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These grilled carrots make for the perfect easy side dish! They’re charred and flavored with cumin and a spritz of fresh lime juice.
My new grill has been the source of much inspiration this summer, from grillable veggie burgers to paella to grilled Caesar salad. When I found a bag of carrots at the bottom of the refrigerator’s produce drawer, I knew just what to do with them — throw them on the grill!
As expected, grilling brought out a lovely, sweet flavor in the carrots. (There doesn’t seem to be much the grill can’t improve!). Tossed with the lime juice, cilantro, and cumin, this healthy veggie was an excellent treat! They can be eaten as a finger food, which makes them a perfect appetizer. They would also be great as a side dish, which is how I usually make them!
Ingredients you’ll need
This healthy grilled carrots recipe requires just a handful of ingredients! The lime juice and cilantro are key to this recipe, as the fresh flavors brighten the grilled carrots. If possible, buy an actual lime instead of the pre-bottled juice. It really does make a difference! Here’s what you’ll need:
- Carrots (either large carrots, which you can cut into quarters, or thin carrots)
- Lime
- Fresh cilantro
- Cumin
- Olive oil, salt, and pepper
Tip: find thin carrots for grilling
One important thing to keep in mind is that you want the carrots as thin as possible so they cook through. If you get one of those bags of large carrots from the store, you’ll have to cut them into quarters (or even smaller). If they’re too thick, the carrots become blackened on the outside while remaining raw in the center.
Another popular option is to boil or steam the carrots before grilling, similar to this grilled cauliflower. I wanted to keep this recipe quick and easy, so cutting them into thin pieces works best!
Another alternative is to check your farmer’s markets or the grocery’s organic section for small and thin carrots, sold in a bunch. Often, you’ll see rainbow carrots sold this way! If they’re long and thin, they work perfectly for the grill.
Basic steps for grilling
What takes the most time for grilled carrots is the prep time! Once you’ve sliced them into quarters and preheated the grill, it’s easy from there. Here are the basic steps:
- Preheat a grill to medium-high heat (about 425 degrees).
- Toss the sliced carrots with olive oil and salt.
- Place the carrots directly on the grill and cook 6 to 10 minutes until tender. Flip the carrots over just once to ensure they cook evenly. They’re ready to flip once they’ve gone slightly pale and wrinkly.
- Once they’re cooked, toss the carrots with the lime juice and cumin, and enjoy right away!
Love carrots? Here’s a quick and easy way to cook them with great flavor: Perfect Sauteed Carrots.
Dietary notes
This grilled carrots recipe is vegetarian, vegan, plant-based, dairy-free, and gluten-free.
Best Grilled Carrots
Grilled carrots make for the perfect easy side dish! These are charred and flavored with cumin and a spritz of fresh lime juice.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 4 1x
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Grilled
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegan
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 pound large carrots cut in quarters lengthwise, or small thin carrots
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt, plus more to taste
- 1 tablespoon chopped cilantro
- 1/2 lime
- ¼ teaspoon cumin
- Fresh ground black pepper
Instructions
- Preheat a grill to medium-high heat (375 to 450 degrees).
- Peel the carrots and cut them into quarters if large or half if medium to small (the thinner the better!).
- Place the carrots in a bowl and mix with olive oil and kosher salt.
- Place the carrots directly onto the grill grates and grill for 6-10 minutes, turning once.
- Roughly chop the cilantro.
- When the carrots are done, place them in a bowl and toss them with juice from ½ lime, cumin, cilantro, a few pinches kosher salt, and fresh ground black pepper.
A few more grilled vegetable recipes
Here are some favorites to try:
- Side dishes: Try these grilled asparagus, grilled peppers and onions, grilled mushrooms, grilled corn, grilled avocado, grilled Caesar salad, or grilled romaine.
- Main dishes: Try my Greek grilled veggie skewers, grilled veggie fajitas, grilled tofu, or grilled eggplant Parmesan.
Roasted carrots are the best, so I can imagine grilling them would be equally fabulous. I made a carrot, cilantro, cuman side dish similar to this (without the grilling) to eat with your Mexican lasagna. Mouth watering good.
Ooo sounds delicious! How did you do it?