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There’s a lot you can do with broccoli and carrots, and they’re honestly two of the most versatile vegetables you can keep in your kitchen.
Whether you’re roasting them, stir-frying them, or blending them into soups, broccoli and carrots can handle almost anything you throw at them.
If you’ve ever stood in front of your fridge wondering what to do with broccoli and carrots before they go bad, you’re not alone.
These two veggies pair beautifully together, they’re packed with nutrients, and they work in dozens of recipes from quick weeknight dinners to meal-prep staples.
In this post, we’ll cover what to do with broccoli and carrots, including the best cooking methods, tasty recipe ideas, and smart ways to store and prep them so nothing goes to waste.
Let’s get to it.
What to Do With Broccoli and Carrots: The Best Cooking Methods
What to do with broccoli and carrots starts with choosing the right cooking method.
Both vegetables cook quickly and take on flavor easily, so here are the methods that work best.
1. Roast Them Together on a Sheet Pan
Roasting is probably the easiest answer to what to do with broccoli and carrots.
Toss chopped broccoli florets and carrot coins with olive oil, salt, pepper, and a little garlic powder.
Spread everything on a sheet pan in a single layer and roast at 425°F for about 20 minutes.
The carrots turn sweet and caramelized while the broccoli edges get crispy and golden.
2. Stir-Fry for a Fast Weeknight Dinner
A stir-fry is a great way to use up broccoli and carrots in under 15 minutes.
Slice the carrots thin so they cook at the same rate as the broccoli.
Heat a little oil in a wok or skillet, add the carrots first, then the broccoli a couple of minutes later.
Finish with soy sauce, garlic, ginger, and a splash of sesame oil for an easy veggie side or stir-fry base.
3. Steam Them as a Simple Side Dish
Steaming is the gentlest way to cook broccoli and carrots while keeping their nutrients intact.
Steam the carrots for about 5 minutes, then add the broccoli for another 4 to 5 minutes until both are tender-crisp.
A squeeze of lemon, a pat of butter, and a pinch of salt is all you need.
4. Blend Them Into Soup
If you’re wondering what to do with broccoli and carrots that are slightly past their prime, soup is your answer.
Simmer them with onion, garlic, and vegetable broth until soft, then blend until smooth.
A splash of cream or coconut milk makes it rich and comforting.
Delicious Recipes Using Broccoli and Carrots
Once you know the basics, here are some of the best ways to use broccoli and carrots in everyday meals.
1. Sheet Pan Chicken and Veggies
Spread chicken thighs, broccoli florets, and carrot chunks on one pan, season generously, and roast.
Everything cooks together and dinner is done in about 30 minutes with almost no cleanup.
2. Veggie Fried Rice
Diced carrots and small broccoli florets are classic fried rice ingredients.
Cook them briefly in the pan before adding cold rice, eggs, and soy sauce.
It’s a fantastic way to use leftover rice and whatever broccoli and carrots you have on hand.
3. Broccoli Carrot Slaw
Shred raw broccoli and carrots finely, then toss with a creamy dressing, raisins, and sunflower seeds.
This crunchy slaw holds up well in the fridge and makes a great lunch side.
4. Cheesy Broccoli and Carrot Bake
Steam the vegetables, place them in a baking dish, pour over a simple cheese sauce, and bake until bubbly.
It’s comfort food that gets everyone eating their veggies.
How to Prep and Store Broccoli and Carrots
Knowing what to do with broccoli and carrots also means storing them right so they last longer.
1. Keep Them Separate in the Fridge
Store broccoli in a loosely open plastic bag in the crisper drawer, and keep carrots in a sealed container covered with water or wrapped in a damp paper towel.
Keeping them separate helps both stay fresh longer.
2. Wash and Chop Ahead of Time
Prepping broccoli and carrots once or twice a week makes weekday cooking much faster.
Cut them into florets and coins, store them in airtight containers, and they’re ready to roast, steam, or stir-fry in minutes.
3. Freeze the Extras
If you have more broccoli and carrots than you can use, blanch them for 2 to 3 minutes, cool them in ice water, drain, and freeze.
Frozen broccoli and carrots work perfectly in soups, stir-fries, and casseroles later on.
So, What to Do With Broccoli and Carrots?
What to do with broccoli and carrots really comes down to roasting, stir-frying, steaming, or blending them into soups, and each method brings out something different.
They’re versatile, affordable, and they work together in everything from sheet pan dinners to fried rice and slaws.
Prep and store them properly and you’ll always have an easy answer when you open the fridge and ask yourself what to do with broccoli and carrots.