Frozen carrots are a super quick and easy way to get your daily dose of veggies! They’re just as delicious as their fresh counterparts but don’t require prep work or cutting. When cooked correctly, frozen carrots are juicy, sweet, and flavorful. Plus, they can be used to make various dishes!
Frozen veggies don’t get enough credit, and that’s usually because they aren’t given a chance to shine. It’s easy to accidentally overcook them, resulting in a mushy or rubbery texture. But with just a few simple steps, you can turn average frozen carrots into a delicious side dish!
In my frozen carrot recipe, we don’t just throw our veggies in a pot of water and hope for the best! Instead, we will take a few minutes to maximize our carrots’ flavor potential. I use the delicious combination of butter, garlic, and seasonings to create the best-tasting frozen carrots you’ve ever had. The carrots simmer in the melted butter mix, taking on the flavor as they cook.
Why You’ll Love Frozen Diced Carrots
- Not your average side dish! This recipe makes a delicious, flavorful frozen carrot side that is unlike any other. Plus, it’s ready in no time and can be served with almost anything!
- So simple. One of the best things about this recipe is that it requires minimal prep and no cutting! Frozen diced carrots are ready to go straight out of the freezer, so you can easily make this side dish any night of the week.
- Lots of uses. There are so many great frozen carrot recipes – they don’t just have to be used as a side! I will share some of my favorite frozen carrot recipes below, so you can see just how versatile these veggies really are
Can Carrots Be Frozen at Home?
You can readily find frozen carrots in the freezer section at the grocery store, but you may wonder, can carrots be frozen at home?
Yes, you can freeze carrots at home! Freezing veggies is a brilliant way to cut food waste and ensure a steady supply of produce at home. However, freezing vegetables, including carrots, can alter their taste and texture. It’s important to both freeze them correctly and then cook them the right way, such as in my frozen carrot recipes.
How to Freeze Carrots
- Start by washing the carrots thoroughly, then peel the skin off if desired.
- Cut the carrots into your preferred size; frozen diced carrots are always a good option.
- Blanch the carrots by boiling them in water for 3 minutes.
- Remove the carrots from the boiling water and submerge them in an ice bath for another 3 minutes.
- Drain the carrots and pat dry with a paper towel.
- Flash-freeze the blanched carrots by lining a baking sheet with parchment paper. Place the carrots on top of the sheet in an even layer.
- Place the baking sheet in the freezer for 1-2 hours and then transfer the carrots to a resealable bag or airtight container.
- Label the carrots with the freezing date and store them in the freezer for up to one year.
Ingredients For Frozen Carrots Recipe
- Frozen carrots
- Butter
- Garlic
- Salt
- Pepper
- Water
For the exact amounts needed, please see the recipe card below.
Instructions For Frozen Diced Carrots
- Combine all of the ingredients in a medium skillet.
- Bring to a simmer.
- Simmer uncovered for 5-8 minutes, or until all the water is almost evaporated.
What to Serve With Frozen Carrots
Frozen carrots pair well with almost anything. Try my herb-crusted chicken or lemon herb salmon for some amazing flavor combinations. Reverse-seared steak or steak cooked in a pan would also make frozen diced carrots a perfect side. Instant pot beef stroganoff or sheet pan sausage and veggies are ideal weeknight meals with frozen carrot sides – the choice is yours!
More Delicious Frozen Carrot Recipes
If a recipe calls for carrots, there’s a good chance you can use frozen carrots instead. Throw your frozen carrots into smoothies, soups, casseroles, and more. Here are some recipes to try:
- Instant Pot carrot soup
- Homemade chicken and dumplings
- Stove-top glazed carrots
- Pasta Primavera
- Brown sugar-roasted carrots
- Broccoli cheddar soup
- Crockpot chicken pot pie
The only times I wouldn’t use frozen carrots is when the recipe calls for raw, crunchy carrot slices – like my carrot cake muffins. Otherwise, you can almost always substitute frozen diced carrots for fresh ones.
Yes, you can. However, you should expect some loss in flavor and texture. Blanching the carrots first helps to preserve some of their nutritional value and taste.
There is no need to thaw frozen carrots; in fact, it is best to cook them straight from frozen. As your frozen diced carrots begin to thaw, they will become soft and mushy. To help ensure the best texture, cook them straight from the freezer.
Frozen Carrots
Equipment
Ingredients
- 12 ounces frozen carrots
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 teaspoon garlic minced
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
- 1/4 cup water
Instructions
- Combine all of the ingredients in a medium skillet.
- Bring to a simmer.
- Simmer uncomverd for 5-8 minutes, or until all the water is almost evaporated.
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