Best 7 Spicy Mexican Carrots Recipes

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In the realm of vibrant Mexican cuisine, Spicy Mexican Carrots stand out as a delightful and versatile dish. These pickled carrots, known as "zanahorias en escabeche" in Spanish, are a symphony of flavors that blend sweet, spicy, and tangy notes. They are a staple in many Mexican households and often served as a side dish or condiment to enhance tacos, burritos, tortas, or carnitas. This article presents two tantalizing recipes for Spicy Mexican Carrots, each offering a unique twist on this classic dish. The first recipe yields a batch of fiery carrots, while the second one delivers a milder version with a touch of sweetness. Both recipes are easy to follow and require minimal ingredients, making them perfect for home cooks of all skill levels. Whether you prefer your carrots with a kick or a subtle heat, these recipes have you covered. So, gather your ingredients, grab your apron, and embark on a culinary journey to savor the zesty goodness of Spicy Mexican Carrots.

Check out the recipes below so you can choose the best recipe for yourself!

MEXICAN PICKLED CARROTS OR ZANAHORIAS EN ESCABECHE



Mexican Pickled Carrots or Zanahorias En Escabeche image

Mexican pickled carrots can be served as a garnish or side with any Mexican meal. Put them on tacos, tortas, enchiladas and anything else you want. Your local taqueria has them, but now you can make them at home!

Provided by Nancy R. Lopez & MexicanMadeMeatless.com

Categories     accompaniment     Appetizer     garnish     topping

Time 35m

Number Of Ingredients 14

1 lb. carrots (peeled and cut into coins*)
1 medium large white onion (sliced into slivers)
3 fresh jalapeños (sliced into strips (or use serranos))
4 whole garlic cloves (if small use more)
3 whole bay leaves
1 teaspoon black peppercorns
1 teaspoon oregano (preferably Mexican oregano)
1 teaspoon fine sea salt
1.5 cups plain white vinegar ((1 1/2 cups) see notes)
1.75 cups water ((1 3/4 cups) see notes)
2 Tablespoons olive oil (more if needed)
jars and lids (sanitized ( I used one 32oz jar + one 8oz jar))
large frying pan
medium pot

Steps:

  • You can do this quickly by placing the jars and lids inside a large and deep pot filled with water and bring to a boil. Boil for 10 minutes and remove and drain off the water while you prepare the carrots.
  • In a large frying pan heat the oil, then add the carrots and cook for about 3 minutes. Next add the chilies, onion, garlic, and bay leaves and cook for another 8 to 10 minutes. Next add the salt, oregano, and peppercorns and cook for about 3 minutes, stir to combine the spices and vegetables well.
  • Test a piece of carrot to see how crisp or tender it is. You can decide how much crispness you'd like your carrots to have, cook until they reach your desired texture. Turn off heat and set aside.
  • In a medium pot (while your carrots are cooking), mix the water and vinegar and bring to a soft boil under medium-low heat. Once boiling cover and turn heat to low and allow to simmer until it's ready to be poured over the carrots in the jars.
  • Fill each jar 3/4 full with the carrot mixture. Then pour in vinegar mix but leave about 1/8th inch of space from the rim. This is to leave enough room so it doesn't spill.
  • Seal tightly and set jars aside to allow to sit and cool down to room temperature. Once at room temperature you can put them in the refrigerator.
  • Allow to sit in overnight to allow flavors seep into the carrots and make them more flavorful. Tightly sealed they will keep up to a couple of weeks in the refrigerator, that's if they last you that long!

Nutrition Facts : ServingSize 10 servings, Carbohydrate 69 g, Protein 8 g, Fat 30 g, SaturatedFat 4 g, Sodium 2680 mg, Fiber 19 g, Sugar 30 g, Calories 611 kcal

TAQUERIA-STYLE SPICY PICKLED CARROTS



Taqueria-Style Spicy Pickled Carrots image

Zanahorias en escabeche are those delish tangy, spicy carrots served alongside your favorite dishes at taquerias. They are easy to make and delicious to add to take your tacos, tortas, or any Mexican dishes. This is not a canning recipe, so keep them in the fridge. Refrigerate them for up to 4 weeks.

Provided by Buckwheat Queen

Categories     Side Dish     Sauces and Condiments Recipes     Canning and Preserving Recipes     Pickled     Pickled Vegetable Recipes

Time 1h50m

Yield 6

Number Of Ingredients 13

1 cup white vinegar
1 cup water
1 teaspoon coarse sea salt
¾ pound carrots
1 small yellow onion
6 medium fresh jalapenos
2 cloves garlic
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
2 large bay leaves
1 teaspoon whole black peppercorns
1 teaspoon dried Mexican oregano
1 teaspoon cumin seeds
1 teaspoon extra-virgin olive oil

Steps:

  • Whisk vinegar, water, and sea salt together in a small saucepan. Bring to a low boil over medium-high heat, reduce heat, and simmer until salt is completely dissolved, about 3 minutes. Set aside.
  • Peel carrots and cut them into 1/2-inch diagonal slices. Cut onion into quarters. Cut each quarter into 3 strips. Cut stems off jalapenos and cut each jalapeno into 6 strips. Slightly crush each garlic clove.
  • Warm oil in a nonstick skillet over medium heat, add carrots, and cook, stirring occasionally, for 6 minutes. Add bay leaves, peppercorns, oregano, and cumin seeds. Cook and stir for 2 minutes. Add onion, jalapenos, and garlic. Cook, stirring occasionally, until vegetables are tender and fragrant but not soft, about 15 minutes.
  • Place vegetables in a 24-ounce wide-mouth canning jar. Pour in the cooled vinegar mixture until liquid reaches 1 inch from the top. Pour olive oil on top and secure the lid. Allow to cool to room temperature. The carrots are ready to serve after 1 hour but best after sitting for 24 hours.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 64.6 calories, Carbohydrate 8.2 g, Fat 3.4 g, Fiber 2.4 g, Protein 1 g, SaturatedFat 0.5 g, Sodium 335.2 mg, Sugar 3.7 g

OVEN-ROASTED SPICED CARROTS



Oven-Roasted Spiced Carrots image

I started roasting veggies and serving them often with dinner. Now my children say, "Is it OK to finish the veggies?" Pinch me. -Joan Duckworth, Lee's Summit, Missouri

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Side Dishes

Time 40m

Yield 8 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 12

2 pounds medium carrots, peeled and cut into 2-inch pieces
3 tablespoons olive oil
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground coriander
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1/4 teaspoon chili powder
1/4 teaspoon paprika
1/8 teaspoon ground ginger
1/8 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Dash ground cloves
Dash cayenne pepper

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 400°. In a large bowl, toss carrots with oil. Mix seasonings; sprinkle over carrots and toss to coat., Arrange carrots in a single layer in a 15x10x1-in. baking pan coated with cooking spray. Roast 25-30 minutes or until lightly browned and crisp-tender, stirring occasionally.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 93 calories, Fat 5g fat (1g saturated fat), Cholesterol 0 cholesterol, Sodium 228mg sodium, Carbohydrate 11g carbohydrate (5g sugars, Fiber 3g fiber), Protein 1g protein. Diabetic Exchanges

MEXICAN HOT CARROTS



Mexican Hot Carrots image

I'm from Southern California. You can not find a restaurant that does not have these hot carrots. Being on the East Coast now, I have had to come up with my own version to duplicate the hot carrots of home.

Provided by lili619

Categories     Side Dish     Vegetables     Carrots

Time 8h30m

Yield 8

Number Of Ingredients 4

6 carrots, peeled and sliced
1 (16 ounce) jar sliced jalapeno peppers, with liquid
2 onions, thinly sliced
1 cup vinegar

Steps:

  • Place the carrots in a saucepan with enough water to cover and cook over medium heat until nearly boiling, 7 to 10 minutes. Immediately drain the carrots and set aside to cool.
  • Divide the cooled carrots into two 1-quart glass jars. Alternate layers of onion and jalapeno peppers atop the carrots until the jars are full.
  • Mix the liquid from the jalapeno peppers and the vinegar in a saucepan; bring the mixture to a rolling boil. Remove from heat and pour the liquid into the jars until full. Seal the jars with lids. Place the jars in the refrigerator until cold, at least 8 hours.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 45.4 calories, Carbohydrate 10.5 g, Fat 0.2 g, Fiber 2.5 g, Protein 1.1 g, Sodium 39.5 mg, Sugar 5 g

MEXICAN STYLE HOT PICKLED CARROTS



Mexican Style Hot Pickled Carrots image

These are the hot carrots like you get in Mexican restaurants. They are positively addictive. I usually make a batch and share with a friend or neighbor. This recipe comes from a restaurant in San Diego called Alta Vista. It was owned and run by a woman named Mary Sargent. Her loyal customers were saddened when she closed her doors and retired, but at least we are able to make these delicious carrots.

Provided by dawnie2u

Categories     Vegetable

Time 30m

Yield 8 cups, 18 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 10

2 lbs carrots, peeled and sliced on the diagonal (1/4 inch thick)
2 yellow onions, peeled and sliced
1 1/2 quarts warm water
7 ounces whole canned jalapeno peppers, with liquid
1 tablespoon dried oregano
6 whole garlic cloves
2 cups cider vinegar
1/4 cup vegetable oil
2 bay leaves
1 tablespoon salt

Steps:

  • Put carrots in a large 3 or 4-quart pot. Add warm water and bring to a boil over high heat.
  • Boil for 5 minutes and then remove from heat.
  • To pot, add the peppers, onions, oregano, garlic, vinegar, bay leaves and salt.
  • Let cool for 2-3 hours. Put in jars and place in refrigerator. These will keep for a week after opening jar.
  • Can also be kept in airtight containers in refrigerator.
  • Makes 8-9 cups.

SPICY MEXICAN CARROTS



Spicy Mexican Carrots image

This Mexican restaurant side dish is one of my favorites....I love them from Roberto's Taco shops in Las Vegas. I found this recipe online and think it comes pretty close to Roberto's! You could modify it by adding sliced onions, if desired. This is a great low-cal snack to keep on hand - it's great when you're craving salty/spicy food!

Provided by suzanne

Categories     Vegetable

Time 30m

Yield 4 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 8

4 ounces jalapenos, diced in juice
3/4 cup white vinegar
3/4 cup water
10 peppercorns
1 lb carrot, sliced thin
5 bay leaves
1/2 teaspoon salt
3 teaspoons minced garlic cloves

Steps:

  • Spray a large saucepan with cooking spray, and add garlic. Saute' for 3 minutes. Add carrots and saute' another 3 minutes. Add all other ingredients and bring to a boil. Reduce heat, and simmer for 20 minutes. Remove to large bowl, cover, and refrigerate overnight.

SPICY CARROTS



Spicy Carrots image

While the entree cooks, fix a speedy stovetop side dish of Spicy Carrots. "After my sister brought the carrots to a family gathering, my husband begged me to asked for the recipe," recalls Dawn Flanigan of Westville, Ohio. Folks who like horseradish will enjoy the tangy-sweet combination. "It tastes too good to be so quick and easy," Dawn Assures. "I use baby carrots to save time, but regular carrots can be sliced into sticks instead," she adds.

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Side Dishes

Time 25m

Yield 5 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 6

3-1/2 cups fresh baby carrots
2 tablespoons butter
2 tablespoons sugar
1 tablespoon prepared horseradish
1 teaspoon dried parsley flakes
Salt and pepper to taste

Steps:

  • Place carrots in a saucepan and cover with water; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 10-15 minutes or until tender. Drain and keep warm. , In the same pan, melt butter; stir in the sugar, horseradish and parsley. Add the carrots, salt and pepper; stir gently to coat.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 96 calories, Fat 5g fat (3g saturated fat), Cholesterol 12mg cholesterol, Sodium 134mg sodium, Carbohydrate 14g carbohydrate (10g sugars, Fiber 2g fiber), Protein 1g protein.

Tips:

  • Choose the right carrots: Look for firm, brightly colored carrots with no blemishes or cracks.
  • Cut the carrots evenly: This will help them cook evenly.
  • Don't overcrowd the pan: Give the carrots plenty of room to cook so they don't steam and become soggy.
  • Cook the carrots until they are tender: But not mushy. You should be able to easily pierce them with a fork.
  • Season the carrots to taste: With salt, pepper, and other spices as desired.
  • Serve the carrots immediately: Or store them in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Conclusion:

These spicy Mexican carrots are a delicious and easy side dish that can be enjoyed by people of all ages. They are perfect for potlucks, parties, or everyday meals. The carrots are crispy, flavorful, and have a nice kick of heat. They are sure to be a hit with everyone who tries them.

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