Orange you glad we rounded up our favorite carrot recipes just in time for spring? Colorful, sweet, affordable, and versatile, the carrot is a stalwart of the healthy plant-based kitchen. With its sweet, easy flavor, carrot can rock out as a star ingredient or a supporting player, whether eaten cooked or raw; added to stir-fries, salads, soups, stews, sushi, dressings, cakes, oatmeal, or hummus; or even turned into vegan hot dogs. No vegan fridge is complete without a bag of carrots in it!
It’s hard to believe how yummy these vegan hot dogs are until you try them. The secret is to marinate pre-boiled carrots in a smoky marinade for about four hours before grilling. This recipe has garnered some of our best reviews ever. Notes one reader: “Even my picky daughter thought these were fantastic. I will be making these for all my BBQs this summer.”
In this vibrant Moroccan-inspired salad, earthy beets, tangy onion, and crunchy carrot are tossed in a dressing of lemon juice, warming spices, and fresh herbs. Sweet golden raisins and salty pistachios provide the perfect finishing touch to this flavorful 15-minute salad.
“Salads are not one of my favorite foods, but this one makes me want to eat more.” —Brigitte
Carrot and onion lend sweetness to this vegan cacciatore sauce, perfectly softening the tanginess of fire-roasted tomatoes. Mushrooms add a meaty heft, and zucchini and some basic seasonings tie it all together for a hearty, family-friendly meal. Pro tip: Sweet, robust veggies such as carrot, sweet potato, and pumpkin make a nice addition to tomato-containing stews to balance the tomato tang; no added sugar required!
Crispy toasted bread sets the stage for this anything-but-boring vegan BLTA. Creamy avocado, smoky carrot "bacon," and a flavorful chickpea spread create layers of taste and texture. To save time, make the carrot bacon and chickpea spread beforehand, or opt for a store-bought hummus.
“I love this recipe! I have made it so many times.” —Merce
In this delectable grab-and-go breakfast, dates and grated carrots add wholesome sweetness to velvety soft and creamy overnight oats, which are fragrant with cinnamon and nutmeg. Add pumpkin seeds, flaxseeds, and your choice of nuts or dried fruit for extra heft. This healthy vegan breakfast takes just 10 minutes to prepare the night before. One reader comments, “This was delicious, making it again!”
Pan-roasted carrots, seasoned with curry powder, onion powder, and garlic, kick up the flavor in this hummus. Add a little lime juice and cilantro for a tahini-free hummus that you’ll come back to again and again. And to top it all off, it’s ready in 15 minutes!
A golden-hued carrot hummus adds sweet, moist flavor to every bite of this bang-up sandwich that also features spicy pepperoncini and cucumber and salad greens for added crunch. One commenter notes: “I am delighted to be introduced to carrot hummus. It is sweet and delicious, and no tahini is needed.”
This colorful carrot side dish requires five ingredients yet is fancy enough for any festive occasion. Sliced carrots are simmered until fork-tender in a vegetable broth infused with fragrant thyme and sweet maple syrup, resulting in a delightful glaze. To finish, sprinkle with toasted pecans.
“I loved it! It was so good, my family loved it, too!” —Brea
Tikil gomen is an excellent introduction to the aromatic world of Ethiopian cuisine. No fancy spice blend is required, just everyday ingredients. This tasty side dish begins by sautéing chopped onions to a sweet, jammy consistency. Next, cabbage, potatoes, and carrots are added to the pan to stew until tender. Jalapeño subtly spices the vegetables, while turmeric lends warmth and a rich golden color.
“Pretty darn good.” —Cole
This comforting stew offers warming flavors, with sweet carrots, creamy potatoes, chewy whole wheat orzo pasta, and leafy kale providing a pleasing textural mix. Plenty of garlic and fresh ginger add depth, while white wine vinegar and lemon juice brighten things up. If you don’t have orzo, feel free to use whatever pasta you have.
“Really good and not difficult to make.”—Janet
Gājjar no halvo is a comforting carrot dessert popular in India and perfect for a chilly day—it’s also delicious for breakfast! This vegan version is made with grated carrots and rolled oats, slowly baked with banana and dates for extra sweetness. Cardamom, ginger, and cinnamon give the dish a warmly spiced flavor, while chia and flaxseeds add extra nutrition.
“Really delicious with some oat milk, maple syrup, and a handful of raspberries. The nuts and carrots give a pleasant texture, but you don't really pick out the carrot flavor.” —Heather
This cozy three-root mash is a perfect side dish for any gathering and makes a nice change from mashed potatoes. A creamy blend of mashed celery root (celeriac), parsnip, and carrot gets extra flavor from roasted red bell peppers, nutritional yeast, and scallions. Herbal undertones come from dried sage and summer savory. Sprinkle with chopped walnuts to finish.
“I am impressed by this recipe— it's easy to make and delicious! The root veggies have natural sweetness, and the nutritional yeast and spices give it a nice zing.” —Judy
Shredded carrot, crushed pineapple, and toasted coconut flakes create a mouthwatering tropical flavor in this hearty slow-cooker oatmeal. Steel-cut oats work well here; their sturdiness adds a subtle chewy texture. Set and forget the night before, then wake to the smell of breakfast already made!
“The best steel-cut oatmeal I have ever eaten. Spectacular.” —Nelly
If you're lucky enough to score a bunch of fresh spring carrots, this tasty carrot and asparagus grill is the perfect recipe to showcase their tender, colorful flesh. For extra bulk, feel free to add other veggies, such as bell pepper or zucchini strips. A gremolata featuring parsley, crunchy pine nuts, fragrant lemon zest, and pungent garlic adds bright flavor. Cook outside or in a grill pan indoors.
Making your own veggie broth is cheaper and tastier than buying it at the store, and it’s also a great way to use up old carrots lurking in the back of the fridge. This handy guide will show you all you need to know about broth-making, including which vegetables work well so you can come up with your own blends.
Pozole is a festive Mexican stew that features hominy—dried corn that has been alkalized in a mineral lime bath to create plump, bean-like nuggets. No pork required for this vegan version; instead, oodles of carrots, potato, and onion combine with tender hominy for a true melt-in-your-mouth experience.
Carrots and green beans are natural companions in the garden and on the plate, and in this recipe they get a turbocharge of flavor from a curried peanut-sauce. Serve over a mix of orange-infused brown rice and riced cauliflower for a toothsome main.
Looking for a comforting soup to warm up a cooler evening? Or a show-stopping soup to serve to guests? This knock-out carrot soup does it all! Sweet and light, this herb-infused carrot soup is topped with cashew cream and a garnish of parsley and pomegranate seeds. Pro tip: As one reader discovered, you can also blend the cashew cream into the soup for tasty results!
The sweet, golden threads of grated carrot perfectly combine with tart cranberries and maple syrup in this fruity carrot cake. A light, subtly textured crumb is achieved using a combination of cornmeal and whole wheat flour. In the mood for some chocolate? Go all out and top with a simple ganache, featuring vegan chocolate chips blended with plant milk.
The light, crisp leaves of napa cabbage combine with just-cooked green beans and classic slaw ingredients such as carrot and scallions to create a fresh take on an old favorite. Drizzle a sweet-sour ginger-infused vinaigrette over the top for the perfect side dish for any occasion.
This blended carrot soup gets a warm, rich flavor from fresh ginger, cinnamon, and coriander. Potatoes and chickpeas give the soup some backbone, while unsweetened beverage-style coconut milk and lime juice add another layer of flavor. Garnish with crisp snap peas and a crack of black pepper.
“Simple. Delicious!” —Lori
Sliced carrot cooks quickly and offers bright color and crunchy texture alongside pan-fried mushrooms, cabbage, and onion in this vegan take on pancit, the Filipino rice noodle dish. You’ll have this tasty number on the table in 30 minutes!
Thanks to the convenience of canned beans and canned fire-roasted tomatoes, you can have this three-bean veggie stew ready for the slow-cooker in just 20 minutes. Roughly chopped carrot and parsnip offer hearty root veggie goodness; kale keeps things green, and fresh thyme and rosemary lend a herbaceous lift. Shares a reader, “This is one of my favorite dishes so far!”
Raw carrot, banana, dried fruit, rolled oats, and cacao powder power-up these energizing snack balls. Pop a few in your lunch box, or enjoy before the gym or as an after-dinner sweet treat. Note: Stored in the fridge they’ll stay fresh for about three days.
In this ultra-comforting twist on classic risotto, brown rice is cooked with veggie broth and combined with mushrooms and garlic for a rich savory flavor. Carrot and peas are added for extra sweetness, while plant milk gives the comforting, creamy risotto texture without you having to spend all that time hovering over the stove.
This stunning roasted carrot salad, built on a base of chickpeas and couscous, is substantial enough to serve as a main course and a worthy side dish at any holiday gathering. The carrots, roasted with a coating of lemon juice and harissa, have a delicious, peppy flavor, while crunchy cabbage and a scattering of juicy pomegranate seeds complete the dish. Drizzle with a zesty oil-free lemon dressing flavored with thyme, mustard, and cumin.
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