Grilled carrots

Total 15 mins

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.

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Ingredients

500 g small carrots, in different colours
2 tbsp oil
salt
pepper
fresh chervil

Vinaigrette

1 tbsp dijon mustard
1 tbsp honey
1 - 1½ tbsp apple vinegar
5 tbsp olive oil
salt
pepper

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

When selecting carrots for the grill, go for small or medium ones that are similar in size. Once halved, they sit securely on the grill, cook more evenly, and develop colour without overcooking on the outside, whereas very large carrots can take longer to soften in the centre, which means the surface may darken too much before they are ready.

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.

  • How to grill carrots?

    To grill carrots, prepare your grill with a two-zone setup, leaving one area for direct heat and another for indirect cooking. Aim for a temperature of roughly 230°C. Place the carrots over the direct heat and turn them regularly so each side picks up colour. Keep an eye on them, as the area closest to the heat source will run hotter than the rest of the grill. If they char too quickly before softening, transfer them to the cooler side to finish cooking.

  • How do I know when the grilled carrots are done?

    The grilled carrots are done when they show light charring on the outside and a knife can slide into the thickest part with only slight resistance in the centre. Small carrots usually take about 8–12 minutes on a hot grill. Larger or thicker carrots may need closer to 12–15 minutes, while very slim ones can be ready in 6–8 minutes.

  • How do I store grilled carrots?

    Store the grilled carrots in the fridge in a sealed container after they have cooled to room temperature. They will stay fresh for up to 3 days. If you can, keep the blue cheese and vinaigrette separate and add when you are ready to serve.

  • Can I reheat grilled carrots?

    Yes, you can reheat grilled carrots. The best way is to warm them in the oven at 190°C until heated through, which helps them keep their texture. You can also reheat them in a frying pan over medium heat with a small amount of oil. For optimal results, keep the cheese and vinaigrette separate during storage and add them after reheating.

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.