How To Roast Vegetables for Thanksgiving Dinner

Get step-by-step instructions for perfectly roasting 10 fall vegetables — plus our best ideas for dressing them up.

Updated on October 29, 2026

Photo by: Photograph by Ryan Liebe

Photograph by Ryan Liebe

When it comes to Thanksgiving, roast turkey gets all the limelight. And while we'll be the first to admit that it makes a delicious main dish, turkey isn't the only thing that can — and should — be roasted this Turkey Day. In fact, nearly any vegetable — from leafy broccolini to earthy parsnips — can be roasted to perfection, leaving you with a flavorful side dish that might just rival your bird. Still need convincing? Just follow the recipes below and see for yourself.

Photo by: Photograph by Ryan Liebe

Photograph by Ryan Liebe

How To Roast Fall Vegetables

The key to the best flavor and texture is to get the time and temperature just right — so we've outlined everything you need to know to roast 10 popular fall vegetables, below.

  • Radishes: Trim 2 pounds radishes and halve or quarter, depending on the size. Toss with 2 tablespoons olive oil, 1 teaspoon kosher salt and a few grinds of pepper. Spread on a rimmed baking sheet and roast at 425°F, stirring once, until golden and tender, 30 to 35 minutes.
  • Brussels Sprouts: Trim and halve 2 1/2 pounds Brussels sprouts. Toss with 3 tablespoons olive oil, 1 teaspoon kosher salt and a few grinds of pepper. Spread on a rimmed baking sheet and roast at 450°F until browned and tender, about 30 minutes.
  • Parsnips: Trim and peel 2 pounds parsnips; halve crosswise. Halve or quarter the top and bottom parts lengthwise so they’re similar size; cut lengthwise around the core and discard. Toss with 2 tablespoons olive oil, 1 teaspoon kosher salt and a few grinds of pepper. Spread on a rimmed baking sheet and roast at 450°F, stirring once, until browned and tender, about 30 minutes.
  • Acorn Squash: Halve 1 large acorn squash lengthwise; scrape out the seeds. Cut lengthwise into 1-inch-thick wedges. Toss with 2 tablespoons olive oil, 1 teaspoon kosher salt and a few grinds of pepper. Spread on a rimmed baking sheet and roast at 425°F, turning occasionally, until browned and tender, 45 to 50 minutes.
  • Green Beans: Trim 2 pounds green beans. Toss with 1/4 cup olive oil, 1 teaspoon kosher salt and a few grinds of pepper. Spread on 2 preheated rimmed baking sheets; roast at 425°F until crisp-tender, 20 to 25 minutes.
  • Sweet Potatoes: Cut 2 pounds unpeeled sweet potatoes into 1 1/2-inch chunks. Toss with 3 tablespoons olive oil, 1 teaspoon salt and a few grinds of pepper. Spread on a rimmed baking sheet and roast at 425°F, stirring once, until browned and very tender, 50 to 60 minutes.
  • Cauliflower: Trim and cut 1 head cauliflower into 2- to 3-inch florets. Toss with 3 tablespoons olive oil, 1 teaspoon kosher salt and a few grinds of pepper. Spread on a rimmed baking sheet and roast at 450°F until golden and tender with some crisp edges, about 30 minutes.
  • Broccolini: Trim 2 pounds broccolini. Toss with 2 tablespoons olive oil, 1 teaspoon kosher salt and a few grinds of pepper. Spread on a rimmed baking sheet and roast at 450°F until the tops are browned and the stalks are crisp-tender, 20 to 25 minutes.
  • Carrots: Trim 2 pounds carrots and halve lengthwise. Toss with 3 tablespoons olive oil, 1 teaspoon kosher salt and a few grinds of pepper. Spread cut-side down on a rimmed baking sheet and roast at 425°F until browned around the edges and tender, 25 to 30 minutes.
  • Potatoes: Halve 2 pounds fingerling or baby potatoes. Toss with 3 tablespoons olive oil, 1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt and a generous grinding of pepper. Spread cut-side down on a preheated rimmed baking sheet and roast at 450°F, flipping once or twice, until well browned and crisp, 50 to 60 minutes.

Roasted Potatoes with Salsa Verde

Photo by: Photograph by Ryan Liebe

Photograph by Ryan Liebe

Roasted Potatoes with Salsa Verde

How To Dress Up Roasted Vegetables

These mouthwatering toppings taste great on any roasted vegetable — so feel free to mix and match! Here are some of our favorite combos:

  • Chile-Lime Salt: Stir together 1 tablespoon flaky sea salt, 1 teaspoon chili powder, 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes and the grated zest of 1 lime. Sprinkle over roasted vegetables.
  • Salsa Verde: Combine 1/2 packed cup each chopped parsley and mint in a mini food processor with 1 small clove garlic, 1 tablespoon lemon juice, 2 teaspoons each capers and water, 1/2 teaspoon Dijon mustard, 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt and a pinch of red pepper flakes. Pulse to combine, then add 3 tablespoons olive oil with the motor running. Drizzle over roasted vegetables.
  • Saffron Butter: Stir together 1/2 teaspoon saffron and 1 tablespoon warm water in a small bowl; let stand at least 5 minutes. Beat 1 stick room-temperature butter, the saffron mixture and 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt in a bowl with a mixer. Spoon over roasted vegetables and let melt.
  • Dukkah: Toast 1/4 cup each pine nuts, chopped almonds and sesame seeds in a dry skillet; let cool. Pulse in a food processor with 1 teaspoon each ground coriander and kosher salt, 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin and a pinch of cayenne until slightly chunky. Mix half of the mixture with 2 tablespoons olive oil and sprinkle over roasted vegetables. (Reserve the rest for another batch.)
  • Lemon-Pistachio Oil: Drizzle roasted vegetables with 1 to 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil. Sprinkle with 3 tablespoons chopped roasted pistachios, the grated zest of 1 lemon, 1/2 to 1 teaspoon flaky sea salt and a few grinds of pepper.

Photo by: Photograph by Ryan Liebe

Photograph by Ryan Liebe

More Tips, Techniques and Recipes for Roasted Thanksgiving Vegetables

Looking for more guidance? Dig into our best how-tos and recipe roundups (for a variety of feast-worthy vegetables), below. You'll find everything from detailed instructions for cooking fall favorites like sweet potatoes — to collections of fan-favorite recipes for potatoes, squash and more.

Credits:

All photographs by Ryan Liebe for Food Network Magazine.

Recipes by Jessica D’Ambrosio, Melissa Gaman, Khalil Hymore and Steve Jackson.

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