Don’t toss your old carrots!
By Stacey Ballis Updated July 22, 2019
baby carrots on cutting board
Credit: Steven Robinson Pictures/Getty Images
Carrots are a fridge staple for most of us. Whether it's the ubiquitous bag of baby carrots for snacking, or a pound or two of whole carrots for recipes, it is rare that you open a crisper drawer anywhere and not find some sort of carrot situation.
Not every week is the same, and sometimes you get to Friday and discover that your long carrots are a bit flexible, or your bag of babies has started to dry out a bit and get that white chalky look on the outside. Now, if your carrots are slimy or moldy or you can bend them in half without breaking, either bin them or compost them, because there is no going back.
But if your carrots are just a little past their prime but still edible? Pickled carrots are your new best pal.
WATCH: How to Make Shortcut Carrot Sheet Cake
Pickling may not be your first thought, but this naturally sweet root vegetable is wonderful pickled. It retains a bit of crunch, which is always nice, and pickled carrots are a great snack on their own or a garnish to a sandwich or salad.
This basic version has a sweet and sour element to it, but it is endlessly adaptable to your own taste, so feel free to go heavier on the vinegar in the ratio if you want them punchier or add different spices or add some chile for heat.
I often serve these drained and garnished with chopped fresh herbs like dill or parsley and put them out either on a cheese and charcuterie board or just on their own. They last in the fridge, as with most pickles, for up to a month, although I think the texture is best in the first week to ten days.
This is a small batch quick pickle, but multiply up if you have more carrots, or if you want to make with fresh.
How to Make Pickled Carrots
Ingredients
- ½ pound baby carrots or peeled carrots cut into small sticks or rounds
- 6 ounces vinegar (apple cider or white wine or rice wine vinegar are all great choices)
- 4 ounces honey (can sub sugar, brown sugar or maple syrup for interesting flavor)
- 1 tablespoon mustard seed (I use half brown and half yellow but you can also use other spices like cardamom, coriander, peppercorns, and the like)
- Pinch red pepper flakes (optional)
How to Make It
Mix honey or sugar into vinegar a little bit at a time to your desired level of sweet/sour, tasting as you go.
pickling carrots
Stacey Ballis
Heat in a nonreactive pan over medium high heat with mustard seed until at a simmer and add carrots. Simmer carrots in vinegar, honey and mustard seed till cooked but still crisp (1-3 minutes).
Store overnight in fridge in liquid. Before serving, remove from brine and toss with chopped fresh herbs of your choosing.
jarred pickled carrots
Stacey Ballis
FAQs
Heat in a nonreactive pan over medium high heat with mustard seed until at a simmer and add carrots. Simmer carrots in vinegar, honey and mustard seed till cooked but still crisp (1-3 minutes). Store overnight in fridge in liquid. Before serving, remove from brine and toss with chopped fresh herbs of your choosing.
What to do with carrots that are getting old? ›
If your carrots do go limp or develop a white blush, trim off the ends and soak them in a bowl of iced water before using to rehydrate and crisp them up again. You can then roast them to include in a warm couscous or rice salad – try this roasted carrot and grain salad recipe – ideal as a nutritious, filling lunch.
How to tell if bagged carrots are bad? ›
Carrots that have gone bad have an off smell, slimy exterior, and can sometimes be rubbery or bendy.
Can you save old carrots? ›
If they're not too far gone, yes, the fridge helps. But first, cut off the greens (if they're still on) wash the carrots well, and place them in a clean container of cool water. Let the carrots soak up some of the water and become crisp again.
How long are bagged carrots good for? ›
You'll have to store your carrots in the refrigerator, but how you store them can actually make a difference. Raw carrots, when properly stored will usually stay fresh for around 3 to 4 weeks in the fridge.
Can you freeze raw carrots? ›
Freezing carrots is such a great way to avoid waste. It will also make cooking them a little quicker from frozen. Like most vegetables, if frozen raw, the texture, taste, colour and nutritional value of carrots deteriorates. Make sure you blanch the veg to preserve these elements.
How do you know when carrots are too old to eat? ›
Carrots that have spoiled or gone bad will usually have an odor, a slimy texture, or dark discoloration. They may also be wilted or soft. If you see mold growing on carrots, throw them out. The white blush that forms on carrots signals that your carrots are drying out.
When should you throw away carrots? ›
If your carrots feel slimy and look discolored, are wilting or soft, or show signs of mold, they should be tossed. The white blush on carrot skin is OK to eat—it just means the carrots are drying out and need water. Unpeeled carrots are protected by the skin.
What's the best way to preserve carrots? ›
Seal them and freeze. An alternative is to freeze drained, chilled carrots on trays before packaging them. Frozen carrots are best used in combination dishes or served with a flavorful sauce. When canning, remember that plain carrots are a low-acid food and can only be safely processed in a pressure canner.
Can slimy carrots be washed? ›
I wouldn't think twice about eating a lil' slimy boy. If it bothers you aesthetically, rinse them off under cool water, which should wash away the slime. If the slime does not wash away, you could always disinfect them yourself... or just throw them away.
Firm fruits and vegetables with low moisture such as carrots, cabbage, and bell peppers can handle a little bit of mold. Molds have a harder time growing roots in dense foods, so if you cut off at least 1 inch around the spot of mold, you should be fine to eat your firm fruits and vegetables.
Can dogs eat carrots? ›
Yes, dogs can eat carrots. Carrots are an excellent low-calorie snack that is high in fiber and beta-carotene, which produces vitamin A. Plus, crunching on this orange root vegetable is great for your dog's teeth. Carrots are included as an ingredient in many dog foods as well as plenty of carrot dog treats.
What can I do with out of date carrots? ›
Now, if your carrots are slimy or moldy or you can bend them in half without breaking, either bin them or compost them, because there is no going back. But if your carrots are just a little past their prime but still edible? Pickled carrots are your new best pal.
Can you eat carrots that are old? ›
It's never a good idea to eat or cook with rotted vegetables. Mushy/soft texture: Carrots taste best when they're firm and crunchy, but they're still safe to eat when they have a more rubbery texture. It's soft and mushy carrots that you want to be on the look-out for—these carrots are spoiled and not safe to eat.
