37 Best Carrot Recipes for Stunning Sides, Silky Soups, and Craveable Snacks
Nothing against carrot sticks, but the most beautiful bunch of carrots at the market deserve a bit more of your care and attention. Some of the best carrot recipes concentrate the flavor of the vegetable through roasting; others highlight its crunchy personality. Below we’ve gathered a few of our favorites—and all go way beyond the crudités platter. You’ll find smoky carrot dip, buttery roasted carrots, silky carrot soups, tangy carrot pickles, and crisp carrot slaws, plus baked goods like morning muffins and a not-too-sweet carrot cake. Scroll down for all the ideas you need for using up those carrots in your fridge tonight.
Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Prop Styling by Beatrice Chastka, Food Styling by Anna Stockwell1/37Orange-Ginger Pickled Baby Carrots
We'll kick off this list of the best carrot recipes on Epicurious with a snack. This crisp pickled vegetables, flavored with citrus, chiles, and ginger, are perfect for serving with a martini or French 75 when you've gathered friends or family together on a special occasion. Or prep these pickles to eat with a sandwich on your next picnic.
Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Food Styling by Anna Stockwell4/37Freeform Chicken Meatballs With Carrots and Yogurt Sauce
Looking for new weeknight recipes with carrots? Quick free-form meatballs don't require fussy shaping—just throw them on a sheet pan while the carrots start roasting.
Photo by Chelsea Kyle, food styling by Michelle Gatton, prop styling by Alyssa Pagano5/37Carrot, Yellow Beet, and Apple Slaw with Caraway Seed Dressing
Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Pearl Jones6/37Young Carrots With Spring Onions, Sumac, and Anchovies
Maybe you've hit up the farmers market and you're saying to yourself, “What can I do with a lot of fresh carrots?” The answer is to roast them in a covered pot, then wake them up with an herby sauce, a squeeze of lemon, and a shower of sumac.
Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Prop Styling by Jerri Joy, Food Styling by Anna Hampton8/37Carrot Tart With Ricotta and Almond Filling
Arranging carrot sticks in a geometric pattern transforms this savory tart into a truly show-stopping appetizer. Or serve it as a vegetarian-friendly main, alongside a hearty salad.
Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Pearl Jones9/37Roasted Carrot and Fennel Soup With Miso-Glazed Mushrooms and Cashew Cream
Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Prop Styling by Alex Brannian, Food Styling by Mariana Velasquez10/37"Tzimmes" Chicken With Apricots, Prunes, and Carrots
Andrew Purcell, food styling by Carrie Purcell, prop styling by Sarah Cave11/37Roasted Carrots and Parsnips With Citrus Butter
Photo by Andrew Purcell, Food Styling by Carrie Purcell, Prop Styling by Alex Brannian13/37Honey-Glazed Carrots With Carrot Top Gremolata
Photo by Chelsea Kyle, food and prop styling by Ali Nardi15/37Radish and Carrot Salad with Tuna and Capers
Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Judy Haubert16/37Creamy Coleslaw
This crunchy, creamy little number is one of our favorite slaw recipes. Shredded carrots keep each bite interesting, while a touch of apple cider vinegar keeps it tasting fresh.
Photo by Chelsea Kyle, prop and food styling by Ali Nardi17/37Roasted Carrots with Fennel-Brown Butter
Fennel seeds add fragrance to the brown butter that dresses these roasted carrots. Serve alongside pork chops, a simple pesto pasta, or your holiday turkey.
Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Prop Styling by Alex Brannian, Food Styling by Michelle Gatton18/37Frisée and Carrot Ribbon Salad With Za'atar-Lemon Vinaigrette
The aromatic blend of spices in za'atar lends a bright, herbaceous flavor to this crunchy raw salad. Serve with a roast chicken or some super-quick and easy salmon.
Photo by Chelsea Kyle, and food styling by Anna Stockwell22/37Pan-Seared Carrot Steaks
Applying a classic steak cooking technique to carrots turns them into a buttery, satisfying vegetarian main. The interior of each carrot is creamy and sweet, while the outside gets a good sear. Pile up your plate with mashed potatoes and green beans—or creamed spinach.
Photo & Food Styling by Joseph De Leo23/37Pork Chops and Padrón Chiles en Escabèche
Escabèche translates to “marinade,” which is exactly what you’re making here: a bright, tangy marinade full of pickled red onion, carrots, and Padrón chiles or shishito peppers that also makes an ideal sauce for juicy, thick-cut pork chops.
Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Prop Styling by Beatrice Chastka, Food Styling by Anna Stockwell24/37Roasted Carrot, Brussels Sprout, and Cranberry Salad
A mix of roasted and raw carrots and brussels sprouts, plus a tangy poppy seed and cranberry dressing, brings a pleasing variety of textures to this autumnal side dish. This carrot recipe requires 20 minutes of active prep time. Spread out your veggies (tossed in olive oil and spices) on a rimmed baking sheet and cook until browned, which will bring your total time to 40 minutes.
Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Food Styling by Katherine Sacks26/37Grilled Carrot "Hot Dogs" with Tangy Slaw
Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Prop Styling by Alex Brannian, Food Styling by Anna Hampton28/37Chickpea Salad Sandwich With Creamy Carrot-Radish Slaw
This weeknight dinner is a vegetarian play on the classic chicken salad that swaps in creamy, protein-packed chickpeas.
Photo by Michael Graydon & Nikole Herriott, Prop Styling by Kalen Kaminski, Food Styling by Rebecca Jurkevich29/37Shaved Carrots with Charred Dates
Photo by Andrew Purcell, Food Styling by Carrie Purcell31/37Chakalaka
This spicy vegetable relish pairs carrots with jalapeño, ginger, turmeric, cumin, coriander, sweet bell peppers, cabbage, crushed tomatoes, and a little vinegar. It's exactly what your grilled cheese sandwich needs.
Jonathan Lovekin33/37Honey-Roasted Carrots With Tahini Yogurt
The secret to this simple recipe? Adding honey to the pan before roasting. Drizzle the almost-candied carrots with the nutty tahini yogurt sauce for balance and serve with any main dish you like—maybe this braised pork loin or roasted salmon?
35/37Carrot Muffins
Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Food Styling by Ali Nardi36/37Cauliflower-Carrot Cheesy Tots
Cauliflower and carrot—in place of the usual potato—add sweet, vegetal flavor and a good dose of fiber, antioxidants, and vitamins to this homemade play on tater tots.
Photo by Ed Anderson37/37Morning Sunrise Smoothie
Some of our favorite carrot recipes are for drinks. Start your day with this not-too-sweet smoothie, then wrap up the evening with a carrot cocktail.
