Best Vegan Carrot Dogs
These vegan carrot dogs are so good because they offer a flavorful, smoky taste and a satisfying texture, making them a delicious plant-based alternative to traditional hot dogs. Packed with nutrients and easy to prepare, they are a healthy and tasty option for any barbecue or casual meal. Cook them on the grill, stove, or in your Instant Pot!
These perfectly smoky and sweet carrot hot dogs are incredible and perfect for summertime cookouts and gatherings. Who knew that carrots could make a delicious vegan hotdog that is fantastic on the grill?
Okay, my confession is that, though I love raw carrots, I have never cared for cooked carrots much. That is until these carrot dogs came into my life. No kidding, these things have completely changed my mind about cooked carrots. I even decided to use the marinade to create a crockpot baby carrot recipe that makes a terrific party appetizer!
Serve these carrot dogs with some air-fryer french fries, these homemade oil-free potato chips, or my amazing vegan country coleslaw.
Why I love carrot hog dogs
- Delicious Smoky Flavor: Marinated and cooked to perfection, carrot hot dogs absorb smoky and savory flavors that make them a tasty plant-based alternative to traditional hot dogs.
- Nutrient-Rich and Healthy: Carrot hot dogs are packed with vitamins and minerals, offering a nutritious option that’s low in calories and fat, making them a healthier choice for any meal.
- Versatile and Easy to Prepare: These hot dogs are simple to make and can be customized with a variety of toppings, allowing you to enjoy a quick, delicious, and versatile meal that fits any dietary preference.
Before I even begin to explain how to make grilled carrot dogs, I have to admit that I really thought it was a dumb idea. Not only did I not care for cooked carrots, but a carrot hot dog, seriously?
The thing that made me finally try them is that my husband loves carrots any way I make them, and I thought these would be a great treat for him. I’m telling you, the man LOVES carrots!
Truth is, I already have great recipes for vegan hamburger chili, dairy-free cheese sauce, and plant-based coleslaw that are great toppings. I am so glad I gave these a try. They are not a dumb idea after all! These loaded carrot dogs are going to rock your world!
Ingredients needed
- Carrots- Choose regular carrots that are similar in width to a hotdog.
- Soy sauce- Tamari is a great option for those needing gluten-free.
- Maple syrup- Other sweeteners such as agave nectar or honey will also work.
- Liquid smoke- Be sure not to skip the liquid smoke because it adds the needed smoky flavor.
- Seasonings- Spices like ground mustard, garlic powder, onion powder, and smoked paprika combine to make the perfect seasonings.
How to make carrot dogs
The recipe card at the bottom of the page has the full list of ingredients with measurements and instructions.
STEP #1: Choose 6-8 carrots that are about the diameter of a hotdog. Wash them and then peel or scrub them. Some folks have asked if they can leave the peels on, and the answer is yes you can.
STEP #2: Boil or steam the carrots for 5-7 minutes, or until they are barely tender. You definitely don’t want a fork to be able to go through them, because you’ll be grilling them in the final step and don’t want them to fall apart.
STEP #3: While the carrots are cooking, whisk together all of the marinade ingredients.
STEP #4: Remove carrots from boiling water and place them in a flat pan or container (or even a ziplock bag), then pour marinade over them. Cover with cling wrap or lid and place in the refrigerator for 2-3 hours.
STEP #5: Once fully marinated, place the carrots on a grill for about 5-7 minutes. Make sure to get those great grill marks on each one and heat thoroughly. I have a video of how I do this below in the recipe care. Quicker InstantPot instructions are listed below as well as a stovetop cooking method.
STEP #6: Place each carrot in a whole grain bun (or gluten-free) and top with your favorite toppings. I have listed some of my favorite toppings below.
Instant Pot cooking method
- Place the trivet in the Instant Pot and add 1 cup of water to the pot.
- Remove the carrots from the marinade and place them on the trivet in a single layer.
- Pour the remaining marinade over the carrots
- Close the lid and set the Instant Pot to “Pressure Cook” or “Manual” on high pressure for 3 minutes.
Stovetop cooking method
- Preheat a nonstick pan over medium heat and cook the carrot dogs for 2-3 minutes on each side. My favorite nonstick pan is my 12″ stone frying pan by Ozeri. I use it for everything, including these completely oil-free banana oat vegan pancakes.
- For extra char marks, cook them a bit longer. That’s what I like to do if I’m not cooking them on the grill.
Carrot dog topping ideas
- Vegan Chili
- Country Coleslaw
- Relish
- Onions
- Grilled onions and peppers
- Jalapenos
- Beans
- Salsa
- Ketchup. I have a great homemade sugar-free ketchup recipe.
- Mustard
- Low-Fat Homemade Vegan Mayo
I have to say that my homemade Homemade Vegan Cheese Sauce is really a must for these vegan hot dogs. It’s really simple to make and so good with other dishes like veggie pizza, vegan nachos, spinach mushroom lasagna, air fryer baked potatoes, and more.
Tips for making carrot hot dogs
- Carrot size- When choosing which carrots to use, make sure they are about the diameter of a hotdog and all about the same size. One that I used was a bit larger than the others, so it didn’t cook as quickly in the boiling water. My husband said he preferred the smaller-diameter ones.
- Cook time- Don’t overcook when boiling. Less is more. They cook relatively fast in about 5-7 minutes in boiling water.
- Marinate- Marinating is necessary for soaking up the flavors, so don’t skip this step, even if you are using the InstantPot method. Longer is better.
- Grilling- Handle gently when grilling and allow them to get those lovely grill marks.
The marinade recipe was inspired by PCRM’s Carrot Dog Recipe and Pass the Plants.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, they can, though I haven’t tried it. I’ve heard that adding add two teaspoons of smoked paprika in place of the liquid smoke works too.
The longer the better. They need to marinate at least 3 hours or so but overnight is even better.
I haven’t personally frozen them, but some followers have told me they freeze them in the marinade and they do well.
Some oil-free hotdog bun options include Ezekiel, Silver Hills, and Trader Joe’s whole wheat pita bread brands.
Carrot dogs have a savory, smoky flavor reminiscent of traditional hot dogs, thanks to the marinade and grilling process. Carrot dogs look very similar to hot dogs when they are in a bun, but people will definitely be able to tell they are different when they take a bite. They are similar in flavor due to the smoky and sweet seasonings, but the texture is different. My family and friends that I’ve served them to have all raved over the taste. They absolutely love it. But, they are not going to fool anyone into thinking they are a regular traditional hotdog.
Sides That Pair Well With Carrot Dogs
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Carrot Hot Dogs
Ingredients
- 6-8 carrots that are around the size of a hotdog
- 6-8 whole grain or gluten-free buns
Marinade Ingredients
- ¼ cup veggie broth
- ¼ cup rice vinegar or apple cider vinegar
- ¼ cup low sodium soy sauce other options tamari or amino acids
- 2 tablespoons maple syrup
- 1/-1-2 teaspoon liquid smoke
- ¼ teaspoon ground mustard
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
Instructions
- Choose 6-8 carrots that are about the diameter of a hotdog. Wash them, then peel or scrub them.
- Boil or steam carrots for 5-7 minutes, or until they are barely tender. You definitely don’t want a fork to be able to go through them, because you’ll be grilling them in the final step and don’t want them to fall apart.
- While the carrots are cooking, whisk together all of the marinade ingredients.
- Remove carrots from boiling water and place in a flat pan or container (or even a ziplock bag), then pour marinade over them. Cover with cling wrap or lid and place in the refrigerator for 2-3 hours. Quicker InstantPot instructions are listed below as well as a stovetop cooking method.
- Once fully marinated, place on grill for about 5-7 minutes. Make sure to get those great grill marks on each one and heat thoroughly. Place in whole grain bun (or gluten-free) and top with your favorite toppings.
Video
Notes
-
- Place the trivet in the Instant Pot and add 1 cup of water to the pot.
- Remove the carrots from the marinade and place them on the trivet in a single layer.
- Pour the remaining marinade over the carrots
- Close the lid and set the Instant Pot to "Pressure Cook" or "Manual" on high pressure for 3 minutes.
-
- Preheat a nonstick pan over medium heat and cook the carrot dogs for 2-3 minutes on each side. My favorite nonstick pan is my 12" stone frying pan by Ozeri. I use it for everything, including these completely oil-free banana oat vegan pancakes.
- For extra char marks, cook them a bit longer. That's what I like to do if I'm not cooking them on the grill.
- Some oil-free hotdog bun options include Ezekiel, Silver Hills, and Trader Joe's whole wheat pita bread brands.
Nutrition
Disclaimer
To obtain the most accurate representation of the nutritional information in a given recipe, you should calculate the nutritional information with the actual ingredients used in your recipe, using your preferred nutrition calculator. You are solely responsible for ensuring that any nutritional information provided is accurate, complete, and useful.
Hi Terri, I’ve enjoyed your vegan recipes for some time now, thank you! Is there a reason you do not include one of your beautiful photos when I print the recipe? Am I doing something wrong?
Thank you so much! Vegan Nana
Nana- At the very top of the print page, there is a box to check if you want the image to print. We made it optional since some people complained that having the image wasted too much ink. Now, everyone can choose.
My family was pleasantly surprised by how good the carrot dogs were and said they would definitely eat them again. 🙂 I used the Instant Pot method and was pleased with how easy they were to make. I only used 2 T of coconut aminos because I have to watch my salt, but they were plenty tasty anyway. I think they’ll be on a regular rotation. One thing I plan on doing is making sure to serve baked beans or something with protein along side them. I also thought of maybe making this with baby carrots and then coating them with homemade BBQ sauce. Thank you for the nice recipe and the inspiration.
Aimee- Yay! I love that this recipe will be going into your family’s meal rotation. That says a whole lot! I actually have a recipe for crockpot bbq little smokies using baby carrots for this recipe that you might want to try.
These are delicious. I marinaded them (6″L x 3/4″-1″D) in the fridge for about 1 1/2 days. As they were already tender from marinating I cooked them in the IP just to get them to pressure than quick released, then grilled them on a cast iron griddle on the stove.
These are so delicious! They might be making it into my weekly rotation for the next year!
Chantry- Awesome! For the WIN!
I will start off by saying that I have been shying away from trying a carrot dog for probably a year and a half. Like you, I love raw carrots but am not particularly a fan of cooked. I made these tonight and daaaaang! Super impressed. My 8 year old son also loves them. Definitely a new summer staple around here. Thanks for the awesome recipe!
Hi Allison- That’s AWESOME! So glad to hear that these were a hit at your house.
Love love my carrot hotdogs…..I made a large batch can i freeze them for enjoying later?
Hi Vanessa- I love these carrot dogs. So glad you do too! I haven’t frozen them for later but see no reason why they wouldn’t do just fine.
Are the smoked seasonings a must? I’ve been kind of leery of using them.
Sue, I think they are a really important part of the flavor. However, if you’re already a fan of cooked carrots, it might be interesting to see how they turn out without the liquid smoke. Please let me know if you decide to try it.
I’ve made these in the Instant Pot as we no longer have a grill. Three minutes and done! No need to marinate for several hours. I also freeze the leftover marinade from the pot abscess use later for more carrot dogs. The best marinade I’ve had so far!!
I love the idea for freezing the leftover marinade for later. Terrific idea!
Do you have any grilling recommendations for cooking these on a grill where meat is cooked also? I’m the only plant based eater in my family?. These taste amazing but I want to grill. I tried them on foil and the kinda left black burn stuff on them which wasn’t good. Thanks for any ideas.
Barb, I would definitely put them directly on the grill without any foil. Having the grill marks on them is even better. Just place them directly on the grill and allow to brown a bit, then turn them to brown on the other side. It only takes about 5 minutes or so.
These look very good. I have seen many recipes for these, but they have really never appealed to me….think I am going to try yours! Just one question…..is it necessary to grill these? I do not have a grill pan.
Hallie, I’m so glad you’re going to try them! I seriously had my doubts too, but they are so good. You really don’t have to grill them. They can be made in a pan on the stove top by just heating them on medium high until they get a little brown. You could even cook them in oven on 350 degrees for about 15 minutes. Hope you enjoy them!
I have never eaten a full-size carrot in my entire life…until these! Probably won’t eat them any other way, but this recipe made them FUN & DELICIOUS!!!