Hot dogs are probably everyone’s favorite summertime treat. Using carrots instead of traditional or vegan hot dogs means you can enjoy all the fun of this summertime classic without any of the cruelty or cholesterol.
Enjoying a hot dog in summer is one of the simple pleasures of life. It brings us back to the easy, breezy days of our childhood and youth, a time of summer camps, camping or cottaging with family and friends, and buying delicious veggie street dogs from city street vendors or at special events. There is really nothing better or more evocative of summertime fun and freedom, and the good news is that it’s a summer tradition you don’t have to give up as a vegan. There are plenty of yummy processed vegan hot dogs you can buy, and many popular eating spots, such as Ikea, now offer vegan hot dogs. But for those who want a homemade or healthier option, you can make homemade seitan hot dogs or this great idea, a carrot hot dog.
To be honest, I tried making a carrot hot dog a few years ago when the idea first went viral, but I hated it. I realize now it’s because I didn’t have a clue how to season or cook them and the results were underwhelming to say the least. What changed my mind was recently reading a post about carrot dogs. The pictures looked amazing and had super positive comments and ratings so I decided to give it another try. I’m so glad I did because wow what a difference.The carrot hot dog were flavourful, tasted just like a processed hot dog, and had a slightly meaty texture. It was so good! I will definitely be adding these to my annual go to summer recipes because what is summer without the fun foods of our past?
Making Carrot Hot Dogs
The carrot hot dog cooking process is pretty easy. It does require alot of ingredients for the marinade, but most of them are simple ingredients that you probably already have on hand. This recipe is easy to make as well. Just follow the steps and you can’t go wrong.
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A couple things to note about the ingredients is that one, liquid smoke is not an optional. It’s a must that gives these hot dogs their hot dog flavour. 90% of hot dog flavour is liquid smoke so omitting it won’t give you the authenic flavour your looking for. It can easily be found in health food or vegan stores, most supermarkets and on line.
The other thing to note is to be sure to use only BDS friendly olive oil. I buy the Zatoun brand from my local vegan shop. There are other brands such as Canaan Palestine and Olive Odyssey that are also certified Palestinian owned and from Palestinian farmers in the illegally occupied West Bank. BDS approved Palestinian olive oil can be found online or in specialty shops. You can also visit or use boycat app to make sure your olive oil is not supporting Israeli genocide and apartheid.
Vegan Carrot Hot Dog Instructions
Prepare and cook your carrots
• Begin by paring your carrots and trimming them to fit your buns. Use the thinnest carrots you can find, and pare them to a more uniform thickness. Set aside. Low waste tip: Be sure to save and freeze the inner pairing to use in soups, sauces or stews.
•Prepare a large size bowl of ice water and set aside.
• Bring a medium sized pot of water to boil and add your pared carrots to it once boiling. Boil for 3-5 minutes until slightly tender on the outside and still firm in the center.
•Immediately remove from the heat, drain and immerse the carrots in the ice water. Let soak until cooled.
Marinade your carrots
• While carrots are boiling prepare the marinade by combining all the ingredients in a medium sized covered container, large enough for all your carrots. Stir until well mixed.
•Place well drained carrots in the marinade. Put on the lid and shake to insure the carrots are all coated.
•Let the carrot marinade refrigerated for at least 4 hours and preferably overnight. Stir or shake them a few times to insure they are all well marinated.
•Save marinade for basting and baking carrots.
Grill your Carrots
• After carrots are marniated, heat a grill over medium high heat.
•Oil the pan with non Israeli olive oil or avocado oil. Add a tablespoon of the marinade and heat until water droplets sizzles when added.
•Place the carrots on the grill and grill them, turning and basting often until the carrots have nice grill marks on all sides. The carrots should be firm. Remove from heat.
Bake your carrots
•Preheat over to 350°Faranheit. Once the carrots are grilled place in a oiled shallow baking dish. Add a few tablespooons of marinade and brush top s of carrots with the marinade.
•Place the dish in the oven and bake for 20-50 minutes, basting and turning every 10 minutes of do. The texture you want is a slightly carmalized soft crunch that is slightly meaty on the outside and still tender in the inside. Cut end with a knife to test the texture.
•Once hot dogs are done, remove from heat and serve.
Add your favorite toppings
Serve carrot hot dogs while hot from the over or grill with all the usual condiments. My personal favorites are chow chow relish, dill pickles, hot sauce, vegan cheese and chopped tomato. They can be refrigerated but not frozen so be sure to enjoy them the same day or the day afterwards. Enjoy!
More Summertime Classics
Summertime is a season that brings back fond memories of our favorite summer treats. These classic vegan recipes keep the fun and good times alive and are healthier and kinder as well.
Ice Cream with Red Beans and Caramel Sauce
A whole foods vegan diet is healthy, kind to animals, and kind to the planet. It is also delicious and affordable. If you like this recipe, please share! ~Una
Vegan Carrot Hot Dogs
Ingredients
- 4 Carrots
- Avocado oil For grilling and cooking
- 4 Hotdog buns
Marinade
- 1/4 cup Braggs Soy Seasoning Or other low sodium soy sauce
- 1/4 cup Apple cider vinegar
- 1 cup Water
- 1 tablespoon Vegan vegetable soup mix or boullion cube Found in bulk food stores or online
- 2 tablespoons Vegan honey or maple syrup
- 1 tablespoon Mustard
- 1 teaspoon Fresh garlic 2 large cloves, minced
- 2 teaspoons Hot sauce
- 1 teaspoon Smoked paprika
- 1/4 Small onion minced
- 1 teaspoon Garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon Cumin
- 2 teaspoon Salt free seasoning mix Commercial or homemade
Instructions
- Wash and peel carrots. Cut until they're hot dog length and uniform in width.
- Place carrots in boiling water. Boil for 5-10 minutes until just fork tender.
- Drain carrots, rinse with cold water, and drain again.
- Whisk together all the marinade ingredients and pour into a container with a tight fitting lid that’s big enough to fit the carrots.
- Place carrots into the container. Close the lid and shake until the marinade has covered the carrots.
- Marinate for at least 4 hrs, preferably overnight. Shake a few times while marinading. Save marinade.
- After carrots are marinated, heat an indoor or outdoor grill over medium high. Once water droplets sizzle on the grill, add the carrots, insuring they aren't touching.
- Grill carrots on an open grill, turning and basting, until they have have grills marks on both sides, about 5-15 minutes.
- While carrots are grilling, preheat oven to 350° Fahrenheit. Oil an 8×8 baking dish and add a little marinade to cover the bottom.
- Place grilled carrots in the baking dish and brush them with more of the marinade.
- Bake until carrots are a meaty consistency about 20- 50 minutes. Turn once after 10 minutes and baste with more marinade.
- Remove carrots from oven and serve on hot dogs buns.
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