Winter Root Vegetable Bowl (Printable)

Roasted seasonal roots with massaged kale and warm tangy dressing make a hearty, nourishing meal perfect for cold weather.

# What You'll Need:

→ Root Vegetables

01 - 2 medium carrots, peeled and cut into 1-inch pieces
02 - 2 parsnips, peeled and cut into 1-inch pieces
03 - 1 small sweet potato, peeled and cubed
04 - 1 small beet, peeled and cut into wedges
05 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
06 - 1 teaspoon kosher salt
07 - ½ teaspoon black pepper
08 - 1 teaspoon dried thyme

→ Greens

09 - 4 cups curly kale, stemmed and torn
10 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
11 - 1 pinch salt

→ Warm Dressing

12 - 3 tablespoons olive oil
13 - 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
14 - 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
15 - 1 teaspoon honey or maple syrup
16 - 1 small shallot, minced
17 - Salt and pepper to taste

→ Toppings

18 - ¼ cup toasted pumpkin seeds (pepitas)
19 - ¼ cup crumbled feta cheese, optional for vegan variation

# How to Make It:

01 - Preheat oven to 425°F. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
02 - In a large bowl, combine carrots, parsnips, sweet potato, and beet with 2 tablespoons olive oil, salt, pepper, and thyme. Toss until evenly coated. Spread vegetables in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet.
03 - Roast for 30 to 35 minutes, stirring halfway through cooking, until vegetables are tender with caramelized edges.
04 - While vegetables roast, massage 4 cups curly kale with 1 tablespoon olive oil and a pinch of salt until slightly softened. Set aside.
05 - Heat 3 tablespoons olive oil in a small skillet over medium heat. Add minced shallot and sauté for 2 minutes. Stir in apple cider vinegar, Dijon mustard, and honey or maple syrup. Whisk until combined and season with salt and pepper to taste. Keep warm until serving.
06 - Divide massaged kale evenly among four bowls. Top each portion with roasted root vegetables and drizzle with warm dressing.
07 - Top each bowl with ¼ cup toasted pumpkin seeds and 1 tablespoon crumbled feta cheese if desired. Serve immediately.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • The warm dressing wakes up the vegetables in a way cold vinaigrettes never could, and the contrast between roasted sweetness and sharp mustard is genuinely addictive.
  • You can prep everything ahead and roast while you handle the greens, making this feel effortless even on busy weeknights.
02 -
  • If your kale is pre-cut from a bag, it won't massage the same way—buy it as a whole bunch and tear it yourself for the best texture and a more forgiving final product.
  • The warm dressing is the entire reason this bowl works; a cold dressing would make it taste like salad, and that's not what winter wants from you.
03 -
  • Don't crowd your baking sheet or your vegetables will steam instead of caramelize; if you're doubling the recipe, use two sheets.
  • Taste the warm dressing while it's still in the skillet—that's your best chance to adjust the balance before it hits the bowl.
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