Carrots are a vegetable that many people enjoy. But how do you soften carrots? There are four different ways to soften carrots: blanching, steaming, sauteing, and baking them in the oven. All of these methods have their own advantages and disadvantages.

Blanching your carrots

Blanching is the process of putting food in a pot of boiling water for a very quick minute or two and then plunging it into ice water to stop the cooking process.

Continue with how you can use blanching to soften your carrots:

• Slice carrots into 1-inch lengths.
• Bring a pot of water to a rolling boil.
• Drop carrots into boiling water for 30 seconds (or until the water starts cooking again)
• Take carrots out of the boiling water with a slotted spoon or skimmer.
• Place carrots in a bowl of water with ice cubes, the cold water will stop the cooking process.

Using Steam to soften those carrots

“No one likes a hard carrot. Except, maybe, the squirrels.” You can make carrots soft by steaming them. This method of cooking will not only soften the carrots but also maintain their flavor and nutrients.

Steps to how to steam carrots:

• Start with a pot that has a lid over medium heat.
• Place enough water in the pot so it comes up about an inch or two from the bottom of the pot (be careful not to go too high because you don’t want any boiling water touching your vegetables).
• Place your carrots in a steam basket that fits the cooking pot.
• Bring the water to a boil before adding your carrots to it.
• Cover with the lit and cook for 5-10 minutes (depending on how soft you want your carrots).

Sauteing with butter

There are many different ways to soften carrots. We already showed you how to blanch and steam them. But how about sauteing them with butter?

Sauteing with butter might seem like a strange choice for softening carrots but it actually gives you a nice flavor boost in addition to making your carrots soft and tasty.

• The best way is to heat up some butter on medium-high heat until it’s sizzling and then add your chopped carrots.
• You’ll cook the carrots for 5 minutes before adding a little bit of water or broth. (just enough to cover the bottom of your pot)
• Now cover the pot and cook for 10-15 minutes longer. Stir occasionally to prevent burning on the bottom of your pan.
• Season the sauteed carrots with pepper salt and sugar to give them a nice, balanced flavor. Let cool down before serving for best enjoyment!

Baking them on low temperature

Baking carrots is a great way to soften them. You can bake them at low temperature for about 45 minutes, or until they’re soft and tender enough for your liking.

But it’s important to know how to soften carrots in the oven. This is how you do it:

• First, preheat the oven to 200°F (93°C).
• Place carrots on a greased baking sheet and roast for 45-60 minutes, turning occasionally with a spatula or tongs.
• Add other ingredients like butter, salt, pepper, etc. (Be creative! Carrots go well with a lot of seasoning.)
• Remove from oven and let cool slightly before serving.

Kitchen tools you’ll need

A good cook is only as good as his or her tools. If you think of how much time a person spends in the kitchen, how could someone be expected to produce tasty meals if they have bad equipment? A chef always has their favorite knife and pots and pans that are all specifically chosen for specific tasks. So what do you need to create your perfect meal?

• 5 Quart Multipurpose Pasta Pot with Strainer Lid & Twist and Lock Handles
• Baking Sheet with Rack Set (2 Pans + 2 Racks)
• Jumbo Cooker/Saute Pan with Helper Handle
• Good Grips Stainless Steel Steamer With Extendable Handle

Conclusion

Carrots are a vegetable that can be eaten in many different ways. They make for great snacks, side dishes, and even main courses. Regardless of how you enjoy them, carrots have the potential to taste bland or hard if not prepared correctly. The four methods described here will help you achieve soft carrots every time without having to do too much work. So get cooking! Let us know how it went in the comments below. We’d love to hear from you!