Baked Horseradish Carrots

By Ann Fulton

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Thanks to the easy horseradish sauce and crisp topping, even those who don’t love cooked carrots have gone back for seconds of this colorful dish. 

 

Recently, I conducted an informal poll, asking a dozen or so people what comes to mind when they think of carrots.  Bunnies and celery were often mentioned, but so was good eyesight.

Growing up, I had poor eyesight that, over the years, deteriorated to legal blindness. I recall a stage where I snacked heavily on carrots, taking quite literally what all kids seem to learn early on–that these orange root veggies are good for one’s eyes.

Though my vision was bad—I couldn’t even see the chart on the wall, let along the big “E”–it was correctable. A procedure 10 years ago even allowed me to get rid of the hard lenses on which I relied.  Driving home from the hospital with my husband, I cried because I could read the license plate on the car in front of us.  Overnight, I woke him to tell him it was 1:22. I was thrilled that I could see the numbers on my digital alarm clock from several feet away.

Perhaps I slacked off on my carrot consumption, because the vision in one of my eyes took a nosedive in the last year or so.  The problem is correctable through surgery, which I will have soon.  To give my eyes some extra rest, I’m taking next week off.  In the meantime, I thought it seemed fitting to share a carrot recipe!

For the record, carrots won’t improve the visual acuity of those with less-than-perfect eyesight. No amount of carrots will obliterate the need for glasses or erase a cataract. They do, however, contain high levels of beta-carotene, which the body converts to Vitamin A. Vitamin A, in turn, is considered an important nutrient to eye health.

Cooked carrots historically get a bad rap.  In some ways they deserve it.  Cooked carrots are considered by many to be, at best, a mushy way to get a serving of veggies.  But it doesn’t have to be that way.

As a newlywed, I adapted this colorful recipe from a cookbook published by The Junior League of Austin, Texas. Now, I have two teenage boys who truly enjoy these zippy carrots.

This pretty orange side dish complements a variety of main dish proteins, though the zing from the horseradish makes it particularly well suited to beef, whether your favorite grilled steak or your mom’s best meatloaf. Excellent gluten-free cracker options are widely available, so this dish need not be off-limits to those for who cannot consume gluten.

 

Thanks to the easy horseradish sauce and a crisp topping, even those who don't love cooked carrots have gone back for seconds of this colorful dish. 
Baked Horseradish Carrots
Any leftovers may be gently reheated, although I have been known to eat them cold for lunch.

Yields 4 to 6 servings.
Ingredients
  • 4 1/2 to 5 cups peeled and thickly sliced carrots (I like to cut on the diagonal)
  • 1/2 cup mayonnaise
  • 2 tablespoons grated or minced onion
  • 2 tablespoons prepared horseradish
  • 1/4 teaspoon each kosher salt and freshly ground pepper
  • 1/4 cup crushed butter-flavored or stone-ground crackers (or gluten-free equivalent)
  • 2 teaspoons melted butter or olive oil
  • Optional: minced fresh parsley or dill for garnish
Instructions
  1. In a small bowl, combine the mayonnaise, onion, horseradish, salt, and pepper.  Set aside.  (This mixture may be prepared 1 to 2 days in advance, covered, and refrigerated.)
  2. Cook the carrots in a covered saucepan in a small amount of water until they are crisp-tender.  (Taste them to make sure–this is the best way to avoid mushy carrots.)   Drain the carrots well, and return to the pan.  Stir the horseradish mixture into the carrots, tossing to evenly coat.  Transfer the carrots to a lightly greased 1 1/2-quart baking dish.  (A small casserole or an 8-inch square baking dish work well.)
  3. Mix the crushed crackers with the 2 teaspoons melted butter or oil.  Sprinkle evenly over the carrot mixture.   At this point, the carrots may sit on the counter for up to 2 hours before baking.  You may also cover and refrigerate.  In this case, I like to add the cracker crumbs just before baking and allow the carrots to sit at room temperature while the oven is preheating.
  4. When ready to cook, preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.  Bake, uncovered, for approximately 15 to 20 minutes or until heated through.  If you’d like the cracker crumb topping to brown a little more, briefly broil the carrots, watching very carefully so as not to burn.  Garnish with a light sprinkle of fresh parsley or dill, if desired.
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Comments

  1. Nancy

    Hi Ann!

    We love these carrots! I’m getting ready to make them again. I wondered if you can sub plain Greek yogurt for some of the mayo. What do you think.

    Reply
    1. Ann Post author

      Hi Nancy, I’m delighted you love this recipe. You may have already made them, as I am slow to reply because of the holiday. If I were to make the yogurt substitution, I’d go no more than 50-50 to start. I’ve made a similar change in other recipes with good results. Would love to know how you make out if you try!

      Reply
  2. Cindy

    Can you freeze Company carrots after they are cooked. We love these and have them most Holidays, but due to Covid dinner was canceled and I have a double batch made.

    Reply
    1. Ann Post author

      Hi Cindy, I’m so glad these are a holiday staple and am sorry your plans went awry (it happened to us too!). I haven’t frozen this dish but think it would freeze well. The carrots may be slightly softer when thawed and reheated, but carrots are a vegetable that tends to freeze well.

      Reply
    1. Ann Post author

      Hi Judy, Your creamy horseradish will be fine as long as the primary ingredient is horseradish. That way, the 2 tablespoons used will mix with the other ingredients to provide the desired amount of flavor. Enjoy!

      Reply
  3. Susan Putland

    I love the sound of this carrot dish and will try it over this Easter weekend while in lockdown due to Covid 19 Virus.
    Love so many of your recipes.
    Thank you,
    Cheers, Susan, Perth Australia

    Reply
    1. Ann Post author

      Susan, Your comment from across the globe is truly a bright spot in my morning. It is moments like this, as we are all self isolating, that we are reminded of the little (but very important!) ways we can connect. Happy Easter to you…and enjoy the carrots!

      Reply
  4. Lesley

    This was always a staple on our Thanksgiving table when I was growing up. One of my aunts made them religiously year after year. Now they are part of my tradition as well. Horseradish is delicious alongside turkey as well. 🙂

    Reply
    1. Ann Post author

      Lesley, This is such a delightful addition to a holiday meal. I love that it was (and is!) a tradition in your family.

      Reply
  5. Christine @ myblissfulmess

    These zippy and delicious carrots are amazing! I got quite a few compliments on them not just from my kiddos, but company as well. This is easy to put together and a great side dish to go with any kind of meat. I served it along side grilled rib-eye steaks.

    Reply
    1. Ann Post author

      I’m thrilled these were a hit, Christine! They are quite versatile and I bet were delicious alongside your steaks. Thanks for your comment!

      Reply
  6. Gina Plain

    I made these again tonight for company and they were a hit. I’ve said it before, but I love your recipes and the way you present them. I don’t follow recipe blogs but I come back to yours again and again….usually led there by your piece in the Lancaster newspaper. I clip the recipe and then after I’ve made it, I “pin” it for future use. Thanks!

    Reply
    1. Ann Post author

      Thank you for your lovely comment, Gina. I’m so happy that you’ve found some recipes you enjoy and truly appreciate the feedback!

      Reply
  7. Jenn

    Just had to share that I made your chili lime chicken and these horseradish carrots the other night for dinner … FANTASTIC!!! Carrots were even better cold the next day!

    Reply
  8. Carolyn

    Delicious recipe! Since I am not eating any grains, I used chopped pecans instead of crackers. I think the pecans nicely complemented the carrots. I always look forward to your recipes in the LNP!

    Reply
  9. Mary Lou Keller

    I must try this one Ann! I have not made carrots in a while, I have roasted them and we loved them but this looks intriguing.

    Sending good thoughts and prayers for your eye surgery dear..

    Reply
  10. Steve

    I have the beginnings of a cataract so I understand and since I love carrots, might as well start pretending they’ll help and gobble some of this dish down. I love carrots and horseradish so I’m thinking this will be a long love affair! Suppose it’s off to make some more homemade mayo and buy some carrots!!

    Reply
  11. Terry

    I would never have guessed that carrots could taste so good. I made these last night because I had everything on hand…so easy and so surprisingly delicious!

    Reply
  12. Vicki

    These are worth a try; my honey just doesn’t like carrots, but he does like horseradish. I’m glad your vision is correctable; prayers for your surgery. God will have to fix mine. I’m totally blind, but this week I canned apple butter, so keep the faith!

    Reply
    1. Ann

      You’ll have to let me know if you win him over, Vicki, and thank you very much for the good wishes. I’m happy to hear that you’re not letting your vision slow you down. I’m impressed that you canned apple butter–I bet it’s delicious!

      Reply