Grilled carrots > any other way to make carrots
Grilled carrots!! Have you tried them? If you love carrots, I am about to blow your mind with how good grilling carrots can be!
Grilling is one of my favorite ways to prepare veggies. The char they get on the outside can’t be beaten. But oftentimes we overlook carrots when we think of grilled vegetables. Well, we are going to change that with this grilled carrot recipe. The natural flavors of carrots are elevated, with a depth of sweetness and smokiness.
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To take it up a little more, the cinnamon chipotle glaze pairs really well with the carrots, bringing out even more of their natural sweetness. The chipotle also adds a little more smokiness while packing some heat.
The combination is perfect. No more boring steamed carrots! We love throwing them on the grill during the warmer months for an easy side dish. We will grill some protein at the same time to make a complete meal. This grilled carrots recipe also makes a perfect side dish for a holiday meal, as they will surely impress guests!
Why you’ll love this grilled carrot recipe
- made with simple ingredients
- a simple side dish for the holidays or a weekday meal – no spending hours on one dish!
- customizable – change out the spices to easily switch up the flavor.
Carrot nutrition
Carrots are a great healthy addition to any diet. They are low in calories, lower in carbohydrates than a potato, and are a good source of fiber, vitamin A, and potassium.
Carrots are also high in carotenoids, an antioxidant compound found in plants that is associated with a wide range of health benefits. Cooking carrots slightly changes the nutritional content and makes some of the nutrients more bioavailable. But both raw and cooked carrots pack a nutrient punch, so no need to favor one way over the other.
To get the most out of the carotenoids found in carrots, you should try to eat them with a little fat (like the oil used in this recipe). It assists in the micronutrients being better absorbed in your body.
Grilled carrots ingredients
- carrots – medium-sized carrots work best for this recipe.
- coconut oil
- cinnamon
- chipotle paste
- chili powder
- salt
How to grill carrots
For the complete directions, ingredient amounts, serving size, and accurate nutrition breakdown, scroll down to the recipe card below.
Make your glaze.
Mix coconut oil, cinnamon, chipotle paste, chili powder, and salt in a small bowl.
Season carrots.
Rub cinnamon chipotle glaze evenly all over carrots.
Grill.
Place carrots on the hot grill over indirect heat and grill for 20-25 minutes, flipping and rotating occasionally.
Enjoy!
Transfer to a serving platter, top with cilantro if desired, and enjoy.
Do you need to peel carrots?
Technically, you don’t have to peel carrots. The skin has different nutrients in it than the inside, so it’s beneficial to leave it on. That being said, the skin does have a slightly different taste, with a little bitterness, so if you don’t like that, peel them. Make sure to wash them if they are dirty.
The best size carrots for grilling
Look for medium-sized carrots about 3/4-1 inch thick in diameter. I find you can find the best ones at the farmer’s market or if you buy farm-fresh or organic carrots at the grocery store.
If the carrots are too large, it will take the insides too long to cook. If the carrots are too small, they can fall through the grill grates if you aren’t careful.
However, all the carrots won’t be the same size. Look for similar ones and just watch them when you are grilling – some will take longer to cook than others, depending on how thick they are.
How long to grill carrots?
Grill carrots on indirect heat for 20-25 minutes, flipping and rotating every 7-8 minutes. You want to grill on indirect heat, as grilling on direct heat and over a flame can cause the outsides to cook too quickly (and potentially burn) while the inside remains raw.
Carrots will be done when they are a little charred on the outside and are fork-tender. You can use a gas grill, charcoal grill, wood pellet grill, or grill pan.
Oven-roasted carrots
If you don’t have a grill or it is too cold out to grill, you can roast these too. Simply preheat your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit and line 1-2 baking sheets with parchment paper. Prep your carrots according to the directions and roast for 35-40 minutes (depending on how thick they are) until fork-tender.
Storage and reheating
Substitutions and additions
- carrots – I like medium-sized carrots for this recipe. I feel large carrots get too charred on the outside by the time the middle is tender. Small carrots or baby carrots will not work as they can fall through the grill.
- coconut oil – olive oil or avocado oil will work the same.
- spices – feel free to change out the spices to change up the flavors.
Here are some additions:
- sweetener – if you want a sweeter dish, add some maple syrup or honey to your glaze.
If you love quick and easy meals and want to learn how to build a balanced plate, check out our FREE How to Build a Balanced Plate Guide!
Grilled Carrots with Cinnamon & Chipotle
ingredients
- 2 pounds carrots (about 12-16 medium carrots, about 1-inch in diameter)
- 1 1/2 tablespoons coconut oil, melted
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon chipotle paste
- 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
- salt, to taste
- for topping – fresh cilantro
instructions
- Light the grill over medium-high heat and let it come up to temperature.
- Wash and peel your carrots.
- Season carrots. Mix coconut oil, cinnamon, chipotle paste, chili powder, and salt in a small bowl. Rub mixture evenly all over carrots (using your hands is the easiest).
- Grill. Place carrots on the hot grill over indirect heat and grill for 20-25 minutes, flipping and rotating occasionally (about every 7-8 minutes). Time will depend on the size of your carrots, and some might be done before others. Carrots should be slightly soft when you pinch them, but have a slight firmness towards the inside when done.
- Enjoy! Transfer to a serving platter, top with cilantro if desired, and enjoy.
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nutrition
Recipe by Kelly Nardo, Eat the Gains | Photography by Sierra Inn
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Okay these sound amazing! I’m usually not a big carrot fan, but add cinnamon and coconut oil to anything and i’m sold!
Thanks Megan! You should definitely give them a try! And I completely agree, I put cinnamon on everything!!