Food & Cooking Recipes Healthy Recipes Gluten-Free Recipes Carrot Puree 3.8 (48) Add your rating & review This simple, bright-orange side is bursting with carrot flavor. By Martha Stewart Martha Stewart Martha Stewart is a bestselling author, entrepreneur, and lifestyle expert who has taught millions of people through generations the joy of entertaining, cooking, gardening, collecting, crafting, and home renovating via her eponymous magazine, Martha Stewart Living, Emmy-winning television shows, and 99 books (and counting). Based in Katonah, N.Y., where she helms her 156-acre Bedford Farm, Martha is America's first self-made female billionaire. Editorial Guidelines Updated on May 10, 2024 Rate PRINT Share Close Prep Time: 10 mins Cook Time: 20 mins Total Time: 35 mins Servings: 4 When autumn rolls around, it’s hard to go wrong with pureed root vegetables, and this bright-orange carrot puree is no exception. Made with only carrots, salt, and pepper, it’s full of earthy-sweet carrot flavor and is an easy and delicious way to fill out your plate. Reserving the cooking liquid allows you to thin the puree to your desired consistency while adding even more carrot flavor to the finished result. Serve this nutrient-packed puree as a side dish to your favorite seared or roasted proteins, or spread onto a serving platter before topping with chicken, sliced steak, or tofu for an eye-catching presentation. Our Most Popular Side Dish Recipes of All Time How to Shop for Carrots When shopping, look for bright orange carrots that are solid, firm, and feel heavy for their size. Avoid any that feel soft or rubbery. While carrots can be sold in a variety of colors, we recommend using classic orange ones for this recipe for the best and brightest puree. How to Store Carrots Carrots should always be stored in the refrigerator, ideally in the crisper drawer. If your carrots came with leafy green tops, trim them off before storing, which will help the carrots retain their moisture. It's best to wait to wash carrots until you're ready to use them, as introducing additional moisture can speed up spoilage. We also recommend waiting to peel carrots until you're ready to use them, though if you need to peel them ahead of time, store them in a bag in the fridge to keep them fresh. Make Ahead This carrot puree can be made up to 3 days ahead stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Reheat puree either on the stovetop or in the microwave, adding a splash of chicken broth, vegetable broth, or water if needed to reach desired texture. Ingredients 2 pounds carrots, peeled and cut lengthwise into ½-inch-thick pieces 1 teaspoon coarse salt Freshly ground pepper Directions Bring carrots and water to a boil and cook: Place carrots in a medium saucepan and cover with water. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer until carrots are tender, about 20 minutes. Drain, reserving cooking liquid. Starting carrots in cold water and bringing them to a boil—similar to cooking potatoes—will ensure they cook through evenly. Puree or mash until smooth: Puree carrots in a blender or with a potato masher, adding cooking liquid as needed, until thinned but still chunky. Stir in salt, and season with pepper. Variations While this carrot puree needs nothing more than a bit of salt and pepper, there are plenty of ways to make it your own: Add butter, olive oil, or a touch of heavy cream to add richness and creaminess.Stir in a dash of ground nutmeg, ginger, or Chinese five-spice powder to add complexity and even more depth.Consider adding fresh chopped herbs like thyme, parsley, and/or sage to add even more earthy flavor. More Carrot Recipes to Try: Easy Carrot Cake With Cream Cheese Frosting Curried Carrot Soup Grapefruit, Carrot, and Ginger Juice Glazed Carrots Carrot-Ginger Ice Pops Steamed Carrots With Lemon and Sea Salt Frequently Asked Questions Why is my carrot puree bitter? Carrot puree is best when made with sweet, fresh tasting carrots. If you need to add sweetness to your puree, stir in a bit of honey or brown sugar after blending or mashing. What can I do with leftover carrot puree? Leftover carrot puree can be added to mashed or pureed root vegetables such as potatoes, celery root, or parsnips for a fall-friendly side dish. You can also simmer carrot puree with coconut milk, chicken or vegetable stock, and a touch of ground ginger to make a delicious soup. Why is my carrot puree not smooth? If your carrot puree is not smooth, chances are your carrots were not cooked long enough; they should be very tender when you drain them from the cooking liquid. Originally appeared: Martha Stewart Living, December 2009 Rate It PRINT Updated by Esther Reynolds Esther Reynolds Esther Reynolds is an experienced recipe developer, recipe tester, food editor, and freelance writer with over a decade of experience in the food and media industries.