Revolutionize your veggie routine with these smoked carrots glazed in peach preserves and cooked on the smoker until tender with a pleasant snap. This simple recipe turns ordinary carrots into a standout side for any barbecue or family meal. Smoked to develop a gentle depth, finished with a sweet-tart glaze and a hint of warm spice, these carrots are a fresh, flavorful addition to your grilling lineup.
Skip the steamer and try smoking carrots instead. Prepared on a pellet smoker like a Traeger or any similar smoker, they make a reliable, easy side dish for backyard gatherings and weeknight dinners alike.
🥕 Why You Need These Smoked Carrots
- Sweet and smoky – the glaze balances the natural sweetness of carrots with a subtle smokiness.
- Made with simple, easy-to-find ingredients.
- Quick prep – only a few minutes to prepare before they go on the smoker.
- The glaze finishes the dish, adding shine and flavor depth.
- Flexible recipe – swap peach preserves for orange marmalade or another jam if needed.
- They take time to smoke, but the hands-on work is minimal and the results are worth it.
- Versatile pairing – serve with grilled meats or alongside other smoked vegetables.
🤔 Recipe Substitutions and Variations
- Caramelize the glaze: After smoking, transfer carrots to a baking dish, add glaze, and finish in the smoker or oven for 10–20 minutes to thicken and caramelize the preserves.
- Change the seasonings: Swap or add herbs like thyme, rosemary, or basil for an herb-forward version. Add cayenne for heat.
- Try different glazes: Maple glaze or a balsamic reduction also pair beautifully with smoked carrots.
- Add cheese: Finish with grated Parmesan for a savory touch.
🍽 Ingredients – More than Just Carrots
These ingredients are easy to source. Refer to the recipe card for exact amounts and a printable version of the recipe.
- Whole fresh carrots, washed and peeled.
- Ginger powder for warmth and depth.
- Garlic powder for savory balance.
- Salt to enhance flavors.
- Peach preserves for the glaze; orange marmalade or another jam can be used as a substitute.
- Butter to give the glaze shine and richness.
- Lemon juice to brighten the glaze.
👨🍳 How to Smoke the Carrots
Here’s a concise overview of the smoking process. See the printable card for step-by-step details.
- Preheat your smoker to 225°F.
- Toss carrots with olive oil to coat.
- Season with ginger, garlic, and salt, then toss again.
- Place on the grill grate and smoke at 225°F for 2–3 hours, until tender when pierced.
- Prepare the glaze while the carrots smoke.
- Remove carrots, drizzle with glaze, and toss to coat before serving.
😉 Tips for Smoking Carrots
- Glaze enhances natural sweetness: Fruit preserves bring a glossy finish and amplify the carrots’ flavor.
- Desired texture: Aim for carrots that are tender but still slightly firm. Bend or fork-test them to check doneness.
- Watch your smoker: Times vary by smoker model and carrot size; check them after about two hours to prevent drying or burning.
- Pick medium carrots: Medium, firm carrots hold up well to smoking without overcooking.
❓ FAQ
Mild fruitwoods and nut woods work well with vegetables. Cherry, maple, pecan, and mesquite are popular choices depending on how pronounced you want the smoke flavor to be.
Yes. The low-and-slow smoking method cooks the carrots through without pre-blanching.
Yes. Baby carrots require less time—smoke at 225°F for about 30 minutes or until tender and still slightly crisp.
🥡 Storing and Reheating
Store smoked carrots in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3–5 days once fully cooled.
Reheat in the smoker or oven at 350°F for 10–15 minutes until warmed through. If freezing for later, smoke the carrots but omit the glaze, cool, then freeze in a freezer-safe container for 2–3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge, reheat, and add glaze before serving.
🤤 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 turn a familiar vegetable into something special. The gentle smoke enhances their natural sweetness, and the peach glaze rounds out the flavor with brightness and shine. With only a few pantry staples, a quality smoker, and a little patience, you can create a memorable side dish that guests will love.
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Smoked Carrots
4 servings
5 minutes
2 hours
2 hours 5 minutes
Transform a basic carrot side into an elegant dish with smoky flavor and a bright, glossy peach glaze. Ready to prep in under 10 minutes, these carrots are a delicious, healthy addition to any meal.
Ingredients
- Whole fresh carrots, washed and peeled (1–1½ 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.
- Toss carrots with olive oil to coat evenly.
- Sprinkle with ginger, garlic, and salt and toss again.
- Place directly on the grill grate and smoke at 225°F for 2–3 hours, until tender when pierced with a fork.
Make the Glaze
- Combine preserves, butter, and lemon juice in a small microwave-safe bowl and warm until melted, stirring in 15-second intervals.
- Whisk to combine into a glossy glaze.
- Remove carrots from the smoker, place in a bowl, drizzle with glaze, and gently toss to coat.
Notes
- Peach preserves work beautifully, but orange marmalade or other jams are good alternatives.
- For a tender-but-snappy texture, check doneness by bending a carrot or using a fork; it should require a little effort to pierce.
Recommended Products
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Traeger Timberline 1300 Pellet Grill -
John Boos Maple Butcher Block
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 4
Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving:
Calories: 142
Total Fat: 9g
Saturated Fat: 5g
Trans Fat: 0g
Unsaturated Fat: 3g
Cholesterol: 23mg
Sodium: 215mg
Carbohydrates: 16g
Fiber: 1g
Sugar: 10g
Protein: 1g
Nutrition information is a guideline only and is automatically calculated; absolute accuracy is not guaranteed.
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