11 Best Christmas Carrot Recipes for The Holiday Table

When it comes to preparing Christmas dinner, the hill that I’m willing to die on is that the side dishes very rarely get the love and attention they deserve. I appreciate a beautifully presented roast turkey or masterfully crafted beef wellington as much as the next person, but a selection of carefully selected sides are what really brings everything together and creates a meal that’ll be remembered for all the right reasons.

I’m also usually serving vegetarians on the big day, so I like to make sure that they aren’t missing out on any of the festive flavors just because they won’t be tucking into the meat!

So that’s exactly why I’ve created this collection of very best Christmas carrot recipes to bring color, vibrancy, and a little satisfying sweetness to your holiday spread.

From roasted dishes, to refreshing salads, to fruity slaws and a few more creative choices to help you get out of that recipe rut, I hope you’ll love these choices as much as I do and that they’ll give you plenty of inspiration for making the sides that extra bit delicious this Christmas. Let’s get going!

1. Honey Garlic Butter Roasted Carrots

Sweet, sticky, and absolutely irresistible, these roasted carrots are the perfect side for any holiday feast. The combination of honey and garlic is a delicious one, and it takes roasted carrots to a whole new level!

Serves: 4

Ingredients:

1 lb baby carrots
2 tbsp butter
2 tbsp honey
2 garlic cloves, minced
Salt and pepper to taste
Fresh parsley and sesame seeds, for garnish

Instructions:

Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C).
In a large bowl, mix melted butter, honey, garlic, salt, and pepper.
Toss the baby carrots in the mixture until well coated.
Spread carrots on a baking sheet and roast for 25-30 minutes, until tender and slightly caramelized.
Garnish with fresh parsley and sesame seeds before serving.

2. Roasted Garlic and Parmesan Carrots

A simple yet flavorful side dish that pairs beautifully with any holiday entrée. Garlic and parmesan is another fantastic flavor combination to pair with carrots, and it perfectly complements the sweetness of your carrots.

Serves: 4

Ingredients:

1 lb carrots, sliced into sticks
2 tbsp olive oil
3 garlic cloves, minced
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Salt and pepper to taste
Fresh thyme for garnish

Instructions:

Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C).
Toss the carrot sticks with olive oil, garlic, salt, and pepper.
Spread the carrots on a baking sheet and roast for 20-25 minutes.
Remove from the oven and sprinkle with Parmesan cheese, then return to the oven for an additional 5 minutes.
Garnish with fresh thyme before serving.

3. Balsamic Roasted Carrots

The homemade balsamic glaze turns a simple carrot side dish into something really special! It’s sweet and sticky, without being overpowering, and I always get asked for this recipe whenever I serve it up to guests.

Serves: 4

Ingredients:

1 lb carrots, cut into strips
3 tbsp balsamic vinegar
2 tbsp olive oil
1 tbsp honey
Salt and pepper to taste
Fresh basil and sesame seeds for garnish

Instructions:

Preheat the oven to 425°F (220°C).
In a bowl, whisk together balsamic vinegar, olive oil, honey, salt, and pepper.
Toss the carrots in the balsamic mixture and place on a baking sheet.
Roast for 20-25 minutes, until tender and caramelized.
Garnish with fresh basil and a sprinkle of sesame seeds before serving.

4. Brown Sugar Baked Carrots

The brown sugar creates a caramelized crust that makes these carrots so incredibly addictive! If you want to add an extra kick, sprinkle over a little cayenne pepper – though it’s totally optional. The glaze develops a beautiful, deep caramel flavor that makes this dish one of my favorites for when I really want to impress.

Serves: 4

Ingredients:

1 lb carrots, peeled and sliced
1/4 cup brown sugar
2 tbsp butter, melted
1 tsp cinnamon
Salt to taste

Instructions:

Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
In a bowl, combine brown sugar, melted butter, cinnamon, and salt.
Toss the carrot slices in the mixture until evenly coated.
Spread the carrots in a single layer on a baking dish and bake for 30 minutes, stirring halfway through.

5. Creamy Mashed Carrots

I love mashed potatoes, but if you’re already planning to serve roasties, mashed carrot can make for a lighter option to ensure your Christmas spread doesn’t become too heavy. This side dish also brings a pop of color to the table.

Serves: 4

Ingredients:

1 lb carrots, peeled and chopped
1/4 cup cream cheese
1/4 cup milk
Salt and pepper to taste
Chopped chives for garnish

Instructions:

Boil the carrots in salted water until tender, about 15-20 minutes.
Drain and transfer to a bowl. Add cream cheese, milk, salt, and pepper.
Mash until smooth and creamy. Garnish with chopped chives before serving.

6. Carrot Slaw with Cranberries and Walnuts

A good slaw is always a good idea when you’re planning your Christmas menus! This one is super easy to make, and I love it piled into a festive sandwich with leftover meats. I’ve used a yogurt based dressing for this, to keep things light, though you can substitute for mayo if you prefer.

Serves: 4

Ingredients:

3 cups shredded carrots
1/2 cup dried cranberries
1/2 cup walnuts, chopped
1/4 cup Greek yogurt
1 tbsp honey
Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

In a large bowl, combine shredded carrots, cranberries, and walnuts.
In a separate bowl, mix Greek yogurt, honey, salt, and pepper.
Pour the dressing over the carrot mixture and toss to combine.

7. Roasted Carrot and Chickpea Salad

This hearty salad combines roasted carrots and chickpeas for a filling and nutritious dish. It might not be the most traditional option for a Christmas spread, but it’s a fantastic way to incorporate some different flavors and ensure you’ve got a protein-based option for those who don’t eat meat.

Serves: 4

Ingredients:

1 lb carrots, sliced
1 can chickpeas, drained and rinsed
2 tbsp olive oil
1 tsp cumin
Salt and pepper to taste
Fresh cilantro for garnish

Instructions:

Preheat the oven to 425°F (220°C). Toss carrots and chickpeas with olive oil, cumin, salt, and pepper.
Spread on a baking sheet and roast for 20-25 minutes.
Garnish with fresh cilantro before serving.

8. Spiced Carrot Purée

This silky smooth purée is a fantastic side dish that pairs well with any holiday protein, and it’s a unique option for when you want to shake things up a little!

Serves: 4

Ingredients:

1 lb carrots, peeled and chopped
1/4 cup vegetable broth
1 tsp ginger
1/2 tsp cinnamon
Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

Boil the carrots in salted water until tender, about 15 minutes.
Drain and blend with vegetable broth, ginger, cinnamon, salt, and pepper until smooth.

9. Carrot and Cranberry Pilaf

Pilafs don’t get the love they deserve, in my opinion, and this recipe is the perfect option if you’re looking for something a little creative that’s sure to be a hit with veggie guests at your table. It’s a fantastic choice for holiday buffets, or for making a batch of during that week between Christmas and New Year when you’re not quite sure what day it is, but you know that you fancy something a little lighter and you want to get some goodness into your diet.

Serves: 4

Ingredients:

1 cup basmati rice
2 cups vegetable broth
1 cup shredded carrots
1/2 cup dried cranberries
1/4 cup almonds, toasted
Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

In a saucepan, bring vegetable broth to a boil. Add rice, carrots, cranberries, salt, and pepper.
Cover and simmer on low for 15-20 minutes until rice is cooked.
Fluff with a fork and top with toasted almonds before serving.

10. Orange Glazed Carrots

I grew up regularly eating carrot and orange soup, which was the inspiration for creating this dish. I know it may sound a little weird, but I promise that it works! It’s fresh, zesty, and slightly tangy, making it a great alternative to the more traditional holiday choices.

Serves: 4

Ingredients:

1 lb baby carrots
1/4 cup orange juice
2 tbsp butter
1 tbsp honey
Salt to taste

Instructions:

In a skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Add baby carrots and cook for 5 minutes.
Stir in orange juice, honey, and salt. Cook for an additional 10-15 minutes, until the carrots are tender and glazed.

11. Carrot and Kale Salad with Ginger Dressing

This refreshing salad combines the crunch of carrots with the nutrient-rich goodness of kale. I’m planning to make this one as part of my Christmas Eve spread this year, and I’ll be serving any leftovers for snacks over the following days with cold cuts of meat. My top tip for kale salads is to massage the leaves before tossing with the additional ingredients. It helps to break them down a little, for a more pleasant bite.

Serves: 4

Ingredients:

2 cups chopped kale
1 cup grated carrots
1/4 cup sliced almonds
1/4 cup dried cranberries
1/4 cup olive oil
2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
1 tbsp grated ginger
Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

In a bowl, whisk together olive oil, apple cider vinegar, grated ginger, salt, and pepper.
In a large bowl, combine kale, grated carrots, almonds, and cranberries. Drizzle with dressing and toss to coat.

Whether you’re planning for the big day itself, or you’re hosting a gathering in the run up to the main event and you want to make sure that you’ve got some delicious, veggie based sides, these recipes are just the ticket. Which ones will you be trying?