The Step You Can't Skip For Carrot Hot Dogs To Keep Them Firm On The Grill

Hot dogs may have originated in Germany, but they sure found their fame in the U.S. Honestly, what's not to like about them? The lightly smoked sausage tucked into a soft buttered bun and topped off with some mustard, ketchup, diced onions, and coleslaw is inexplicably delicious. If you're a true hot dog fan, then you've probably come across the complete guide to American hot dog styles — and that also includes carrot hot dogs. 

Now, carrot dogs aren't just a vegan twist on the classic. They're also a nutritious option for people looking to eat a lighter bite without sacrificing the actual taste. They're loaded with flavor, easy to prepare, and even easier to grill, which makes them a perfect snack if you're hosting a barbecue at home. But if there's one drawback about carrot dogs, it's that they can lose their firmness once placed on the grill. The reason this happens is that once exposed to heat, the carrots' hemicelluloses start breaking down, ultimately softening their texture. 

Brooklyn-based cookbook author and chef, Jenn de la Vega, revealed in an exclusive Q&A that she boils the carrots in some vegetable broth first so they hold their shape when grilled. However, boiling until they're fork-tender isn't really necessary. "That's too far," she told Chowhound. "The fork should also not get stuck, you want a little give, but firmness in the center." She noted that boiling them in vegetable broth for 10 to 15 minutes is more than enough to reach the ideal texture. "Thinner ones will need less time and thicker ones will need longer," she said.

When asked how to make tender, smoky carrots on the grill, Jenn de la Vega highlighted that prepping them in advance is a crucial step in the process. Trim them to about 1-inch thick all around first. "This is so they'll cook consistently," de la Vega mentioned, and doing so will usually provide two regular carrot dogs from a single large carrot. "Once I have my trimmed carrot dogs, I like to score them on the diagonal so more marinade can get in." 

Once that's done, de la Vega suggested experimenting with some seasonings to add a bit of flavor to the carrot dogs. According to her, paprika, ancho pepper, or canned chipotle are classic choices if you want to add some extra depth and smokiness to the carrots. "I always include aromatics like freshly grated onion and garlic, or powdered if that's all I have on hand," she explained. 

Meanwhile, a drizzle of soy sauce, vegan Worcestershire sauce, or teriyaki sauce can also enhance their color and deepen their umami flavor. In addition, a light yet flavorful vegetable broth can make a wonderfully effective marinade and infuse the carrot dogs with depth and subtle sweetness before they hit the grill. "I like to marinate overnight after I've parboiled them, and I re-use the broth to rest the grilled carrots to keep them moist, very much like a 'dirty water dog' from a cart," de la Vega pointed out. "There's no danger of cross-contamination since they're vegetables!"

Meanwhile, instead of throwing those carrot peels in the trash, Jenn de la Vega encouraged making the most of them. As a matter of fact, they make an excellent base for baked goods and smoothies, and if you're feeling extra creative, you can even transform them into deliciously crunchy chips, blend them into a rich pesto, or use them as a garnish on your favorite dish. "I'll use the shavings for carrot salad or veggie broth," de la Vega said. She even suggests adding them to the broth used to marinate the carrot dogs after parboiling.

Once the marinating is complete and the carrot dogs are on the grill, de la Vega suggested a cooking time for achieving the best results. "Grill for three to four minutes per side over medium heat or gray coals until you see grill marks," she emphasized. "You don't want an active fire or flare-ups, or the carrots char up too much." And if you haven't grilled carrots before, the beginner's guide to grilling like a master will help you transform those carrots into something irresistible.

With your carrots now grilled to perfection, lightly charred and tender without being mushy, it's time for the final step — and that's putting your carrot hot dog together. When that's done, all that's left to do is take a big, satisfying bite and let all of the flavors come together.