Not sure what to do with carrot tops? I have a few tips for how to wash, prepare and store them along with a list of 12 recipes featuring carrot tops! These earthy greens are a worth saving!
We’ve got some fun recipes below that use carrot tops. But before we dive right into recipes, there are a few key things to keep in mind.
One, you gotta wash carrot tops. Their little tiny leaves can hold onto a lot or dirt and sand.
And secondly, it’s best to remove the greens right when you bring them home from the store. Washing and storing them properly will greatly lengthen their life span (and you can avoid the dreaded slimy greens we all hate finding in the back of the fridge).
Finally, as I always say, taste your ingredients! If you’re unsure of how to use something, give it a taste in its raw state (don’t do this meat).
By tasting it raw you will have a better understanding of the ingredient, its flavor and what kind of cooking method might be best for it.
How to Wash Carrot Tops
First thing’s first, you gotta wash carrot tops. They can have quite a bit of sand and dirt in their leaves so give them a GOOD soak and spin dry.
First, trim the stems and leaves from the carrots, leaving about 2-inches of stem intact. Then soak the carrot greens in a large bowl, or even better, a salad spinner (this salad spinner is my all-time fav).
Soak, shimmy and drain a few times until all of the dirt and sand are washed away. Then spin the greens dry in the salad spinner or use a large kitchen towel to wrap them up in.
If using a towel, give the bundle a few taps against the counter to shake off excess water.
How to Store Carrot Tops
The best way to store carrot tops (after washing and thoroughly drying) is to wrap them loosely in a damp paper towel and place them in a resealable zipper-lock bag.
If you’re in the market, these reusable zipper-lock bags are my favorite. They’re high-quality, nontoxic and a great way to cut back on single use plastic waste in the kitchen.
What Do Carrot Tops Taste Like?
Carrot tops (aka carrot greens) have an earthy “root vegetable” flavor, similar to beet greens or Swiss chard. Their flavor is somewhat of a hybrid between parsley and carrots—they are delicious!
What to Do With Carrot Tops?
I like to treat carrot greens both as an herb and as a salad green in my cooking. Before cooking with them, run your hand down the stem and release the leaves and small tender stems, discard the tough stems.
Here are a few ideas of how to use carrot tops in your cooking, then check out the carrot top recipes below!
- Add carrot tops to this butter lettuce salad (or any green salad for that matter) and grain salads
- Make a carrot top pesto! Earthy and herby, so good!
- Make a carrot top chimichurri sauce then turn it into dinner with our chimichurri chicken.
- Add them to our vibrant green edamame hummus.
- Use them as an herb in your favorite herby salad like this white bean salad
- Use carrot tops as a garnish for cocktails (this carrot margarita is gorgeous with a carrot top garnish!)
- Use them in smoothies!
Carrot Top Recipes
Carrot Top Pesto
Herbaceous and full of flavor, this nut-free carrot top pesto takes on a bit of a Mexican spin with the use of Pepitas, cilantro and lime. Toss it with pasta or diced potatoes, use it in a vinaigrette as a sandwich spread and more!
turmeric roasted carrot soup + carrot top harissa
This luxurious carrot soup is delicious as is, but add a carrot top harissa and it's quickly taken to a whole new level!
Carrot Margaritas
This refreshing, healthy and delicious carrot margarita is sure to impress! Vibrant in color and flavor, this margarita recipe is so quick and easy to whip up!
Carrot Top Pesto Hummus
A brilliant way to use carrot top pesto! Blend a ½ cup of pesto with 1 can chickpeas , a few tablespoons of tahini, a bit more lime juice a few glugs of olive oil.
Carrot Top Chimichurri
This fresh and flavorful sauce is great served over roasted or grill veggies as well as grilled steak, chicken, pork or fish!
Roasted Carrots and Couscous with Gremolata
Pasta salad truly has never looked better! This small pearl-like pasta is the perfect base for roasted carrots and their earthy greens.
Grilled Steak With Carrot Top Chimichurri Sauce
Chimichurri and steak are a match made in heaven. Revamp classic chimichurri sauce with flavorful carrot greens for a quick and delicious dinner.
Beet Couscous with Balsamic Glazed Carrots & Carrot Top Dressing
This recipe is the mother of all root-vegetable recipes. Featuring beet couscous, glazed carrots, and a gorgeous carrot top dressing, this dish is veggie heaven!
Roasted Carrots With Carrot Top Gremolata
Carrot tops are a wonderful addition to a classic gremolata recipe. Vibrant and flavorful, its does wonders sprinkled over a variety of vegetable dishes.
Sautéed Kale with Garlic and Carrot Greens
Sauté carrot greens and kale together to create the ultimate wilted green side dish. Wilted and cooked with sliced garlic, these earthy greens are tender and delicious.
Garden Veggie Burgers
Don't throw your carrot greens! Flavorful and nutritious, they are the perfect addition to homemade veggie burgers..
Carrot Top Tabbouleh with Kamut
Not only does this tabbouleh feature carrot tops, but it's also made with an addictively chewy grain—kamut. This recipe is a fun take on the classic Middle Eastern dish.
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Nice ideas!
I recently experimented and came up with a sauce that I mix with carrot greens. Amazingly, my husband liked it. I probably should I have just looked up some of these mature recipes first though. Will definitely try the burgers at some point (I think I saw them linked in another list somewhere as well).
Thanks for all the ideas! I always feel terrible throwing carrot tops away, just never ate them before so I don’t know quite what to do with them.. I’ve heard they are a good green to throw in soups and stews.