This Crispy Bacon Carrots Recipe is sure to win over even the pickiest eaters! The sweet carrots are cooked in bacon fat for maximum flavor. This is great side dish.
Get ready for carrots that everyone at the table will love! This Bacon Carrots Recipesweet, salty, smokey, creamy, crunchy, and all together DELICIOUS. I mean, can you go wrong with bacon? That's right, healthy carrots are sauteed in beautiful bacon fat and a touch of honey, coriander, and garlic. The result is an easy recipe with slightly sweet, slightly salty flavor that goes great with any main dish.
It's no secret that Brazilians love meat. Just look at the dedicated restaurants called Churrascarias to showcase meat on spits! So, it's probably no surprise that meat is also used to flavor vegetables. This Bacon Carrots Recipe is a prime example of how meat is used not only as the star of the meal, but also as supporting cast. Feijoada is another example of where beans and meat come together for perfection!
Quick note! This post contains affiliate links, which means I earn a commission (at no extra cost to you) if you purchase from them. This commission is what helps me keep this blog afloat :). I also share these links because I have used the products, genuinely love them, and want you to know exactly what I used.
Ingredients and Swaps
- 3 slices Bacon - I used pretty a fatty cut bacon that would render out a lot of fat. You could also use center cut and if needed, just supplement with a teaspoon of oil if there is not enough bacon fat (though it should be just fine). You could substitute turkey bacon, but you will definitely not get enough fat rendered, so just supplement with olive oil.
- 4 cups Carrots, sliced - I used whole peeled large carrots, but you can wash them well and leave the peels on. You can also slice up baby carrots or rainbow carrots.
- 1 teaspoon Ground Coriander - You can substitute ground cumin or dried cilantro.
- 1 teaspoon Garlic flakes - You can substitute with garlic powder or freshly minced garlic. You could also use onion powder.
- Honey - The honey is needed to balance the saltiness in the bacon and bring out the sweetness in the carrots. If you don't have honey, you can use 2 teaspoons of maple syrup or a teaspoon of granulated sugar or brown sugar.
- Ground Black Pepper - I used fine ground black pepper, but coarse ground would be great too. White pepper also works in this recipe.
- Salt, to taste - The bacon is salty, so taste before you add much salt. Fine or coarse salt will work.
Simple Equipment and Tools
For this recipe, you will need a vegetable peeler for the carrots. I like this Y-Peeler.
You will also need a large skillet or large frying pan for cooking the bacon and then the carrots. I use my absolute favorite 12″ Ceramic Pan, which is great because food really does slide right off with minimal oil and I don’t have to worry about food sticking and burning.
Bacon Carrots Recipe Tips
You can also make a healthier alternative by roasting the carrots and only one slice of bacon (diced) together in the oven. The bacon will still render its fat, but much less and the carrots roast vs. needing to saute in fat or oil. To roast, you can simply layer the carrots out in a single layer on the sheet pan or on parchment paper lined in the pan. Place them in the oven at 375 F degrees for 15-20 minutes.
How to Make this Bacon Carrots Recipe
Peel and slice the carrots into thin slices or rounds (thickness of a nickel)
Cut the bacon into thin strips. Measure the seasonings out into a small bowl.
Preheat a large skillet or frying pan on medium heat. Add the diced bacon and spread around with a spatula.
Once it starts to render the fat, turn the heat down to medium-low and let it cook until all of the fat is rendered and the bacon bits are crispy. Using a slotted spoon, scoop the bacon bits out to a plate lined with paper towel, leaving the fat in the pan.
To the bacon fat in the pan, add the carrot slices, the coriander, black pepper, and garlic. Then drizzle the honey over the carrots. Stir to combine, then turn the heat to medium and cook for 5 minutes or until tender.
What to Serve with Carrots and Bacon
This Carrot Bacon Recipe is a perfect vegetable side to go with Brazilian Picanha Recipe {Best Steak!} or other grilled meat, such as chicken, or fish. I also love these carrots with Crusted Parmesan Pork Tenderloin.
Round out the meal with Brazilian Rice {with Onions and Garlic}.
And for dessert, how about Brigadeiros! Brazilian Chocolate Dessert Truffles
Bacon Carrots Recipe FAQs
If you don't have or don't want to use bacon, there are alternatives to get that smoky flavor. You could use diced smoked ham or smoked turkey as an alternative meat. There are several options for a vegan bacon alternative available in stores today too. You can also use smoked paprika or ground cumin. Liquid smoke or even sesame oil can work in moderation. I would start with just a teaspoon and taste if you need more.
This recipe reheats wonderfully when made in advance. You can make it up to 5 days ahead and store it in the fridge in an airtight container. You can freeze these recipe as well in an airtight container for up to 4 months. Thaw the carrots in the fridge the night before and then reheat in a pan on the stove or in the oven 375 F for 5-10 minutes.
If you have leftover carrots and bacon here are some ideas to use them. Add them to a soup, to an omlet, or to a salad. Or how about adding them to a stew, such as this Beef Stew Stove Top.
Bacon Carrots Recipe
Ingredients
- 3 slices Bacon
- 4 cups Carrots, sliced
- 1 teaspoon Coriander
- 1 teaspoon Garlic flakes
- 3 teaspoons Honey
- ½ teaspoon Ground Black Pepper
- Salt, to taste
Instructions
- Peel and slice the carrots into thin rounds (thickness of a nickel)
- Cut the bacon into thin strips. Measure the seasonings.
- Preheat a large skillet or frying pan on medium heat. Add the diced bacon and spread around with a spatula. Once it starts to render the fat, turn the heat down to medium-low and let it cook until all of the fat is rendered and the bacon bits are crispy. Using a slotted spoon, scoop the bacon bits out to a plate lined with paper towel, leaving the fat in the pan.
- To the bacon fat in the pan, add the carrot slices, the coriander, black pepper, and garlic. Then drizzle the honey over the carrots. Stir to combine, then turn the heat to medium and cook for 5 minutes or until tender.
- Mix the crispy bacon back in and serve.
Leave a Reply