Right here’s easy methods to make steamed carrots and get crisp-tender perfection in 10 minutes! This wholesome facet dish technique retains carrots candy and vibrant with minimal oil.
For years, I believed steamed greens had been doomed to be mushy and flavorless. However prepare dinner them the precise method, and so they’re stuffed with vibrant, contemporary taste!
My technique for steamed carrots cooks them till crisp tender, then provides contemporary herbs and a spritz of contemporary lemon juice. Whereas sauteed carrots is usually my go-to technique for cooking this veggie, steaming makes use of much less oil and is a superb possibility for wholesome consuming. And, it’s extremely tasty!
How one can steam carrots: a tutorial
Steamed carrots are fast and easy to make! The complete course of takes about 10 minutes. Listed here are my tips about easy methods to steam carrots:
Important gear: You’ll want a steamer basket or steamer pan, like this collapsible chrome steel steamer basket that matches inside a saucepan. They’re cheap and nice for every kind of greens. (The photographs present my steamer pan, but it surely’s the identical idea.)
Step 1: Peel and slice the carrots on the bias.
The look of carrots sliced on the bias has a pleasant visible attraction. Make the slices all about the identical thickness, about 1/4-inch slices, in order that they’ll prepare dinner evenly.
Step 2: Carry water to a boil.
Rule quantity one in every of steaming greens is that this: carry the water to a boil first! Don’t throw the carrots within the steamer and convey the water to a boil. As an alternative, you’ll boil the water in a saucepan or pot earlier than you add the veggies. If in case you have a steamer basket with no deal with, add it to the pot now. The water floor must be proper beneath the basket.
Step 3: Add the carrots and steam for 4 to five minutes, till crisp tender.
As soon as boiling, add the carrots (within the steamer basket, if it has a deal with), and canopy the pot with a lid. Then steam for about 4 to five minutes till the carrots are simply crisp tender.
Right here’s the essential half: style check! Be sure that to check the items with a fork and take away from the warmth when it’s simply cooked to your liking. Don’t be tempted to overcook them: nobody likes mushy carrots.
Step 4: Drain and season.
Rigorously take away the carrots to a bowl, then toss with the seasonings. Contemporary herbs carry the very best taste to cooked veggies. That is particularly essential with steamed veggies since you’ll wish to add numerous contemporary taste. Stir within the olive oil or butter: you’ll solely want 1 tablespoon so as to add a little bit richness to the dish.
Finest herbs for steamed carrots
Contemporary herbs are important to the good taste in these steamed carrots! They’re straightforward to seek out on the grocery retailer, and enjoyable to develop when its the season (see How one can Develop Contemporary Herbs). Listed here are a number of I’d suggest:
- Thyme: The flavour of thyme pairs nicely with carrots, so that is my best choice.
- Parsley: The chew of parsley can also be an important match.
- Chives: Chives add a lightweight onion-y vibe.
- Basil: Peppery basil works nicely with candy carrots!
- Oregano: Just like thyme, oregano is one other nice alternative.
- Dill: Dill is commonly paired with carrots since they’re a part of the identical plant household.
Artistic seasoning concepts
There are heaps extra methods to season steamed carrots outdoors of the strategies on this recipe! Listed here are a number of extra concepts to get your wheels turning:
- Sprinkle with freshly grated Parmesan or Pecorino cheese
- Add floor cumin and a squeeze of lime juice or zest (like these grilled carrots)
- Drizzle with balsamic discount for further zing
- Toss with lemon zest
- Stir in a touch of grated garlic (use it sparingly; a little bit goes a great distance)
- Prime with slivered toasted almonds for a crunch
- Crumble goat cheese or feta excessive
Storing and reheating
Steamed carrots preserve nicely in an hermetic container within the fridge for as much as 4 days. They’re scrumptious chilly added to salads (like quinoa salad or farro salad), or warmed up as a fast facet.
To reheat, the microwave works or you’ll be able to heat gently in a skillet with a tiny little bit of butter or olive oil.
Extra steamed greens to attempt
In the event you love making steamed greens, listed here are are a number of extra favourite recipes I’d suggest:
Dietary notes
This steamed carrots recipe is vegetarian, vegan, plant-based, dairy-free and gluten-free.
Incessantly requested questions
Take a look at them with a fork on the 4-minute mark. They need to be tender sufficient to pierce simply however nonetheless have a slight firmness. Style-testing is your finest information!
Completely! Child carrots (or baby-cut carrots) work nice. They might prepare dinner barely quicker, so begin checking at 3 minutes.
No, I don’t add salt to the water. It’s more practical to season the carrots after steaming once they can really soak up the flavour.
Sure, although they could grow to be softer than contemporary carrots. Scale back the cooking time to 2-3 minutes since they’re already partially cooked from blanching earlier than freezing.
Steaming retains carrots above the water, preserving extra vitamins. However my Good Boiled Carrots additionally scrumptious: they only have a barely totally different texture.
Straightforward Steamed Carrots
Steamed carrots are a contemporary and straightforward facet dish that’s bursting with taste! Right here’s a tutorial for easy methods to steam this wholesome orange vegetable.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Prepare dinner Time: 5 minutes
- Whole Time: 10 minutes
- Yield: 4 1x
- Class: Aspect Dish
- Technique: Steamed
- Delicacies: American
- Food plan: Vegan
- 8 medium carrots (1 pound)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil (or butter)
- ¼ teaspoon plus 1 pinch kosher salt
- 1 tablespoon chopped contemporary thyme (we used thyme and parsley)
- 2 lemon wedges
- 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 utilizing a steamer basket with no deal with, add it to the pot now: the water floor must be proper beneath the basket. Carry the water to a boil.
- As soon as boiling, add the carrots (within the steamer basket, if it has a deal with). Steam with the lid on till simply tender, about 4 to five minutes. Style check with a fork to evaluate doneness.
- Rigorously take away the greens to a bowl. Toss with the olive oil, kosher salt, and contemporary herbs. Spritz with the juice from 2 lemon wedges (if utilizing).
Different methods to get pleasure from carrots
There are such a lot of tasty carrot recipes to get pleasure from all of the vitamins of this wholesome vegetable!
These Carrot Fries are baked and seasoned with ranch spices: my complete household loves them. For one thing contemporary, do this easy Carrot Salad a tangy French dressing dressing.
Nothing beats a bowl Carrot Ginger Soup or Easy Carrot Soup. Each are comforting and style like sunshine in a bowl.
For one thing distinctive, attempt my Honey Glazed Carrots or Roasted Broccoli and Carrots. And in the event you’re on the lookout for a drink, attempt my Carrot Juice or Carrot Smoothie!
Additionally, right here’s my information on Carrots 101 to be taught extra about this orange root vegetable.