Perfectly Tender 10-Minute Sautéed Carrots

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!

We all need some simple vegetable side dish recipes in our back pocket to make meals easy and veggie-loaded. Sometimes we want pizzazz when it comes to veggies. And sometimes we want classic recipes that are simple and delicious. This easy sautéed carrot recipe is exactly that. No muss. No fuss. Just classic.

I have about a bazillion recipes using carrots on my site, but this one is an ‘ol stand by that I turn to when I just want to keep it simple. Prep takes 5 minutes to do and then these sautéed carrots cook up to perfection in about 10 minute. This recipe uses really simple seasonings that you probably already have on hand, but I have included some bonus seasoning ideas so that you can take this classic carrot side dish next level with whatever flavors you fancy!

This recipe makes about 4 servings, so it is perfect to make for the family or as part of meal prep. And it is great for serving to guests since it is vegetarian, vegan, plant based, dairy-free, Paleo, gluten free and everything in between. So, no matter what your people eat, they likely can eat these delicious sautéed carrots!

Herbs and seasonings that pair well with carrots

This sautéed carrots recipe is a great jumping off point for you to adapt to fit your personal taste and get you excited about adding more veggies to the table. Here are some tried-and-true flavor pairings that really bring sautéed carrots to the next level.

• cinnamon
• coriander
• cumin
• dill
• ginger
• honey
• lemon
• maple syrup
• parsley
• tarragon
• thyme

How to select carrots at the store

Like all produce, the most delicious carrots have certain “tells” to look for when selecting them at the store. Here are some things to keep in mind when grabbing some carrots to add to your family meal plan:

• Larger carrots will be sweeter. Larger carrots will have had a longer growing time and, thus, more time to develop their natural sugars.
• Look for carrots with vibrant color. If the color of the carrot is dull, it might be a sign that the carrot is old. Also, try to avoid carrots with hints of green on the body of the carrot. This is a sign that the carrot was picked before it was ready and won’t have the best flavor or vitamin content.
• If your carrots have tops, look at how green the leaves are. Bright green means the carrots are quite fresh. Wilted carrot tops will mean that the carrots have been out of the ground for quite some time.
• Avoid carrots with large spilts. This is a sign that the carrot is drying out and likely will not have the best flavor.
• Carrots should be firm and crisp. If they feel bendy or rubbery, they are old and/or haven’t been stored properly.

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!

How to store carrots

Carrots are one of those veggies that are usually pretty easy to find year-round. Like most root vegetables, they have a long shelf life when stored properly. So, now that you know how to select the perfect carrot at the store, here are some tips and tricks for how to keep them fresh and tasty for as long as possible.

• Remove the green tops. If you bought a bunch of carrots with their leafy green tops still attached, cut those off close to the top to help the carrot hold onto their moisture.
• Store carrots in the fridge.
• Place them in an air-tight container to help carrots retain their moisture and crisp texture.
• Don’t wash your carrots until you are ready to use them. If you do wash your produce right after buying it, be sure to thoroughly dry your carrots before storing them in an air-tight container in the fridge.

Do you have to peel carrots before eating?

Nope. You don’t have to. The outside of the carrot is totally edible, though some people don’t care for the slightly bitter taste or appearance of it. So whether or not you peel your carrots when making these sautéed carrots is a personal preference.

If you opt to not peel your carrots, be extra sure to wash your veggies well. Since carrots are a root vegetable, they might have nooks that hold onto dirt that may typically be removed when peeling. Giving your carrots a good scrubbing will remove that dirt as well.

Do you need to boil carrots before frying or sautéing

That totally depends upon the recipe you are using. For this sautéed carrot recipe, nope. I found that covering the carrots and letting the moisture they naturally release during the cooking process to be enough water to soften them up.

Other easy vegetable side dishes you will love

• Broccoli and Cauliflower Casserole
• Roasted Cauliflower
• Roasted Air Fryer Broccoli
• Sautéed Green Beans
• Easy Sautéed Asparagus
• Instant Pot Artichokes Recipe
• Mexican-Style Corn Quinoa Stuffed Peppers

Loving this sautéed carrots recipe and now you’re hungry for more?

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