I love cooking vegetables on my Pit Boss pellet grill, especially carrots. There’s very little prep work, and they taste great. It’s a great way to add color and variety to your food. Everyone will beg you to cook more carrots on your grill.
Cooking Carrots On A Pit Boss
I can’t tell you how often I’ve cooked veggies on my Pit Boss. Carrots are one of my favorites because they taste so much better than cooking on the stove. It only takes a handful of ingredients and equipment; chances are you already have everything in your kitchen.
Not to mention, you don’t have to worry about dirtying up your kitchen through the cooking process.
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We’ve got you covered to cook the perfect grilled carrots on a Pit Boss pellet grill, Traeger, or any other brand. You can adjust any of the settings to work with your grill type.
So, let’s go!
- Pit Boss pellet grill (I use the 820 Pro Series)
- Fresh carrots or prepackaged carrots
- The right cooking technique
- Grilling Pan
- Firesafe gloves
This may sound confusing, especially if you’ve never grilled vegetables on the grill. But don’t worry. I will cover each step in complete detail.
Can You Cook Carrots On A Pit Boss?
You can cook carrots, broccoli, and any of your favorite vegetables on a Pit Boss pellet grill. It can be cooked in a pellet grill if you can cook it on propane, gas, charcoal, or your indoor oven.
To roast carrots on the grill, set the temperature to high indirect heat, then cook for about 10-12 minutes or as long as it takes before becoming mushy.
Can You Smoke Carrots On A Pit Boss?
The Pit Boss makes it easy to smoke, grill, or cook carrots to add color to your favorite dishes. Then, wash the carrots thoroughly without peeling them.
Place them directly on the grill or use a baking sheet for cooking. I place them directly on the grill because it makes those amazing grill marks everyone loves.
Turn Pit Boss on the smoke setting and leave them in the smoker until they’re fork tender.
How long it takes to smoke depends on the temperature setting, but the smoke time will vary from 5 to 10 minutes.
I prefer grilling it on the Pit Boss. The last time I tried roasting it, the Brussels sprouts became too soft and mushy.
How to Prepare The Carrots Grilling On The Pit Boss Pellet Grill?
The preparation will depend on the type of veggies you’re cooking. For instance, purchasing a bulk-size package from Costco or Sam’s Club will differ from buying a small pack from your local grocery store.
Open the package and remove the amount you’re going to cook.
Next, wash and trim the carrots before cooking.
I NEVER peel them because I’ve found that the nubby skin helps the olive oil, honey, or seasoning hold to the carrot during the cooking process.
That said, I trim off any black spots, or ugly marks, especially if I’m inviting guests over.
After washing and trimming the carrots, use a paper towel to pat them dry before adding any seasonings.
I recommend investing in this grill basket to cook it on the grill. This grill basket makes it easy to cook the food you don’t want to cook directly on the grates.
I’ve used the basket to cook small potatoes, Brussel sprouts, baby carrots, etc. Invest in a great pair of cooking gloves if you use one because it gets hot.
Do I Need to Cut The Carrots In Half?
There’s no need to cut the carrots in half. Doing so can make them harder to cook on the grates. If you cut the pieces too small, there’s a good chance they’ll fall through the grates.
When cutting the vegetables in half, monitor the grill closely. It’s likely they will cook faster than if you kept them whole.
If you prefer to cook the carrots in half, use a grill basket or an aluminum foil packet to keep them on the grates.
Can I Use Frozen Carrots?
While it is possible, I’ve never done it. If using frozen carrots, it’s best to let them thaw before grilling. This will ensure you don’t have to leave them on the grill too long.
Just know that the texture of frozen carrots won’t be the same as the fresh ones. However, frozen carrots cost less, and it can be a great way to save money if you’re not sure if your family will enjoy them.
How to Cook Carrots On The Pit Boss
Preheat the Pit Boss
While prepping the carrots, preheat the Pit Boss to 400 – 500° Fahrenheit. If you’re smoking the carrots, set the grill to the smoke setting.
Wait 5-10 minutes or until the grill reaches the proper cooking temperature. Ensure the sear plate is closed so you’re using indirect heat for cooking the carrots.
If you want to smoke the carrots, set the Pit Boss to the smoke setting, which is 180°F. Smoke for about 10-12 minutes. If you leave them in the grill too long, they will become too mushy, making them impossible to eat.
I’ve noticed that foods I don’t smoke will still have a hint of smokey flavor just by cooking them inside the Pit Boss.
What P-Setting to Use?
Leave the P-Setting on the default P-4. Unless you’re cooking in the cold winter months, the P-4 setting is the recommended default setting for all cooks.
Place The Carrots on the Grill
Once the grill preheats, place the carrots directly on the grates or baking sheet. When using a baking sheet, leave it on the grill while it is preheating. Doing so gets the pan hot before placing the veggies in it, speeding up the cooking process.
If you place the heads directly on the grates, make sure you clean the grates thoroughly before cooking.
Flipping the Carrots
While not necessary, I use a pair of tongs to rotate or spin the carrots halfway through the cooking process. This ensures that both sides of the veggie get the grill marks I love.
Plus, it allows me to check the carrots halfway through the cooking process to make sure they are not getting overcooked. Just make sure the carrots don’t roll off the grill because they tend to do that.
Monitor The Carrots
The carrots are done when you can pierce them with a fork without being too mushy. I usually start checking the carrots after 10 minutes, and then every 5 minutes until they are done.
Most people like their carrots with a little crunch, but if you want them softer, leave them on the grill for a few extra minutes.
Remove the Carrots
Once cooked, remove them and serve immediately. As with meats, you don’t have to let them rest after grilling.
Letting them sit will cause them to become soggy and cold. They’ll still be edible, but they won’t taste as good as they could when eaten hot.
That’s why knowing when to start cooking the veggies is essential. If you cook them too soon, you’ll have to wait for the main dish to cook.
How Long Does It Take to Cook Carrots On A Pit Boss?
Ask anyone how they like their carrots grilled, and you’ll get several answers. I’ve found that they taste best when they have a crisp-tender texture.
So to get the perfect texture, it usually takes about 10 minutes or so at a temperature of 400-500° Fahrenheit.
That said, the time it takes to prepare them depends on the size of the carrots, the amount, and the weather.
However, whenever I cook mine on the Pit Boss, it takes about 10-15 minutes. So the cooking time will vary from grill to grill.
How Do You Know When The Carrots Are Cooked?
There’s no set internal temperature to reach when cooking carrots. Instead, you’re looking for them to become soft enough to pierce with a fork, have char marks, and still have some firmness.
Best Pellets to Use For Grilling Carrots On The Pit Boss?
Use mild-flavored pellets such as apple, cherry, or the Pit Boss competition blend when cooking vegetables on the Pit Boss. The right flavored pellets come down to personal choice.
The veggies won’t be on the grill long enough for the pellets to affect the taste. You will still get a slight hint of smoke flavor, but the flavored pellets won’t matter much.
You can burn whatever you have in your hopper when you’re ready to grill the veggies.
What Sides to Serve With Carrots?
Carrots pair well with pork, poultry, lamb, and beef. It makes the perfect side dish for any meal. The different ways to serve it are only limited by imagination and creativity.
Can I Cook Carrots At The Same Time With Meat?
While it is possible, it’s best not to. It doesn’t take as long as cooking meat, so it’s best to throw it on the grill while it rests.
What to Do With Leftovers?
Don’t throw it away; instead, store it in a shallow, air-tight container, plastic wrap, or foil and put it in the refrigerator. It will last up to 3-5 days, just don’t expect it to taste the same.
Tips and Tricks for Grilling Carrots on the Pit Boss
- Cook Time: I want to stress the importance of cook time. Monitor the veggies closely, so it doesn’t overcook. Overcooked carrots are still edible, but they will be mushy. Cook it until it has a charred and caramelized look, and then it’s ready.
- Fresh Carrots: Use fresh carrots that are firm and don’t have any ugly marks or discoloration.
- Seasoning: We keep it simple and use olive oil, kosher salt, and black pepper. But feel free to follow any recipe online and try different seasonings.
Final Word
Carrots are one of our favorite vegetables to cook on the Pit Boss pellet grill. It’s ready in no time and pairs well with any main course. You can season them with any of your favorite seasonings, even honey.
The trick to perfectly cooked carrots is cook time and freshness. I’ve found that 10 minutes at 400-500° Fahrenheit does the trick; however, the outside temperature, grill temperature, and the amount of food you’re cooking can affect the cooking time.
When cooking carrots outside on your grill, monitor them closely, as they don’t take very long!
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