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!
Wondering how to store your carrots so they stay fresh as long as possible? Check out my post on How to Keep Cut Carrots Fresh and get the most out of your produce buck!
These vegan protein pancakes are not only loaded with carrots, but lentils to give them a punch of protein! Egg-free, dairy-free, naturally sweetened with bananas and a little maple syrup!
These Carrot Apple Vegan Muffins are kid-friendly, easy and as yummy as they are healthy! Made from oats, naturally sweetened and veggie-loaded, they are mixed entirely in your blender and are gluten free, dairy-free and egg-free!
Healthy, easy and delicious, this Carrot Cake Baked Oatmeal is a great dish to add to your breakfast rotation! Made with rolled oats, naturally sweetened, and veggie-loaded with carrots…it will feel like you are eating your favorite cake for breakfast!
Healthy Apple Carrot Pancakes are made with only a few ingredients and are a wonderful way to start your day. Mixed entirely in your blender, breakfast has never been easier or more delicious!
Delicious and easy to make in one bowl, these Carrot Paleo Muffins are going to dazzle your tastebuds! Full of nutrient dense carrots, almonds and other amazing ingredients, but these surprisingly fluffy and soft muffins are naturally gluten free and dairy-free!
This Carrot Apple Slow Cooker Steel Cut Oatmeal makes for the most delicious and healthy breakfast! Set and forget these oats as they cook overnight in your crockpot and you wake up to a hearty, gluten-free crock-pot oatmeal that is a yummy veggie-loaded way to start the day!
These Vegan Carrot Cake Muffins are perfect for an easy grab-and-go breakfast or snack! Kid-friendly, added veggies and packed with fiber and protein. And, no, you can’t even taste the lentils!
Packed with flavor and good-for-you ingredients, these Morning Glory Muffins are a healthy and delicious way to start the day! Veggie-loaded and perfect for a snack or grab-and-go breakfast, these muffins have less sugar than other Morning Glory Muffin recipes, and instead use maple syrup or honey. They’re perfect for making ahead to make a busy day a little easier.
This Veggie-Loaded Breakfast Cookie Recipe is made with grated carrots, zucchini, oats and studded with sweet blueberries. These cookies are easy, naturally sweetened, and perfect for dunking in coffee or for a breakfast on-the-go!
This sautéed carrots recipe is easy, delicious, are perfectly tender (without being mushy) and makes for the perfect vegetable side dish for any meal. Plus, they’re done in just 10 minutes— making them a quick addition to any weeknight dinner!
Making your own delicious homemade applesauce is so easy! With just a few ingredients, this recipe is kid-friendly and packed with added veggies. Easy, wholesome and so tasty . They whole family is going to love this healthy recipe!
This Germ-Kicking Carrot Ginger Soup is the perfect easy dinner. Ready in a little over 30 minutes, so delicious, and healthy. Whole30, Paleo, gluten free, dairy free, and vegetarian.
You guys know how I looooovvveeee to roast veggies. Well, now I’ve brought turmeric into the mix. These Turmeric Roasted Carrots are absolutely amazing!
Jazz up dinnertime in an easy and veggie-loaded way with 30-Minute Carrot Ginger Tuna Bites! Perfect as a finger food for little and big eaters alike or served over greens, baked sweet potatoes, cauliflower rice or your favorite pasta or spiraled veggie, these nuggets pack a punch of flavor and protein in perfectly portioned out bites.
These Veggie-Loaded Chicken Bites aren't just easy to make, but they are super delicious and a healthy start to dinner! Family-friendly, gluten free, Paleo and Whole30
This chicken quinoa soup is full of white beans and delicious, flavorful veggies! This recipe comes together in just one pot (and can be easily made in the slow cooker, too!). It’s a warm, comforting dinner recipe.
These Healthy & Easy Turkey Burgers are easy to make and are packed with so many vegetables! The perfect blend of sweet and savory, these burgers are loaded with flavor. Naturally Paleo, Whole30 when enjoyed bunless and something everyone will enjoy!
These Chickpea Vegetable Nuggets are the perfect finger food for little eaters! Loaded with veggies and vegetarian protein! Easy to make and super delicious, enjoy these vegetable nuggets on their own, instead of meatballs, or dunk them in your favorite sauce!
Lentil and Vegetable Soup might be the coziest thing I can think to curl up with! Made with just the right amount of warming curry flavor, this soup is full of veggies + plant protein from lentils and chickpeas. Made in one pot in about 30 minutes, it is the perfect end to your day. Recipe based off of this delicious curry lentil soup from Bon Appetit.
These healthy meatballs are going to change family dinners! Kid-approved and loaded with three kinds of veggies and a flavor that you expect from a meatballs. Freezer-friendly, egg-free and gluten free, this easy meatball recipe is going to become a family favorite.
These veggie quesadillas are loaded with spinach, lentils, carrot and lots of cheese! Not only are they quick, they are loaded with flavor, veggies and protein, and are also super adaptable and the perfect healthy meal for lunch or dinner!
These One-Bowl Peanut Butter Carrot Blondies are rich, super fudgy, and seriously delicious! Made with just 8 real food ingredients and in one bowl, too boot! Egg free, vegan, gluten free, dairy free, but a total crowd pleasing treat for all eating styles!
These healthy flourless peanut butter carrot zucchini cookies are soft, perfectly sweet and so easy to make! Made with only 7 ingredient and in one bowl, these cookies are vegan, gluten free and can easily be made Paleo.
These soft Gingerbread Cookies are going to become a new holiday season baking staple. Perfectly spices, just the right amount of molasses, and the addition of carrots makes enjoying these holiday cookies a little sweeter!
This banana bread is delicious, easy to make, and loaded with veggies! Banana Carrot bread is made with good-for-you oatmeal and naturally sweetened with ripe bananas and a little maple syrup or honey. Add in grated carrots, bake up, and it is the perfect breakfast or snack.
These sautéed carrots are easy, delicious, healthy, and the perfect vegetable side dish. Done in 10 minutes, these carrots are the perfect way to add veggies to dinner on a busy weeknight.
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.
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