Food & Cooking Recipes Healthy Recipes Gluten-Free Recipes Carrot Puree 4.1 (43) Simple and classic, this bright-orange side is easy to love and easy to make. Close Credit: Jake Sternquist Prep Time: 10 mins Cook Time: 20 mins Total Time: 35 mins Servings: 4 Jump to recipe When autumn rolls around, it’s hard to go wrong with pureed root vegetables, and this bright-orange carrot puree is no exception. Made with only carrots, salt, and pepper, it’s full of earthy-sweet carrot flavor and is an easy and delicious way to fill out your plate. Reserving the cooking liquid allows you to thin the puree to your desired consistency while adding even more carrot flavor to the finished result. Serve this nutrient-packed puree as a side dish to your favorite seared or roasted proteins, or spread onto a serving platter before topping with chicken, sliced steak, or tofu for an eye-catching presentation. Our Most Popular Side Dishes of All Time How to Shop for Carrots When shopping, look for bright orange carrots that are solid, firm, and feel heavy for their size. Avoid any that feel soft or rubbery. While carrots can be sold in a variety of colors, we recommend using classic orange ones for this recipe for the best and brightest puree. Storing Carrots Carrots should always be stored in the refrigerator, ideally in the crisper drawer. If your carrots came with leafy green tops, trim them off before storing, this will help the carrots retain their moisture. It's best to wait to wash carrots until you're ready to use them as introducing additional moisture can speed up spoilage. We also recommend waiting to peel carrots until you're ready to use them; if you need to peel them ahead of time, store them in a bag in the fridge to keep them fresh. Make Ahead This carrot puree can be made up to 3 days ahead stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Reheat the puree either on the stovetop or in the microwave, adding a splash of chicken broth, vegetable broth, or water if needed to reach the desired consistency. Directions Credit: Jake Sternquist Bring carrots and water to a boil and cook: Place carrots in a medium saucepan and cover with water. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer until carrots are tender, about 20 minutes. Drain, reserving cooking liquid. Credit: Jake Sternquist Starting carrots in cold water and bringing them to a boil—similar to cooking potatoes—will ensure they cook through evenly. Puree or mash until smooth: Puree carrots in a blender or with a potato masher, adding cooking liquid as needed, until thinned but still chunky. Stir in salt, and season with pepper. Credit: Jake Sternquist How to Store Leftover Carrot Puree If you find yourself with leftover carrot puree, you can store it in airtight container and refrigerate it for up to three days or freeze it for up to three months. Reheat refrigerated puree on the stovetop or the microwave, stirring frequently and adding a splash of water or chicken or vegetable broth to reach desired consistency. Let frozen puree thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating. Variations While this carrot puree needs nothing more than a bit of salt and pepper, there are plenty of ways to make it your own: Add richness: Butter, olive oil, or a touch of heavy cream will add richness and creaminess. Add spice: Stir in a dash of ground nutmeg, ginger, or Chinese five-spice powder to add complexity. Add fresh herb flavor: Consider adding fresh chopped herbs like thyme, parsley, or sage to add even more earthy flavor. Frequently Asked Questions Why is my carrot puree bitter? If you find that your carrot puree is bitter, it's likely because the carrots were lacking in sweetness. Carrot puree is most delicious when made with sweet, fresh tasting carrots, not ones that have been sitting in the crisper drawer for a while. If you need to temper any bitterness in your puree, stir in a little honey or brown sugar after blending or mashing. What can I do with leftover carrot puree? There's plenty you can do with leftover carrot puree. Try working it into mashed or pureed root vegetables such as potatoes, celery root, or parsnips for a fall-friendly side dish. You can also simmer carrot puree with coconut milk, chicken or vegetable stock, and a touch of ground ginger to make a delicious—and practically effortless—soup. Why is my carrot puree not smooth? If your carrot puree is not smooth, chances are your carrots were not cooked long enough; they should be very tender when you drain them from the cooking liquid. To make it smooth, return the puree to the stovetop, add a splash of liquid, and simmer for 10 to 15 more minutes. Puree or blend once more if desired. You can also try passing your puree through a fine-mesh strainer after blending. Five More Carrot Recipes to Try: Curried Carrot Soup Steamed Carrots With Lemon and Sea Salt Glazed Carrots Carrot-Ginger Ice Pops Easy Carrot Cake With Cream Cheese Frosting Updated by Esther Reynolds Esther Reynolds Esther Reynolds is an experienced recipe developer, recipe tester, food editor, and writer with over a decade of experience in the food and media industries.