How To Cook Carrots

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I remember as a child being told by my gran to eat my carrots as I would then be able to see in the dark. To be transparent, peeps, I soooooooo didn’t like carrots at all.

But, with the promise of being able to see the things that crept in the night and scared me, I did what I was told. PSA: Friends do not try this now on your children, these old wives’ tales are swiftly dismissed. I really should’ve signed up for the debating team at school, it would have helped me in this current “Hey Siri” line of questioning.

How To Cook Carrots

I now enjoy cooking carrots in all the forms and shapes. It is a great vegetable that can be made quickly, or you can take a little longer if you want all the bells and whistles.

We always have a bag of carrots in our fridge. Our kids loved snacking on them and adding them to their lunchboxes. I enjoy that they are versatile and that I can choose a method of cooking them or not (hello salads) based on my schedule and the season.

Whip up a batch at the start of the week, and you can add them to salads, sides, or snacks for the next few days.

I am fond of these Glazed Instant Pot Carrots as it reminds me of my gran but I also do like these Air Fryer Cinnamon Maple Glazed Carrot Fries.

Why Cook Carrots?

Carrots are packed with a powerhouse of nutrients. They’re full of fiber, beta-carotene and antioxidants, plus they offer a good dose of vitamins K and C. Cooking carrots makes them so much more digestible.

It doesn’t matter if you prefer them soft and tender or with a slight bite, you can choose the cooking method that fits your taste and schedule.

And further to that you can also choose to use fresh carrots, frozen carrots or even canned carrots. Did you know canned carrots are pre-cooked?

How To Cook Carrots In 5 Easy Ways

These five methods will help you cook them to perfection. From boiling to steaming and microwaving, there’s a cooking method that will work for your household.

1. Boiled Carrots

Boiling carrots is the simplest and quickest way to get soft, tender veggies.

In this How to Boil Carrots recipe, you’ll learn how to boil carrots perfectly, whether they’re fresh or frozen. This method is great for softening carrots for soups, stews, or even as a basic side dish. You can easily add butter and herbs after boiling for a quick dish.

2. Steamed Carrots

If you want to lock in the nutrients and natural sweetness of carrots, steaming is the way to go. This method keeps the carrot’s natural flavor intact, making it a great option for meal prepping or serving as a side. Learn more in this How to Steam Carrots guide.

3. Microwave Carrots

So, I have a confession to make, on busy nights this method is my ultimate hack. And the bonus is it works with fresh, frozen, or even canned carrots. Microwaving gets them ready in just a few minutes. Plus, you won’t need to use a bunch of dishes which is always the goal for busy weeknights.

4. Instant Pot Carrots

If you’re short on time but want perfectly tender and flavorful carrots, the Instant Pot is your new best friend.

This method locks in the flavor and makes cooking them fast and is really so convenient. In this Instant Pot Bourbon Glazed Carrots recipe, carrots are cooked with a sweet bourbon glaze that adds an irresistible flavor bomb.

5. Air Fryer Carrot Fries

For a crispy, healthy snack or side dish, the air fryer is my secret weapon. These Air Fryer Carrot Fries are perfectly seasoned and roasted with a crispy exterior. And we love that we don’t use loads of oil.

Basic Honey Carrots Recipe

This basic honey carrots recipe will take your simple carrots to another level. The combination of butter and honey makes these carrots a sweet and savory side dish that goes with so many meals.

Ingredients

• Carrots – You can peel the carrots or leave them as is. Be sure to wash them well.
• Butter – For some creamy flavor.
• Honey – To add a touch of sweetness.
• Salt and pepper – Add the desired amount on personal preference.

How To Cook Honey Carrots

1. Boil the carrots for about 7 minutes.
2. Once the carrots are boiled, drain them, and transfer them to a saucepan over low heat.
3. Add the butter, honey, salt, and pepper.
4. Cook the carrots for about 2-3 minutes, stirring often until they’re coated in the butter and honey mixture. Serve warm, and enjoy!

Expert Tips for Cooking Carrots

• Cut carrots evenly – If you want them to cook evenly, make sure they’re all cut to roughly the same size.
• Don’t overcook – Check your carrots frequently so they stay tender and don’t turn to mush.
• Season well – Carrots work well with a host of different flavors. We like to add fresh herbs, garlic powder, or a splash of balsamic vinegar.

Prep and Storage

• Prep – Peel and chop them into the size or shape, you need and store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. I also love to place them in water, as they last anything from 1-2 weeks. Just remember to change the water every few days.
• Store – Cooked carrots store well, so they’re great for meal prepping. Place any leftover carrots in an airtight container and store them in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat in the microwave or on the stovetop when you’re ready to eat.
• Freeze – You can also freeze cooked carrots for up to 3 months. Just make sure to let them cool completely before freezing. Reheat them straight from frozen, or thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.

FAQs

Similar Recipes

• Air Fryer Carrot Fries
• Instant Pot Carrot Soup
• Carrot Cake Muffins

Serve With

• Carrots always go down well with this Slow Cooker Whole Chicken.
• You can sneak these into this tasty Easy Pasta Sauce.
• And, lunch box alert, these Carrot Cake Muffins are so good.

Recommended Tools

• This awesome can opener to open cans at the push of a button.
• Great saucepans for some even cooking.
• A good set of spices and seasonings for additional flavor.
• For the best tools to help make your recipe even easier and more successful, check out my collection of the Best Kitchen Tools on Amazon.

Weight Watchers Points

There are 5 Blue Plan SmartPoints in one serving of this.

Thank you for reading my How To Cook Carrots recipe post. And please come visit again as I continue to slice, dice and dream up affordable Air Fryer recipes, Instant Pot recipes, Southern Recipes, and more. Thanks for supporting Recipes from a Pantry, food blog.