Grilled carrots
Though humble, the simple carrot is far from dull, and with this sweetly satisfying recipe, yours can be easily transformed from humble to heavenly. The heat of the grill draws out the vegetable’s natural sweetness, and with crumbled Castello® Danablu, a drizzle of honey-mustard vinaigrette and a handful of chervil scattered over the top, these carrots awaken into a fusion of sweet and charred notes with a subtle, salty sharpness and a wonderfully tender bite.
Ingredients
Vinaigrette
Preparation
Rinse the carrots thoroughly and halve them. Brush with oil and season with salt and pepper.
Grill the carrots on a hot grill for 6-8 minutes until they have taken on some colour – the goal is to give them a distinct barbecue taste rather than cook them completely through, so they should still have some bite. Place them on a plate and let them cool a bit before adding crumbled Danablu on top.
Combine Dijon mustard, honey, apple vinegar, and olive oil in a bowl, then season with salt and pepper.
Add the vinaigrette and fresh chervil just before serving.
Tips & Tricks
FAQ: Questions about grilled carrots
Grilling carrots successfully comes down to a few simple principles around heat and preparation. Below, you will find answers to the most common questions, so you know how to grill them properly and what to do with leftovers.
Ideas and Inspiration
Experience the surprising sensation of grilled carrots with blue cheese
Treat yourself to the wonderful taste of grilled carrots and blue cheese – a snack that is far more than the sum of its parts. While the carrots provide a lovely, deep sweetness from the grill, the Castello® Danablu introduces a marvellous layer of complexity to the plate. It starts off sharp and salty, before softer, nutty notes come through, with a subtle hint of marzipan at the end. As the cheese warms on the tray, it softens and melts slightly, allowing its savoury intensity to mingle with the sweetness of the charred carrots.
Tender multicoloured carrots with sweet and smoky notes
These carrots owe their intriguing flavour and texture to the grill; the heat gives them mild smoky notes and lightly charred edges while intensifying their natural sweetness, especially along the grill marks where the sugars begin to caramelise. The brief cooking time keeps them tender with a slight firmness at the centre, so they hold their shape and offer a pleasant bite.
What makes this recipe particularly stand-out is the use of multicoloured carrots, with shades of purple, orange, and yellow popping against the white-blue cheese. These striking colours draw the eye immediately and give the whole plate a refined yet inviting presence on any dinner table.
Enjoy with a sweet and zesty mustard-honey vinaigrette
A sweet and zesty mustard-honey vinaigrette is the perfect complement to the grilled carrots and blue cheese. The combination of olive oil and mustard allows the vinaigrette to emulsify, resulting in a silky and glossy finish that coats the vegetables with ease.
The Dijon mustard also provides a pungent sharpness and a slightly spicy kick, which finds its counterpoint in the concentrated sweetness of the honey. With a splash of apple vinegar for bright acidity and a subtle fruity undertone, this vinaigrette introduces a bright and refreshing spark to the entire plate.
An easy dish that shines on its own or alongside your main
Embracing something as simple as grilled carrots with blue cheese is an excellent way to let great ingredients speak for themselves. At the same time, this recipe requires minimal preparation, moving swiftly from the chopping board to the grill and finally to your table. Once arranged and dressed, it works wonderfully as a lighter dinner.
Other than serving the carrots as a standalone meal, they work just as well alongside other dishes when friends and family come over. Since the grill is already hot, you should make the most of it by serving the carrots alongside mains like grilled chicken thighs, lamb chops, or salmon with crisped skin. You could also include something fresh via a radicchio pear salad, a grilled asparagus salad, or a steak salad with fresh greens.
Whether you decide to let these carrots shine in their own right or use them to elevate the rest of your dinner, you will no doubt find yourself heading back to the grill to make them again and again.
Refine the recipe with a few thoughtful touches
Upgrade your grilled carrots by introducing your own creative twists.
Season the roots before they hit the grill using a blend of ground cumin, smoked paprika, and lightly crushed coriander seeds for a pleasant warmth. Alternatively, a combination of dried thyme, oregano, and rosemary will provide a lovely herby scent with deep, woodsy undertones.
The sweetness of the carrots also pairs perfectly with nutty notes, making a final scatter of nuts an ideal way to add some crunch. Whether you choose hazelnuts, pistachios, or walnuts, they will all complement the carrots' charred edges.
You can also experiment with the vinaigrette – add chilli flakes for a spicy warmth, or stir in garlic for a sharp, slightly bitter aroma. Alternatively, swap the apple vinegar for white wine vinegar, which has a mild but tangy taste, or sherry vinegar for a slightly sweet taste with distinct nutty and caramel notes. For a very fresh alternative, simply replace the vinegar with lemon juice and let its pronounced tartness cut through the smoky flavours.