Carrot Noodles Recipe

Carrots: The main ingredient, peeled and turned into noodles for a fresh, crunchy base.

Olive oil: Used to sauté the garlic and carrots, adding a smooth, rich flavor.

Garlic: Minced and cooked briefly to give the dish a tasty, aromatic kick.

Salt: Added to bring out the natural flavors of the carrots.

Black pepper: Gives a little bit of spice and depth to the dish.

One of the coolest parts of this Carrot Noodles Recipe is turning the carrots into noodles using a spiralizer. If you’ve never used one before, here’s a simple way to get it right every time:

1. Peel your carrots first so the skin doesn’t get in the way.
2. Cut off the ends of the carrots so they fit nicely into the spiralizer.
3. Secure the carrot firmly in the spiralizer’s holder so it doesn’t slip.
4. Turn the handle slowly and steadily, letting the blades do the work.
5. Catch the long, curly noodles as they come out, and if they get tangled, gently pull them apart.

Doing this carefully means your carrot noodles will be long and even, which helps them cook evenly in the pan. If the noodles are too short or broken, they might cook unevenly or get mushy in spots.

When I first tried spiralizing, I was a little impatient and turned the handle too fast. That made the noodles break into tiny pieces, which was frustrating. Now, I take my time, and the noodles come out perfect every time. Plus, it’s kind of fun to watch the carrots turn into these bright, curly ribbons!

Once you have your carrot noodles, cooking them quickly with garlic in olive oil keeps them tender but still a little crisp. That way, they don’t get soggy or lose their fresh flavor. So, taking a little extra care with the spiralizer step really makes the whole dish better and more enjoyable to eat.

• carrots - Substitute with zucchini: Zucchini has a similar texture and can be spiralized just like carrots, making it a great low-carb alternative.

• carrots - Substitute with sweet potatoes: Sweet potatoes can also be spiralized and offer a slightly sweeter taste, adding a different flavor profile to the dish.

• olive oil - Substitute with avocado oil: Avocado oil has a similar smoke point and neutral flavor, making it a good alternative for sautéing.

• olive oil - Substitute with coconut oil: Coconut oil can be used for a slightly different flavor and has a high smoke point suitable for cooking.

• garlic - Substitute with shallots: Shallots provide a milder, sweeter flavor that can complement the dish similarly to garlic.

• garlic - Substitute with ginger: Ginger offers a different but complementary flavor, adding a bit of spice and warmth to the dish.

• salt - Substitute with soy sauce: Soy sauce can add a salty and umami flavor, enhancing the overall taste of the dish.

• salt - Substitute with sea salt: Sea salt can be used as a direct substitute, offering a slightly different mineral content and flavor.

• black pepper - Substitute with white pepper: White pepper provides a similar heat but with a slightly different flavor profile, often used in lighter-colored dishes.

• black pepper - Substitute with red pepper flakes: Red pepper flakes add a bit of heat and a different kind of spiciness, making the dish more vibrant.

• Allow the carrot noodles to cool completely before storing. This prevents condensation, which can make them soggy.
• Transfer the cooled carrot noodles into an airtight container. Ensure the container is clean and dry to maintain freshness.
• Store the container in the refrigerator. The carrot noodles will stay fresh for up to 3 days.
• For freezing, place the cooled carrot noodles on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Spread them out to avoid clumping.
• Freeze the carrot noodles on the baking sheet for about 1-2 hours until they are firm.
• Once frozen, transfer the carrot noodles into a freezer-safe bag or container. Label with the date to keep track of freshness.
• When ready to use, thaw the carrot noodles in the refrigerator overnight or reheat directly from frozen in a pan over medium heat.
• If reheating, add a splash of olive oil to the pan to prevent sticking and enhance flavor.
• Season again with salt and black pepper to taste after reheating, as freezing can sometimes dull the flavors.

• Stovetop Method:

  1. Heat a non-stick pan over medium heat.
  2. Add a small amount of olive oil or butter to the pan.
  3. Once the oil is hot, add the leftover carrot noodles.
  4. Stir occasionally for about 3-4 minutes until they are heated through.
  5. Season with a pinch of salt and black pepper if needed.

• Microwave Method:

  1. Place the carrot noodles in a microwave-safe dish.
  2. Cover the dish with a microwave-safe lid or a damp paper towel.
  3. Microwave on high for 1-2 minutes.
  4. Stir the noodles halfway through to ensure even heating.
  5. Let it sit for a minute before serving.

• Oven Method:

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
  2. Spread the carrot noodles evenly on a baking sheet.
  3. Drizzle a little olive oil over the noodles.
  4. Cover the baking sheet with aluminum foil to prevent drying out.
  5. Bake for about 10 minutes or until heated through.
  6. Remove the foil for the last 2 minutes if you prefer a slightly crispy texture.

• Steaming Method:

  1. Set up a steamer basket over a pot of boiling water.
  2. Place the carrot noodles in the steamer basket.
  3. Cover and steam for about 3-5 minutes.
  4. Check occasionally to ensure they are heated through but not overcooked.
  5. Season with salt and black pepper if needed before serving.

• Spiralizer: A tool used to turn the carrots into noodle-like strands.

• Peeler: Used to peel the outer skin of the carrots before spiralizing.

• Cutting board: Provides a stable surface for peeling and preparing the carrots.

• Chef's knife: Useful for trimming the ends of the carrots before spiralizing.

• Garlic press: Helps to mince the garlic quickly and efficiently.

• Frying pan: Used to heat the olive oil and cook the carrot noodles.

• Wooden spoon: Ideal for stirring the garlic and carrot noodles in the pan.

• Measuring spoon: Ensures the correct amount of olive oil is used.

• Salt shaker: Allows for easy seasoning of the dish with salt.

• Pepper grinder: Provides freshly ground black pepper for seasoning.

Use pre-spiralized carrots: Save time by purchasing pre-spiralized carrots from the store.

Prep ingredients in advance: Mince the garlic and measure out the olive oil ahead of time.

Cook in batches: If making a large quantity, cook the carrot noodles in batches to ensure even cooking.

Use a food processor: Mince the garlic quickly using a food processor.

Quick seasoning: Keep salt and black pepper in easy-to-use shakers for fast seasoning.