If you’re in search of a quick, simple, and healthy way to cook carrots that tastes delicious, look no further than this easy Sautéed Carrots recipe! These carrots are perfectly tender and offer the ideal balance of sweet and savory flavors.
How to Make Sauteed Carrots
Ingredients:
- Carrots: These are packed with vitamin A and potassium. You’ll need 2 pounds for this recipe, which makes 6 servings, perfect for meal prep. Adjust the quantity based on your needs.
- Unsalted Butter or Coconut Oil: Using about ½ tablespoon per pound of carrots gives them a delicious flavor without tasting like “diet” food. For a vegan option, use coconut oil, which adds a rich and satisfying taste.
- Honey or Pure Maple Syrup: Both are delightful with carrots, enhancing their natural sweetness. Honey is used most often, but maple syrup offers a fun flavor change and is also a good vegan option.
- Herbs: Use whatever you have on hand. A tablespoon or two adds freshness and enhances the carrots’ flavor. Parsley or thyme are recommended, as they complement the carrots well (similar to Sautéed Mushrooms).
How to Cook Carrots on the Stove Top: Boiling and Steaming
Boiling or steaming carrots are popular stovetop methods that take just minutes and don’t require turning on an oven. Here’s how to successfully do both.
How to Boil Carrots:
- Cook 1 pound of carrots, covered, in a small amount of boiling salted water until crisp-tender.
- Here’s how long to cook carrots on the stovetop depending on how they’re cut:
- 7 to 9 minutes for ¼-inch slices
- 4 to 6 minutes for strips
- 8 to 10 minutes for baby carrots
- Drain the carrots and season to taste with salt and pepper. Optionally, add butter and honey to the cooked carrots by stirring until the butter is melted and the carrots are glazed. Try boiling carrots in this glazed carrots with pistachios recipe.
How to Cook Carrots in the Microwave
Want to cook carrots fast?
Try the microwave! It’s quick, and you can save valuable oven space while dinner cooks. Here are our tips for fork-tender microwave carrots:
- Place 1 pound of carrots in a microwave-safe casserole dish with 2 tablespoons of water.
- Microwave, covered, on 100% power (high) until crisp-tender, stirring once. Here’s how long that may take depending on how they’re cut:
- 6 to 9 minutes for ¼-inch slices
- 5 to 7 minutes for ¼-inch strips
- 7 to 9 minutes for baby carrots
How to Make Carrots in a Slow Cooker
When your oven and stove are busy, use your slow cooker for carrots. Try orange-glazed carrots and parsnips or this basic recipe:
- Combine 2 lbs. baby carrots, ¾ cup chopped onion, ½ cup chicken broth, and ½ tsp. salt in a slow cooker.
- Cook on low for 5-6 hours or high for 2½-3 hours.
- For glaze, mix ½ cup apple juice, 1 Tbsp. cornstarch, and ¼-½ tsp. cinnamon or ½ tsp. ginger. Cook covered for 45 minutes more. Add chives before serving.
For more options, try Air-Fried Balsamic Glazed Carrots. Or, in your Instant Pot, cook 1 lb. prepped carrots with 1 cup water/broth on high pressure for 2 minutes.
Add carrots to pot roast or roast chicken 45-60 minutes before done.
How do you soften carrots quickly?
Steaming vegetables in the microwave efficiently soften them quickly, requiring no pots or pans.
This recipe is not only straightforward but also highly customizable. You can season your carrots any way you please.