Grilled Carrots

Our new grill has been the source of much inspiration this summer, from grillable veggie burgers to paella to grilled Caesar salad So when we found a bag of carrots at the bottom of our refrigerator produce drawer, we knew just what to 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! We ate them as an appetizer since they were perfect finger food, but they’d also be great as a side dish. Here’s how to make them!

Grilled carrots ingredients

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

Here’s one important thing about grilled carrots: keep them as thin as possible so they cook through. This means that 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, like we do with this grilled cauliflower. But Alex and I wanted to keep this recipe quick and easy: so cutting them into thin pieces works!

Another alternative: check your farmer’s markets or the grocery’s organic section for carrots that are small and thin, and 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.

How to grill carrots (basic steps)

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 all downhill 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 through, toss the carrots with the lime juice and cumin, and enjoy right away!