Vegan Carrot Hot Dogs can be topped any way you like. Plus, they’re grillable which makes them a great vegan option for summer BBQs! Leave the unhealthy mock meats at the store and slide a carrot between those buns instead! Grilling, stovetop, and oven directions are included!
The first time I tried a carrot dog I was a bit hesitant. But after one bit I realized it was delicious!
It had all the classic hotdog flavors tastes ––smoky, salty, and delicious because this one's vegan!!
These vegan carrot hotdogs are great for parties and summer BBQs!
Bring these carrot dogs along with my BBQ black bean burgers to your next party! Pair them with my pineapple salad and a batch of cookies for the perfect party spread!
How to make the perfect carrot hot dog
- Start by picking out large carrots. Keep in mind that the thicker the carrot the more it will fill out the bun.
- Once you’ve selected some “hotdog-sized" carrots cut them to bun length, leaving an extra ½’’ on each end of the carrot.
- Now, like a sculptor to a blank marble, get your peeler out and chisel some perfect-looking carrot dogs. Peel them shaping and rounding the edges for a more uniform “hotdog” appearance.
Now you have some perfect-looking vegan hotdogs!
Choose your favorite toppings
Go for the classic mustard and ketchup, load 'em with avocado for an avo-dog, or try any of these toppings:
- relish
- diced onion
- sauerkraut
- pickles
- jalapeño slices
- chili
- pepperoncini
- tomatoes
The possibilities are endless!
We'd love to hear from you!
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Recipe
Carrot Hot Dogs - Vegan
Vegan Carrot Hot Dogs are a grill-able healthier alternative to mock meats. Top them any way you like! Grilling, stovetop and oven directions below!
Ingredients
- 8-10 large carrots, peeled and cut to bun size
Marinade
- ¼ cup water
- ¼ cup tamari (or soy sauce)
- 3 teaspoons liquid smoke
- 2 teaspoons maple syrup
- 1 teaspoons paprika
- ¼ teaspoon mustard powder
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
Instructions
Prep the carrots and marinade
- Boil the prepped (peeled) carrots for about 10 min to soften them until they are just fork-tender. You don't want to fully cook the carrots, but the fork shouldn't have too much resistance going in. Think hot dog tender. I test the carrots by poking one with a fork. Once the fork pierces the center of the carrot without too much force they’re done.
- While the carrots boil, prep the marinade. Mix all the ingredients in a shallow glass dish.
- Remove the carrots from the hot water and poke them a few times with a fork. This will allow them to absorb more marinade. Now add the carrots to the marinade.
- Marinate them in the fridge for at least 2 hours, but overnight is best for more flavor. Rotate the carrots a few times for an even coating.
Grilling Directions
- Grill the carrots on a gas or charcoal grill until heated throughout and grill marks have formed. (about 5-8 minutes)
- Flip and heat for another 2-3 minutes to add grill marks to the other side. Brush the carrots with the extra marinade throughout the grilling process.
Oven Directions
- Preheat the oven to 415ºF.
- Place carrot dogs on a cast iron grill or parchment-lined baking sheet. Brush the carrots with a bit of extra marinade.
- Bake for 15 min, then flip each carrot dog, brush with more marinade and bake for another 10 minutes.
Stovetop Directions
- Heat 1 tablespoon of oil in a skillet over medium heat.
- Carefully place the carrots in your skillet.
- Heat on each side for about 5 minutes or until heated throughout. While the carrots cook, brush them with the extra marinade.
Now, dress those carrot dogs any way you like!
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 10 carrot hot dogs Serving Size: 1 carrot hot dogAmount Per Serving: Calories: 21Total Fat: 0gSaturated Fat: 0gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 0gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 27mgCarbohydrates: 5gFiber: 1gSugar: 2gProtein: 0g
**Nutritional info is provided as an estimate based on the ingredients I used and for convenience and as a courtesy only.**
Luke
It’s a little misleading that it says total time 35 minutes to make when it takes 2+ hours to marinate
Marlena Luna
The total time is for boiling and cooking the carrots.
Leon Muir
Five star rating!!!!
Marlena Luna
Yay! Thanks for your feedback!!
Heather
This was amazing!!!! I marinated over night and it absolutely tasted like a hot dog. Now, I’ll get to enjoy ‘hot dogs’ with everyone else while camping! Thank you!
Lori Haskell
I made these and then cooked in their fryer. Super good that way!
Where you get your protein
Thanks for the tip, Lori! I’ll have to try them in the air fryer next time.
Cindy
I’m curious Why can’t you just cook the carrots in the marinade instead of pouring the water off that has nutrients
Where you get your protein
You can definitely boil them in the marinade. I’ve been meaning to update the recipe to include that as an option. Enjoy! :)
Gloria in Durango
They are delicious. Can you make a big batch and freeze them?
Where you get your protein
I'm so glad you enjoyed the recipe, Gloria! A few readers have had success freezing the cooked carrot dogs. Just make sure they aren't over-boiled and they should reheat in the oven, on a pan, or on the BBQ just fine.
Michaela
So good! I’m the only vegan in my household so I made enough for 3 days for my lunches and I can’t not wait for tomorrow to eat them again!
Where you get your protein
Yay! I'm so glad you loved the recipe, Michaela! Aren't they the best!?
Noelle
I am currently marinating the carrot dogs right now! I’m wondering if there is such a thing as marinating too long? Like will the dogs be too moist if you leave it for 20 hours?
Where you get your protein
Nope, they will be extra flavorful! I've marinated them for almost 2 days and they were delicious! Enjoy, Noelle! :)
Nathan
My wife made these for us last week (she beat me to it). Loved them! We were both impressed at how much the flavor is pretty much spot on. I feel like the natural sweetness of the carrots is a huge help in complimenting the marinade. Didn't grill them since it was too chilly and I honestly hate preparing the grill, so she oven baked them. Consistency was pretty darn close (wondering if she needed to boil them a bit longer, or if the oven "dried" them out a bit?). It was only our first attempt so I know we'll perfect it this summer! So excited to make this for cookouts this summer, and for pretty much now on. We're still baffled by this recipe, and love it!
Where you get your protein
Yay! I'm so glad you and your wife enjoyed the carrot dogs! My family and I were blown away the first time we tried them. They've definitely become a summer favorite! The consistency can take a few tries to figure out. If they were dry, I suggest baking them for less time. If they were a bit too firm, boil the carrots a little longer. Another tip is to pick the thickest carrots out of the bag. If they are thin you can use 2-3 carrots to fill the bun out. Enjoy Nathan! :)
Nathan
I was thinking that about the prep. I think we'll give them a longer boil next time and see how they turn out.
Heh. We noticed that about the smaller carrots. We ended up putting about 2 carrots to a bun to fill them out! I'll be honest...we both ate the entire batch of about 7-8 carrot dogs...You just don't feel bad when they're good for you!
Where you get your protein
They're addicting, right? I usually marinate a double batch of carrots because they go fast in our house! Oh, and a longer boil sounds perfect! I'm so glad you and your wife are enjoying the recipes! :)
Joanna
Can’t wait to try. Recent vegan...ty... suggestions and recipes help.
EG
Very tasty!
Where you get your protein!
That's great you enjoyed the recipe!
Amy
What's your preferred method for cooking these? Which way makes the best carrot dogs?
Where you get your protein!
For the most part I make them in the oven on my cast iron grill because it's the easiest and they taste great. (The carrot dogs in the photo were made in the oven.) I'd only choose the grill over the oven because I'm a fan of the char a BBQ produces. But, it's really up to your own personal preference. :)
kim
I was wondering if you have to use maple syrup?
Where you get your protein!
Hi Kim! You can definitely omit the maple syrup without much change to the taste. I've forgotten it a few times and didn't notice much difference. Enjoy! :)
greg tritt
Perfect with sauerkraut
Where you get your protein!
So glad you enjoyed the recipe, Greg!
Amy Katz from Veggies Save The Day
I haven't had a carrot hot dog yet, but it looks really good!
Where you get your protein!
They are a must try! My daughter loves them so much she eats them without the bun. Just mustard and ketchup!
Karen
My whole family loved them ! Even tasted good without the liquid smoke, since I’m trying to avoid certain ingredients. I did marinate for 2 days.
Marlena Luna
Thanks for your great feedback, Karen! I'm so glad the whole family loved the carrot dogs!
Linda from Veganosity
Carrot dogs are the bomb! We have a carrot dog recipe in our cookbook that totally freaked the photographer and her crew out because they tasted so close to the real thing. These look great!
Where you get your protein!
Thank you Linda! It's so much fun when non-vegans are impressed with our meals!
Sarah
I've never tried carrot hot dogs before, but yours definitely makes me want to give it a try.
Where you get your protein!
Thanks, Sarah! You definitely have to give them a try!
Joanne Davenport
Soy sauce I meant
Joanne Davenport
I have tried this before , it was ok but I didn't have coconut aminos. I can't do so you sauce, looks so real! I want to do it again, using your recipe. Thanks
Where you get your protein!
I hope you enjoy these Joanne!! :)