From healthy sides to sweet desserts, they’ll steal the show! Thanksgiving is the perfect time to enjoy carrots. They’re at their peak, which makes them insanely flavorful. I love them because they’re vibrant, lightly sweet, and work well in everything from soups and sides to cakes and pies. They’re also ideal if you want to encourage the picky eaters to eat their veggies. So, check out these Thanksgiving carrot recipes – I’ve got plenty to choose from!
21 Easy Carrot Recipes for Thanksgiving
1. Honey Garlic Roasted Carrots
Honey-roasted carrots are the perfect side to a big, juicy Thanksgiving turkey. And roasting them is one of the best ways to intensify their natural flavor and make them even sweeter. And the sweeter, the better, right? Tossed in a sweet honey, garlic, and butter sauce, these roasted goodies are good enough to eat by the spoonful.
2. Carrot Soup Recipe
Soup is one of my favorite Thanksgiving day lunches or starters. It’s warm but nice and light, so it’ll fill you up while you wait for the turkey to cook. Plus, it won’t weigh you down if you have a small bowl before the main meal. And this one is super creamy and lightly sweet with such a stunning orange hue. Skip the bacon if you want it veggie-friendly, and try it with a bit of ginger or red pepper flakes. Delish!
3. 5-Ingredients Carrot Fritters
You can’t beat these carrot fritters if you want to entice the kids to eat their veggies. Calling for just five ingredients (carrots, flour, eggs, garlic, spices), they’re deliciously sweet and crispy. They’ll pair well with turkey, ham, beef, or chicken and are sure to be a hit.
4. Mashed Carrots and Parsnips
Swap out those tired mashed potatoes for something a little more interesting this Thanksgiving, and whip up these mashed carrots and parsnips. This popular Irish side dish is a delicious paleo alternative to starchy, carb-heavy potatoes. A little orange juice and zest take these mashed veggies to a whole new level of deliciousness.
5. Oven Roasted Root Vegetables
Colorful, caramelized roasted veggies are an easy yet super-effective side dish for your Thanksgiving dinner. This recipe calls for carrots, red potatoes, beets, and woody parsnips. But feel free to mix and match with your faves. Add fresh thyme and rosemary, and throw a bit of butter on top, so it all glistens.
6. Cracker Barrel Baby Carrots
Serve these Cracker Barrel baby carrots, and I guarantee the kids will ask for seconds. It’s a copycat dish from a restaurant that’s known for its homegrown comfort food. So really, how can you go wrong? And they’re super simple to make too. You’ll coat sweet baby carrots in a thick brown sugar and butter glaze, then roast until tender. You only need four ingredients and 15 minutes, so you don’t have any excuses!
7. Carrot Pie
Move over pumpkin pie; this gorgeous carrot pie is coming for your title of Best Thanksgiving Dessert! Made with carrots and warm spices, every bite is so mouthwateringly tasty, you’ll want seconds before you even finish the first slice. The cherry on top is a caramelized layer of maple syrup, allspice, ginger, and cinnamon. Yum!
8. Carrot Souffle
This fluffy, melt-in-your-mouth carrot soufflé is a real treat! It’s an exciting dessert to jazz up your next Thanksgiving dinner. Creamy, sweet, and amazingly light, it’s absolutely packed with delicious fall flavors. Better still, this can be served as a starter, side, or dessert. How great is that?
9. Cheesy Carrot Casserole
Cheese lovers will go gaga for this cheesy carrot casserole! And for good reason – it’s overflowing with gooey cheese and buttery Ritz crackers. Oh, and tender carrots, of course! This is a fabulous recipe to serve a crowd. And it’s one you’ll crave again and again.
10. Paula Deen Carrot Cake
Pumpkin and apple pies are great. So are cobblers and crisps. But if you want something sweet, spiced, and a little different for this year’s after-dinner feast, try this impossibly moist carrot cake recipe. Layers of tender sponge covered with a decadent cream cheese frosting is the only way I want to end the day. Hot tip: Try adding some orange zest to the sponge and a little bit to the frosting. That hit of citrus makes all the difference!
11. Moroccan-Spiced Roasted Carrots
Add some extra spice to your Thanksgiving dinner with these Moroccan-spiced roasted carrots. The complex Moroccan spices pair beautifully with the sweet, caramelized carrots. Serve them with the turkey or as a tasty appetizer. Either way, they’re delicious dipped in a creamy dill and yogurt sauce.
12. Crispy Baked Carrot Fries
Fries are delicious at any time of the year. But these crispy baked carrot fries taste extra scrummy over the holiday season! These crispy treats are ideal if you’re on a diet too. They’ll satisfy that French fry craving without all the excessive oil that comes with deep frying. And again, the kids will love them!
13. Carrot Apple Bread
I don’t know about you, but we always have something sweet on the table with our holiday dinners. And that usually means some kind of quick bread for people to munch on as they chat. If that sounds good to you, try this sensational carrot and apple bread. It’s insanely soft and moist with a lovely backdrop of spice from the cinnamon and nutmeg. Serve it for breakfast, as a mid-morning snack, or with the big bird. No matter when you put it out, it’ll be gobbled up in a flash.
14. Healthy Baked Carrot Chips
Serving chips with Thanksgiving dinner may seem like an odd choice, but these carrot chips are a yummy exception. They’re bright, crispy, and lightly salted with a bit of spice to boot. Trust me, the kids will inhale these chips faster than you can make them!
15. Carrots Au Gratin
Looking for a decadent side dish to serve this year? Whip up these carrots au gratin and watch your family drool! Tender carrots covered in a cheesy sauce and topped with a buttery cracker crumb are luxurious, creamy, and much lighter than the usual potato dish. It may look a little fancy with its baked crumb topping, but these carrots au gratin is pretty simple to make.
16. Roasted Carrots and Leeks
If you’re in a pinch but need a veggie side dish pronto, make these roasted carrots and leeks. The sweet flavor of roasted carrots pairs perfectly with the zing of roasted leeks. And you only need five ingredients and 30 minutes to make them! To make this dish extra delish, season the veggies with rosemary, shallots, and garlic. You can even add some nuts or seeds for an extra crunch. Wow!
17. Classic Carrot Salad
Forget boring leafy greens and try this show-stopping carrot salad. It’s loaded with taste and texture, and it’s fabulously light too. Packed with apples, raisins, and sweet shredded carrots, this dish has so many layers of sweetness. Pair it with Thanksgiving dinner leftovers, or gobble it up as a light and fresh lunch.
18. Garlic Parmesan Roasted Carrots
Busy bees will love these garlic and Parmesan roasted carrots. They only take five minutes to prep, but they taste like a million bucks. I mean, is there anything garlic and Parmesan doesn’t improve? Just toss chopped carrots with olive oil, garlic, Parmesan cheese, and breadcrumbs, then roast until it’s crispy and fragrant. Cheesy, salty, and sweet? I’m sold!
19. Roasted Carrots and Brussels Sprouts
As a serious sprout lover, I can’t recommend this sheet pan roasted carrots and Brussels sprouts recipe enough. It’s practically fool-proof and ready in just 30 minutes. You don’t need to do much in terms of prep, but the resulting dish is a winner for any occasion. And if you have any leftovers, these roasted veggies make a fantastic salad topper. So that’s dinner and lunch sorted!
20. Carrot Raisin Salad with Pineapple
Here’s another fun carrot salad, only this one features sweet and tangy pineapple too! The combo of shredded carrots, sweet pineapple, and tart lemon juice is magical. Throw in some chopped pecans or walnuts for extra crunch, and it’s ready to be devoured.
21. Roasted Carrot Hummus
Whip up this roasted carrot hummus for a delicious Thanksgiving appetizer everyone will adore. Seriously, your dinner guests won’t be able to get enough of it! Made with just a handful of ingredients, this Mediterranean-inspired appetizer is effortless to make. Serve it with crackers or carrot sticks, or add it to your meat and cheese boards. Yummy! Click on a star to rate it!
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