Carrots are not only ubiquitous, but also very versatile. Enjoy them raw, boiled, fried, roasted and puréed or expect the unexpected. If you like carrots or just have a load that need using up, dig in and unearth all the carrot recipes you will ever need. Whether you’re vegan, vegetarian or just wanting some ideas, you’re bound to find something delicious here for sure.
One thing I’m certain of is that I will never run out of carrots. I get a regular supply in my veg box. This is just as well as we’ve never had much success in growing our own. They either end up forked or the carrot fly gets them.
Whilst I have a few favourite carrot recipes, such as carrot pickles and this Moroccan carrot dip, I’m always on the look out for new and interesting ways to use them. I suspect you are too. Well, this post for all the carrot recipes you will ever need should give you plenty of ideas.
The Future Is Orange
Carrots
In the western world, carrots (Daucus carota) are the most commonly consumed vegetables after potatoes. This is no surprise really, given that they grow well in cold climates and are highly nutritious.
Most of us think of carrots as bright orange, but that’s not always the case. It’s certainly the most common colour nowadays. But did you know, the original carrot was white or pale yellow? Around five thousand years ago, yellow and purple varieties, cultivated on the Persian Plateau, produced yellow and purple ones.
The myth has it that sixteenth century Dutch farmers bred and developed orange carrots to honour their King, William of Orange. It’s a nice story. The reality is that orange carrots existed at least two hundred years before this. It was the Dutch with their farming and trading knowhow, however, that were responsible for spreading them around the world.
For a more in depth history of the carrot this article on carrot history and iconography from the journal Chronica Horticulturae is interesting.
The orange variety tend to be sweeter, larger and and generally more appealing in taste and texture. Nevertheless, in recent years, other colours have made a bit of a come back. I’ve even had a few bunches of multi coloured carrots in my veg box. They definitely have their place.
Health Benefits
There’s no doubt about it, carrots are really good for us. They make a great addition to our ten-a-day. Not only are they high in fibre and beta carotene, but they’re also rich in vitamins A, Biotin, C, K1, and B6, as well as potassium and other minerals. When it comes to antioxidants, orange and purple carrots are the ones to look for.
Carrots promote good gut health, strengthen bones and improve immunity. As with many vegetables, they’re associated with lowering cholesterol levels, reducing the risks of cancer and are good for diabetics. As long as they’re not eaten in excess that is. Too much carrot juice and your skin is likely to turn yellow. (Ref: Healthline)
Raw carrots are particularly good for cleaning your teeth. Whilst you crunch, they purportedly scrape off plaque and stimulate gums at the same time.
All The Carrot Recipes You Will Ever Need
Whilst carrots are useful fillers to add to stews, curries and the like, they sometimes deserve their spot in the limelight. There are recipes here that make them the star of the show. And not just as a side dish either. There’s my three ingredient carrot pasta just for a start.
Ever thought about carrots for breakfast, lunch or as a tasty snack? Well know is the time to do so. Most recipes in this collection are vegan, though some are vegetarian.
Carrots For Breakfast
If you think carrots are only good as a side dish, think again. They can make a great start to the day. Whether you fancy porridge, pancakes, a smoothie or even a cooked breakfast, carrots are your friend.
Easy, Healthy Carrot Cake Porridge
Carrot Cake Overnight Oats – Modest Munchies
Carrot Smoothie with Ginger and Orange
Carrot Bacon
Easy Vegan Carrot Cake Pancakes ~ Veggie Inspired
Carrot Cake Pancakes with Cream Cheese Glaze
Carrots For Lunch
One of my favourite sandwich fillings for work lunchboxes or picnics is carrot and cheese. There are, however, plenty of other ways of enjoying carrots at lunch time.
Carrot Falafel
Carrot and Cheddar Bites
Carrot and Cheese Sandwich Filling
German Style Carrot Dogs ~ This Wife Cooks
Carrot Pizza Crust with Carrot Sauce
Savoury Vegan Muffins
Soup
Carrot and coriander soup is probably the best known carrot soup out there. Turns out I haven’t posted one on Tin and Thyme yet. But never fear, I have included a recipe for you, just in case. But don’t get stuck on just that one, there are so many delicious soups you can make with carrots, you won’t get bored. Here are a few of them.
Spiced Lentil, Carrot and Roasted Tomato Soup
Carrot & Fresh Coriander Soup
Carrot Parsnip Soup for Immunity – Go Eat Green (Easy | Healthy | Vegan)
Vegan Carrot Ginger Soup – Immune Boosting Recipes – Cooking Journey Blog
Sweet Potato And Carrot Soup
Main Meals
It’s not often you think of carrots as the main dish in a meal. But they’re often overlooked for something more glamourous. Yet why not make a roasted carrot dal, pasta sauce or carrot tart for a change?
Roasted Carrots And Lentil Curry
Mild Vegetable Curry (suitable for a low histamine diet)
Creamy Carrot Pasta Sauce
Roasted Aubergine & Carrot Couscous with Preserved Lemon
Scottish Baby Carrot & Chive Tart
Carrot Side Dishes
No roast dinner is complete without a side of carrots. But I find they go well with all sorts of other meals too. Veggie sausages, mash and glazed carrots is one of our staples. Leftovers work really nicely in a wrap or sandwich too. Then there’s slaw. Carrots are just brilliant for this as they are in a simple carrot salad.
Honey Butter Glazed Carrots
Easy Maple Glazed Sautéed Carrots
LEGENDARY ‘DUKKAH’ ROASTED CARROTS
Air Fryer Carrots (Super Easy + Healthy)
Vegan Pigs In Blankets
Carrot and Swede Mash
How to make Moroccan carrot salad | Family-Friends-Food
Kohlrabi Carrot Slaw
Simple Orange and Ginger Carrot Salad
Carrot Cake And More
Well you can’t have a collection of carrot recipes without a carrot cake. I have five. One is the traditional classic which we all know and love. One is vegan, but as close an approximation to the original as possible. And one is a Swiss carrot cake.
The other two are individual cakes, one with buttercream and one with chocolate chips. And if that’s not enough, there’s the carrot cake pancakes in the breakfast section.
Healthy Vegan Carrot Cake
Carrot Chocolate Chip Cakes
Carrot Cake
Carrot Date Cake
Carrot Cupcakes with Orange Icing
Swiss Carrot Cake (Rüblikuchen)
Carrot Cake Flapjacks
Carrot Recipes: Dips, Spreads & Pickles
I may have already said this, but carrot pickles are one of my favourite ways to eat carrots. They are so useful. Perk up a sandwich, add to salads and serve with Asian and Mediterranean dishes. And that’s just a start. If I don’t have a jar or two in my cupboard, I start to panic.
There are, however, other ways to turn carrots, including their tops, into tasty dips, spreads and condiments.
Carrot Top Pistou
Easy Persian Carrot Jam (Moraba-ye Havij)
Carrot Top Pesto
Carrot Pickles
Moroccan Carrot Dip
Hidden Carrots: Top Tip
If you need to hide carrots from any friends or family who don’t like them, incorporate them into homemade tomato sauce. As long as you blitz the sauce, no one will ever know. I often do this just to add some additional nutrition. I’ve done just this in my recipe for raw tomato sauce as well as this one for spicy tomato sauce.
Your Favourite Carrot Recipes
I hope you’ve found something to inspire you with all these fabulous carrot recipes. Let me know if you try any of them. I’m also keen to know what I’ve missed? What are your favourites? Do tell by commenting below.
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If you’d like more recipe collections, follow the link and you’ll find I have quite a lot of them. This one for blackcurrant recipes is always popular in summer. And this one for mincemeat recipes is equally popular around Christmas.
Choclette x
Jacqueline says
What a fabulous selection of carrot recipes
Where to start!
Choclette says
Where indeed? I’m trying to figure that out right now. I’m quite taken with your carrot tart though.
Sherry says
i like to make carrot and orange soup. very tasty. and of course carrot cake. I used to make dog biscuits with grated carrot, and i remember mum used to give us grated carrot and sultana sandwiches for lunch. very versatile.
Choclette says
Carrot dog biscuits sound fun and carrot and orange soup delicious. You’ve now reminded me of the grated carrot and raisin sandwiches we used to get at work many years ago. Had completely forgotten.
Kat says
Wow this is such an extensive selection of carrot recipes, I will never not have a use for carrots again!
Choclette says
Yay! That is certainly my aim. I’m looking forward to trying some of these recipes out myself. Your cake looks fab.
Camilla says
I do love carrots so these recipes are right up my street, thank you for collating, bookmarking some now!
Choclette says
I think I probably eat more carrots than anything else – other than bread.