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    Home » Recipes » Sides

    Microwave Carrots (with Seasoning Ideas)

    Published: Jan 5, 2023 / Modified: Jan 5, 2023 by Lizzie Streit, MS, RDN / This post may contain affiliate links / Leave a Comment

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    microwave carrots in a bowl under text box with recipe name
    cooked carrots with honey and thyme in a serving bowl
    carrots cut into coins on a cutting board and in a bowl separated by text box

    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.

    Jump to:
    • Ingredients
    • Variations
    • Instructions
    • FAQ
    • More Carrot Recipes
    • 📖 Recipe
    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

    • Honey Roasted Carrots and Parsnips
    • Carrot Raisin Salad with Pineapple and Yogurt Dressing
    • Oatmeal Orange Carrot Muffins with Cranberries
    • Vegan Carrot Banana Smoothie

    I’d love to hear how you like this recipe! Rate/review using the stars on the recipe card or in the comments, and follow the Veg World on YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest. Looking for something totally different? Browse the recipe library.

    📖 Recipe

    microwave carrots in a serving bowl surrounded by toppings

    Microwave Carrots

    Learn how to cook carrots fast in the microwave. Seasoning ideas for steamed carrots included.
    5 from 1 vote
    Print Pin Rate Save Saved!
    Prep Time: 10 mins
    Cook Time: 3 mins
    Resting Time: 1 min
    Total Time: 14 mins
    Servings: 3 cups
    Calories: 134kcal
    Author: Lizzie Streit, MS, RDN

    Ingredients

    • 6 small carrots - or 3 large, about 3 cups sliced

    Seasoning ideas (see more in notes)

    • 2 tablespoons melted butter
    • 2 teaspoons honey
    • 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves
    • ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
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    Instructions

    • Scrub the carrots clean and peel if desired. Slice into ½-inch coins.
    • Place carrots in a medium microwave-safe bowl. Add 3 tablespoons of water (1 tablespoon per cup of carrots).
    • Place a microwave-safe plate on top of the bowl. Cook in the microwave on high for 3 minutes. Let stand for 1 minute. Use an oven mitt or towel to remove the bowl and plate from the microwave. Test the carrots for doneness by inserting a fork into them. If you want them to be softer, place the plate back on top of the bowl and cook for another minute in the microwave. Let them stand for 1 minute, then test for doneness again. Repeat as needed.
    • Drain the carrots. Mix together the melted butter, honey, thyme, and salt. Toss the carrots with the seasonings. See notes for other seasoning ideas. Enjoy!
    • Leave a rating or review by tapping the stars on this recipe card (above) or in the comments section (at the end of the post)!

    Notes

    • Nutrition facts include the example seasonings written on the ingredients list. Nutrition will vary based on what seasonings you use.
    • Leftover microwave carrots can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the microwave until warmed through.
    • Other seasoning ideas:
      • 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

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1cup | Calories: 134kcal | Carbohydrates: 16g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 8g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.4g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 20mg | Sodium: 342mg | Potassium: 418mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 10g | Vitamin A: 21649IU | Vitamin C: 9mg | Calcium: 48mg | Iron: 1mg
    Did you make this recipe?Tag @its_a_vegworld_afterall and follow me today!

    Enjoy your carrots! – Lizzie

    More Plant-Forward Side Dishes

    • Chicken and Leek Risotto
    • Leek Pancakes
    • Mushroom Gratin
    • Caramelized Mushrooms

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    Welcome! I'm Lizzie, a Registered Dietitian and cookbook author who loves vegetables. And I'm here to help you love them too! My easy, veggie-forward recipes will help you get comfortable in the kitchen and celebrate the seasons.

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