These grilled carrot dogs will offer vegetarians a cause to camp out by the grill at your next summer barbecue. Not only will the carnivores enjoy their own grilled “dog,” but they will also enjoy the delicious BBQ mustard paste.
When planning a BBQ party for friends with various dietary preferences, including some vegetarians, it can feel like balancing on a tightrope to ensure that everyone has a dish of grilled food. Although grilled carrots are not novel, covering them with a sweet, spicy, and acidic mustard sauce is. Grilled carrot dogs satisfy both vegans and your health-conscious companions. This summer, they will be an unexpected smash.
These carrot dogs are fantastic at parties, but they also make a great daily lunch. In fact, I’m more likely to have carrots than hot dogs on hand.
Slather Your Carrot Dogs With BBQ Mustard Paste
The inclusion of mustard paste elevates these carrots beyond a simple “grill” designation. The paste, which is a blend of yellow mustard and Dijon mustard, contains the barbecue staples of garlic, paprika, and cumin.
Their addition imparts an earthy bite that blends with the mustard’s sharpness. Combined with the sweetness of the grilled carrot, each mouthful is delightful. It’s no surprise that I repeatedly snacked on this while testing.
How to Cut Carrots to Mimic Hot Dogs
To resemble a hot dog, the carrots are sized appropriately. I do have a kitchen tape measure, but a hot dog bun is the most convenient reference point. When slicing the carrots, select pieces of uniform proportions. The ideal thickness is no more than 1 inch, with a taper that loses no more than 1/4 inch.
There will be plenty of carrot scraps, which is excellent because coleslaw is an ideal side dish. Consider using a knife to trim the carrot ends to resemble those of a real hot dog as a final touch.
Parboiling Your Carrots Is a Must
You may grill a raw carrot from start to finish, but the results and texture will be different for this dense root vegetable. For this reason, you must parboil your carrots. By partially heating the carrot before grilling, the mustard paste and carrot flesh will be caramelized. This imparts a touch of resistance to each bite before reaching the soft center. It is comparable to biting through the casing of a hot dog.
Due to the fact that the carrots are parboiled, they can be prepared a few days in advance, making this dish comparable to a hot dog. Place them in a sealed container in the refrigerator until you’re ready to grill them!
How to Perfectly Grill a Carrot Dog
Caution is advised; grilling with a paste can be difficult. The paste may fall off or adhere to the grates if you are not careful. To prevent grilling hazards, keep in mind the following:
Ensure the grill has plenty of time to heat up. Even though the grill thermometer may indicate the desired temperature, it will take at least 15 minutes for the grates and inside of the grill to achieve the same temperature.
Brush those grates clean. Most likely, you neglected to remove last night’s dinner from the grates, which causes food to adhere to them. Clean grates facilitate food release.
If you feel resistance when trying to rotate a carrot, wait. After the carrot has been seared and formed a crust, the grate will release it. Give it 30 seconds and then try again.
Carrot Dog Toppings Galore
What is a hot dog lacking condiments? Similar to typical hot dogs, carrot dogs can be topped with the same assortment of condiments as their beef counterparts. It is acceptable to use ketchup and mustard, yes, even more mustard. I chose instead sauerkraut with caraway seeds, pickle relish, and peppers.
There is a virtually endless range of topping ideas. Remember that if these are intended for a vegetarian buddy, the toppings must likewise be vegetarian. Chili carrot dogs must wait until tomorrow unless the chili is vegetarian.
Ingredients
- 6 carrots, about 1-inch in diameter, peeled
- 1/4 cup yellow mustard
- 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon granulated garlic
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon dry ground mustard, like Coleman’s
- 6 hot dog buns
Method
Bring a pot of water to a boil over high heat
Cut the carrots:
While the water boils, peel and cut the carrots to a length of approximately 6 inches, or the length of a hot dog bun. Remove portions of the carrot so that the 6-inch chunk is uniformly sized. Use a vegetable peeler to remove excess carrots, if necessary.
Parboil the carrots:
In a large pot of boiling water, blanch the carrots for 10 to 12 minutes, or until knife-tender. Carrots are drained in a colander. Dry the carrots with a paper towel and lay them on a sheet tray or dish.
Make the paste:
Combine the yellow mustard, Dijon mustard, garlic, paprika, cumin, and ground mustard in a small bowl.
Coat the carrots with the paste:
Spread mustard over the carrots with a spoon on all sides.
Prepare a grill for direct medium heat—350° to 450°F
Grill the carrots:
Grill the carrots over direct heat, flipping several times until charred on all sides, approximately 6 to 8 minutes total.
Grill the hot dog buns:
Grill the hot dog rolls: Grill the hot dog rolls cut side down, over direct heat for 45 to 60 seconds, or until marked.
Serve:
Place a carrot in each bun and top with your preferred condiments.
Read Also:- Hot Dogs with Spicy Kimchi Slaw