This summer I’ve been volunteering most Saturday mornings at Sustainable Nantucket’s Farmer’s and Artisan’s Market. Some weeks I photograph vendors; other weeks I help manage entrances and exits and remind folks to wear masks. After my shift I always browse the stalls, and lately I can’t resist bunches of carrots with their frilly green tops intact. They’re beautiful, versatile, and delicious—and judging by the roundup below, I’m not alone in my carrot obsession.
Carrots are crisp with a gentle sweetness and they adapt well to a wide range of dishes: kid-friendly muffins, elegant baked oatmeal, bright salads, comforting soups, and inventive sautés using carrot greens. They’re also nutrition powerhouses. A medium carrot contains roughly 25 calories, about 6 grams of carbohydrates, and 2 grams of fiber. Carrots are particularly rich in provitamin A compounds—beta-carotene and alpha-carotene—which the body converts into vitamin A. They also supply potassium and vitamins C and K, plus small amounts of calcium and phosphorus. Don’t forget the carrot tops: the greens share many of the same nutrients, including vitamins A, C, and K, and potassium.
Use the whole vegetable to reduce food waste. Carrot tops can be stirred into soups, tossed into salads, blended into pestos, or quickly sautéed. Below is a curated collection of carrot and carrot-top recipes to inspire you in the kitchen.
About rainbow carrots:
Different colors come from different antioxidant compounds, so the health benefits vary. Orange carrots are high in beta-carotene, which supports eye health; purple carrots contain anthocyanins, antioxidants with anti-inflammatory and immune-supporting properties; yellow carrots offer lutein, another nutrient that benefits vision; and red carrots contain lycopene, an antioxidant linked to heart-health benefits and potential cancer risk reduction.
Carrots are available year-round across the country, though peak season varies by region. In New England, locally grown carrots start appearing in April and are at their best through spring and summer.
Obsessed too? Here are 46 carrot-forward recipes organized by category.
Beverages
Carrot Juice from Shahzadi at Desi-licious RD
Carrot Ginger Turmeric Mimosa from Ginger at Champagne Nutrition
Oatmeal
Carrot Cake Overnight Oats from Sharon at The Plant-Powered Dietitian
Carrot Cake Baked Oatmeal from Chelsey at Chelsey Amer Nutrition
Tropical Carrot Cake Oatmeal from Laura at Being Nutritious
Carrot Cake Overnight Oats from Kara Lydon, RD
Carrot Cake Oatmeal from Jenna at Manitoba Milling Co.
Bites, Muffins, Waffles, Cookies, and Cupcakes
Carrot Cake Energy Bites from Sarah at Bucket List Tummy
Morning Glory Veggie Muffins from Jenna at Make Healthy Easy
Soft & Fluffy Banana Carrot Muffins from Colleen at Colleen Christensen Nutrition
Carrot Cake Muffins from Jenny at My Cape Cod Kitchen
Dairy-Free Carrot Cake Waffles from Maria at Halsa Nutrition
Carrot Spice Cupcakes from Sharon at The Plant-Powered Dietitian
Oatmeal Toddler Cookies from Josten at Muscle and Manna
Roasted Carrots
Extra Gingery Roasted Rainbow Carrots from Emily at Sinful Nutrition
Roasted Beets & Carrots with Creamy Garlic Dill Sauce from Laura at Being Nutritious
Ginger Maple Mustard & Herb Roasted Carrots from Andrea at Beautiful Eats & Things
Roasted Carrots with Carrot Top Pesto from Stacie at The Real Food RDs
Cumin-Roasted Carrots from Lisa at Sound Bites Nutrition
Sweet and Spicy Turmeric Roasted Carrots from Leanne Ray, RDN
Roasted Orange Ginger Carrots from Sharon at The Plant-Powered Dietitian
Roasted Carrots from Heather Mangieri, RDN
Carrot Tops (AKA Carrot Greens)
Sauteed Carrot Greens from Kristina at Fork in the Road
Carrot Top Pesto from Chrissy at Snacking in Sneakers
Italian Pesto from Laura at My Family Fork
Nutty Carrot Top Pesto from Liz at Liz’s Healthy Table
Soups
Carrot Ginger Soup from Julie at The Gourmet RD
Turmeric, Ginger and Roasted Carrot Soup from Brittany at Your Choice Nutrition
Creamy Roasted Carrot Soup by Kristine at Veg Girl RD
The BEST Pressure Cooker Vegetable Soup from Laurel at Laurel Ann Nutrition
Spicy Cauliflower Soup with Carrots from Amy at Amy Gorin Nutrition
Salads
Simple Shaved Carrot and Fennel Salad from Lizzie at It’s a Veg World After All
Carrot, Chickpea & Raisin Salad from Julie at The Gourmet RD
Balsamic Carrot Salad from Judy at LiveBest
Rainbow Vegetable Slaw Salad from Heather Mangieri, RDN
Easy Vinegar Coleslaw from Laura at Being Nutritious
Hummus and Dips
Roasted Carrots and Ranch Hummus from Jenna at Make Healthy Easy
Red Lentil and Carrot Hummus from Lindsey at Tasty Balance Nutrition
Harissa-Roasted Carrot and Bean Dip from Liz at Liz’s Healthy Table
Dinner Entrees
Skillet Chicken Pot Pie from Rebecca at Rebecca Bitzer and Associates
Roasted Chicken with Fennel, Carrots, & Dried Plums from Jessica Levinson, RD
Fries and Fritters
Easy Air Fryer Carrot Fries from Mary Ellen at Milk and Honey Nutrition
Crispy Oven Fries from Laura at Being Nutritious
Carrot Hummus Fritters from Brittany at Your Choice Nutrition
Parmesan Carrot ‘Fries’ from Jennifer at Jennifer Hunt Nutrition
Zucchini, Kohlrabi & Carrot Fritters with Herb Yogurt Sauce from Kara Lydon, RD
What are your favorite carrot recipes? I’d love to hear which ones you try.