The Absolute Best Oven Temperature For Perfect Roasted Veggies

Easy, flavorful, and packed with vitamins, roasted vegetables are a go-to favorite as a side dish or even a whole meal. There are many tips and tricks to roasting your vegetables to perfection every time, including choosing seasonal veggies, selecting a thick baking pan, and adding plenty of salt. However, one of the most important factors is to make sure you set your oven to the right temperature. When it comes to roasting vegetables, 425 degrees Fahrenheit is the sweet spot.

At this temperature, the veggies are just hot enough to get that perfect caramelized exterior on your onions, peppers, carrots, or squash, while cooking the insides to a juicy tenderness. Stray too low in your oven temps, and your veggies will collapse into mush; go too high, and you risk burning them before they're done. A temperature of 425 makes sure your vegetables cook well, but slowly, so that the moisture evaporates from inside the vegetables bit by bit.

Additionally, this temperature allows your meal to heat and cook more evenly, rather than shocking the vegetables with heat and leaving one side browned and the other raw. After all, nobody wants blackened husks of carrots, peppers, or squash. While 400 degrees Fahrenheit is technically the "roasting zone," we cannot recommend those extra 25 degrees enough for a top-notch dish.

Though the best bet with roasting vegetables is to always preheat the oven to a perfect 425 degrees, there are still some specifications for different vegetables. More thin or delicate vegetables like artichokes, asparagus, and tomatoes could benefit from a slightly lower temperature or a bit less time in the oven. However, almost everything else, from Brussels sprouts, carrots, and cauliflower to garlic, green beans, and mushrooms, is going to turn out perfectly at this temperature.

If you have a tray that is a medley of all these vegetables together, no need to fret. Follow the golden rule and set your oven to 425, keeping an eye on your dish while stirring frequently. Before putting the tray in the oven, consider the flavoring. You can take roasted vegetables to new heights by adding a dash of vanilla for more sweetness. Alternatively, try these maple roasted carrots and parsnips for a cozy, Thanksgiving-inspired flavor combo. Get creative with your spices by tossing in some crushed red pepper for heat, za'atar for a herby Middle Eastern twist, or even smoked paprika for a subtle, smoky depth.

Of course, you could always follow Ina Garten's best roasted vegetable hacks and toss your veggies with cheese and herbs. For extra crunch, try adding toasted nuts or seeds, such as pine nuts or pumpkin seeds, just before serving. For a bright, tangy finish, add a squeeze of lemon juice or a balsamic glaze drizzle.