Can you freeze carrots raw?

Yes, but you should only freeze raw carrots for a short period of time, up to 4-6 weeks. If you don't blanch the carrots before freezing there is a chance that bacteria will grow, even in the freezer. Blanching also preserves the taste and texture of the carrots much better than freezing them raw.

How do you use frozen carrot slices?

Frozen carrots can be added right into your favorite recipes. They're perfect for pot pies, soups, stews, mash, or casseroles! They don't even need to be defrosted first.

Can you freeze carrots without blanching them first?

Technically yes but it's better to blanch them first. This will ensure any harmful bacteria is killed while preserving the texture of the carrots. If you choose not to blanch the carrots they will come out mushy and less flavorful.

How many carrots are in a bunch?

A bunch of carrots (including the tops) generally weighs about a pound and includes at least 4 medium to large carrots. You can freeze as many carrots at one time as you can fit into your freezer. Just try to use your frozen blanched carrots within 2-4 months.

Can I cut the carrots into lengthwise strips as opposed to rounds?

Yes, just try to ensure that the carrots strips are no thicker than 1/2-inch thick in size.

Can all fresh vegetables be frozen?

Technically, with some caveats. Not all fresh vegetables need to be blanched before frozen (think onions or leeks). For the most part, though, all types of vegetables can be frozen.

How to Freeze Carrots | Step-by-Step Guide

Ingredients

Scale

1 bunch of carrots
1/2 teaspoon sea salt

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Instructions

Wash the carrots and cut off the tops. Then, slice the carrots into rounds no thicker than ¼-inch. If your carrots are large in size, you can also cut them lengthwise before slicing.
Fill a large pot with water and add the sea salt.
Place the pot over high heat to heat the water to a gentle boil. Have a large bowl of ice water ready on the side.
Carefully add chopped carrot slices to the pot using a slotted spoon so you don’t splash.
Let the water come back to a simmer and cook the carrots for at least 2 minutes, but no longer than 4 minutes.
Carefully remove the sliced carrots with a slotted spoon or drain in a colander and add to ice water to stop the cooking process.
Drain well and place on a parchment-lined baking sheet in a single layer.
Once frozen for at least 6 hours, add the sliced carrots to labeled freezer zip-top bags.
Place in the freezer for up to 4 months.

Notes

For most recipes using carrots, you don’t need to defrost them first. Place the frozen carrot slices directly into a hot pot of soup or into whatever recipe you are making.
Add sea salt to your boiling water to help add some flavor to your frozen carrots.
Frozen carrots are best in hot or cooked dishes as they will lose some of their crunchy texture.

Author: Carrie Forrest, MPH in Nutrition
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Category: Side dish
Method: Freezer
Cuisine: Healthy
Diet: Vegan

Nutrition

Serving Size:
Calories: 37
Sugar: 4.3 g
Sodium: 62.1 mg
Fat: 0.2 g
Saturated Fat: 0 g
Carbohydrates: 8.6 g
Fiber: 2.5 g
Protein: 0.8 g
Cholesterol: 0 mg