• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

The Natural Nurturer

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Home
  • Info
    • About
    • Subscribe
    • Contact
  • Recipes
    • Recipes by Type
      • Breakfast
        • Muffins
        • Oatmeal
        • Pancakes & Waffles
      • Desserts
      • Dinner
      • Dips, Sauces & Spreads
      • How To
      • Salads
      • Side Dishes
      • Smoothies & Drinks
      • Snacks
      • Soups
    • Recipes by Diet
      • Dairy-Free
      • Gluten-Free
      • Grain Free
      • Nut-Free
      • Paleo
      • Vegan
      • Vegetarian
      • Whole30
    • Recipes by Cooking Method
      • Air Fryer
      • Instant Pot
      • Meal Prep
      • No Cook
      • Roasted
      • Slow Cooker
    • Recipe Search
    • Recipe Index
    • Recipe Stories
  • Shop
    • Ebooks and Meal Plans
    • Recommended Products
  • Blog
    • Food For Thought
Home » Recipes » Side Dishes » Perfectly Tender 10-Minute Sautéed Carrots

Perfectly Tender 10-Minute Sautéed Carrots

By Taesha Butler April 19, 2022 (Updated August 17, 2022) 2 Comments

Servings4 servings
Prep Time3 mins
Cook Time7 mins
Jump to Recipe
5 from 5 votes

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!

Sautéed carrots in a cast iron plan with a wooden spoon.

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
A carrot on  a cutting board cut into slices. There is a knife on the cutting board next to the carrot.

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.
Sautéed carrots in a bowl with parsley sprinkled over the top and there is a silver spoon in the bowl.

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?

Sign up so that my newsletter is delivered straight to your inbox. And be sure to follow me on Facebook, Pinterest and Instagram for all kinds of veggie-loaded and healthy living ideas!

Sautéed carrots in a bowl with a spoon. A hand is scooping some carrots out.
Easy 10-Minute Sautéed Carrots with a wooden spoon on top
Print Recipe
5 from 5 votes

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!
Prep Time3 mins
Cook Time7 mins
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: American
Diet: Vegetarian
Keyword: carrots, olive oil
Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 94kcal
Author: Taesha Butler

Ingredients 

  • 1 pound carrots, washed and peeled
  • 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 

  • 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 5-6 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 2-3 more minutes or until the carrots are fork tender.
  • Season with fresh herbs or seasonings of choice, if using. Taste and add more salt and/or garlic powder, if desired.
  • Enjoy immediately.

Notes

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

Nutrition

Calories: 94kcal | Carbohydrates: 11g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 6g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 4g | Sodium: 224mg | Potassium: 365mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 18944IU | Vitamin C: 7mg | Calcium: 38mg | Iron: 1mg

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!

Sharing is caring!

140 shares
  • Share40
  • Tweet

Filed Under: Cooking How To's, Dairy-Free, Gluten-Free, Grain Free, Nut-Free, Paleo, Side Dishes, Vegan, Vegetarian, Whole30 Tagged With: carrot

Previous Post: « Veggie-Loaded Turkey Tacos
Next Post: Savory Double Corn Muffins »

Reader Interactions

    Leave a comment & rate this recipe Cancel reply

    Did you make this recipe? So good, right? It would mean the world to me if you left a comment and star rating so that more people can see how delicious veggie-loading can be. Plus, it helps me to see what recipes you are all loving so I can make more like them.

    Thanks for taking the time to share your feedback.

    Recipe Rating




    Comments

  1. Eva

    May 26, 2022 at 3:24 am

    5 stars
    This is now the only way I cook carrots since I’ve discovered this recipe a few weeks ago! Favorite seasoning combo so far: everything bagel seasoning and chili powder. Seriously, thank you for this simple recipe I would not have been able to come up with myself. Way less hassle than oven roasting and waaayyyy more flavor (and better consistency) obviously than boiling or steaming – perfect!

    Reply
    • Taesha Butler

      May 26, 2022 at 10:47 am

      Oh I am so glad, Eva! Thank you for taking the time to leave a review. It always means so much.

      Reply

Primary Sidebar

Hi! I'm Taesha! I help busy people fall in love with healthy eating with my simple, family-friendly, veggie-loaded recipes. I believe vegetables can and SHOULD be delicious. Here, let me show you how!

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest

Categories

Newsletter

Subscribe to our email list.

Never miss a new veggie-loaded recipe or natural living rambling.

Once you have subscribed, you will receive an email asking you to confirm. Please click "yes" and you'll be added to my list. And just my list. Your privacy is important and I totally respect it. I won't be sharing your email with anyone else....no matter how nicely they ask.

Footer

As seen in…

As seen in brand wall collage

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest

© 2023 The Natural Nurturer - Privacy Policy - Accessibility Policy - Support by Foodie Digital

  • 40