Microwave Carrots (with Seasoning Ideas)

Name: Microwave Carrots
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 3 min
Total time: 14 min
Ingredients: 6 small carrots (or 3 large, about 3 cups sliced); 2 tablespoons melted butter; 2 teaspoons honey; 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves; ¼ teaspoon kosher salt

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Microwave carrots are a quick and easy side dish that can pair with nearly any meal. The carrots steam quickly and only need to rest for a minute before you can add seasonings like butter, honey, or herbs.

microwave carrots in a serving bowl surrounded by toppings

If you’re wondering how to cook carrots fast, look no further than these microwave carrots! Steaming vegetables in the microwave is an efficient way to soften them quickly. No pots or pans required.

Besides being incredibly easy, this recipe is very customizable. You can season your carrots any way you please. I personally like them with a melted butter and honey glaze, some fresh thyme, and a pinch of salt. If that doesn’t sound like something you would like, don’t worry, I included plenty of seasoning ideas in this post.

If you’re interested in cooking other vegetables with the help of the microwave, check out my posts on how to make microwave artichokes and sweet potatoes. For some more delicious carrot recipes, see the Spiced Carrots and Dates and Honey Roasted Carrots and Parsnips.

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Ingredients
Variations
Instructions
FAQ
More Carrot Recipes
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carrots, thyme, salt, pepper, honey, and butter on a counter

Ingredients

Carrots: I used fresh carrots that I scrubbed clean and peeled before slicing into coins. You can also use frozen carrots or baby carrots.
Seasonings of choice: These could include melted butter, extra virgin olive oil, honey or maple syrup, salt, pepper, herbs like thyme or rosemary, or spices like cinnamon or cardamom. There are some more ideas in the section below.

Variations

I seasoned my microwave carrots with honey, butter, and thyme, but you can add whatever flavors you want. You can see the full recipe and ingredients list in the recipe card at the end of the post. Here are some other seasoning ideas. Check out my Vegetable Seasoning Guide for more flavors that pair well with carrots.

Olive oil + maple syrup + cinnamon or cardamom
Melted butter + garlic + dill
Melted butter + parmesan cheese + oregano
Olive oil + paprika + coriander + cumin
Melted butter + honey + cayenne pepper + cinnamon
Melted butter + parsley + salt

cooked carrots with honey and thyme in a serving bowl

Instructions

carrots cut into slices on a cutting board with a knife

Cut the carrots into ½-inch coins.

carrots in a bowl with water before being microwaved

Place the coins in a medium bowl (that’s microwave-safe) and add 2 tablespoons to ¼ cup water (1 tablespoon per cup of carrots).

carrots in a bowl with a plate on top in the microwave

Place a microwave-safe plate on top of the bowl. Microwave on high for 3 minutes, then let stand for 1 minute. Carefully remove the plate to assess doneness. Return the bowl covered with the plate to the microwave and cook for additional time if desired.

cooked carrots with seasonings in a mixing bowl with a spoon

Drain the carrots. Add seasonings as desired. Enjoy!

FAQ

How long do you cook carrots in the microwave?

Carrots take about 3 minutes to steam in the microwave. Since the strength of microwaves varies, you may need to cook the carrots for more time to get them as soft as you would like. Let the carrots stand for a minute before assessing doneness. Be sure to use an oven mitt or towel to remove the bowl and plate so that you don’t burn yourself. Check the carrots for doneness using a fork. Return them to the microwave in 1-minute intervals until cooked to your liking.

Can you cook baby carrots in the microwave?

You can use baby carrots or whole carrots that you slice into coins for this recipe. Baby carrots will also take about 3 minutes to cook. However, they may need more time depending on the strength of your microwave and how soft you want them to be.

How much water do you need to steam carrots in the microwave?

Use 1 tablespoon per 1 cup of carrots when steaming them in the microwave. I recommend cooking a maximum of 4 cups of carrots at a time and using a bowl that’s big enough to hold them. An over-crowded bowl will prevent the carrots from cooking evenly and quickly.

More Carrot Recipes

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