Roasted Carrots and Whipped Feta (Vegan)

Tender roasted carrots and vegan whipped feta with delicious lemon-garlic flavor makes a wonderful side dish or vegan bowl.

vegan • dairy free • low waste

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Jump to:

• ❤️ what you'll love about vegan roasted carrots and whipped feta
• 🥣 ingredient notes
• 🧑🏽‍🍳 instruction notes
• 🧊 storage
• ✅ acceptable substitutions and variations
• 💡 tips for the best roast carrots and vegan whipped feta
• Recipe
• ♻️ sustainability profile
• ❓ frequently asked questions
• 🥕 more vegetable recipes
• 🕰️ the latest...

Who knew carrots and tofu could be so exciting? (Ok, they do steal the show in lots of recipes, but you get the point. 😉) These roasted carrots spring to life with some delicious seasonings, and we put our own spin on whipped feta with a tasty vegan version with robust lemon and garlic flavor.

❤️ what you'll love about vegan roasted carrots and whipped feta

Delicious blend of flavors. This recipe calls for a variety of flavors that pair well together. We have a little of everything...sweet, spicy, and tangy umami...all wrapped into one delicious side dish or appetizer!

A secret ingredient for added depth of flavor. The vegan whipped feta has a "secret ingredient" that brings everything together and rounds out the finished product.

Easy to make. Toss the carrots and let the oven do the rest of the work! Grab your blender or food processor for the vegan whipped feta, which will come together in under a minute.

Source of protein. The tofu is a protein source for vegans, which is always a "plus" in our book!

🥣 ingredient notes

roasted carrots

Carrots. Choose organic, when possible. I slice these at an angle horizontally to create barrels...or what I like to call medallions. Also, I recommend leaving the skin on for a rustic look and low-waste approach!

Extra virgin olive oil. The olive oil serves as the base for our coating.

Pure maple syrup. Just a hint of maple syrup is perfect to balance the olive oil and red pepper flakes. Offers a hint of sweetness and a little extra depth of flavor.

Red pepper flakes. This might be my favorite ingredient in the recipe! The red pepper flakes add some kick to the carrots and pairs so well with the sweetness of the maple syrup and natural sweetness from the carrots. Please note the red pepper flakes are optional, for those sensitive to spice.

Salt and black pepper. These standbys will round out the seasonings.

vegan whipped feta

Firm tofu. I use an organic firm tofu and there's no need to press before adding to your blender or food processor. This recipe only calls for half a block of tofu, so is a great use for leftover tofu you may have on hand!

Vegan mayonnaise. One of two "secret ingredients" to make this vegan version special, the vegan mayonnaise infuses it with a little tangy flavor...kind of like the non-vegan sour cream dips we grew up eating.

Lemon juice and zest. I suggest using a fresh lemon for this recipe. You should only need one large-medium size lemon or two smaller lemons (organic lemons are typically smaller).

Note: The lemon flavor in this recipe (as written) is strong. If you prefer less intensity, omit or reduce the lemon zest and taste at the end to determine if you'd like to add it.

Garlic cloves. I love garlic, so didn't shy away from the garlic flavor in this recipe. Reduce to one clove, if you'd prefer.

Note: The garlic flavor in this recipe (as written) is strong. Use smaller cloves or reduce to one clove before tasting at the end and adding more, if desired.

Nutritional yeast. The nutritional yeast gives this a hint of cheesiness. You won't notice the nutritional yeast as much as the lemon juice and garlic, however.

Extra virgin olive oil. Similar to the roasted carrots, this is our emollient...along with the vegan mayonnaise and water that's in the block of tofu.

Dijon mustard. So here's the "secret ingredient" to make this even more flavorful. A small amount of Dijon mustard creates some umami flavor that doesn't overwhelm the rest of the whipped feta.

Salt. Of course, we need some salt to bring out the flavors. As with most recipes, a kosher salt is the universal recommendation.

Optional additions. You are welcome to sprinkle the finished dish (carrots and vegan whipped feta) with some coarse sea salt and herbs of your choosing, like fresh thyme.

🧑🏽‍🍳 instruction notes

Slice carrots. Cut your carrots how you desire, but my recommendation is horizontal and at an angle. If you like the long, rustic look of slicing in half vertically, that can make for a really lovely presentation!

I like the medallion shape because it's easier to serve. Picture inserting toothpicks in the center for people to put on an appetizer plate, or use a serving spoon to scoop carrots and whipped feta onto a plate.

Whisk together coating ingredients. You can just whisk these together in the bowl you will use to coat the carrots.

Toss carrots in the olive oil mixture. Use your hands for some fun mixing! Toss until each carrot is coated.

Bake. Add to a parchment-lined baking sheet and bake at 425 degrees Fahrenheit for about 25 minutes. You'll know when the carrots are ready for removal. Their skin will be blistered and the carrots themselves will be fork tender.

Blend whipped feta ingredients in blender or food processor and make adjustments until you reach desired flavor and consistency. I like to do this while the carrots are roasting. You can make adjustments as needed, like adding a little more or less mustard, lemon juice, etc. Make it your own!

Assemble whipped feta and roasted carrots on serving plate. Use the vegan whipped feta as the base and top with the roasted carrots.

Note: If using a compostable parchment paper, like the If You Care brand, you can wipe it down and then add to your home compost. Your goal is to remove excess oil after cooking before incorporating into the compost.

🧊 storage

Store the roasted carrots separate from the vegan whipped feta.

Roasted carrots can be stored in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Reheat in a 350 degree Fahrenheit oven or toss in your air fryer for a few minutes to reheat before enjoying.

Vegan whipped feta can be stored in a separate container for up to 3 days.

✅ acceptable substitutions and variations

Store-bought lemon juice in place of fresh lemon juice.

Types of carrots and roasted vegetables.

Toppings. Consider some lightly-toasted pine nuts or different herbs like fresh basil.

💡 tips for the best roast carrots and vegan whipped feta

If you have some extra time before serving, let the whipped tofu rest in the refrigerator. The flavors deepen nicely when they are cooled and have a chance to blend a bit more. It's delicious "as is," too!

Cut relatively even slices of carrots. If you have larger pieces of carrot as you slice, go ahead and cut those in half to create a somewhat more uniform size and prevent uneven cooking when roasting.

If you prefer more subtle garlic and lemon flavors in the vegan whipped feta, start with half the amount called for in the recipe and taste before adding more.

Recipe

♻️ sustainability profile

sourcing

Carrots, other roasted vegetables, and lemons. If you're able to source organic and locally-grown produce, that will give you vegetables without (or less) pesticide and chemical use as well as less emissions from transportation. For those who have the ability to grow their own - that's ideal because your vegetables will be at peak freshness and taste even better.

I should note that if you buy locally, small farmers may not have the ability to obtain the official organic certification. However, these farmers should be able to answer any questions you have about pesticide use, sustainable farming practices, and more.

Olive oil. Again, selecting organic olive oil supports sustainable farming practices. I also try to purchase glass bottled olive oil when possible to avoid microplastics and have the opportunity to recycle when done.

Tofu. As with any other form of produce, the soybeans used to make tofu face exposure to pesticides. This is why choosing an organic brand is preferred.

Vegan mayonnaise. I use Veganaise, but don't forget that you can reserve the brine of chickpeas when you make other recipes (like my triple chocolate chickpea brownie bites or chili lime roasted chickpeas) and use it to make a homemade vegan mayo, like the recipe listed here from Inspired Taste.

Parchment paper. If you have a home compost system, or participate in a community compost initiative, consider a parchment paper that's biodegradable and compostable.

low waste

There's no need to peel your carrots for this recipe. However, if you prefer peeled carrots, save the peels in a freezer-safe container in your freezer to use for homemade veggie stock in the future. You can also include the ends and tips of the carrots, if you discard those.

Zest your lemons prior to juicing. Freeze your zest for use in future recipes, like my favorite vegan lemon poppy seed pancakes.

Save your lemon seeds. You can add lemon seeds to a tea ball and insert into your saucepan when making a homemade jam. I keep my lemon seeds in an old, glass spice container with a damp paper towel.

Use your lemon rinds as a refresher for your garbage disposal.

Compost your parchment paper (if using a compatible brand) after gently wiping the paper to remove excess oil and crumbs.

❓ frequently asked questions

Can I make whipped feta without a food processor?

Yes, you can make whipped feta, including vegan whipped feta, without a food processor. The next best substitute is a blender, but you can also use a hand mixer or whisk. It is important to note the final texture and time needed to achieve your desired consistency will vary based on the method. A food processor or blender is fastest, while the hand mixer and whisk will take longer.

Can you put carrots on top of whipped feta?

Absolutely! The whipped feta, including a vegan whipped feta, is a delicious foundation for carrots. While the whipped feta base is tasty as a standalone dip, it's hearty enough to handle roasted or fresh vegetables, including carrots. The tangy, robust flavor complements sweet, earthy notes of vegetables.

What is vegan whipped feta made of?

Vegan whipped feta can be made from several different ingredients, including tofu, cannellini beans, cashews, vegan yogurt, vegan sour cream, or varying combinations of those items. To achieve the desired flavor and consistency, vegan whipped feta recipes typically include a base ingredient (like tofu) that will process to a smooth consistency, acidic ingredients to infuse a little tang and umami flavor, salt, and aromatics (like garlic) to offer some pungency.

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