
Fire-Roasted Swede with Thyme
Swede wedges roasted over indirect heat with thyme until golden and tender. A humble root vegetable elevated by fire and time.

Swede wedges roasted over indirect heat with thyme until golden and tender. A humble root vegetable elevated by fire and time.
smokeandsoil.com/recipes/fire-roasted-swede-with-thyme
by L Field
Prep
10 min
Cook
12 min
Total
22 min
Serves
4
Level
Hard
Method
BBQ
Prepare the Grill and Fuel
Ignite a full chimney of Weber briquettes. Once fully ashed over (approx. 20 minutes), bank them to one side of the Weber Master-Touch kettle. This establishes a high-heat indirect cooking zone. Target a dome temperature of 200°C (390°F). Ensure the bottom vents are set to maintain this heat.
High heat transforms these vegetables completely. The char isn't cosmetic — it's structural, adding bitterness to balance the natural sweetness underneath. When you fire-roast swede, its dense, earthy flesh softens and caramelises, creating layers of flavour that simply can’t be achieved through boiling or roasting in the oven.
This recipe leans on simplicity and seasonality. Swede, a humble root vegetable, pairs beautifully with the herbal warmth of fresh thyme and the richness of butter, all elevated by a touch of olive oil to help with that perfect char. Cooking over direct and indirect heat on the BBQ allows you to coax out deep, smoky notes while maintaining a tender interior.
The technique requires a bit of patience and attention but rewards you with a dish that feels both grounded and refined. It’s an everyday BBQ approach that highlights clean, whole-food cooking—no fuss, just honest ingredients and fire doing what it does best. This is how you bring out the best in swede, turning it from a simple side into something worth lingering over.
peeled and cut into wedges
Health Notes
This recipe uses quality, whole ingredients cooked with minimal processing. The grilling method adds flavour without the need for heavy sauces or added fats, making it a relatively straightforward nutritional option.
Notes
Seasonal Variations
Nutrition (per serving, estimate)
180
kcal
6g
protein
15g
carbs
10g
fat
Values are estimates and vary with portion size and preparation.
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Prepare the Swede
Peel the swede thoroughly and cut it into uniform 5cm chunks. Place the chunks in the large mixing bowl. Drizzle with the olive oil, add the stripped thyme leaves, and season liberally with salt and pepper. Toss until all pieces are evenly coated.
Commence Roasting
Arrange the seasoned swede chunks in a single layer on the foil tray or baking sheet. Place the tray on the cooking grate over the indirect heat zone (the side opposite the banked coals). Close the lid immediately.
Monitor and Turn
Roast for 45 minutes. Using heat-proof gloves, carefully open the lid and turn the swede chunks to ensure even caramelisation on all sides. Close the lid and continue cooking for a further 45 minutes, or until a sharp knife can easily pierce the centre of the largest piece.
Final Check and Serve
The swede is complete when the exterior is a deep, burnished brown and the interior is fork-tender. Remove the tray from the grill. A final sprinkle of flaky sea salt can be added just before serving.
Final Check and Serve
The swede is complete when the exterior is a deep, burnished brown and the interior is fork-tender. Remove the tray from the grill. A final sprinkle of flaky sea salt can be added just before serving.
Health Notes
This recipe uses quality, whole ingredients cooked with minimal processing. The grilling method adds flavour without the need for heavy sauces or added fats, making it a relatively straightforward nutritional option.
Per serving (estimate)
180
kcal
6g
protein
15g
carbs
10g
fat
Written by
L Field