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Steamed carrots are a fresh and easy side dish that’s bursting with flavor! Here’s a tutorial for how to steam this healthy orange vegetable.
Here’s a tasty and healthy way to eat your veggies: steamed carrots! We know what you’re thinking: steamed vegetables are mushy and flavorless, right? But cook them the right way, and they’re full of bright, fresh flavor!
These steamed carrots are cooked until crisp tender, then topped with fresh herbs and a spritz of fresh lemon juice. Usually sauteed carrots are our favorite way to cook this orange veggie—but steaming uses less oil than sauteing, so it’s a great option for healthy eating. And it’s incredibly tasty in its own right!
How to steam carrots (a tutorial)
Steamed carrots are quick and simple to make! The entire process takes about 10 minutes. All you need is a steamer and a bunch of this beautiful orange root vegetable. Here are our tips on how to steam carrots:
Gear required: You’ll need a steamer basket or steamer pan to make this recipe. Here’s a steamer basket you can buy online.
Step 1: Peel and slice the carrots on the bias.
The look of carrots sliced on the bias is a nice way to make the slices look more elegant. Make the slices all about the same thickness, about 1/4-inch slices, so they’ll cook evenly.
Step 2: Bring water to a boil.
Rule number one of steaming vegetables is this: bring the water to a boil first! Don’t throw the carrots in the steamer and bring the water to a boil. Instead, you’ll boil the water in a saucepan or pot before you add the veggies. If you have a steamer basket without a handle, add it to the pot now. The water surface should be right under the basket.
Step 3: Add the carrots and steam for 4 to 5 minutes, until crisp tender.
Once boiling, add the carrots (in the steamer basket, if it has a handle), and cover the pot with a lid. Then steam for about 4 to 5 minutes until the carrots are just crisp tender.
Here’s the important part: taste test! Make sure to test the pieces with a fork and remove from the heat when it’s just cooked to your liking. Don’t be tempted to overcook them—no one likes mushy carrots.
Step 4: Drain and season.
Carefully remove the carrots to a bowl, then toss with the seasonings. Fresh herbs bring the best flavor to cooked veggies. This is especially important with steamed veggies because you’ll want to add lots of fresh flavor. Stir in the olive oil or butter: you’ll only need 1 tablespoon to add a little richness to the dish.
Herbs that pair well with carrots
Fresh herbs are essential to the great flavor in these steamed carrots! They’re easy to find at the grocery store, and fun to grow when its the season (see How to Grow Fresh Herbs). Here are a few we’d recommend:
- Thyme: The flavor of thyme pairs well with carrots, so this is our top choice.
- Parsley: The bite of parsley is also a great match.
- Chives: Chives add a light onion-y vibe.
- Basil: Peppery basil works well with sweet carrots!
- Oregano: Similar to thyme, oregano is another great choice.
- Dill: Dill is often paired with carrots since they’re part of the same plant family.
Ways to season steamed carrots
There are lots more ways to season steamed carrots outside of the suggestions in this recipe! Here are a few more ideas to get your wheels turning:
- Grated Parmesan or Pecorino cheese
- Cumin and lime juice or zest (like these grilled carrots)
- Drizzle of balsamic reduction
- Lemon zest
- A hint of grated garlic
- Slivered toasted almonds
- Goat cheese or feta crumbles
More steamed vegetables to try
If you love making steamed vegetables, there are so many more to try! Here are some favorites we’d recommend:
- This steamed broccoli is a healthy side dish that turns out bright green and crisp tender every time!
- Try steamed cauliflower: it cooks in minutes and is so tasty, it’s life changing.
- These zesty steamed green beans are the epitome of an easy side dish.
- Here’s how to make steamed asparagus the right way, so it comes out bright green and tender.
Dietary notes
This steamed carrots recipe is vegetarian, vegan, plant-based, dairy-free and gluten-free.
Easy Steamed Carrots
Steamed carrots are a fresh and easy side dish that’s bursting with flavor! Here’s a tutorial for how to steam this healthy orange vegetable.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Total Time: 10 minutes
- Yield: 4 1x
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Steamed
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegan
Ingredients
- 8 medium carrots (1 pound)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil (or butter)
- ¼ teaspoon plus 1 pinch kosher salt
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh thyme (we used thyme and parsley)
- 2 lemon wedges
Instructions
- Peel and slice the carrots into 1/4-inch slices on the bias (diagonally).
- Place about 1 inch of water in a pot or saucepan. If using a steamer basket without a handle, add it to the pot now: the water surface should be right under the basket. Bring the water to a boil.
- Once boiling, add the carrots (in the steamer basket, if it has a handle). Steam with the lid on until just tender, about 4 to 5 minutes. Taste test with a fork to assess doneness.
- Carefully remove the vegetables to a bowl. Toss with the olive oil, kosher salt, and fresh herbs. Spritz with the juice from 2 lemon wedges (if using).
A few favorite carrot recipes
There are so many tasty carrot recipes to enjoy all the nutrients of this healthy vegetable! Here are some to start with:
- Carrot Fries Full of big flavor, sprinkled with ranch seasoning and baked until lightly crispy!
- Simple Carrot Salad Fresh and healthy, with a tangy vinaigrette dressing! It’s easy to make, ideal for cookouts, potlucks, as a side dish, or for lunch.
- Carrot Ginger Soup or Simple Carrot Soup This pot of soup tastes like sunshine!
- Honey Glazed Carrots This silky sweet sauce makes magic.
- Roasted Broccoli and Carrots This pair has the perfect flavor and color contrast, and they come out tender and browned.
- Carrot Juice No juicer needed! It’s easy to whip up this delicious, nutrient filled drink in a blender.
- Perfect Boiled Carrots Go light and breezy with these perfectly seasoned carrots.
- Roasted Carrots or Roasted Carrots and Onions The best way to make this healthy vegetable taste AMAZING! Bake them until tender with lemon wedges and thyme.
We use fresh snipped dill, butter and a drizzle of real maple syrup…Yum!!!
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