Have you heard of carrot dogs? I was only introduced to the concept about a month or so ago, but was immediately intrigued. I am always looking for new vegetarian options when it comes to grilling, and the idea of using carrots as a sort of hot dog blew my mind.
Whole carrots are quickly boiled until just fork tender and are then marinated overnight in a sweet, savory and smoky mixture. When ready to enjoy, the carrots are thrown on the grill for just a few minutes for a bit of char and to heat back up. They are easy to make, packed with flavor, and not to mention just so much fun!
Now, the amount of time you’ll need to boil your carrots may vary slightly depending on their exact thickness. You want them to be just fork tender — i.e. not completely cooked since they will be going on the grill the following day and will cook a bit more during this time.
And as for the marinade, it is important to keep the carrots in a single layer in the plastic baggie while in the fridge. This ensures that they all get coated evenly. I also like to give them a toss in the baggie about halfway through the process, to further ensure that everything is soaking up in an even manner. But this step is not at all necessary.
Finally, I couldn’t resist topping the carrot dogs with a simple mango avocado salsa and crispy red cabbage. The flavors pair incredibly well with the ingredients in the marinade and have a fun tropical vibe. But, you can absolutely serve with any desired toppings of choice!
Carrot Dogs
Smoky marinated carrots are grilled up and topped with juicy mango avocado salsa to make these flavorful vegan carrot dogs.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings
Ingredients
For the carrot dogs:
- 6 medium-large carrots, peeled and trimmed to the length of hot dog buns
- 3 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce or tamari
- 3 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 2 tablespoons pure maple syrup
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
For the mango avocado salsa:
- 1 cup diced fresh mango
- 1/4 cup minced red onion
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
- 1 small avocado, pitted and diced
- 1 small jalapeno, seeded and minced
- Juice of half a medium lime, or to taste
- 1/2 teaspoon olive oil
- Salt and pepper, to taste
For serving:
- 6 hot dog buns
- Thinly sliced red cabbage
Instructions
For the carrot dogs:
- Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add in the carrots and cook for about 7 to 8 minutes, or until just fork tender. Drain and rinse well with cold water.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, vinegar, maple syrup, olive oil, garlic and smoked paprika. Transfer the mixture to a sealable gallon-sized plastic bag along with the cooked carrots. Mix to coat, then transfer to the refrigerator, keeping the carrots in a single layer. Marinate overnight or up to 24 hours.
- When ready to eat, set a grill pan over medium high heat and allow it to heat up for several minutes. Place the carrots on the heated grill, shaking off the excess marinade first, and cook for about 5 to 6 minutes, rotating the carrots once or twice. Remove to a plate.
For the mango avocado salsa:
- In a medium bowl, mix together the mango, red onion, cilantro, avocado, jalapeno, lime juice, olive oil, salt and pepper. Taste and adjust any of the flavors as desired.
For serving:
- Place one of the carrots in a bun. Top with some red cabbage and mango salsa. Serve immediately.
Notes
Prep time does not include time for the carrots to marinate overnight.
7 Comments
Sam Smith
August 21, 2017 at 6:17 amLooks very yummy. Keep posting Ashley..
Ashley Jennings
September 1, 2017 at 11:07 amThank you!
Sue
August 24, 2017 at 8:22 amThis is so creative!! I will try them soon. Thanks for the recipe.
Ashley Jennings
September 1, 2017 at 11:06 amThanks Sue! Hope you enjoy!
Kim McGrady
October 5, 2017 at 8:11 amI just want to say how I love, love, love your blog. I appreciate being able to come here and view recipes with the grocery lists. Certainly makes the vegan lifestyle so much easier. Thank you for what you do!
Frank J Smith
October 25, 2017 at 11:39 amBeing a fitness freak and foodie at the same time, I often look out for creative ideas to cook food that is healthy and nutritious at the same time. Loved your idea of using carrots in preparing hot dogs. Greatly appreciate your creativity. sure to try this recipe soon, bookmarked your blog already. Thanks in advance.
Katie Trant
October 26, 2017 at 6:19 amThanks, Frank! I hope you enjoy the carrot dogs as much as we do!