Looking for creative and delicious ways to cook with carrots? These healthy carrot recipes are going to be total game changers in your house and will help you enjoy this beautiful root veggie for breakfast, lunch, dinner and even dessert!
Carrots are probably one of my staple veggies to always have on hand. No only are they readily available to most people year round, but they can also be pretty inexpensive to add to your shopping cart. In fact, many grocery stores carry big bags of carrots in their produce aisle that (organic or conventional) very reasonably priced. Not only are carrots budget friendly, but they are also loaded with many vitamins and nutrients, making them an awesome food to work into your family’s meals.
What vitamins and minerals are in carrots?
Carrots are not just pretty to look at and great to munch on, but they are also a great source of several vitamins and minerals. Such as….
- beta-carotene (which is converted into vitamin A in the body)
- Biotin
- Vitamin K1
- Calcium
- Vitamin C
- Potassium
- Vitamin B6
While I totally adore carrots and everything they give the body, I will be the first to say that one can only eat so many carrot sticks or green salads with shredded carrots sprinkled on top before they start to lose their appeal.
So how does one use up a big bag of carrots without losing their love of this beautiful and easy root veggie? By getting creative and thinking beyond the carrot stick!
You see, carrots are delicious raw, cooked, grated, sliced roasted…but they are also amazing when added to a baked good or a meatball! They have an incredibly diverse flavor that can easily go sweet or savory, making them the perfect veggie to add to breakfast, dinners, desserts and everything in between.
FAQ about carrots
Q: Do I have to peel carrots before cooking with them or eating them?
A: No….as long as you wash them well, to remove dirt and debris, you can leave the skin on if you want (or just want to skip the extra prep step). Some people dislike the flavor of the peel of a carrot and find it is bitter. Others don’t like the way it looks. So it ultimately comes down to what your personal preference is rather than nutritional.
Q: I have a bag of rainbow carrots. Do the different colors of carrot taste different from one another.
A: While the difference is mild, some people find the white and golden carrots to have a milder, less earthy flavor than the other color of carrots.
Q: Can I use rainbow carrot in cooking just like traditional orange carrots?
A: Yes. Again, difference in flavors between the different colors of carrot is minimal and any color can be used in these recipes. However, the color carrot you opt to use may change the visual appearance of a recipe. For example, a purple carrot is a lovely sight when roasted. However, it might turn a carrot cake recipe an interesting color. In turn, using a golden or white carrot in a recipe is wonderful if you are looking to minimize the appearance of carrots in a recipe (I’m looking at you parents with selective kiddos!).
Q: When are carrots in season?
A: While you can easily find carrots at supermarkets year round, they have two official times of year they are harvested: late spring and fall. Which is when you can expect to pick your own fro the garden or find them at your local farmers market.
Here are 25 Ways To Use a Bag of Carrots….all of them easy, delicious and family-friendly. Some recipes showcase carrots in all their glory and in some, carrots are a lovely supporting role! Either way, they will help you work through that giant bag of carrots you snagged at Costco before it goes bad!
Healthy carrot recipes for breakfast
Carrot Banana Protein Pancakes (vegan)
Carrot Apple Vegan Muffins
Carrot Cake Baked Oatmeal
Healthy Carrot Apple Pancakes
Carrot Paleo Muffins
Carrot Apple Slow Cooker Steel Cut Oatmeal
Vegan Carrot Muffins (with lentils!)
Morning Glory Muffins
Veggie-Loaded Breakfast Cookies
Healthy carrot side dishes
Sautéed Carrots
Easy Homemade Applesauce (with veggies!)
Roasted Potatoes and Carrots
Germ-Kicking Carrot Ginger Soup
Veggie-Loaded Vegetarian Stuffing
Turmeric Roasted Carrots
Healthy Carrot Main Dishes
30-Minute Carrot Ginger Tuna Bites
Veggie-Loaded Chicken Bites
Vegetable Quinoa Chicken Soup
Healthy & Easy Turkey Burgers (gluten free, dairy-free)
Chickpea Vegetable Nuggets
One-Pot Curry Lentil Soup
Healthy Meatballs (with veggies)
Lentil Veggie Quesadillas
Healthy carrot recipes for dessert
One-Bowl Peanut Butter Carrot Blondies (vegan + gluten free)
No-Bake Peanut Butter Carrot Balls
Flourless Peanut Butter Carrot Zucchini Cookies
Soft Carrot Gingerbread Cookies
Banana Carrot Bread
Healthy Carrot Recipes: Sautéed Carrots
Ingredients
- 1 pound carrots
- 1 1/2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt or to taste
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- herbs of choice see list below for ideas
Instructions
- Wash and peel carrots.
- Slice carrots on the diagonal into 1/4-inch-thick rounds.
- Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once hot, add the carrots and toss them around to coat them in the oil a bit. Spread the carrots out in an even layer in your skillet.
- Cover and cook for 7 minutes (no peeking!). The water from the carrots will create enough steam to cook them when covered.
- Uncover and season the carrots with garlic powder and salt. Stir the carrots around the skillet to coat them in the seasoning and let them continue to cook for 3 more minutes or until the carrots are fork tender.
- Season with fresh herbs of choice, if using. Taste and add more salt and/or garlic powder, if desired.
- Enjoy immediately.
Nutrition
The nutritional information is provided as an estimate only and may vary based on the product type, servings and other factors. If you are following a diet, please consult with a professional nutritionist or your doctor. Stay healthy!
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