Boiled Carrots Quinoa Salad

Boiled carrots are just perfect! Read on to find out how long to cook carrots unit soft and a bonus recipe of quinoa salad with boiled carrots. 

I’m a huge fan of vegan salads, green salads and whatever salad is on the menu. Unlike my other quinoa salad with cherries, this one is a savory boiled carrots recipe!

You’ll Love Boiled Carrots In Everything

• Best-boiled carrots can give you that ideal fiber + protein + fat balance in a meal. 
• They are easy to combine with a wide range of ingredients. They even become more healthy once it gets boiled or steamed.
• Cooked carrots taste beyond perfection with almost every seasoning.

Process + Tricks and Tips to Have The Perfect Boiled Carrots 

Here is how to boil carrots. Each of the steps will have some tricks that will help you master the process. Overall, the process does not take longer than 10 minutes. Pay attention to each of the steps so your boiling carrots won’t get mushy. 

1. Fill the pan with water and a little salt then put the steamer basket on it. If you want your carrots boiled, add water to the pan enough to cover your carrots. If you want steamed carrots, do not exceed the level of the steamer basket. Cover the skillet with a lid.
2. Wash your carrots and cut them evenly. The bigger the chunks the more time they need to boil. The smaller they are, the easier/quicker they boil. 
3. Once the water comes to a boil, put the carrots on the steamer basket.
4. Check your carrots with a fork. You need to turn off the heat before they are completely tender. Once they are al dente pull the steamer basket out of the pan and run your carrots under cold water until they turn cold.
5. After that, return the steamer basket with carrots on the pan and put the glass lid back on (leave a little air gap so the lid doesn’t trap the heat). THIS IS THE SECRET TO PERFECTLY COOKED CARROTS.
6. The heat inside the pan will continue to cook the carrots for another 3-4 minutes. At this point, the carrots will get “sweaty”, beautifully orange, and ready to eat. 
7. Once the water comes to a boil, put the carrots on the steamer basket.
8. Check your carrots with a fork. You need to turn off the heat before they are completely tender. Once they are al dente pull the steamer basket out of the pan and run your carrots under cold water until they turn cold.
9. After that, return the steamer basket with carrots on the pan and put the glass lid back on (leave a little air gap so the lid doesn’t trap the heat). THIS IS THE SECRET TO PERFECTLY COOKED CARROTS.
10. The heat inside the pan will continue to cook the carrots for another 3-4 minutes. At this point, the carrots will get “sweaty”, beautifully orange, and ready to eat. 

Leftover Boiled Carrots Ideas

• Use the water that is left. The amount of water we use when we steam vegetables is usually more controlled than the amount of water we need to use when we boil them. Use this stock as a soup/stew base.

• Season and refrigerate them. Toss the boiled carrots with freshly chopped parsley, dill, rosemary, and garlic-infused olive oil. Zest some lemon, shred some parmesan, and sprinkle with sesame seeds.

• Pair with fibers, such as rice or quinoa for tomorrow’s great lunch. 

Try the recipe in the recipe card for a quinoa salad with boiled carrots, feta cheese, and an anchovy and walnut pesto dressing. 

How To Store Boiled Carrots Salads

It would be best to make sure that carrots cool entirely before packing them for storage.

Use an airtight container to store them in the fridge for up to three days.

Reheat carrots salad in the microwave or on a pot with boiling water for a couple of minutes until they are warmed. Be watchful not to let them soften.

Do not forget to add a little dressing again before serving, so they look coated. You can also shred parmesan cheese or any other favorite cheese.

FAQs about Boiled Carrots 

Is it good to boil carrots? 

According to the 2008 report in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, carrots have more antioxidants when cooked than when raw. The research found that boiled carrots have a 14% concentration of more carotenoids than the raw ones. 

Is it better to steam or boil carrots?

Steamed carrots are healthier. The cooking method of steaming carrots prevents nutrient loss, increases the intake of potassium, vitamin K and vitamin A -according to SFGate.

Print

This boiled carrots salad combines fiber, protein, and fat to have a nutritious meal and an easy-to-pack takeaway lunch.

Carrots are rich in fiber, quinoa is rich in protein, and cheese in fat.