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Growing up in a family where every summer holiday meant firing up the grill, being the vegetarian at the barbecue table wasn’t always easy. I stopped eating meat when I was 16, and while I’ve dabbled with it in my 30s and 40s, I still prefer plant-based options, like my BBQ carrot dogs.
Over the years, I’ve perfected this plant-based twist on an all-American barbecue favorite into something that genuinely holds its own against a traditional hot dog. A carrot might sound unexpected at first, but once it’s marinated, grilled, and piled high with your favorite toppings, it becomes incredibly flavorful, hearty, and downright fun to eat.
You can also check out my other vegetarian BBQ recipes like BBQ vegetarian pizza, BBQ jackfruit tacos, and coconut bacon vegan BLT.
What is a Carrot Dog?
A carrot dog is a DIY vegan hot dog swap made by marinating and grilling a whole carrot, then serving it in a bun with your favorite toppings. This recipe is my preferred plant-based swap that requires no processed meat alternatives, such as Impossible Beef Hot Dogs or Morning Star.
BBQ Carrot Dogs Ingredients
- Carrots: The star of this recipe! Once marinated and grilled, carrots become tender, smoky, and surprisingly hot dog-like in texture.
- Tamari: Adds salty, savory flavor and helps give the carrots that rich umami taste.
- Paprika onion & garlic powder: These simple pantry spices bring that smoky BBQ hot dog vibe.
- Vegetable stock: Adds a savory base for simmering the carrots before grilling.
- Hot dog buns: Soft, toasted buns make these carrot dogs feel like the real backyard cookout deal.
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How to Make BBQ Carrot Dogs
- Wash the carrots and trim off the ends. Use a fork to poke a few holes in each carrot to help them tenderize and absorb all that smoky flavor.
- Combine tamari, vegetable stock, paprika, onion powder, and garlic powder in a large pot or saucepan.
- Bring the mixture to a soft boil, then add the carrots. Reduce the heat and let the carrots simmer for about 15–20 minutes.
- Remove the carrots from the pan and transfer them to a hot grill or an iron griddle.
- Sear for 1–2 minutes per side until grill marks appear.
- Serve in toasted hot dog buns with your favorite BBQ toppings.
Carrot Dog Toppings
One of the best things about BBQ carrot dogs is that you can customize them just like traditional hot dogs. Try one (or all) of my flavor-packed topping combinations:
- Backyard Ballpark Classic: Diced onions, ketchup, and mustard.
- Sweet & Savory: Grilled red onions and grilled pineapple.
- Spicy Southwest: Diced red onions, cilantro, and sliced jalapeños.
- Tangy Deli Style: Sauerkraut, coarse mustard, and everything bagel seasoning.
- Fully Loaded: Shredded cheddar cheese, black beans, green onions, and sour cream.
If you make these BBQ carrot dogs, I’d love to hear how it turned out in the comment box below. Your feedback helps me and all the readers in this community. And if you’re interested in more plant-based recipes (and exclusive content), sign up for my weekly recipe newsletter.
BBQ Carrot Dogs (vegan)
Ingredients
- 6 carrots whole
- ½ cup tamari
- ½ cup vegetable stock
- 1 tbsp paprika
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 6 hot dog buns
Topping Combos
- Sauerkraut + everything bagel seasoning + coarse mustard
- ½ cup diced grilled red onions + grilled pineapple
- Diced red onions + cilantro + sliced jalapeno peppers
- Diced onions, ketchup and mustard (could even do diced tomatoes)
- Shredded cheddar cheese, black beans, green onions and sour cream
Instructions
- Wash and cut ends off carrots. Using a fork, poke holes in carrots to help tenderize and infuse the flavors.
- Combine tamari, vegetable stock, paprika, onion powder and garlic powder in a wide sauce pan and heat to a soft boil.
- Add carrots and cover with lid. Reduce heat to a simmer.
- Simmer for 15-20 minutes or until carrots are slightly soft, but not mush. They should still hold together if you poke with a fork again.
- Remove from pan and place carrots on a hot grill (or stovetop grates or cast iron griddle) and sear 1-2 minutes per side (or until grill marks appear).
- Serve in hot dog buns (I like to toast mine) and add toppings.
Video
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Notes
- Choose similar-sized carrots: This helps them cook evenly and keeps the “hot dog” shape consistent after simmering and grilling.
- Don’t skip the fork step: Poking holes in the carrots allows the marinade to soak in deeper, giving you more flavor in every bite.
- Watch your simmer time: Carrots should be tender but still slightly firm—overcooking will make them too soft to hold up on the grill.
- Toast the buns: Lightly toasting adds texture and helps prevent the buns from getting soggy once you add sauce and toppings.
- Other cooking alternatives: Use a microwave for 4 minutes or make “foil packets” and place a carrot and marinate inside each and cook on the grill for 20 minutes to soften before grilling.
Nutrition
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Leave a review for a chance to win signed copies of my cookbooks!Common Questions
Yes, carrot dogs are naturally vegan since they’re made from plant-based ingredients like carrots, tamari, and spices. To keep them gluten free, just be sure to use gluten-free tamari (or certified gluten-free soy sauce) and check that your buns are also labeled gluten free.
The key is not overcooking them during the simmer stage. You want the carrots to be fork-tender but still firm enough to hold their shape. After simmering, a quick grill or sear (1–2 minutes per side) helps lock in texture and adds structure without making them mushy.
Yes, absolutely. You can simmer the carrots in advance and store them in the marinade overnight in the refrigerator. When you’re ready to serve, simply grill or sear them for a couple of minutes to warm them up and add that fresh smoky char before serving.
BBQ carrot dogs don’t taste exactly like traditional hot dogs, but they do deliver a surprisingly satisfying mix of smoky, savory, and slightly sweet flavors thanks to the BBQ marinade. The texture is tender with a bit of bite, especially when grilled, which gives them a hearty feel that makes them a fun plant-based alternative.
