Carrot Hot Dogs

Carrot Hot Dogs are the perfect plant-based alternative to traditional hot dogs. Healthy, vegan, delicious, and perfect for barbecues!

Vegan | Gluten-free | Soy-free

The best hot dog is the one no animal had to suffer for, and the one your body is grateful for as well. Here is THE perfect plant-based alternative, suitable for roasting, grilling, microwaving, sauteing, and even turning over an open campfire. 

Before we get started, I know what you are thinking. Carrots? As a substitute for hot dogs? This is not a punchline of a vegan joke, I am 100% for real. When I first came across this concept, I was skeptical too. It was not until I got to try them at a vegan festival that I was convinced I needed to develop my own recipe. After a while of trial and error, I finally did! With recipes like this, giving up meat will no longer be a sacrifice.

Turning Carrots into Hot Dogs

Vegetables as a substitute for meat is nothing new. In fact, many meat substitutes in the vegan industry are based on veggies. However, that does not necessarily mean they are healthy. Many are processed and prepared with refined ingredients, so they have little to no nutritional value.

On the other hand, carrots are a source of vitamins and minerals that are essential for our day-to-day. They are rich in beta-carotene, a powerful antioxidant that can prevent neurodegenerative diseases. Carrot Hot Dogs are not only a healthier alternative but also cheaper and more accessible. 

But how do we actually make them taste like hot dogs? It’s all in the seasoning! With the perfect combination of herbs, spices, and condiments, you can get the flavor just right. First, you whittle down the carrots to get a hot dog shape, and then boil them so they can really absorb the flavor. Then, place the carrots in the marinade for at least 4 hours; I personally prefer to let the carrots marinate overnight. This is especially handy if you are preparing for a barbecue the night before. After marinating, it’s time to cook! Choose your preferred cooking method: roasting, grilling, microwaving, or sauteing. Then serve the Carrot Hot Dogs with your choice of toppings.

Convinced yet? These carrot hot dogs need not begrudge the animal ones, they are truly delicious! What will you use for toppings? Let me know in the comments.

Suggested Toppings:

Serve these bad boys on your favorite hot dog bun, topped with:

• The classic duo: Ketchup and Mustard
• Vegan Nacho Cheese and Salsa
• Jalapeños
• Vegan Chili
• Dijon Mustard & Relish
• Sauer Kraut
• Vegan Bacon Bits

Notes:

• Try to get thick carrots for this recipe, as they look more realistic!
• Carrots not cooking? If your carrots are on the thicker side, you may find that they take a long time to soften in the pot. For this, you can either cook them for longer on the stove or finish cooking them in the microwave for a few minutes.
• Save leftover marinade to make more carrot dogs or for tempeh bacon.

Gluten-free? Make sure to use gluten-free hot dog buns to make this completely gluten-free!

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Rating: 5.0/5

( 1 voted )

Serves: 2-4 Prep Time: 10 Minutes Cooking Time: 30 Minutes 30 Minutes Nutrition facts: 200 calories 20 grams fat

Ingredients

Main Ingredients

• 4 carrots, peeled and trimmed to hot dog bun length
• 4 hot dog buns

Marinade:

• ¼ cup water, or veggie broth
• ¼ cup liquid aminos, or soy sauce
• 2 tbsp liquid smoke
• 2 tbsp rice vinegar
• 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
• 2 tbsp vegan worcestershire sauce, or steak sauce
• 1 tbsp roasted sesame seed oil
• ½ tbsp pickle juice from the pickle jar
• 2 tbsp maple syrup
• 2 tbsp ketchup
• ½ tsp garlic powder
• ½ tsp onion powder
• ¼ tsp cayenne pepper
• ¼ tsp black pepper

Procedure

1. Chop both ends of the carrots, and whittle them down to a hot dog shape. Don’t peel the boy of the carrots, as it contributes to the texture of the end result.
2. Depending on the size of your carrots, add water to a medium-large pot, and bring to a boil.
3. Add carrots and boil for 8-15 minutes, or until fork-tender; time depends on how thick your carrots are. Make sure to NOT overcook them, the carrots should not be mushy at all and they should hold their shape.
4. While the carrots are cooking, whisk together in a bowl with a lid all of the marinade ingredients. Set aside.
5. Once the carrots are fork-tender, remove carrots from boiling water and allow them to cool down for about 10 minutes.
6. Then, add cooked carrots to the marinade and gently shake to coat. Place the lid on the bowl and place the container in the fridge. Depending on when you want to cook them to eat, they should be left marinating for as long as possible (overnight), but no less than 4 hours. recommend leaving them to marinate for as long as possible.
7. Let’s cook! When ready to prepare carrot hot dogs, you can cook these on a grill or on the stove.
8. Barbecue: Toss the carrots and cook until heated and slightly charred, rotating to ensure an even cook. While cooking, drizzle some leftover marinade over the carrots to get a crusty exterior. This can take up to 10 minutes.
9. Pan: Slightly oil the pan and heat over medium heat. Add carrots and cook, rotating to ensure an even cook. While cooking, drizzle some leftover marinade over the carrots to get a crusty exterior. This can take up to 10 minutes.
10. Remove from heat and serve on a hot dog bun with your toppings of choice.

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