40 Creative Carrot Recipes That Go Way Beyond Cake
A year-round veggie that's good in savory and sweet recipes? We're in love!
Seasonality is important, and we’ll always be the first to celebrate those fruits and veggies that are only available for a short period of time (peaches! rhubarb! mango!). That said, we’ve also got a major soft spot for produce that’s available and delicious all year-round. Things like potatoes and bananas get all the glory, but we’d like to give carrots some much deserved spotlight. They’re super-cheap, are enjoyable no matter how you cook them, and are great in everything from side dishes to dinner. Plus, they’re the basis for one of the best desserts ever—carrot cake. Potatoes could never.
When it comes to a side dish that’s simple yet exciting, easy to make but still impressive, nothing beats one made with carrots. Pair them with a simple glaze or marinade (we like them with a little honey or mustard), then roast them, steam them, grill them, or even air fry them. They truly take well to pretty much any preparation. Try turning them into pickles and putting them on ALL your lunch sandwiches (they’re the crunchy classic on a Vietnamese banh mi for a reason). Take them to your next BBQ as a side, like classic coleslaw or a Moroccan carrot salad. Cold out, or feeling under the weather? Turn those carrots into a warm and comforting soup, like our carrot & coriander soup or our carrot ginger soup. You can even use them to replace meat (😮), like in our carrot hot dogs or our carrots in a blanket. They might never fully replace your favorite hot dogs, but trust us, they make for a pretty delicious vegetarian alternative.
It also must be noted—carrots, along with onions and celery, make up what is known as a mirepoix, a French term for sautéing veggies in fat. This combo is used as the base for flavor in SO many recipes, so we've included some of the classics here too, like chicken noodle soup, chicken pot pie, and shepherd's pie. Keep your eye (and your taste buds!) out next time you're eating something that's got delicious depth of flavor—odds are, it started with a mirepoix featuring the humble carrot.
Want even more veggie inspiration? Check out our favorite fall butternut squash recipes, summer zucchini recipes, and spring asparagus dishes too.
Honey Glazed Carrots
How do you make a picky eater fall in love with vegetables? When it comes to carrots, our answer is two-part: Slather them in a sweet and sticky glaze and then roast them. In the oven, the honey and butter in the glaze will caramelize, transforming plain, boring carrots into an incredible side dish.
Get the Honey-Glazed Carrots recipe.
Shepherd's Pie
In this comfort food staple, ground beef is cooked with aromatics and red wine before being combined with corn and peas, all covered with a blanket of velvety, rich mashed potatoes and topped with Parmesan before being broiled until golden brown. Mmm.
Get the Shepherd's Pie recipe.
Garlic-Parmesan Roasted Carrots
This recipe made us wonder, Why don’t we roast carrots more often? When they roast, their flavor concentrates and sweetens. Pair that with copious amounts of umami-packed Parmesan and just a touch of lemon, and you’ve got a super-irresistible side.
Carrot Cake
Covered with plenty of tangy cream cheese frosting, this tried-and-true recipe is tender, perfectly spiced, with all the textures and flavors you’re looking for (no obnoxiously big chunks of carrot here 🙅).
Get the Carrot Cake recipe.
Carrot Gnocchi
These gnocchi are, by their soft, tender, and pillowy nature, very rustic. But once you sauté them in butter, herbs, and pistachios, they will look every bit as delicious as they smell. You can also use them as you would store-bought gnocchi, like in our one-pan creamy chicken & gnocchi recipe.
Get the Carrot Gnocchi recipe.
Miso Roasted Carrots
These sweet-savory carrots are topped with the most delicious mix of crunchy nuts and spices. We like pistachios and black and white sesame seeds, but feel free to swap in your favorites (even something like everything bagel seasoningm would be great!).
Get the Miso Roasted Carrots recipe.
Bánh Mì
As far as Vietnamese street food goes, bánh mì earns top rankings for its irresistibly savory flavors—umami-packed pork, creamy mayonnaise, crunchy vegetables, and a light crispy baguette come together for sandwich perfection.
Get the Bánh Mì recipe.
Roasted Baby Carrots
Sweet baby carrots are the perfect match for this tangy balsamic glaze. Fancy enough for a holiday meal, but easy enough for a weeknight, this recipe is endlessly riffable and guaranteed to deliver crisp-tender carrots every time.
Get the Roasted Baby Carrots recipe.
Carrot Cake Pancakes
These well-spiced, fluffy pancakes have everything you love about classic carrot cake, even down to the cream cheese glaze. They're especially perfect for when you're craving cake, but have no time (or reason?) to make one!
Get the Carrot Cake Pancakes recipe.
Classic Coleslaw
A classic, staple side dish to rely on, coleslaw is a must when it comes to summer BBQs, potlucks, and picnics. Everyone needs a go-to recipe, and we happen to think that ours is the one you should reach for.
Get the Classic Coleslaw recipe.
Carrot Ginger Soup
Canned coconut milk makes this flavorful soup super-creamy and rich while keeping it conveniently dairy-free. Want to up the presentation to make it extra special? Add crispy fried shallots and chili oil for that final chef’s kiss.
Get the Carrot Ginger Soup recipe.
Carrot Cake Blondies
This recipe takes the best of spiced carrot cake and chewy blondies and turns it into a delicious dessert bar that's great for sharing. Best part about them? You can make them ahead of time and frost when needed (perfect for bake sales!).
Get the Carrot Cake Blondies recipe.
Hawaiian Macaroni Salad
Hawaiian macaroni salad is a creamy, tangy, iconic comfort food that is practically synonymous with the state. If you want genuine, island-style mac salad, try to resist the urge to make any substitutions or add different ingredients here. The beauty of this recipe is its simplicity.
Get the Hawaiian Macaroni Salad recipe.
Candied Carrots
Just a heads up: Any dish that features the word “candied” is bound to be on the sweet side and more than likely something you won’t be eating every day. That said, don’t be shy about the amount of butter and brown sugar that goes into these candied carrots. Decadence is the goal here!
Get the Candied Carrots recipe.
Air Fryer Moroccan-Spiced Carrots
A combo of spices adds a riot of flavor to those carrots that may or may not have been sitting in the crisper for too long. Serve alongside anything grilled, like our grilled tofu or grilled pork tenderloin.
Chicken Noodle Soup
Chicken noodle soup is one of the world’s most beloved comfort foods, and we definitely took that to heart when creating this recipe. Chunks of juicy chicken mingle with carrots, celery, and tender egg noodles in a deep, savory broth for a soup that'll transport you right back to Grandma’s table.
Get the Chicken Noodle Soup recipe.
Grilled Carrots
As with most root veggies, carrots take awhile to cook through, meaning they've got to be tended to and turned frequently to get tender on the grill. The good news is that your hard work will be rewarded; the carrot's natural sweetness comes out during cooking, a complementary foil to the smoky char achieved on the grill. We love serving this veggie side atop creamy ricotta, with a punchy carrot top-based chimichurri sauce for some brightness.
Get the Grilled Carrots recipe.
Pickled Carrots
These pickled carrots are just as easy as homemade dill pickles. All you need to do is make a simple brine, heat it up, and pour it over your veggies. Let the whole thing cool to room temperature, then wait at least 2 hours. The longer you wait, the more flavorful your pickles will be.
Get the Pickled Carrots recipe.
Oven-Roasted Carrots
This simple recipe is the most versatile side dish, and it's impossible to mess up. Toss carrots with olive oil, salt, and pepper, and spread in an even layer on a large sheet tray. (Feel free to throw in any of your favorite herbs or spices as well!)
Get the Oven-Roasted Carrots recipe.
Holiday Roasted Vegetables
The dried cranberries and balsamic vinegar add some sweetness and tartness, while the pecans add an extra crunch to these holiday-worthy vegetables. We use Brussels sprouts and carrots, but feel free to add extra vegetables or swap in some of your fall favorites.
Get the Holiday Roasted Vegetables recipe.
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