Smoky BBQ Carrot Dogs
Servings: 6
These carrot dogs start with whole carrots that get poked, simmered in a smoky tamari and paprika marinade, then charred on the grill until they look and taste like cookout hot dogs. Toast the buns, pick a topping combo and feed six in 30 minutes.
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 the carrots and trim the ends. Poke holes all over them with a fork.
- Combine the tamari, vegetable stock, paprika, onion powder and garlic powder in a wide saucepan and bring to a gentle boil.
- Add the carrots, cover and reduce the heat to a simmer. Cook until the carrots are slightly soft but still hold together when poked with a fork, 15 to 20 minutes.
- Sear the carrots on a hot grill, stovetop grill pan or cast-iron griddle until grill marks appear, 1 to 2 minutes per side.
- Serve in toasted hot dog buns with your choice of toppings.
Notes
- Prep Tip: Choose carrots of a similar size so they cook evenly and keep their shape.
- Shortcut Method: Microwave the carrots in the marinade, covered, for about 4 minutes, or wrap each in foil with some marinade and grill for 20 minutes before searing.
- Make Ahead: Simmer the carrots up to 1 day ahead and refrigerate them in the marinade, then sear just before serving.
- Vegan Swap: Use vegan cheddar and vegan sour cream in the toppings, and check the buns, since some contain milk or honey.
Nutrition
Serving: 1hotdog, Calories: 162kcal, Carbohydrates: 30g, Protein: 7g, Fat: 2g, Saturated Fat: 0.4g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g, Monounsaturated Fat: 0.3g, Sodium: 1412mg, Potassium: 324mg, Fiber: 3g, Sugar: 7g, Vitamin A: 10807IU, Vitamin C: 4mg, Calcium: 90mg, Iron: 2mg
