How to Microwave Carrots

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If you love the flavor of cooked carrots but want to skip the stovetop, try the microwave! Microwaving retains the freshness and sweetness of carrots, and it’s a simple and quick way to prepare them. There are also many great recipe options, whether you like your carrots simply steamed, glazed with brown sugar, or sweet and spicy!

Ingredients

Steamed Carrots

  • 1 lb (450 g) carrots
  • 2 US tbsp (30 mL) water

Glazed Carrots

  • 1 lb (450 g) carrots
  • 3 tbsp (42.9 g) butter
  • 1 tsp (4.8 g) orange zest
  • 1 tbsp (14.3 g) brown sugar

Sweet and Spicy Carrots

  • 1.5 lb (680 g) carrots
  • 2 US tbsp (30 mL) unrefined coconut oil
  • 1 tbsp (14.3 g) light brown sugar
  • ½ tsp (2.4 g) ground cumin
  • ¼ tsp (1.2 g) crushed red pepper
  • 1 tsp (4.8 g) kosher salt
  • 2 US tbsp (30 mL) white distilled vinegar
  • 2 scallions
Method 1
Method 1 of 3:

Steamed Carrots

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  1. Watermark wikiHow to Microwave Carrots
    Wash whole carrots under running water, pat them dry, and use a vegetable peeler to remove the tough outer layer. Then, use a sharp knife to trim off the stem and tip of each carrot, and cut them into either thin sticks or sliced rounds. [1]
    • You can also use bagged baby carrots. These come pre-washed, but you might choose to give them another rinse and pat them dry. You can cook them whole, or slice each into 2-3 pieces.
  2. Watermark wikiHow to Microwave Carrots
    Choose a large, microwave-safe dish (glass or ceramic is best) that provides plenty of extra room for the carrots and water. [2]
    • Never use a metal bowl in the microwave.
    • If you must use a plastic bowl, make sure it is labeled as microwave-safe.
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  3. Watermark wikiHow to Microwave Carrots
    Don’t tilt the lid or poke holes in the plastic wrap for venting. You want to trap the water inside the bowl in order to steam the carrots. [3]
    • Plastic wrap might melt if it is touching the carrots. If necessary, use a larger bowl.
  4. Watermark wikiHow to Microwave Carrots
    After the microwave stops running, remove the bowl with oven mitts—it will be hot! Remove the lid or plastic wrap carefully, keeping any escaping steam away from your arms and face. [4]
    • The cooking times for this recipe assume a 1000 watt microwave. If you have a higher wattage microwave, reduce the time to 3 minutes; if it’s lower, increase the time to 4 minutes.
  5. Watermark wikiHow to Microwave Carrots
    Once you’ve stirred the carrots and re-covered the bowl, cook them on high for another 2 minutes. Then, remove them again and check them for doneness with a fork—it should pierce the carrot pieces with little resistance. If they’re not done yet, microwave them for another minute and keep repeating the process as needed. [5]
    • Thin slices will take about 6-9 minutes in total.
    • Strips will take about 5-7 minutes in total.
    • Whole baby carrots will take about 7-9 minutes in total.
  6. Watermark wikiHow to Microwave Carrots
    You can serve them as-is, or add a little salt and pepper to taste. You might also choose to stir in a small pat of butter. [6]
    • Steamed carrots can be added to many meals as a side dish or vegetable accompaniment. Try them with a grilled chicken breast or broiled fish, for example.
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Method 2
Method 2 of 3:

Glazed Carrots

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  1. Watermark wikiHow to Microwave Carrots
    Rinse, dry, and peel the whole carrots, and chop them carefully with a sharp knife. Alternatively, you can cut the carrots into 0.25 in (0.64 cm) sticks. [7]
    • Or, you can use a 1 lb (450 g) bag of baby carrots instead.
  2. Watermark wikiHow to Microwave Carrots
    Microwave the butter on full power for 30 seconds, then in 15-second increments as needed until it melts. Keep an eye on it, because butter can burn quickly in a microwave. [8]
    • Use a ceramic, glass, or other microwave-safe bowl that has more than enough room for adding the carrots after the butter melts.
  3. Watermark wikiHow to Microwave Carrots
    Use a zester or microplane to scrape off just the outer skin of the orange—the white flesh underneath is bitter. Stir the orange zest and brown sugar into the butter until the sugar dissolves. [9]
    • Alternatively, try replacing the brown sugar with 1 US tbsp (15 mL) of maple syrup or honey.
  4. Watermark wikiHow to Microwave Carrots
    Use tongs or a spoon to coat the carrots in the butter-sugar-zest mixture. [10]
    • The mixture will adhere to the carrots better if you pat them dry a bit with some paper towels.
  5. Watermark wikiHow to Microwave Carrots
    Use a lid or plastic wrap, without any venting holes. Check the carrots for doneness and stir them gently after 3 ½ minutes, then microwave them in 90-second increments until they’re fork-tender. [11]
    • Use oven mitts and watch for hot steam when moving the bowl and checking the carrots.
    • Cooking times may vary based on your microwave oven. This recipe assumes a 1000 watt microwave.
  6. Watermark wikiHow to Microwave Carrots
    If desired, they can be garnished with a little extra orange zest right before serving. Try them with a pork roast, or just have them as a sweet snack! [12]
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Method 3
Method 3 of 3:

Sweet and Spicy Carrots

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  1. Watermark wikiHow to Microwave Carrots
    Wash and peel the carrots before chopping them with a sharp knife. You can also try substituting 1.5 lb (680 g) of baby carrots. [13]
    • If your carrots are very thin at one end and very thick at the other, cut the thicker rounds in half to keep the pieces similar in size.
  2. Watermark wikiHow to Microwave Carrots
    Use an 8 in × 8 in (20 cm × 20 cm) baking dish that is microwave-safe. Stir in and microwave the following ingredients just until the sugar melts (around 30 seconds): [14]
    • 2 US tbsp (30 mL) unrefined coconut oil
    • 1 tbsp (14.3 g) light brown sugar
    • ½ tsp (2.4 g) ground cumin
    • ¼ tsp (1.2 g) crushed red pepper
    • 1 tsp (4.8 g) kosher salt
  3. Watermark wikiHow to Microwave Carrots
    Add the vinegar, stir the mixture, then add the carrots and toss gently until they are coated. [15]
  4. Watermark wikiHow to Microwave Carrots
    Secure the plastic wrap over the baking dish, then poke 6 holes in it with a knife tip or skewer. Without proper venting, the carrots will become mushy instead of crisp-tender. [16]
    • If the baking dish has a vented lid, use it instead.
  5. Watermark wikiHow to Microwave Carrots
    Cook the dish for 5 minutes on high (100%) power, then remove it, uncover it, and stir the carrots quickly. Re-cover it and repeat the process 2 more times. If the carrots are fork-tender and most of the liquid is absorbed at this point, you can stop cooking them. [17]
    • If the carrots still aren’t quite ready, microwave and stir them in 2-minute increments until they’re done.
    • Be careful when you uncover the carrots to stir them—the hot steam can burn you!
  6. Watermark wikiHow to Microwave Carrots
    Stir most of the sliced scallions into the carrots, then sprinkle the rest on top when you’re ready to serve the dish. Then dig in! [18]
    • These carrots go great with grilled shrimp, or you can just serve them with some rice.
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Community Q&A

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  • Question
    If I double the recipe on the glazed carrots, do I double the cooking time on the microwave?
    Michele
    Top Answerer
    Not necessarily. Start at the highest recommended time and check. You can always put them back in to cook a little longer.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
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    Not Helpful 2 Helpful 7
  • Question
    What wattage microwave?
    Michele
    Top Answerer
    Carrots can be cooked in any wattage microwave. The lower the wattage, the more time will be needed for it to cook through. If you're not sure, start at the shortest time. You can always put it back in to cook another few minutes.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
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      Things You'll Need

      • Cutting board and knife for preparing carrots
      • Microwave-safe dish
      • Microwave oven

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      References

      1. ↑ https://www.bhg.com/recipes/how-to/cook-with-fruits-and-vegetables/how-to-cook-carrots/
      2. ↑ https://www.bhg.com/recipes/how-to/cook-with-fruits-and-vegetables/how-to-cook-carrots/
      3. ↑ https://www.bhg.com/recipes/how-to/cook-with-fruits-and-vegetables/how-to-cook-carrots/
      4. ↑ https://www.bhg.com/recipes/how-to/cook-with-fruits-and-vegetables/how-to-cook-carrots/
      5. ↑ https://www.bhg.com/recipes/how-to/cook-with-fruits-and-vegetables/how-to-cook-carrots/
      6. ↑ https://www.bhg.com/recipes/how-to/cook-with-fruits-and-vegetables/how-to-cook-carrots/
      7. ↑ https://www.geniuskitchen.com/recipe/glazed-carrots-in-the-microwave-350990
      8. ↑ https://www.geniuskitchen.com/recipe/glazed-carrots-in-the-microwave-350990
      9. ↑ https://www.geniuskitchen.com/recipe/glazed-carrots-in-the-microwave-350990
      1. ↑ https://www.geniuskitchen.com/recipe/glazed-carrots-in-the-microwave-350990
      2. ↑ https://www.geniuskitchen.com/recipe/glazed-carrots-in-the-microwave-350990
      3. ↑ https://www.geniuskitchen.com/recipe/glazed-carrots-in-the-microwave-350990
      4. ↑ https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/food-network-kitchen/microwave-sweet-and-spicy-carrots-with-scallions-3510894
      5. ↑ https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/food-network-kitchen/microwave-sweet-and-spicy-carrots-with-scallions-3510894
      6. ↑ https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/food-network-kitchen/microwave-sweet-and-spicy-carrots-with-scallions-3510894
      7. ↑ https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/food-network-kitchen/microwave-sweet-and-spicy-carrots-with-scallions-3510894
      8. ↑ https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/food-network-kitchen/microwave-sweet-and-spicy-carrots-with-scallions-3510894
      9. ↑ https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/food-network-kitchen/microwave-sweet-and-spicy-carrots-with-scallions-3510894

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      To make simple steamed carrots in the microwave, cut about 1 lb (450 g) of carrots into thin sticks or slices. Put the carrots in a microwave-safe bowl or dish with 2 tablespoons (30 mL) of water and cover the dish with a lid or a piece of plastic wrap. Cook the carrots on high for 3 and ½ minutes. Stir the carrots and put them back in for another 2 minutes, then check to see if they are tender enough to pierce easily with a fork. If not, keep cooking them for 1 minute at a time until they are as tender as you like. Depending on how thin the pieces are, it may take anywhere from 5 to 9 minutes total. You can serve the carrots as is or add a little butter, salt and pepper, or any other seasonings of your choice. To learn how to make glazed or sweet and spicy carrots in the microwave, scroll down!

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      Reader Success Stories

      • Sharon D.

        Feb 21, 2021

        "I followed the instructions, have a 1000 microwave and for about five medium carrots, peeled and sliced thin, the 3 ..." more
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