Steamed carrots are delicious. They have a fresh, naturally sweet taste and require minimal seasoning. It’s one of those simple-yet-fabulous recipes!
I’ve been making steamed carrots quite often lately. It’s a simple side dish that the entire family enjoys.
Sometimes simple is best
Steaming is, by far, my favorite way of enjoying this healthy vegetable. I’ve got nothing against labor-intensive side dishes or complex vegetable recipes. I like experimenting with interesting side dishes recipes, especially on the weekend.
But sometimes, especially during the workweek, the simplest recipes truly are the best.
The ingredients you’ll need
You’ll only need four simple ingredients to make this tasty side dish. The exact measurements are included in the recipe card below. Here’s an overview of what you’ll need:
- Fresh carrots.
- Fresh lemon juice.
- Kosher salt.
- Black pepper.
How to steam carrots
It’s so easy! Scroll down to the recipe card for the detailed instructions. Here are the basic steps:
- Your first step is to start boiling the water.
- While you wait for the water to boil, prepare the carrots. Peel them, cut off the ends, and cut them into fairly equal-size chunks.
- Steam until tender-crisp, about 15 minutes.
- Season with lemon juice, salt and pepper, and serve.
How long does it take to steam carrots?
Not very long. I like to steam them until just tender, but still firm. Never soft or mushy. This only takes 15 minutes. Sometimes even less, depending on the thickness of your carrots.
Is it better to boil or steam them?
Generally speaking, when cooking vegetables, steaming is preferable to boiling. Steamed vegetables remain separate from the hot water, allowing them to retain more nutrients.
What do you put on steamed carrots?
They have a fresh, naturally sweet flavor, so they require minimal seasoning.
A sprinkle of kosher salt, freshly ground pepper, and perhaps a squirt of fresh lemon juice are all it takes to dress these delicious, simply prepared carrots. You can also drizzle them with a little melted butter.
What to serve with them?
They make a great side dish to any meat or fish. Their mild sweetness makes them a great side dish to baked maple chicken. And I also like to serve them with baked pork chops and with pork roast.
What about leftovers?
Leftovers keep in the fridge for about 3 days, in a sealed container. Although they’re not as good as when freshly cooked. I gently reheat them in the microwave, covered, on 50% power.
More carrot recipes for you to try
If you prefer bolder, more intense flavors, try these honey glazed carrots or these caramelized roasted carrots. Both recipes are wonderful!
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Steamed Carrots
INGREDIENTS
- 8 large carrots
- 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
INSTRUCTIONS
- Start boiling the water for the steamer.
- Peel the carrots, cut off the ends, cut them in half crosswise and then cut the fat halves in half lengthwise. Your goal is to achieve fairly equal-sized chunks of carrot.
- When water boils, place the prepared carrots in the steamer basket. Cover and steam about 15 minutes, until just tender – check with a fork, and start checking after 10 minutes.
- Remove the carrots from the steamer onto a serving plate, squirt with lemon juice and sprinkle with salt and pepper.
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Vered DeLeeuw, LL.M., CNC, has been following a low-carb real-food diet and blogging about it since 2011. She's a Certified Nutrition Coach (NASM-CNC), has taken courses at the Harvard School of Public Health, and has earned a Nutrition and Healthy Living Certificate from Cornell University. Her work has appeared in several major media outlets, including Healthline, HuffPost, Today, Women's Health, Shape, Reader's Digest, and Better Homes and Gardens.