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This article was reviewed by Jennifer Levasseur. Chef Jennifer Levasseur is a Personal Chef and the Owner of The Happy Cuisiniere based in Breckenridge, Colorado. She has over 12 years of culinary experience and specializes in Mountain and Contemporary Rustic cuisine. Moreover, she can craft dishes and modify menus to accommodate dietary restrictions, such as gluten-free, vegetarian, vegan, pescatarian, and dairy-free diets. In addition to a Bachelor’s degree in Marketing and Management from the University of Houston, Chef Jennifer holds Associate’s degrees in Culinary Arts and Baking & Pastry Arts from Houston Community College.
There are 12 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page.
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The method used to cook or prepare your carrots has a bearing on which seasoning works best to bring out their flavor characteristics. By choosing flavors that highlight or intensify the sweetness, freshness or woodiness of carrots, you can make the most of them in any meal.
Seasoning Carrots
The best seasonings for carrots are garlic salt, pepper, and kosher salt. Herbs like rosemary, parsley, cumin, anise, and cardamom are fabulous pairings. Butter adds savory fat to carrots, and brown sugar adds a delightful sweetness.
Steps
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Choose seasonings that are traditionally used with carrots. The most versatile seasonings that pair well with carrots, regardless of how they are cooked, are garlic salt, kosher salt and pepper.- If you are trying to stay on the healthier side, use Mrs. Dash original or garlic and herb seasoning.
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Use herbs and spices. There are various herbs that go really well with carrots. These include:[1]- For some additional flavor, it's great to add rosemary. This brings out the earthy flavor in the carrots.
- Parsley is a wonderful partner for carrots. This is an umbelliferous, relative of the carrot and helps to intensify the flavor. Cumin, coriander and dill are other plant relatives that match well with carrots.
- Anise is a great addition to carrots. Star anise brings out a fresh, woody flavor in carrots.
- Add a little cumin for a slightly spicy heat.
- Add cardamom to make carrot desserts, such as Indian carrot halwa or halwa dessert.
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Sweeten carrots. If the carrots are fresh, bring out their sweetness by adding some of the following suggestions.
- Carrots go well with orange, either for savory or sweet dishes. They help to increase the sweetness in a pleasant way. Other citrus, such as lemon, can enhance the carrot flavors too.[2]
- Add a little brown sugar to carrots to bring out the sweetness in carrots. Add one teaspoon of butter to 2 tablespoons of brown sugar in a pan and melt together gently; add boiled or fried carrots and coat well.[3]
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Toss in some olive oil when roasting carrots. This adds great flavor and also helps to keep the moisture in the carrots.[4]
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Roast with parsnips. Related to the carrot, both vegetables intensify each other's flavor in a wonderful way.[5]
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Caramelize carrots when roasting. Add lots of butter and sliced shallots to keep the carrots moist and tasty during roasting.
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Add sauteed onions to carrots. Either sautée the carrots as well, or cook in another way and add the sauteed onions when dishing up.[6]
- Combining sugar-sweetened carrots and sauteed onions will make a sweet-and-savory dish.
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Use some of the herbs suggested above. Fresh parsley is a tasty combination in a carrot salad.
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Grate apple and carrot for a sweet children's salad. Mix with a little salad oil and lemon juice for a complete salad.[7]
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Make a carrot and cabbage salad. You could make a coleslaw but even making a salad with just these two ingredients will be great; they complement each other perfectly, the sweetness of carrot toning down the stronger bite of cabbage. Both vegetables should be fresh and crunchy, ideal for a nice salad.[8]
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Mix carrot and celery together for well balanced salad flavors. Add a favorite dressing to complete the salad.[9]
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Mix grated carrot with shredded coconut. A simple salad with a very effective flavor.[10]
This is a tasty way to season and serve carrots.
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Gather the ingredients. You'll need:
- 2 cups carrots, cut into thin wedges
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/8 teaspoon flavored salt
- Pinch ground pepper
- Spray butter.
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Prepare the baking sheet. Grease with either butter spray or cooking oil. Preheat the oven to 350ºF/180ºC.
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Mix the seasoning ingredients together (garlic powder, salt and pepper). Set aside.
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Spread the carrot wedges across the baking sheet. Do not overlap them; ensure that they are all sitting in a single layer.
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Spray the carrot wedges with spray butter.
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Sprinkle the seasoning over the wedges. Keep it evenly distributed.
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Place in the oven. Bake for 16 to 25 minutes.[11]
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Serve immediately.
Expert Q&A
Video
Tips
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Sweet, fresh young carrots are best eaten without any or many seasonings, as they'll have a wonderful flavor of their own; enhance with a dollop of butter or drizzle of olive oil and a little salt and pepper.Thanks
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Carrot or lemon zest can be sprinkled over roasted carrots just before serving.Thanks
Things You'll Need
Seasoned carrot fries:
- Kitchen knife and cutting board
- Baking sheet
- Oven mitts
References
- ↑ https://www.onegreenplanet.org/vegan-food/how-to-match-the-right-herbs-and-spices-with-the-right-vegetables/
- ↑ https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/24773/orange-glazed-carrots/
- ↑ https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/107344/sweet-baby-carrots/
- ↑ https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ina-garten/roasted-carrots-recipe-1940444
- ↑ https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ina-garten/roasted-parsnips-and-carrots-recipe-1949073
- ↑ https://www.veggie-quest.com/2011/02/midweek-dash-easy-sauteed-carrots-with/
- ↑ https://www.simplyrecipes.com/recipes/classic_carrot_salad/
- ↑ https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1013029-shredded-red-cabbage-and-carrot-salad
- ↑ https://www.realsimple.com/food-recipes/browse-all-recipes/carrot-celery-slaw-yogurt-dressing
- ↑ https://thehealthyfoodie.com/carrot-salad/
- ↑ https://www.food.com/recipe/oven-baked-carrot-fries-413832
- Carrot matching guidance from Niki Segnit, The Flavour Thesaurus, ISBN 978-0-7475-9977-7
About This Article
Seasoning carrots is a great way to help bring out their flavor. For a simple and versatile seasoning, stick with salt, pepper, and garlic. For an herbier taste, add rosemary, parsley, cumin, or coriander. Or, to bring out their fresh, woody flavor, add some anise. If you’re roasting your carrots, toss them in olive oil first. This will help keep the moisture in them. To bring out the sweetness in your carrots, season them with orange or lemon juice or a little brown sugar and butter. You can also add cardamom to make carrot deserts, like Indian carrot halwa. For more tips, including how to season carrot fries, read on!
Reader Success Stories
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"Thanks so much, I usually have plain carrots and its getting rather boring, can't wait to try this out!"
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