16 Ways To Use Matchstick Carrots Other Than Tossing Them In Salad

Named after the slender flame igniters they resemble, matchstick carrots are more than just a salad topping. Instead, they're the skeleton key responsible for unlocking a world of recipes. That might sound like a bit of an exaggeration, but these petite root vegetables, which often conveniently come pre-washed and cut, effortlessly elevate a range of dishes, adding visual vibrancy, subtle sweetness, and a delightful crunch to whatever they touch.

More than a simple recipe guide, this article is a globe-trotting adventure in discovering all of the ways matchstick carrots can be used beyond the familiar salad bowl. The journey spans diverse culinary landscapes, from Vietnam where matchstick carrots breathe life into bánh mì sandwiches, to Japan where they play a crucial role in sushi. Not to mention their unexpected roles in muffins and meatballs.

There is true value to this unassuming ingredient: Matchstick carrots aren't just time savers, but also culinary allies that enhance recipes without compromising on taste. 

Few dishes hold as much importance in Chinese takeout as lo mein noodles. Made from a blend of eggs and flour, these noodles offer a subtle flavor that absorbs the accompanying sauces and seasonings with ease. What's more, their tender and chewy texture serves as an ideal complement to sautéed vegetables like red bell peppers, snow peas, broccoli, and yes, carrots. Usually, prepping the vegetables takes a lot of work, but thankfully, you can bypass the time-consuming process of julienning the orange veggies by opting for the pre-peeled and pre-cut matchstick variety instead.

Garlic chicken lo mein is our favorite version of this classic dish. Making it involves cooking the noodles and marinating the chicken in a mixture of soy sauce, sesame oil, vegetable oil, cornstarch, and garlic. Once the chicken is cooked, the veggies get their turn in the wok. The chicken and noodles are then added back to the wok and everything is tossed together before serving. While not the star of the dish, matchstick carrots provide a vibrant burst of color and a crunchy texture that perfectly contrasts with the tenderness of the noodles and chicken.

Born on the lively streets of Ho Chi Minh City, bánh mì is a Vietnamese sandwich that seamlessly blends local and French flavors, resulting in one of the most delicious sandwiches ever created. At its core is the celebrated French baguette, providing the perfect canvas for a filling of fresh local produce and meat. While some variations trade the traditional French pâté for chicken breast or grilled pork, the vegetable medley — consisting of cucumber, cilantro, and matchstick carrots — remains a constant.

Not to put any of the other vegetables down, but matchstick carrots steal the show here. They provide a refreshing crunch to every bite, while at the same time introduce an enticing splash of color. Tossing raw carrots onto the sandwich is a viable choice, but elevating your bánh mì experience can also involve a thoughtful twist: pickling them for an hour in a brining solution of sugar, rice wine vinegar, salt, and water. Though this step requires a bit of patience, the payoff is an additional layer of flavor that enhances an already delectable sandwich.

Opinions on meatballs have been divided for far too long. While carnivores lean toward the classic ground beef variety made with spices and egg, vegetarians will venture into plant-based alternatives like those made with black beans and mushrooms. Finally, there's an option for all of the omnivores seeking a harmonious middle ground: behold the all-in-one meatball.

Built on a foundation of lean ground beef, which can be substituted for plant-based meat, these meatballs not only bring a burst of nutrition but also a vibrant array of colors from the added vegetables. This unexpected mix includes sweet onion, red pepper, cauliflower, broccoli, and matchstick carrots. 

Unlike other veggies requiring peeling and chopping, the matchstick carrots come prepped and ready for the pan. Once tender, the vegetables get folded into the beef or meat substitute before heading to the oven. Although the carrots might not steal the spotlight in this recipe, their subtly sweet flavor and essential structural support role are unmistakable.

If you've ever been discouraged by the lengthy ingredient lists of some Asian-inspired recipes, fear not — this slow cooker Mongolian beef recipe is tailored to any level. It brings steak together with a vegetable medley featuring carrots, scallions, garlic, and ginger. All are generously coated in a sauce made from sesame seed oil, brown sugar, beef stock, and cornstarch before embarking on a leisurely two-and-a-half-hour soak in the slow cooker.

While many recipes call for full-sized carrots, you can streamline the process by opting for the pre-cut matchstick variety instead. After all, the goal is to have tiny carrot strips, so why add unnecessary work? Beyond the convenience, the matchstick carrots inject vibrant orange hues into what's otherwise a very monochromatic dish. 

Upon tasting, you'll notice how well the natural sweetness of the carrots complements the savory and umami notes of the beef, resulting in a well-rounded flavor profile you'll be dying to sink your teeth into.

We have nothing against classic latkes. Honestly, we'd happily devour those grated potato fritters every week if we could. However, there are times when the whole preparation process feels a bit too demanding. The routine of washing, peeling, grating, and draining pounds of potatoes can be tough on our biceps and fingertips, you know? So, when you're feeling a bit lazy or just craving something different, reach for fried carrot patties instead.

Using matchstick carrots, which are already grated to the perfect patty size, makes these savory fried pancakes a breeze to whip up. The bonus is that they don't release a bunch of water like potatoes do, eliminating the need for the vegetable-wringing step. Just mix the raw veggies with eggs, flour, breadcrumbs, garlic, and a pinch of salt and pepper, then shape them into patties. Fry until they turn a beautiful golden brown hue on both sides and serve them with a dollop of sour cream and a sprinkle of fresh chives.

Delivery sushi could easily end up costing you over $50 in one go. So, instead of blowing your food budget yet again, try the fun, cost-effective experience of creating sushi at home. Not only will you save money, but you'll also develop a new skill and gain a deeper appreciation for all of the work that goes into making something as simple as a salmon roll. Along with essential DIY sushi ingredients like rice, nori sheets, and tuna steaks, vegetables like cucumbers and carrots play an essential role in many favorite rolls.

The petite size of matchstick carrots are the perfect fit for sushi, making the rolling process a breeze, especially if you're still getting the hang of sushi-making. Beyond their user-friendly nature, carrots bring a pleasurable crunch and vibrant color that sets them apart from other sushi ingredients. While using raw matchstick carrots straight from the bag works just fine, feel free to experiment with pickling or lightly steaming them to discover the diverse flavors and textures they can offer.

Unlike finicky dishes like soufflé, sushi, and risotto, vegetable stir-fry is forgiving and allows for experimentation. You can switch up sauces, try different noodles, and toss in proteins as diverse as beef and seitan, all while still creating a delicious masterpiece. It's hard to mess up stir-fry as any modification tends to improve, rather than hurt, the overall quality.

Embracing this foolproof spirit, feel free to throw in a generous amount of matchstick carrots into the wok alongside other stir-fry favorites like mushrooms, scallions, onions, and red bell peppers. Sauté the veggies in a neutral-tasting oil, such as canola or vegetable, until they're slightly browned around the edges. Once cooked, pour your favorite sauce over everything and stir to coat them evenly. While the tiny carrots might blend in, you'll instantly notice their characteristic crunchiness and sweetness the minute you take the first bite.

No barbecue is complete without coleslaw, and no coleslaw is complete without matchstick carrots. Teaming up with cabbage and mayonnaise, matchstick carrots form the dynamic trio behind everyone's favorite picnic side dish. The important thing to remember here is not to be fooled by their petite size; these root vegetables pull their weight in more ways than you might think.

Right off the bat, their striking orange color pops against the mellow green of the cabbage, creating an appetizing presentation that's hard to resist. In terms of texture, their crunch meshes seamlessly with the cabbage's crispiness, delivering maximum impact in every bite. At the same time, their crunchiness contrasts with the creaminess of the dressing, giving coleslaw a well-balanced and satisfying mouthfeel. And let's not forget the sweet touch — the natural sweetness of raw carrots steps in to balance out the tanginess of the vinegar and the creaminess of the mayo in the dressing.

Static Media owns and operates Tasting Table, Mashed, and The Daily Meal.