How To Cook Frozen Carrots Recipe

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Want to whip up a batch of delicious frozen carrots at a moment’s notice with minimal effort? Well, when you learn how to cook frozen carrots you certainly can! And with no prep, no thawing, and in about 10 minutes. 

Like this How To Cook Frozen Brussels Sprouts post, this post is the complete guide to cooking carrots, with lots of hints and tips on how to get it perfect every single time. They come out fork tender and their natural sweetness shines through.

These are a perfect side dish for any main dish, weeknight dinners, and holiday meal like Thanksgiving, Christmas, Easter, and more.

Also, you will love these delicious Boiled Carrots, easy Steamed Carrots, these quick Microwave Carrots, and these sweet glazed Instant Pot Carrots or crispy Air Fryer Carrots. #carrotsforthewin

Why Make This Recipe

• Easy side dish – Cooking frozen carrots is simple to do with your favorite kitchen appliance. 
• Fast – This vegetable side dish is ready in just minutes and turns out juicy and flavorful – so minimal cook time. 
• Budget friendly – this frozen vegetable is highly affordable.
• Enjoy all year – These are so easy to cook all year round, and keeping some on hand is a great way to preserve your own carrots or fresh ones from a farmer’s market when they are plentiful. 
• Diets – this recipe is gluten free, vegan, vegetarian, plant-based, Paleo, Whole30 and dairy free.

Ingredient Notes

• Frozen Carrots – You could also freeze fresh carrots when in season to use all year long. Feel free to use regular cut or frozen crinkle cut carrots.
• Butter – This is optional, but adds amazing oomph.
• Salt – Sprinkle with salt or other seasonings, as desired.

What Are Frozen Carrots?

These start out as fresh raw carrots, which are then flash frozen, thereby preserving a lot of their minerals, natural vitamins, and taste. Find this root vegetable in the freezer section of the grocery store.

Head on to the post on How Long To Boil A Whole Chicken or this How Long To Boil Chicken Tenders post as combined with the carrots you have a complete meal.

How To Cook Frozen Carrots

Get the complete ingredients list and instructions from the recipe card below.

1. Bring a medium saucepan of salted water to a rolling boil over medium heat.
2. Place frozen carrots into the boiling water. 
3. Return the water to a boil and cook for 4-6 minutes until tender to your liking. 
4. Drain carefully, top cooked carrots with butter, season with salt, as desired, and serve. 

Cook Using A Steamer

1. Add water into a saucepan and bring water to a boil.
2. Add carrots to a steamer basket, place the basket on top of the saucepan, and cover.
3. Cook for 4-6 minutes, then test for doneness.
4. Cook for a few more minutes if needed.
5. When done, decant into a serving dish and add any flavorings.

Cook In The Microwave

1. Place a quarter cup of water in the bottom of a microwave-safe dish or bowl.
2. Place the frozen carrots into the bowl. 
3. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap, leaving a small space on the edge for steam to escape.
4. Microwave on high for 2 minutes (depending on size), stir, and then keep cooking for 30 seconds intervals until heated through and tender to your liking.

How To Cook Frozen Carrots In the Oven

Get the complete ingredients list and instructions from the recipe card below.

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F / 200 degrees C  / gas mark 6.
2. Add frozen veggies to a lined baking sheet and mix with 2 tablespoons olive oil and salt plus any extra seasoning you prefer. Mix well.
3. Make sure carrots are in a single layer.
4. Bake for 20 – 25 minutes, turning halfway through.
5. Cook until the corn on the cob is defrosted and cooked through – time depends on the size of the corn.
6. Let stand a few minutes to cool down before serving, then eat away.

Cook In Air Fryer

1. Preheat air fryer to 400 degrees F / 200 degrees C.
2. Mix frozen carrots with 1 1/2 tablespoons oil and seasonings to your preference.
3. Air fry for 8-10 minutes or until sizzling, turning halfway through.
4. Head on over to this post for tips and tricks on how to cook frozen vegetables in the air fryer.

How To Cook Frozen Carrots In Instant Pot

1. Add 1 cup of water to the Instant Pot insert.
2. Place the steamer basket inside the Instant Pot insert and then add the frozen vegetable slices to it. 
3. Select the pressure cook or manual button (dependent upon IP model), select high pressure, and set the timer to 0 minutes.
4. As soon as the pressure cooker comes to pressure and beeps, do a quick pressure release. When complete, remove the lid and let the vegetables cool by transferring to a container and letting them stand.
5. Season and serve.

Recipe Tips And Variations

• When microwaving these, make sure to leave a vent space in the wrap that is covering the dish. 
• Don’t freeze after it has been thoroughly cooked, as it could become mushy. 
• You only need a little water when microwaving these.
• Not a fan of plastic wrap? Cover the dish with a microwave-safe plate when microwaving. 
• Adjust cooking time, longer for softer ones and shorter for firmer ones.
• Cook straight from frozen to avoid the veggies going mushy.
• To make honey glazed carrots add honey, butter, and any seasonings to a saucepan of drained carrots over medium high heat and cook until glazed.

Flavor Ideas

Now that you know how to cook frozen carrots, why not have fun and add extra flavor? Try some of the ingredients from the list below;

• melted butter or olive oil
• toss in maple syrup or honey (if not vegan)
• salt and pepper
• or just freshly ground black pepper
• fresh herbs such as thyme, parsley, dill, and oregano
• sweet brown sugar glaze, or coconut sugar, or cinnamon sugar
• spices like red pepper flakes
• Greek seasoning or ranch seasoning
• garlic powder or onion powder
• Nutmeg or cinnamon

Storage

•  Store – Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container covered inside the fridge for up to 4 days. 
• Freeze – We don’t recommend refreezing as the texture may become mushy. 
• Reheat – with a little olive oil in a saucepan or skillet over medium heat.

More Recipes You May Like

For more tips and trick check out my learn to cook guides.

Want more tasty, quick, and easy recipes for other vegetables and steamed vegetable recipes? Then check out these below.

• How To Cook Frozen Corn On The Cob.
• How To Cook Frozen Broccoli.
• How To Cook Frozen Brussel Sprouts.
• Air Fryer Frozen Vegetables
• Air Fryer Frozen Corn On The Cob.

Recommended Tools

• An awesome saucepan for even cooking.
• An Instant Pot.

Weight Watchers Points

Skip topping with butter, and there are 0 Blue Plan SmartPoints in one serving of this.

Thank you for reading my How to Cook Frozen Carrots 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.

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