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We need to talk about how amazing can-do carrots are. Yes, carrots. There aren’t many other vegetables that can be equally tasty served alongside a roast chicken as they can be baked into a cake that’s piled with cream cheese frosting. It’s time for carrots to get the recognition they deserve.
From classic glazed carrots to a pot of cozy carrot soup to muffins, cake, and more, here are 50 carrot recipes that cover all the bases.
Sides, Salads, and Starters
Carrots make for a colorful side dish or unique appetizer, whether roasted, glazed, shredded for a crunchy salad, or blended into a creamy dip. If you bought that bag of rainbow carrots, you can have even more fun with how the final dish looks.
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Carrot SaladThis mayo-dressed, raisin-studded salad is a simple mix of kitchen staples, making it the easy, delicious cookout side you need.
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Quick Pickled CarrotsMeet the spicy pickled carrots that are about to forever change your Taco Tuesday or even just your snack-dinner Wednesday. These crunchy, spicy, tangy pickles are made for serving with (or on top of) Mexican staples like tacos and enchiladas, or even just alongside a cold beer.
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Baby Beet and Carrot Salad with Herbed Yogurt RanchThis salad makes the best of spring's most colorful arrivals, combining tender beets, quick-roasted carrots, and tangy beet greens. A creamy ranch-style dressing made with Greek yogurt, green onions, and herbs brings it all together for a salad that’s both fresh and hearty.
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Tangy Carrot SlawThis slaw makes a light, flavorful lunch on its own but also begs to be paired with a simple roast chicken for dinner.
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Carrot SouffléPuréed carrots, eggs, milk, and cheddar cheese get blended into a soufflé base that puffs beautifully into a light, airy, almost custard-like side dish.
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Classic Glazed CarrotsWhether you reserve this side dish for Thanksgiving or eat it all year long, glazed carrots are a classic that will never go out of style.
Go to Recipe Mains for Lunch and Dinner
Carrots become part of the main attraction when they’re tossed with pasta or tucked alongside a roast.
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Carrot Ribbon FettuccineThe carrots lighten this pasta dish a bit, but it’s super satisfying! The sauce is simply olive oil, lemon juice, and Parmesan. Garnish with a bit of basil and lemon zest (and more cheese, if you wish!) — it’s a fresh and filling main course.
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One-Pot Farro with Carrots and ChickpeasHere, farro forms the base for one of the fastest feel-good meals we know. Cook the farro in a big pot, stir in protein-packed chickpeas and a bag of seasoned frozen carrots, and you’ve got a three-ingredient dinner that’s ready in 20 minutes.
Go to Recipe 14 / 14
Shaved Beet & Carrot Salad with Sumac & DillThis salad is perfect for fall and winter when root vegetables are in abundance. Since both beets and carrots can be rather tough raw, slice the beets and carrots as thinly as possible (using either a mandoline or your hands) to create a delicious crunch.
Go to Recipe Sweet Breakfasts & Desserts
Carrot cake is classic, sure, but carrots can dabble in other sweets too, like muffins, scones, and even cookies!
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Carrot HalwaCarrot halwa is an Indian dessert made with grated carrots, whole milk, dried fruit, and nuts, and it has a delicious light-yet-fudgy texture.
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Spiced Carrot Oat CookiesThese breakfast cookies are naturally sweetened with maple syrup and loaded with oats, walnuts, shredded carrots, and raisins — making them perfect for a quick breakfast.
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Upside-Down Carrot CakeThis version takes the classic upside-down cake and turns it on its head. Very thinly sliced carrots form the pretty, striped top. It might not have cream cheese frosting, but it’s got pizzazz.
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Carrot Quick BreadThis moist carrot quick bread is flecked with warm notes of cinnamon and nutmeg, loaded up with cups of shredded carrot, and topped with a glaze made with powdered sugar and yogurt.
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Carrot Cake Coffee Cake with Cream Cheese GlazeSpiced with fragrant cinnamon, studded with carrots and walnuts, and finished with both a crumble topping and a cream cheese drizzle, this updated twist brings together all the things I love about carrot cake and marries it with a classic coffee cake.
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