Carrot Hot Dogs with Smoked Paprika Marinade
Plant-based hot dogs made from whole carrots marinated in a savory blend of balsamic vinegar, tamari, molasses, and warm spices like smoked paprika and cumin. Grilled until fork-tender with char marks, then served in whole wheat buns with fresh red onion, mustard, ketchup, and relish.
Ingredients
- 8 carrots, medium, trimmed
- 1 cup vegetable broth, no-salt added
- ¼ cup balsamic or apple cider vinegar
- 2 tbsp tamari, low-sodium
- 2 tbsp molasses or maple syrup
- 1 tbsp smoked paprika
- 2 tsp cumin, ground
- 3 tsp mustard powderyellow mustard3 tsp to 3 tbspflavorbinding
different texture and salt
- 1 tsp coriander powder, ground
- 2 tbsp garlic powder
- 1 tbsp onion powder
- ¾ tsp liquid smoke
- 1 pinch cloves, ground
- 8 hot dog buns, whole wheat
- ½ cup red onion, diced fine
- ½ cup mustard, yellow or hot
- ½ cup ketchup, cherry or regular
- ½ cup sweet relish
Instructions
- 1
Trim carrot ends and do not peel. Trim any very uneven sections and reserve trimmings for another use.
- 2
Whisk together marinade ingredients in a saucepan.
- 3
Add carrots to marinade and heat to a light boil over medium-high heat.
- 4
Reduce heat to low and cook carrots for 10 minutes until fork tender.
- 5
Heat outdoor grill to 500°F.
- 6
Place carrots on grill until grill marks appear, about 3-5 minutes per side, turning once.
- 7
Remove carrots from grill and serve in buns with desired toppings.
Tips
Reserve carrot trimmings for salads or stocks to minimize waste.
Ensure grill is fully preheated to achieve distinct grill marks in the short cooking time.
Good to Know
Cooked carrots may be refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on stovetop or grill.
Prepare marinade and marinate carrots up to 24 hours ahead. Cook carrots as directed before serving.
Serve immediately after grilling while warm. Let diners customize with desired toppings.
Common Mistakes
Skip peeling to retain nutrients and texture; unpeeled carrots hold their shape better on the grill.
Do not overcook carrots beyond fork-tender, or they will become mushy and fall apart on the grill.
Use a properly preheated grill to achieve grill marks quickly and prevent sticking.
Substitutions
different flavor
removes whole grain