher salt
    • ¼ tsp cracked black pepper
    • ¼ tsp ground cumin
    • 2-3 tablespoon honey
    • 2 tbsp pistachios, shelled and roughly chopped
    • Optional: Flaky finishing salt, to top

    Instructions

    1. Preheat your oven to 425 degrees F / 220 C.
    2. Line a baker's half sheet with parchment paper and transfer the carrots to the sheet. Drizzle with garlic-infused olive oil (or olive oil + minced garlic) and lemon juice, then toss to combine by hand until evenly coated. Sprinkle with za'atar seasoning blend, parsley, salt, pepper, and cumin, then toss again by hand until evenly coated.
    3. Roast for 30-35 minutes or until carrots are starting to lightly caramelize around the edges and are somewhat tender, but not quite soft.
    4. Spread labneh cheese evenly across a large plate or platter. Top with carrots, then drizzle with 2-3 tablespoon honey, and top with a sprinkle of pistachios. Finish with a sprinkle of flaky finishing salt, if desired.

    Notes

    Nutritional information on Whip & Wander is provided as a courtesy and is approximate only. We cannot guarantee the accuracy of the nutritional information given for any recipe on this site.


    Nutrition

    • Serving Size: 1 serving
    • Calories: 177
    • Sugar: 15 g
    • Sodium: 230 mg
    • Fat: 7 g
    • Saturated Fat: 2 g
    • Carbohydrates: 21 g
    • Fiber: 4 g
    • Protein: 9 g
    • Cholesterol: 9 mg

    Keywords: carrots, za'atar, labneh, pistachios, honey

    Did you make this recipe?

    Tag @whipandwander on Instagram and hashtag it #whipandwander

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