As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Simple sautéed carrots are gently caramelized with garlic and fresh herbs. An easy GF, vegan side dish perfect for family dinners, dinner parties, and holidays that’s ready in just 30 minutes.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Every home cook needs a list of go-to simple, no-fuss vegetable side dishes to complete any meal. Carrots, which are available year-round, incredibly affordable, and super versatile, are a great option. I’ve already shared sweet, glazed carrots, so today I’m all about this simple, savory, sautéed carrots recipe.
This easy carrot recipe teaches you how to cook carrots on the stove in just one pot, using a handful of inexpensive pantry ingredients. This 2-step recipe has you first par-boil/steam the carrots until tender, then sauté them with a little oil and garlic until caramelized. Finish them with fresh herbs, and voila! A tasty, crowd-pleasing side (that’s also naturally vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, and Paleo!).
I’ve even included several bonus seasoning ideas to customize these stovetop carrots to any meal or occasion. Looking for more ways to enjoy versatile carrots? Try carrot fries, carrot pasta sauce, raw carrot salad, and curried carrot ginger soup.
The Ingredients
Refer to the recipe card for the full list of ingredients, substitutes, and quantities.
Recipe Variations
- Other spices (like cinnamon, smoked paprika, cumin, and/or ginger powder)
- Red pepper flakes (or cayenne pepper/chili powder – for heat)
- Lemon juice OR balsamic vinegar (add a splash at the end for bright tang)
- Maple syrup or brown sugar (just a touch for subtle sweetness)
- Nuts/seeds (add crunch with toasted almonds, walnuts, pine nuts, sunflower seeds)
- Fresh herbs (add some finely minced thyme or rosemary)
- Sauteed carrots and broccoli (use small florets – they cook in a similar time frame)
How to Sauté Carrots
Step 1: Thoroughly rinse, then optionally peel and slice the carrots into ¼-inch slices (thin batons should also work)- slice on a bias if preferred. Transfer the carrot slices to a large saucepan with ¼ cup of water, salt, and pepper, and bring to a boil over high heat.
Step 2: Once boiling, cover with a lid, lower to a simmer, and cook for 5 minutes. Until the carrots are tender-crisp (only just cooked through). Uncover, add the oil, and gently mix. Increase the heat to a boil once more, and allow it to cook, uncovered, until all the water evaporates.
Step 3: Continue to cook until the carrots are tender and lightly caramelized (check after 1-2 minutes and every 30 seconds after). Finally, serve the pan-fried carrots sprinkled with fresh dill and more salt and pepper, to taste– Enjoy!
The exact cooking time will vary depending on the carrot thickness and pan heat.
FAQs
Yes, this simple carrot recipe will work with regular or rainbow carrots (the latter are perfect for presentation!). This recipe works with baby carrots, too.
No – as long as you scrub them well, the peels are fully edible (and contain several vitamins). They’re often removed for visual purposes.
Carrots are a humble yet nutrient-rich vegetable low in calories yet loaded with fiber, beta carotene, potassium, vitamin K1, and several antioxidants.
Recipe Pro Tips
- Use the best carrots: Medium-large carrots work best; firm and vibrant, with no soft/wrinkled spots and a crisp ‘snap’ (no bendy/rubbery texture).
- Cut even-sized pieces: So they cook uniformly.
- For the best caramelization: Don’t stir the carrots too much after the water has evaporated to provide time for the carrots to brown.
- Adjust the cooking time: Cook them slightly less/more based on how tender you prefer the carrots.
What To Serve With Sautéed Carrots
These pan-cooked carrots are a tasty, nutritious side dish for almost any main, including:
- Pasta dishes: Like vegan lasagna, vegan stuffed shells, cheesy vegan mac and cheese, etc.
- Pies: Like easy spinach polenta pie or mixed vegetable vegan pot pie.
- Protein: Grilled tofu steak recipe, pineapple glazed tofu ham, vegan fish sticks, tofu fried ‘chicken.’
- Casseroles: Like zucchini potato casserole, easy black bean quinoa casserole, vegetarian enchilada casserole, etc.
- Hearty mains: Like vegan lentil shepherd’s pie OR vegan meatloaf.
- On a holiday table: (Like Easter, Thanksgiving, or Christmas) Alongside vegan mashed potatoes, easy cornbread stuffing, vegan green bean casserole, etc.
Storage Instructions
Leave the sautéed carrots to cool, then store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 4-5 days.
You can also technically freeze them for 3-4 months in a Ziplock/Stasher. However, they’ll be very soft upon thawing (in the fridge overnight).
Reheat these skillet carrots either back on the stovetop over medium-low heat or in a microwave in 30-second increments, stirring between.
Simple Sautéed Carrots
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 pound of carrots
- ¼ cup of water
- 1 garlic clove minced
- ½ teaspoon of salt
- ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 3 tablespoons of olive oil
- 2 tablespoons of fresh dill minced
Instructions
- Slice the carrots into rounds about ¼-inch thick.
- Place the carrots in a large pan with a lid. Add ¼ cup of water, salt, and pepper. Bring to a boil, cover with the lid, lower the heat to a simmer, and cook for 5 minutes.
- Uncover, add the oil, and gently mix. Bring up the heat, boil, and allow it to cook uncovered until all of the water evaporates and the oil remains. Cook for another 1 or 2 minutes until some of the carrots at the bottom are beginning to lightly brown. Continue to cook until soft.
- Serve and sprinkle the fresh dill.
Notes
- Use the best carrots: Medium-large carrots work best; firm and vibrant, with no soft/wrinkled spots and a crisp ‘snap’ (no bendy/rubbery texture).
- Cut even-sized pieces: So they cook uniformly.
- For the best caramelization: Don’t stir the carrots too much after the water has evaporated to provide time for the carrots to brown.
- Adjust the cooking time: Cook them slightly less/more based on how tender you prefer the carrots.
Nutrition
Disclaimer: Although plantbasedonabudget.com attempts to provide accurate nutritional information, kindly note that these are only estimates. Nutritional information may be affected based on the product type, the brand that was purchased, and in other unforeseeable ways. Plantbasedonabudget.com will not be held liable for any loss or damage resulting for your reliance on nutritional information. If you need to follow a specific caloric regimen, please consult your doctor first.
