Jump to Recipe Print Recipe
These grilled baby carrots are proof that life is always better with a delicious grilled side dish on your dinner plate! This easy, healthy, grilled carrots are one of our favorite healthy side dishes!
Normally, you’d fire up the grill and cook some thick, juicy steaks or burgers. But I’m going to show you how delicious your side dishes can be when you cook them on the grill too!
Are Grilled Baby Carrots Healthy?
You betcha! Grilling carrots brings out all the delicious flavors of these yummy veggies without adding too much fat or other unwanted ingredients. This clean eating dish is about as simple as it gets!
FAQs
Who knew there could be so many questions about baby carrots?! Here are the answers to the most commonly asked questions about this delicious root veggie.
How Are Baby Carrots Made?
Believe it or not, baby carrots are made, not grown. That is to say, they don’t grow into the shape of a baby carrot. Baby carrots are larger carrots that are cut by machine into smaller, uniform pieces. Leftover “shavings” typically end up in cattle feed.
Can You Grill Baby Carrots?
Yes! And the recipe below will show you how!
The Best Baby Carrots To Grill
The truth is, any type of baby carrot will grill wonderfully. You can use a bag of orange baby carrots, or get fancy with multi-colored carrots where available. You can even use larger carrots and cut them into smaller pieces yourself.
How Long Does It Take To Make Baby Carrots Soft?
Boiling – 7-10 minutes.
Roasting – 18-22 minutes (at 425 F.)
Grilling – Up to 30 minutes. (But worth the wait!)
Can You Cook Carrots With The Skin On?
You can! You don’t have to peel carrots at all. However, if you don’t peel them, you’ll want to give them a good scrub under clean water to make sure there is no dirt left behind.
Do Packaged Baby Carrots Need To Be Washed?
Yes and no. It’s rare for baby carrots to have any actual pathogens on them. But if they do, simply rinsing them in water won’t get rid of them. That being said, it’s not really necessary to wash packaged baby carrots, though you can if you feel more comfortable doing so.
How Do You Keep Baby Carrots Crisp?
The best way is to store them in water, in the fridge, in an airtight container. Then simply dry them before use.
Can You Rehydrate Old Carrots?
In theory, yes. If you have older, wrinkly carrots, you can soak them in water to help rehydrate them. Hot water works best. However, once your carrots get to this point, it’s worth considering either tossing them or composting them.
Do You Need To Peel Carrots Before Roasting?
No. If you are using store-bought baby carrots, they are already peeled anyway. If you are cutting up large carrots at home, the choice is yours. If you don’t peel them, just be sure the clean your carrots really well.
How To Store Baby Carrots In The Refrigerator
You have two choices.
- Store them in water.
- Store them in a container.
Should I Store My Baby Carrots In Water?
Storing baby carrots in water is the best way to preserve them for the longest time possible.
How long do baby carrots last in water?
While the timing will vary, on average, then will last 3-4 weeks if stored in an airtight container with water.
Should I Store My Baby Carrots In A Container?
You can, yes. The best way to do this is to wrap them in a paper towel, and then place them in a container with an airtight lid.
How Long Do Baby Carrots Last In A Container?
If stored in an airtight container with a paper towel, they will last you up to 3 weeks.
Recipe Notes
- Cooking times will vary based on the temperature of your grill. 30 minutes is an approximate time.
- These little buggers really hold their heat! Cooling them for a bit before eating them is a wise decision.
What To Serve Grilled Baby Carrots With
These grilled baby carrots will pair nicely with just about anything you cook on the barbecue. But we enjoyed these with somegrilled citrus chicken. Delicious! You can also try:
- Potatoes
- Chicken
- Beef
- Pork
- Turkey
- Lamb
- Other vegetables such as corn or potatoes
Recipe Variations And Garnishes
You can top these off with garnishes. This will not only change the flavors to keep things interesting but will make a nice presentation as well. We eat with our eyes first! While the carrots typically have their own natural sweetness, drizzling a little honey or maple syrup over them for a light glaze will really enhance that.
- Balsamic vinegar
- Soy sauce
- Maple syrup
- Honey
- Fresh thyme
- Fresh rosemary (or any fresh herbs you enjoy)
- Fresh lemon juice
- Flavored salt
- Ranch dressing
- Vinaigrette dressing
About The Ingredients
Baby carrots– You can purchase baby carrots, or simply cut large or medium carrots into 2-inch pieces.
Black pepper
Onion granules– Or onion powder.
Garlic powder – Or garlic powder.
Oil– Any oil you prefer. Avocado oil is particularly good for cooking at higher temperatures.
How To Make Grilled Baby Carrots
Place all ingredients inside a large, plastic, zipper-top bag or large mixing bowl.
Toss them well to coat the carrots with oil and spices.
Place a piece of aluminum foil on the BBQ grill and place your carrots on that. Spread them out so that they are in a single layer. (You can also use a barbecue skillet, grill basket, or cast-iron skillet). Close the lid on the grill and allow to cook for about 30 minutes, stirring occasionally with BBQ tongs. Cook until they are fork tender.
Storage
Keep leftovers in the fridge in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
Freezing
If you want to freeze leftovers, wrap them up well and then place them in an airtight container. Store in the freezer for up to 3 months.
Reheating
Thaw in the fridge for at least 24 hours.
To reheat, you can warm these in the microwave, or in a skillet on your stovetop. (Or on your grill over low heat.)
Recipe Supplies
For this recipe, you’ll need either aluminum foil or a grill skillet, or a grill top pan and some tongs or a metal spatula. What you use will depend on how you want to cook these. A grill top pan is perfect for a gas grill. Simply set it on your grill grate and cook like it’s your stovetop. Same for a charcoal grill, though I often prefer to use a cast iron grill pan for that.
More Grilled Vegetable Recipes
- Grilled Zucchini
- Grilled Zucchini Salad
Grilled Baby Carrots Recipe Card
Grilled Baby Carrots
Enjoy this delicious side dish with just about anything you can cook on the barbecue!
4.60 from 5 votes
Print Pin Rate Add to Collection
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: American
Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes minutes
Servings: 8 servings
Calories: 69kcal
Ingredients
- 2 lbs. organic baby carrots
- 1 tsp. black pepper
- 1 tbsp. onion powder
- 1 tbsp. garlic powder
- 1 tbsp. olive oil
US Customary – Metric
Instructions
Place all ingredients inside a large, plastic, zipper-top bag or large mixing bowl.
Toss them well to coat the carrots with oil and spices.
Place a piece of aluminum foil on the BBQ grill and place your carrots on that. Spread them out so that they are in a single layer. (You can also use a barbecue skillet or cast-iron skillet). Close the lid on the grill and allow to cook for about 30 minutes, stirring occasionally with BBQ tongs. Cook until they are soft and easily pierced with a fork.
Notes
Please note that the nutrition data below is a ballpark figure. Exact data is not possible.
Nutrition
Serving: 2oz. | Calories: 69kcal | Carbohydrates: 12g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 2g | Sodium: 91mg | Potassium: 317mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 15640IU | Vitamin C: 3.4mg | Calcium: 48mg | Iron: 1.2mg
This recipe from the Gracious Pantry archives, originally posted 4/7/11.
