Easy Grilled Carrots

We're all about easy, flavorful side dishes in our house, and these Easy Grilled Carrots have quickly become a go-to favorite. The combination of smoky, charred carrots with a tangy balsamic glaze hits all the right notes and adds thatperfect pop of flavor to any meal.

What I love most about this recipe is how simple it is! Prep time is barely five minutes, and the rest is hands-off grilling time. With an indirect and direct heat method, you'll have perfectly tender grilled carrots in no time!

Whether we're serving these at a weekend BBQ or as a quick side with a weeknight dinner, my family always looks forward to them. The kids are particular fans of the slight sweetness from the balsamic glaze (and I love that they're getting their veggies without any complaints!).

If you are new to grilling vegetables, you'll also want to try grilled broccoli and grilled Brussels sprouts, trust me.

Your New Favorite Way to Cook Carrots

Here's why you'll never go back to sad, boring carrots ever again:

• Quick prep: With only a handful of ingredients and minimal prep, grilled carrots make for a super low-maintenance side dish. You'll have them on the grill in minutes and ready to enjoy in less than 30 minutes.
• Crispy and tender: The contrast of crispy edges and a soft, sweet inside is what makes these carrots so irresistible.They're the perfect texture for any meal.
• Great for meal prep: Grilled carrots make an excellent addition to your weekly meal prep. Store them in the fridge for a few days and use them in salads, grain bowls, or as a quick snack.
• Kid-approved: If your kiddos aren't the biggest fans of veggies, the sweet caramelization from the grill is sure to win them over. Try serving these alongside a dipping sauce for extra fun!

Ingredients and Substitutions

You don't need much to make the most amazing carrots on the grill!

• Carrots: Medium-sized carrots work best as they aren't as thick and, therefore, will cook through without burning. Really large carrots sometimes burn on the outside before the inside has time to get tender. Smaller carrots easily fall through the grill grates and sometimes burn. If you only have larger carrots, halve or even quarter them before grilling so that they can get nice and tender on the inside without burning!
• Balsamic vinegar: Helps create a luscious glaze on the carrots as they grill, so don't skip it!
• Soy sauce: If you're not a soy fan, you can use coconut aminos or tamari!
• Honey: Helps caramelize the carrots during grilling! You can swap with maple syrup if you like. You can leave it out for a less sweet version if you prefer.
• Dried thyme: You could also use rosemary or oregano for a different flavor profile.
• Garlic: Fresh minced garlic will give you the best flavor, but you could use garlic powder, too!

Do I have to peel carrots before grilling them?

For the most part, it is always a good idea to peel carrots before grilling them since the peels can be tough and fibrous.

The only exception to this is younger carrots, normally fresh from the farmer's market or garden, that have very thin skin and tend to be very bright in color. If you choose not to peel the carrot, make sure to scrub the carrot well to remove any dirt or debris!

How to Grill Carrots

Grilling carrots isn't as hard as you may think! Here's what you'll need to do:

Step 1: Prepare the Carrots

Start by washing, peeling, and slicing the carrots into halves or quarters, depending on their size. You can leave smaller ones whole for even grilling.

Pro tip: If you're using larger carrots, cut them into smaller pieces for more even cooking.

Step 2: Toss with Seasoning

Drizzle olive oil over the carrots and sprinkle them with salt and pepper. Toss them to make sure each carrot gets a nice coating.

Step 3: Preheat the Grill

Set your grill to medium-high heat and make sure the burners on one side are off for indirect cooking.

Pro tip: Direct heat will char the outside of the carrots, and indirect heat will cook them through, making them tender without burning.

Step 4: Grill the Carrots

Place the carrots on the grill, turning every few minutes to get a nice char on all sides. Move them to the cooler side of the grill to finish cooking if needed.

Step 5: Drizzle with the Sauce

Mix together the balsamic vinegar, soy sauce, honey, and thyme. Once the carrots are done grilling, drizzle this over the top for an added layer of flavor.

Grilling Carrots on Different Types of Grills

Any type of grill will work for grilling carrots! Here are the different methods for grilling carrots depending on the grill you have:

• Gas grill: Set up your gas grill for both direct and indirect heat. Preheat one side to medium-high for direct heat, and turn off one side for indirect heat. Grill the carrots directly on the hot side for a few minutes on each side, then move them to the cooler side to cook through, ensuring they're tender but not burnt.
• Charcoal grill: If you're using a charcoal grill, create a two-zone fire by piling the charcoal to one side. Sear the carrots over the hot side to get that crispy, smoky char, then move them to the cooler side to finish cooking. Charcoal grills add an extra smokiness to the flavor, so this method works great for infusing the carrots with a deep, rustic flavor.
• Electric grill: If you're using an indoor electric grill, heat it to medium-high. Place the carrots directly on the grill plates, turning them occasionally to get a nice grill mark. Since you're working with a smaller, more controlled heat source, you may need to monitor the carrots more closely to avoid overcooking.

Alternative Cooking Methods for Carrots

• Grill pan: No grill? No problem! A grill pan on the stovetop works wonders. Preheat the grill pan over medium-high heat, add the carrots, and cook them for a few minutes on each side to get those beautiful grill marks. Then, lower the heat and continue cooking until tender.
• Oven roasting: If you prefer to avoid grilling altogether, roasting the carrots in the oven is a simple alternative. Preheat your oven to 400°F. Toss the carrots in oil and season them, then spread them out in a single layer on a baking sheet. Roast for 20-25 minutes or until they're golden and fork-tender, flipping them halfway through.

Pro tip: For extra caramelization, drizzle the carrots with a little honey or balsamic vinegar just before they finish roasting.

Can I grill baby carrots?

Baby carrots can actually work great on the grill, but you will need a way to stop them from falling through the grates. My favorite option for this is using a grill pan or grill basket. These get nice and hot and create the same charred bits you would get if the carrots were cooked directly on the grill.

Another option is to use a piece of heavy-duty foil right on the grill. Don't wrap the carrots in the foil because we don't want them to steam. Just lay down the foil or create a "baking sheet" with the foil for them to cook.

Baby carrots will cook more quickly since they tend to be smaller and not as thick. Cut any really thick baby carrots in half before grilling so they cook evenly. Plan on cooking them for 14-18 minutes or until they are tender on the inside.

What if they are still crunchy?

If you notice that your carrots are starting to burn or cook too quickly, there are a few options to make sure they get tender inside. One important note, this usually happens because the grill is too hot. You may need to turn down the heat.

First, you can grab a piece of foil and wrap the carrots in foil. Place them over the indirect heat and let them continue to cook. The trapped heat will help the carrots to slightly steam and cook on the inside. Another option is to throw the carrots in the oven and roast them at 400 degrees until they are tender on the inside.

What to serve with grilled carrots?

If you are making grilled vegetables, the best option is to make the entire meal on the grill. Here are some yummy options to throw on the grill with the carrots and serving ideas for the carrots themselves.

• Salad: Use the carrots to make an amazing salad by adding sliced avocado, fresh herbs, thinly sliced red onion, and a simple vinaigrette. Make this a vegetarian meal by adding cooked grains or chickpeas.
• Protein: Consider making grilled pork chops, grilled lemon chicken, or another grilled protein. Add some grilled corn as well to make a complete meal.
• Burgers: Burger Bowls or Easy Ground Chicken Burgers are the perfect side dish. Serve them with one of your favorite dipping sauces.

Storing and Reheating Grilled Carrots

• Storing: Once your grilled carrots are cooled, store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. If you want to keep them for a bit longer, they freeze well for up to 3 months.
• Reheating: To reheat, you can use a skillet over medium heat to warm them up and get back some of the crispy edges.You can also microwave them for 1-2 minutes, but they may lose a little of their char.

Leftover ideas:

1. Salads: Toss leftover grilled carrots into a Grilled Vegetable Salad or Buddha Bowl for an easy, flavor-packed lunch!
2. Hummus: Dip the perfectly charred carrots into some Homemade Hummus or Roasted Red Pepper Hummus for a filling snack!