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Why are carrots a good vegetable to grill?
Carrots are great for grilling, because they are sturdy root vegetables that can hold up to direct heat and being tossed and turned on the grill.
Because of their natural sweetness and sugars, they also caramelize and char nicely while still maintaining a soft, delicious interior.
Lastly, they’re extremely versatile and can be seasoned and finished with a variety of flavors, including:
- minced garlic and parmesan cheese
- soy sauce and honey
- harissa seasoning
- maple syrup mixed with a splash of whiskey
- balsamic vinegar and fresh thyme
Ingredients
The ingredients for this recipe are very simple. Once you master the technique, you can change up the spices and seasonings to add your own flair.
- Carrots: This recipe is for whole carrots. It’s okay if they have a little stem left on top. It makes them look more rustic, but stemless are fine, too.
- Oil: I like using olive oil, but you can also use vegetable oil, coconut oil or avocado oil.
- Seasonings: Kosher salt, coarse-ground black pepper and ground ginger is my favorite blend for grilled carrots.
Substitutions: You can also follow this recipe to make grilled parsnips. Like carrots, parsnips are root vegetables that are a little sweet. And don't just limit yourself to orange carrots. Give the rainbow carrots a try. The purple, white and orange colors make for a great presentation.
How to cook carrots on a Ninja Grill
- STEP ONE: Start by washing your carrots and scrubbing away any dirt. Pat them dry with a paper towel. Then, brush them with olive oil and sprinkle with a pinch of salt, pepper and ground ginger.
PRO TIP: It’s up to you if you’d like to peel them or not. I like the earthy flavor of the peel, but some people find it a little bitter. If you prefer them peeled, run a vegetable peeler down all sides of each carrot.
- STEP TWO: Set your Ninja Woodfire Grill to the grill function on high heat. Set the time to 20 minutes. I set the grill up with just the grill grate, but you could also use the air fryer basket.
These roasted carrots can also be cooked on a Ninja Foodi Grill, the Ninja Indoor Grill or any gas grill, charcoal grill or pellet grill.
- STEP THREE: Place carrots on the heated grill in a single layer and grill for 5 minutes with the lid closed. Rotate the carrots, close hood and cook another 5 minutes.
- STEP FOUR: Rotate a third time and cook for 5 more minutes, or until they are fork tender. Cook times will vary slightly, depending on the thickness of the carrots. Thinner carrots will take less time, while thick carrots may take a little more time.
NINJA PRO TIP: At this point, you could brush on a glaze of honey or maple syrup for a touch of sweetness. Or sprinkle the grilled carrots with Parmesan cheese for a savory finish.
- STEP FIVE: Transfer the cooked carrots to a pan or plate and garnish with a touch more salt and pepper. Keep warm, until ready to serve.
How to serve grilled carrots
Grilled carrots are such an easy and versatile side dish. Depending on the size of your carrots, you can plan to serve 2-3 whole carrots per person.
You can also slice the carrots after they’re grilled and serve the carrots in a bowl as a healthy side dish.
What to serve with grilled carrots
- Smoked Prime Rib on a Ninja Woodfire Grill
- Ninja Grilled Filet Mignon with Mushroom Cream Sauce
- Ninja Grilled Chicken Breasts
Storage
Grilled carrots store really well. Just pack them in an airtight container and refrigerate them for up to five days. They’re actually delicious cold, but you can also reheat them in the microwave.
You can also store grilled carrots in the freezer for up to six months, but they lose a little of their delicious flavor and texture over time.
If you have a lot of extra carrots leftover, try adding them to a grilled quiche.
Frequently Asked Questions
You do not have to peel carrots before grilling them. The peel is edible. I personally like the earthiness of carrot peel, but some people do find it bitter. Try a couple peeled and a couple unpeeled and see which you prefer.
You can grill just about every vegetable there is. Some of my favorites are Grilled Mushrooms, Grilled Japanese Eggplant and Grilled Asparagus. Want more delicious recipes for grilling vegetables? Read my article on How To Grill 20 Vegetables.
Absolutely! Carrots are low in calories, have 0 grams of fat, and are a good source of vitamins A, K and C. Vitamin A is especially good for your eyes. Carrots do have a little more natural carbohydrates and sugar than other vegetables. So if you’re on a low-carb diet like Keto, keep that in mind.
Yes. Because the Ninja Woodfire Grill grill grate is solid, you don’t run the risk of losing any carrots between the grates, so you can make this recipe with a bag of baby carrots. Just toss them in a small bowl with the oil and seasonings and place them on the grill. Because they’re smaller, they will cook a little faster.
More Grilled Vegetable Recipes
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Grilled Carrots on a Ninja Grill
Ingredients
- 8 whole carrots
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1/4 tsp kosher salt
- 1/4 tsp coarse ground black pepper
- 1/8 tsp ground ginger, optional
Instructions
- Heat Grill: Set the Ninja Woodfire Grill to the grill function with high heat. Set the time to 20 minutes.
- Season: Wash the carrots. Brush with olive oil and season with salt, pepper and ginger.
- Grill: Place the carrots on the grill. Close the lid and grill for 5 minutes. Rotate the carrots and cook another 5 minutes. Rotate a third time and cook another 5 minutes or until they are fork tender.
- Serve: Remove from the grill and add a pinch of salt and pepper.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
