At a glance
Toss whole carrots with oil, salt and pepper and smoke them at 275°F for 45 minutes. Brush them with honey butter and Dijon and keep smoking for another 30 to 45 minutes, until a knife slides into the thickest carrot. Finish with flaky salt and herbs.
Smoked carrots are a simple side that steals the show. Low, slow heat brings out the carrots' natural sweetness, the honey butter glaze caramelizes on the outside, and a gentle smoke adds depth you never get from an oven. Rainbow carrots make it look spectacular, but ordinary carrots taste just as good.
Choosing carrots
Medium carrots about 1 inch thick at the top cook most evenly. Bunched carrots with their tops still on are usually sweeter and fresher than bagged ones, and the tops can be chopped and scattered over the finished dish. If some carrots are much thicker than others, halve them lengthwise.
Glaze ideas
- Honey butter and Dijon: classic, sweet and savory.
- Hot honey: add a pinch of chili flakes or a drizzle of hot honey for heat.
- Maple and cumin: maple syrup, butter and a little ground cumin.
- Miso butter: white miso whisked into melted butter with a little honey.
Recipe
Smoked Carrots
- Prep
- 10 min
- Cook
- 1 hr 30 min
- Total
- 1 hr 40 min
- Makes
- 4 to 6 servings as a side
- Smoker 275°F (135°C)
- About 1 1/4 to 1 1/2 hours
- Done when tender to a knife
Ingredients
Carrots
- 2 lb (900 g) medium carrots, ideally rainbow carrots with tops
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1/2 tsp kosher salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
Honey butter glaze
- 3 tbsp butter, melted
- 2 tbsp honey (or hot honey)
- 1 tsp Dijon mustard
- 1 tsp chopped fresh thyme
To finish
- Flaky salt
- Chopped parsley or carrot tops
- Plain yogurt or whipped feta (optional)
Equipment
- Smoker
- Sheet pan or grill basket
Method
- Scrub the carrots and trim the tops, leaving about 1 inch (2.5 cm) of stem. Halve any very thick carrots lengthwise so they cook evenly.
- Toss with the oil, salt and pepper.
- Heat the smoker to 275°F (135°C) with apple, cherry or pecan.
- Spread the carrots on a sheet pan or in a grill basket and smoke for 45 minutes.
- Mix the glaze, brush it over the carrots and toss to coat.
- Smoke for another 30 to 45 minutes, brushing once more, until a knife slides easily into the thickest carrot.
- Finish with flaky salt and herbs, and serve over yogurt or whipped feta if you like.
Notes
- Carrots of a similar thickness cook evenly. Halve or quarter the big ones.
- For extra color, sear the glazed carrots over high heat for 1 to 2 minutes at the end.
Serving ideas
- Over whipped feta or yogurt with herbs.
- Alongside smoked meats like pork collar or leg of lamb.
- With smoked chimichurri spooned over the top.
For more smoked vegetables, try our smoked okra and butternut squash.
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to smoke carrots?
About 1 1/4 to 1 1/2 hours at 275°F for medium whole carrots.
Do I need to peel carrots before smoking?
No. A good scrub is enough, and the skin helps them hold their shape.
Can I smoke baby carrots?
Yes. Bagged baby carrots take about 1 hour at 275°F. Toss them in a grill basket so they do not fall through the grates.