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What to do with carrots and potatoes is simple: cook them together in dishes that make the most of their flavors and textures.
These two root vegetables are affordable, filling, and endlessly versatile, so there’s no reason to let them sit forgotten in your pantry.
Whether you’ve got a bag of carrots going soft or potatoes starting to sprout, there are plenty of ways to turn them into something delicious.
So if you’ve been wondering what to do with carrots and potatoes, this guide will walk you through practical, tasty ideas you can use tonight.
We’ll cover roasting, mashing, soups, and a few creative tricks that make the most of whatever you have on hand.
Let’s get cooking.
What To Do With Carrots And Potatoes: The Basics
The best thing to do with carrots and potatoes is to cook them together, because they complement each other beautifully.
1. Roast Them Together
Roasting is arguably the easiest answer to what to do with carrots and potatoes.
Chop both into similar-sized chunks, toss with olive oil, salt, pepper, and herbs like rosemary or thyme, then spread them on a baking sheet.
Roast at 425°F for about 30 minutes, flipping halfway through, until the edges are golden and crispy.
The carrots caramelize and sweeten while the potatoes turn fluffy inside and crunchy outside.
This is a side dish that works with almost any main course.
2. Make a Hearty Mash
If you’re stuck on what to do with carrots and potatoes, a combined mash is a comforting option.
Boil equal parts peeled potatoes and carrots until tender, then mash with butter, a splash of milk, salt, and pepper.
The carrots add natural sweetness and a lovely orange hue that brightens up the plate.
It’s a nice twist on traditional mashed potatoes and a great way to sneak extra veggies into picky eaters.
3. Throw Them Into Soup
When you’re unsure what to do with carrots and potatoes, soup is always a safe bet.
Dice them along with onions and celery for a classic mirepoix base, then add broth and simmer until everything is soft.
You can blend it into a smooth, creamy soup or leave it chunky for a rustic feel.
Add herbs, a splash of cream, or even some curry powder to change up the flavor profile.
Either way, carrots and potatoes make soup hearty and satisfying.
Creative Ways To Use Carrots And Potatoes
If you want more ideas for what to do with carrots and potatoes, here are some creative twists worth trying.
1. Bake Them Into a Gratin
A carrot and potato gratin is a great answer to what to do with carrots and potatoes when you want something indulgent.
Slice both thinly, layer them in a baking dish with cream, garlic, and cheese, then bake until bubbly and golden.
The result is a rich, creamy dish that feels fancy but is surprisingly simple to make.
2. Turn Them Into Fritters
Grating carrots and potatoes together and frying them into fritters is a fun way to use up what you have.
Mix the grated veggies with flour, egg, and seasonings, then pan-fry until crispy.
These fritters are perfect as a snack, side, or even a light meal with a dollop of sour cream.
3. Add Them to a Stir-Fry
If you’re still wondering what to do with carrots and potatoes, slicing them thin and tossing them into a stir-fry works surprisingly well.
Carrots add crunch and color, while potatoes soak up the sauce and make the dish more filling.
Just be sure to cook the potatoes fully before adding the quicker-cooking ingredients.
4. Pickle or Ferment Them
Pickling carrots is a classic, but you can also pickle potatoes for a tangy, unexpected treat.
Quick-pickled carrots add zing to salads and sandwiches, while pickled potatoes make an interesting addition to charcuterie boards.
This is a great way to preserve what to do with carrots and potatoes when you have more than you can cook right away.
Smart Storage Tips For Carrots And Potatoes
Knowing what to do with carrots and potatoes starts with storing them properly so they last longer.
1. Store Potatoes in a Cool, Dark Place
Potatoes do best in a cool, dark, well-ventilated spot, away from onions which can cause them to sprout faster.
Never put them in the fridge, as the cold turns their starches into sugar and alters their texture.
2. Keep Carrots Crisp in the Fridge
Carrots stay firm longer when stored in the crisper drawer, ideally in a container with a bit of moisture.
If your carrots go limp, soaking them in cold water for a few hours can bring them back to life.
So, What To Do With Carrots And Potatoes?
What to do with carrots and potatoes is really just a matter of picking the method that suits your mood.
You can roast them, mash them, soup them, grate them, or pickle them, and each option brings out something different in these humble root vegetables.
The key is to use them together whenever you can, because they balance each other’s flavors and textures so well.
Hope this post has helped you figure out what to do with carrots and potatoes the next time you’re staring at your pantry.
Now go grab that bag of carrots and those potatoes and get cooking.