3 Ways To Microwave Carrots - WikiHow

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How to Microwave Carrots Download Article Co-authored by Christopher M. Osborne, PhD Reviewed by Chef Jeff Woodward

Last Updated: February 19, 2026 Approved

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• Steamed Carrots
|
• Glazed Carrots
|
• Sweet and Spicy Carrots
|
• Ingredients
|
• Video
|
• Q&A
|
• Things You'll Need

|Show more |Show less ARTICLE VIDEO X

This article was reviewed by Chef Jeff Woodward and by wikiHow staff writer, Christopher M. Osborne, PhD. Jeff Woodward is a Private Chef and the Owner of The Rogue Chef based in Branson, Missouri. With over 20 years of experience in the restaurant industry, he has cooked for esteemed clients including The Harlem Globetrotters, Peyton Manning, Mark Wahlberg, and Justin Timberlake. Chef Jeff won the Branson Tri-Lakes News Reader's Choice Award 2023 for Best Catering. He has been the Featured Chef Demonstrator for 2 years in a row for The Women's Show in Springfield, MO. The Rogue Chef has been the Hollister Chamber of Commerce Spotlight Chef, an award published in Tri-Lakes News. Chef Jeff's food has been featured on KY3 Television. He publishes a recipe weekly in the Branson Globe newspaper and monthly in Lost on the Lake Magazine. He published a feature article for Chef Talks in Discover Home and Style Magazine. He has an associate’s degree from Southwestern Illinois College and a Culinary Arts degree with a Certification in Baking from Ozark Technical College. wikiHow marks an article as reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback. In this case, several readers have written to tell us that this article was helpful to them, earning it our reader-approved status. This article has been viewed 494,349 times.

If you love the flavor of cooked carrots but want to skip the stovetop, try the microwave! Microwaving retains the freshness and sweetness of carrots, and it’s a simple and quick way to prepare them. There are also many great recipe options, whether you like your carrots simply steamed, glazed with brown sugar, or sweet and spicy!

Ingredients

Steamed Carrots

• 1 lb (450 g) carrots
• 2 US tbsp (30 mL) water

Glazed Carrots

• 1 lb (450 g) carrots
• 3 tbsp (42.9 g) butter
• 1 tsp (4.8 g) orange zest
• 1 tbsp (14.3 g) brown sugar

Sweet and Spicy Carrots

• 1.5 lb (680 g) carrots
• 2 US tbsp (30 mL) unrefined coconut oil
• 1 tbsp (14.3 g) light brown sugar
• ½ tsp (2.4 g) ground cumin
• ¼ tsp (1.2 g) crushed red pepper
• 1 tsp (4.8 g) kosher salt
• 2 US tbsp (30 mL) white distilled vinegar
• 2 scallions

Steps

Method 1 Method 1 of 3:

Steamed Carrots

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1. 1 Clean and cut 1 lb (450 g) of carrots into 0.25 in (6.4 mm) sticks or rounds. Wash whole carrots under running water, pat them dry, and use a vegetable peeler to remove the tough outer layer. Then, use a sharp knife to trim off the stem and tip of each carrot, and cut them into either thin sticks or sliced rounds.[1]
   • You can also use bagged baby carrots. These come pre-washed, but you might choose to give them another rinse and pat them dry. You can cook them whole, or slice each into 2-3 pieces.
2. 2 Add the carrots and 2 US tbsp (30 mL) of water to a microwavable dish. Choose a large, microwave-safe dish (glass or ceramic is best) that provides plenty of extra room for the carrots and water.[2]
   • Never use a metal bowl in the microwave.
   • If you must use a plastic bowl, make sure it is labeled as microwave-safe.
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3. 3 Cover the dish with its lid or plastic wrap. Don’t tilt the lid or poke holes in the plastic wrap for venting. You want to trap the water inside the bowl in order to steam the carrots.[3]
   • Plastic wrap might melt if it is touching the carrots. If necessary, use a larger bowl.
4. 4 Cook the carrots on high (100%) power for 3 ½ minutes. After the microwave stops running, remove the bowl with oven mitts—it will be hot! Remove the lid or plastic wrap carefully, keeping any escaping steam away from your arms and face.[4]
   • The cooking times for this recipe assume a 1000 watt microwave. If you have a higher wattage microwave, reduce the time to 3 minutes; if it’s lower, increase the time to 4 minutes.
5. 5 Stir the carrots, re-cover them, and keep cooking them until tender. Once you’ve stirred the carrots and re-covered the bowl, cook them on high for another 2 minutes. Then, remove them again and check them for doneness with a fork—it should pierce the carrot pieces with little resistance. If they’re not done yet, microwave them for another minute and keep repeating the process as needed.[5]
   • Thin slices will take about 6-9 minutes in total.
   • Strips will take about 5-7 minutes in total.
   • Whole baby carrots will take about 7-9 minutes in total.
6. 6 Serve the steamed carrots hot. You can serve them as-is, or add a little salt and pepper to taste. You might also choose to stir in a small pat of butter.[6]
   • Steamed carrots can be added to many meals as a side dish or vegetable accompaniment. Try them with a grilled chicken breast or broiled fish, for example.
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Method 2 Method 2 of 3:

Glazed Carrots

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1. 1 Prepare 1 lb (450 g) of 0.25 in (6.4 mm)-thick carrot rounds. Rinse, dry, and peel the whole carrots, and chop them carefully with a sharp knife. Alternatively, you can cut the carrots into 0.25 in (0.64 cm) sticks.[7]
   • Or, you can use a 1 lb (450 g) bag of baby carrots instead.
2. 2 Melt 3 tbsp (42.9 g) of butter in a large bowl. Microwave the butter on full power for 30 seconds, then in 15-second increments as needed until it melts. Keep an eye on it, because butter can burn quickly in a microwave.[8]
   • Use a ceramic, glass, or other microwave-safe bowl that has more than enough room for adding the carrots after the butter melts.
3. 3 Add 1 tsp (4.8 g) of orange zest and 1 tbsp (14.3 g) of brown sugar. Use a zester or microplane to scrape off just the outer skin of the orange—the white flesh underneath is bitter. Stir the orange zest and brown sugar into the butter until the sugar dissolves.[9]
   • Alternatively, try replacing the brown sugar with 1 US tbsp (15 mL) of maple syrup or honey.
4. 4 Add the carrots to the bowl and mix gently until combined. Use tongs or a spoon to coat the carrots in the butter-sugar-zest mixture.[10]
   • The mixture will adhere to the carrots better if you pat them dry a bit with some paper towels.
5. 5 Cover the bowl and microwave it on full power for 5-8 minutes total. Use a lid or plastic wrap, without any venting holes. Check the carrots for doneness and stir them gently after 3 ½ minutes, then microwave them in 90-second increments until they’re fork-tender.[11]
   • Use oven mitts and watch for hot steam when moving the bowl and checking the carrots.
   • Cooking times may vary based on your microwave oven. This recipe assumes a 1000 watt microwave.
6. 6 Dish out the carrots and serve them hot. If desired, they can be garnished with a little extra orange zest right before serving. Try them with a pork roast, or just have them as a sweet snack![12]
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Method 3 Method 3 of 3:

Sweet and Spicy Carrots

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1. 1 Cut 1.5 lb (680 g) of carrots into 0.5 in (1.3 cm) rounds. Wash and peel the carrots before chopping them with a sharp knife. You can also try substituting 1.5 lb (680 g) of baby carrots.[13]
   • If your carrots are very thin at one end and very thick at the other, cut the thicker rounds in half to keep the pieces similar in size.
2. 2 Heat coconut oil, brown sugar, and seasonings in a baking dish. Use an 8 in × 8 in (20 cm × 20 cm) baking dish that is microwave-safe. Stir in and microwave the following ingredients just until the sugar melts (around 30 seconds):[14]
   • 2 US tbsp (30 mL) unrefined coconut oil
   • 1 tbsp (14.3 g) light brown sugar
   • ½ tsp (2.4 g) ground cumin
   • ¼ tsp (1.2 g) crushed red pepper
   • 1 tsp (4.8 g) kosher salt
3. 3 Add the carrots and 2 US tbsp (30 mL) of distilled white vinegar. Add the vinegar, stir the mixture, then add the carrots and toss gently until they are coated.[15]
4. 4 Cover the baking dish with vented plastic wrap. Secure the plastic wrap over the baking dish, then poke 6 holes in it with a knife tip or skewer. Without proper venting, the carrots will become mushy instead of crisp-tender.[16]
   • If the baking dish has a vented lid, use it instead.
5. 5 Microwave the dish in 5-minute increments for 15 minutes. Cook the dish for 5 minutes on high (100%) power, then remove it, uncover it, and stir the carrots quickly. Re-cover it and repeat the process 2 more times. If the carrots are fork-tender and most of the liquid is absorbed at this point, you can stop cooking them.[17]
   • If the carrots still aren’t quite ready, microwave and stir them in 2-minute increments until they’re done.
   • Be careful when you uncover the carrots to stir them—the hot steam can burn you!
6. 6 Thin-slice 2 scallions to finish off the dish. Stir most of the sliced scallions into the carrots, then sprinkle the rest on top when you’re ready to serve the dish. Then dig in![18]
   • These carrots go great with grilled shrimp, or you can just serve them with some rice.
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Community Q&A

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• Question If I double the recipe on the glazed carrots, do I double the cooking time on the microwave? Michele Top Answerer Not necessarily. Start at the highest recommended time and check. You can always put them back in to cook a little longer. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 2 Helpful 7
• Question What wattage microwave? Michele Top Answerer Carrots can be cooked in any wattage microwave. The lower the wattage, the more time will be needed for it to cook through. If you're not sure, start at the shortest time. You can always put it back in to cook another few minutes. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 3 Helpful 5

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Things You'll Need

• Cutting board and knife for preparing carrots
• Microwave-safe dish
• Microwave oven

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References

1. ↑ https://www.bhg.com/recipes/how-to/cook-with-fruits-and-vegetables/how-to-cook-carrots/
2. ↑ https://www.bhg.com/recipes/how-to/cook-with-fruits-and-vegetables/how-to-cook-carrots/
3. ↑ https://www.bhg.com/recipes/how-to/cook-with-fruits-and-vegetables/how-to-cook-carrots/
4. ↑ https://www.bhg.com/recipes/how-to/cook-with-fruits-and-vegetables/how-to-cook-carrots/
5. ↑ https://www.bhg.com/recipes/how-to/cook-with-fruits-and-vegetables/how-to-cook-carrots/
6. ↑ https://www.bhg.com/recipes/how-to/cook-with-fruits-and-vegetables/how-to-cook-carrots/
7. ↑ https://www.geniuskitchen.com/recipe/glazed-carrots-in-the-microwave-350990
8. ↑ https://www.geniuskitchen.com/recipe/glazed-carrots-in-the-microwave-350990
9. ↑ https://www.geniuskitchen.com/recipe/glazed-carrots-in-the-microwave-350990

More References (9)

10. ↑ https://www.geniuskitchen.com/recipe/glazed-carrots-in-the-microwave-350990
11. ↑ https://www.geniuskitchen.com/recipe/glazed-carrots-in-the-microwave-350990
12. ↑ https://www.geniuskitchen.com/recipe/glazed-carrots-in-the-microwave-350990
13. ↑ https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/food-network-kitchen/microwave-sweet-and-spicy-carrots-with-scallions-3510894
14. ↑ https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/food-network-kitchen/microwave-sweet-and-spicy-carrots-with-scallions-3510894
15. ↑ https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/food-network-kitchen/microwave-sweet-and-spicy-carrots-with-scallions-3510894
16. ↑ https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/food-network-kitchen/microwave-sweet-and-spicy-carrots-with-scallions-3510894
17. ↑ https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/food-network-kitchen/microwave-sweet-and-spicy-carrots-with-scallions-3510894
18. ↑ https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/food-network-kitchen/microwave-sweet-and-spicy-carrots-with-scallions-3510894

About This Article

Reviewed by: Chef Jeff Woodward Private Chef This article was reviewed by Chef Jeff Woodward and by wikiHow staff writer, Christopher M. Osborne, PhD. Jeff Woodward is a Private Chef and the Owner of The Rogue Chef based in Branson, Missouri. With over 20 years of experience in the restaurant industry, he has cooked for esteemed clients including The Harlem Globetrotters, Peyton Manning, Mark Wahlberg, and Justin Timberlake. Chef Jeff won the Branson Tri-Lakes News Reader's Choice Award 2023 for Best Catering. He has been the Featured Chef Demonstrator for 2 years in a row for The Women's Show in Springfield, MO. The Rogue Chef has been the Hollister Chamber of Commerce Spotlight Chef, an award published in Tri-Lakes News. Chef Jeff's food has been featured on KY3 Television. He publishes a recipe weekly in the Branson Globe newspaper and monthly in Lost on the Lake Magazine. He published a feature article for Chef Talks in Discover Home and Style Magazine. He has an associate’s degree from Southwestern Illinois College and a Culinary Arts degree with a Certification in Baking from Ozark Technical College. This article has been viewed 494,349 times. 2 votes - 50% Co-authors: 7 Updated: February 19, 2026 Views: 494,349 Categories: Fruits and Vegetables Article SummaryX

To make simple steamed carrots in the microwave, cut about 1 lb (450 g) of carrots into thin sticks or slices. Put the carrots in a microwave-safe bowl or dish with 2 tablespoons (30 mL) of water and cover the dish with a lid or a piece of plastic wrap. Cook the carrots on high for 3 and ½ minutes. Stir the carrots and put them back in for another 2 minutes, then check to see if they are tender enough to pierce easily with a fork. If not, keep cooking them for 1 minute at a time until they are as tender as you like. Depending on how thin the pieces are, it may take anywhere from 5 to 9 minutes total. You can serve the carrots as is or add a little butter, salt and pepper, or any other seasonings of your choice. To learn how to make glazed or sweet and spicy carrots in the microwave, scroll down! Did this summary help you?YesNo

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Reader Success Stories

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  Sharon D.

  Feb 21, 2021

  "I followed the instructions, have a 1000 microwave and for about five medium carrots, peeled and sliced thin, the 3..." more Rated this article:

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Yes No Advertisement Cookies make wikiHow better. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our cookie policy. Reviewed by: Chef Jeff Woodward Private Chef 2 votes - 50% Click a star to vote 50% of people told us that this article helped them. Co-authors: 7 Updated: February 19, 2026 Views: 494,349

Sharon D.

Feb 21, 2021

"I followed the instructions, have a 1000 microwave and for about five medium carrots, peeled and sliced thin, the 3..." more Rated this article:

Deb Sheegog

Feb 25, 2020

"The simple, organic pre-peeled carrots were perfect when using your timing/ideas. This is great, and thanks to all..." more

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Jun 1, 2017

"How much water to put in with the carrots and how long to cook them in the microwave."

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Jul 18, 2016

"Good info for cooking without the stove or oven during 90 degree days." Share yours! More success stories Hide success stories

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