Revolutionize your vegetable lineup with these smoked carrots glazed in peach preserves, smoked until tender but still slightly crisp. This recipe transforms ordinary carrots into a memorable side—smoky, slightly sweet, and gently spiced—perfect for backyard barbecues and weeknight dinners alike. The glaze brings balance and shine while the smoker develops depth of flavor that steaming or roasting can’t match.
Skip the steamer and try smoking carrots instead. I make these mostly on a Traeger smoker, but any smoker set to low-and-slow will work. They pair beautifully with grilled meats and other smoked vegetables, and they’re a great way to get guests excited about eating their veggies.
🥕 Why You Need These Smoked Carrots
- Sweet and smoky — a flavorful upgrade from plain carrots.
- Made with simple, easy-to-find ingredients.
- Quick to prepare with minimal hands-on time.
- The glaze adds a glossy, sweet finish that elevates the dish.
- Flexible — swap peach preserves for orange marmalade or your favorite jam.
- They require patience while smoking, but they’re worth the wait.
- Versatile side that complements meats and other vegetables.
🤔 Recipe Substitutions and Variations
- Caramelize the glaze: Toward the end of smoking, transfer carrots to a baking dish, add glaze, and bake or return to the smoker briefly so the glaze thickens and becomes slightly caramelized.
- Change the seasonings: Ginger, garlic, and salt are classic here, but thyme, rosemary, or basil add herbaceous notes; cayenne gives a spicy kick.
- Try different glazes: Maple glaze or a balsamic reduction both pair nicely with the smokiness of the carrots.
- Finish with cheese: Sprinkle grated Parmesan over the glazed carrots just before serving for a savory contrast.
🍽 Ingredients – More than Just Carrots
These ingredients are easy to source. See the printable recipe card below for exact quantities and notes.
- Carrots: Whole, fresh carrots, washed and peeled.
- Ginger powder: Adds warm, earthy spice.
- Garlic powder: Provides savory depth.
- Salt: Essential to bring out natural flavors.
- Peach preserves: The base of the glaze; orange marmalade or another jam works too.
- Butter: Adds richness and helps the glaze shine.
- Lemon juice: Brightens and balances the sweetness.
👨🍳 How to Smoke the Carrots
Follow these straightforward steps and consult the printable recipe card for full details.
- Preheat your smoker to 225°F (107°C).
- Toss the carrots with a drizzle of olive oil so they’re evenly coated.
- Season with ginger, garlic, and salt and mix to distribute.
- Place the carrots on the grill grate and smoke at 225°F for 2–3 hours, until tender when pierced with a fork but still slightly crisp.
- While the carrots smoke, combine preserves, butter, and lemon juice to make the glaze.
- Remove the carrots from the smoker, drizzle with the glaze, and toss to coat before serving.
😉 Tips for Smoking Carrots
- Glaze complements natural sweetness: A fruit-based preserve highlights the carrots’ inherent sugars—peach and orange both work well.
- Texture preference: Aim for carrots that are tender with a bit of snap; they should bend slightly before breaking. A fork should meet light resistance.
- Monitor your smoker: Temperatures and cook times vary by unit, so check after about two hours to prevent drying or burning.
- Choose medium carrots: Firm, medium-sized carrots hold up best during smoking and are less likely to overcook than smaller ones.
❓ FAQ
Milder fruit woods work best with vegetables. Try cherry, apple, maple, or pecan for a pleasant, balanced smoke. Mesquite can be used sparingly if you prefer a stronger smoke flavor.
Yes — blanching isn’t necessary. Smoking low and slow will cook the carrots through while building smoke flavor, so you can place them raw on the smoker.
Absolutely. Baby carrots cook much faster—smoke them at 225°F for about 30 minutes or until tender-crisp. No need to peel them; just season and smoke.
🥡 Storing and Reheating
Store smoked carrots in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3–5 days. Let them cool completely before refrigerating.
Reheat in your smoker or oven at 350°F for 10–15 minutes until warm. For make-ahead batches, smoke the carrots but hold off on glazing; cool, place in freezer-safe containers, and freeze for 2–3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge, reheat, and then add the glaze.
🤤 Other Smoking Veggie Recipes
Traeger
Smoked Brussels Sprouts
Side Dishes
Smoked Green Bean Casserole
Traeger
Smoked Cauliflower
Side Dishes
Traeger Smoked Asparagus
💨 Go Fire up That Smoker
Smoked carrots are an easy way to elevate a simple side dish. The smoke enhances the carrots’ natural sweetness and the glaze adds a bright, glossy finish. With a few pantry staples, a reliable smoker, and a little patience, you can make a flavorful side that will impress family and guests.
Try a batch the next time you fire up the smoker—you may never look at carrots the same way again.
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Smoked Carrots
4 servings
5 minutes
2 hours
2 hours 5 minutes
Transform plain carrots into a standout side with smoky flavor and a bright peach glaze. Quick to prep and full of flavor, these smoked glazed carrots are great for gatherings or weeknight meals.
Ingredients
- Whole fresh carrots, washed and peeled (1½ to 2 pounds)
- 1 teaspoon ginger powder
- 2 teaspoons garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ cup peach preserves (or orange marmalade)
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 2 teaspoons lemon juice
Instructions
Prepare the Carrots
- Preheat your smoker to 225°F (107°C).
- Place the carrots on a baking sheet or in a large bowl. Drizzle with olive oil and toss to coat.
- Season with ginger, garlic, and salt; toss to coat evenly.
- Place the carrots directly on the smoker grate and smoke at 225°F for 2–3 hours, until tender when pierced with a fork.
Make the Glaze
- Combine the preserves, butter, and lemon juice in a small microwave-safe bowl. Heat in short intervals until melted, or warm gently on the stove.
- Stir until smooth to form a glaze.
- Remove the carrots from the smoker, place in a large bowl, drizzle with the glaze, and gently toss to coat before serving.
Notes
- Peach preserves are recommended for the glaze, but orange marmalade or other fruit spreads are fine substitutes.
- For slightly crisp carrots, check doneness by bending—tips should nearly touch before the carrot breaks, or use a fork to test.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 4
Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving:
Calories: 142Total Fat: 9gSaturated Fat: 5gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 3gCholesterol: 23mgSodium: 215mgCarbohydrates: 16gFiber: 1gSugar: 10gProtein: 1g
Nutrition information is a guideline only and may not be exact.