35 Awesome Carrot Side Dish Recipes You Need to Try

Carrots are one of the most beloved vegetables for a reason—they are versatile, affordable, and packed with nutrients. Whether preparing a weeknight dinner, hosting a holiday feast, or planning a special celebration, carrot side dish recipes can elevate your meal to the next level.

Last year, in my garden, I grew the best carrot crop ever. I had so many excess carrots, but I didn’t have that many recipes to use them. I decided to compile carrot recipes to help make the most of my carrot harvest. I chose 35 awesome carrot side dish recipes you need to try.

With their natural sweetness and vibrant color, carrots bring both flavor and visual appeal to the table. I hope you can find some recipes from this collection to enjoy with your family and guests!

Nutrition and Health Benefits of Carrots

• Carrots are packed with nutrients
• Carrots are healthy
• Carrots are versatile

Carrots are a nutrient-rich vegetable, high in fiber, vitamin K, and antioxidants.

They are also known to support eye health because of high beta-carotene content, which the body converts to vitamin A.

You can use carrots in so many different kinds of ways. Try using carrots in a variety of carrot side dish recipes, including salads, soups, and dips.

Baked and Roasted Carrot Recipes

There’s lots of roasted and baked carrot recipes to choose from:

1) Carrot Casserole (with Stove Top Stuffing)

This carrot casserole is fast and easy because it uses Stovetop Stuffing Mix and cream of celery soup. The melted cheese really makes this dish special! Top it off with optional green onions.

2) Easy Oven Roasted Carrots

This easy roasted carrot recipe features thyme and fresh chopped parsley. Prep time is only 5 minutes!

3) The Best Hot Honey Carrots

This recipe uses baby carrots with honey and sriracha to add a kick of heat. These carrots make the perfect side dish for any meal.

4) Sheet Pan Garlic Parmesan Roasted Carrots

These roasted carrots combine unsalted butter, garlic, parmesan cheese, and rosemary with freshly ground black pepper. Top it off with fresh parsley. This recipe is quick and easy to make!

5) Roasted Garlic Butter Carrots

Here’s another quick roasted carrot recipe that is sure to please and is perfect for nights when you don’t have too much time. It’s only 5 minutes of prep time and 25 minutes in the oven for this side dish.

6) Roasted Cauliflower and Carrots

Carrots are paired with cauliflower in this side dish. Olive oil, spices, and lemon juice carnalize in the oven for a delicious, tangy, and slightly spicy flavor.

7) Roasted Potatoes and Carrots

Here’s a simple recipe that pairs carrots with potatoes with minced garlic, olive, and fresh rosemary or thyme. This dish is a perfect side dish for most meals.

Glazed Carrots

Here are glazed carrot recipes for those who prefer a sweeter take on this root vegetable:

8) Miso Glazed Carrots

Liven up your meal with these glazed whole carrots. The glaze perfectly balances sweet and sour using maple syrup and sriracha. Garnish with green onions and sesame seeds.

9) 15-Minute Honey Glazed Carrots

This easy 15-minute carrot recipe uses baby carrots with a glaze made with melted butter, honey, and brown sugar. This delicious side dish is fast to make on nights when your time is limited.

10) Maple Bourbon Glazed Carrots

This glazed carrot side recipe uses olive oil, bourbon, and maple syrup for the glaze. Sprinkle with sea salt and fresh chives for a perfect touch.

11) Honey Glazed Carrots

These honey-glazed carrots would make the perfect side for a roast or roasted chicken dinner. It uses fresh herbs and garlic and is quick to prepare. Roasts in the over for 30-35 minutes.

12) Instant Pot Glazed Carrots

Here’s a recipe for those with an Instant Pot. These brown sugar and honey-glazed carrots are a snap to make. Garnish with fresh parsley.

Carrot-Based Soups

Soup is another way you can serve carrots. Here are a few carrot soup recipes to try:

13) Spicy Carrot Soup

Try carrot soup for those cold fall and winter days. Make this soup by heating onion, garlic, and ginger in olive oil. You’ll add in turmeric, cumin, and red chili powder. Then you’ll boil the mixture with vegetable broth until the carrots are soft. You can use an immersion blender to make the soup smooth.

14) Vegan Roasted Carrot Soup with Lentils

This soup uses roasted carrots, red lentils, and Moroccan spices for a perfectly balanced flavor. You’ll use an immersion blender or food processor to create a smooth, creamy texture.

15) Carrot Ginger Soup

Here’s another carrot soup option to try. This one is flavored with ginger, red onion, and garlic. It uses curry and chili powder for the perfect amount of heat. An immersion blender is used to create this creamy soup.

Stovetop Carrot Dishes

These stovetop carrot dishes are quick, flavorful, and perfect for a weeknight meal or when you need to make dinner fast:

16) Quick and Easy Brown Buttered Carrots and Peas Recipe

Need a fast carrot recipe using a few ingredients? This recipe is simple, delicious, and only uses five ingredients.

17) Sauteed Carrots

This is another fast and easy carrot recipe using just a few ingredients. The carrots are crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. Use chopped, fresh herbs sprinkled on top.

18) Buttered Dill Peas and Carrots

This carrot side dish goes great with practically anything. It has peas, carrots, and a hint of dill for a flavorful side dish.

Fresh Carrot Side Dishes

Here are some ideas for using raw carrots:

19) Asian Carrot Salad in Sesame Dressing

This Asian salad is quick, delicious, and very colorful. Grated carrots, pistachios, and coriander are mixed in a sesame dressing.

20) Carrot, Daikon Radish and Sesame Seeds Salad

Grated carrots and radishes are mixed with three different kinds of seeds, lemon juice, and green chili. This carrot dish would go great with a fish dinner or sandwiches.

21) Carrots Cucumber Salad Recipe: Light and Crunchy

If you want a crunchy carrot salad that’s oil-free, then this is the salad you should try! Besides carrots, it has plenty of cucumbers and red onions. It’s all tossed with rice wine vinegar, sesame seeds and cilantro.

22) Raw Carrot and Coconut Salad with Cranberries

This next carrot salad is colorful because of the coconut, cranberries, and fresh parsley. It’s topped off with a honey-lemon oil dressing.

23) Crunchy Cucumber Carrot Salad

This healthy salad features zucchini and cucumbers in an olive oil and balsamic vinegar dressing. Fresh parsley gives it an extra pop of flavor.

Mashed and Pureed Carrot Dishes

Here are some mashed and pureed carrot dishes to try out:

24) Swede and Carrot Mash

This British side dish complements various meat dishes, especially roasts. This dish combines cooked carrots, swede (Rutabaga), butter, and salt and pepper. The result is a creamy and flavorful puree.

25) Dutch Root Vegetable Mash

Dutch root vegetable mash is a one-pot stew containing carrots, onions, and potatoes. You can also add optional ham or bacon for a hardier dish. It’s a great comfort meal for colder days.

26) Mashed Carrot and Parsnip Recipe

This mashed carrot side dish is creamy and delicious, with the addition of parsnips for a slightly sweet and nutty flavor. It’s easy to make and goes well with any main course.

27) Carrot Smoothie

Here’s a great way to start your day with a boost of vitamins and minerals. This carrot smoothie is easy to make. This recipe uses carrot, banana, honey, and milk which are blended together with ice in a blender.

Unique Carrot Dishes

Here’s a collection of unique carrot dishes:

28) Keto Carrot Cake Pancakes

Start your morning with Keto carrot pancakes for a healthy and delicious breakfast. These pancakes are made with almond flour, shredded carrots, eggs, and the warm spices of cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves. It’s a delicious alternative to traditional pancakes.

29) Pickled Mexican Hot Carrots

Pickled Mexican hot carrots make a great addition to salsa and chips or Taco night. This recipe combines carrots, onions, jalapenos, and garlic. Pickle them, and they will stay good for a month in the refrigerator.

30) Carrot Dogs

Carrot dogs are an interesting alternative to regular hot dogs. Marinade-cooked carrots in a savory blend of vinegar, vegetable broth, maple syrup, and spices. Then grill or bake until tender. Serve with your favorite condiments.

31) Carrot Chutney

Carrot chutney can be used as a dip, sandwich spread, or marinade. It’s made with carrots, coconut, chilies, urad dal (black lentils) and mustard seeds.

32) Ginger Carrot Quinoa Stuffed Peppers

This is a unique twist on stuffed peppers. Carrots are juiced and boiled with quinoa and are then mixed with black beans and sautéed ginger, broccoli, onions, and peppers. The peppers are then baked for 30 minutes.

33) Carrot and Potato Fritters 

This dish is a great dinner side or can be served with breakfast. Grated carrots and potatoes are mixed with flour, eggs, and spices and then fried to create crispy fritters. You can serve them with sour cream, yogurt, or tzatziki sauce.

34) Roasted Carrot Hummus with Canned Chickpeas

Here’s a variation on traditional hummus. This dish is made with roasted carrots, canned chickpeas, tahini, garlic, lemon juice, and spices. Serve with pita chips or fresh vegetables.

35) Carrot Dip

This creamy dip is quick to make and delicious. Carrots are boiled and then blended with garlic, ginger, oil, almonds, lime and spices. Serve with crackers or vegetables.

Carrot Desserts

Carrots are a wonderfully versatile ingredient that shines in dessert recipes, adding natural sweetness and moisture to baked goods.

Popular choices include classic carrot cake, fluffy carrot muffins, or carrot bars.

Check out my post on carrot dessert recipes for more inspiration: 24 Easy Carrot Dessert Recipes Your Family Will Love.

Other Creative Ways to Use Carrots

• Shred them into salads or slaws
• Blend them into smoothies or juices
• Spiralize them for noodle dishes

Additional Ways to Cook and Enjoy Carrots

Aside from roasting and glazing, there are many other ways to cook and enjoy carrot side dish recipes. Some of these include:

Steaming

This is a simple and healthy way to cook carrots, as they retain most nutrients. Put carrots in a steamer basket over boiling water for about 5 minutes.

Boiling

Another easy way to cook carrots is by boiling them. This method is great if you want softer, more tender carrots. Boil for 10-15 minutes until tender.

Grilling

For a different flavor profile, try grilling carrots. Cut them lengthwise or into rounds, brush them with olive oil and seasonings, and place them on a hot grill for about 10 minutes.

Stir-Frying

Add some color and crunch to your stir-fries by including sliced or chopped carrots. Add them towards the end of cooking so they don’t overcook.

Tips for Using Carrots

• Look for carrots that are firm and not wilted or cracked.
• Choose smaller, thinner carrots for roasting and grilling, as they tend to be sweeter.
• Larger carrots are great for soups and stews as they hold their shape better when cooked.
• To prevent discoloration, blanch sliced or chopped carrots in boiling water for 2 minutes before using.
• Use rainbow carrots for a visually appealing dish.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What does carrot pair well with? Carrots pair well with various pantry items such as as honey, ginger, citrus, herbs like thyme and rosemary, and spices like cumin and paprika. They also go well with other root vegetables like sweet potatoes and parsnips.
2. What enhances carrot flavor? Roasting, grilling, and glazing with honey or maple syrup can enhance the natural sweetness of carrots. Adding a bit of salt also brings out their flavor.
3. What veggies pair well with carrots? Carrots pair well with other vegetables, such as broccoli, cauliflower, and peas, in stir-fries and roasted vegetable medleys. They also work well in soups and stews alongside potatoes, onions, and celery.
4. What protein pairs well with carrots? Carrots go well with protein options like chicken, beef, and pork in hearty dishes like stews and casseroles. They also pair well with seafood like shrimp or salmon in lighter meals.

Conclusion to Carrot Side Dish Recipes

Carrots offer endless opportunities to bring vibrant color and delicious flavor to your meals.

I encourage you to try side dishes with carrots and experiment with new seasonings, cooking methods, and pairings to create unique dishes that delight your taste buds. Whether you are planning a simple family meal or hosting a special gathering, carrot side dishes are sure to impress.

Don’t forget to share your favorite carrot side dish recipes—I’d love to hear them!