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I make no secret about how much I love carrot tops. I specifically look for them at the farmers market, and they’re one of my favorite “secrets” to share when helping people save money at the market. Do you know what to do with carrot tops? If not, let me be your guide to all aspects of this leafy green!
What do carrot tops taste like?
Carrot tops taste like a cross between parsley and carrots themselves. They taste especially herbaceous at first, and you’ll get the earthy carrot tones at the end. Use carrot tops anywhere you would normally use parsley. Carrots, parsley, cilantro, and dill are all in the same botanical family, so they make easy substitutes for each other. Try using carrot tops in a familiar recipe if you are uncertain about their flavor.
Generally, carrot tops are a bit more fibrous than parsley, and mature carrot tops are tougher than younger tops. But there’s an easy way to solve that problem: finely chop your carrot tops when using them.
Where can I find carrot tops?
I usually get my carrot tops at the farmers market. They come for free with the carrots! I’ve even found vendors that display the carrots with the greens, but then cut them off when someone buys them. Most of these vendors will give you these tops for free; this is how I fed my pet rabbit. Most people don’t know that carrot greens are edible, so they think of this as a favor, since they don’t have to take something they don’t want home. Their loss is your gain!
I’ve also started to see chain grocery stores start to sell bunches of carrots with their tops still attached. Alas, I’ve never seen a grocery store sell carrot tops separately. Which makes sense, I guess, if you think they’re just kitchen scraps. Check the organic section for carrots with their tops still on.
Carrot tops can also be regrown at home! You can actually sprout the upper portion of the carrot and grow the carrot greens yourself. Sadly, you won’t get the carrot with it, but this is a great way to get started reusing kitchen scraps and saving some money as well.
How do I store my carrot tops?
Carrots and carrot tops should be stored separately for maximum shelf life. The roots will be good for much longer than the tops when stored in the refrigerator.
If you buy carrots with their tops attached, the first thing to do when you get home is to separate the roots from the tops. Cut the tops approximately one inch from the top of the carrot. Store your carrots in the crisper drawer with high humidity. The tops should be stored in a separate bag and wrapped with a paper towel to prevent them from becoming soggy. Change out the paper towel every few days to maximize how long you can store your carrot tops.
How can I tell if my carrot tops are still good?
Like most leafy greens, carrot tops should be uniformly green in color and have a crisp texture. Discard (or compost!) carrot tops that turn yellow, but you won’t have to throw out the whole bunch.
If you see them start to turn slimy, it’s time to add them to the compost pile. But there are plenty of things to do with carrot tops before they hit the point of no return. Many of the recipes I share below will greatly extend the life of your carrot tops. Sauces like pesto and chimichurri freeze well, and dehydrating the tops allows them to live in the pantry for months.
What to do with Carrot Tops
Carrot tops are my favorite farmers market "secret." These leafy greens are one of the ways I save money while shopping at the farmers market. I'm continually finding new use for carrot tops; hopefully you'll find inspiration from all my recipes below.
Carrot Top and Quinoa Tabbouleh
My Carrot Top and Quinoa Tabbouleh is one of my favorite make-ahead salads. Believe it or not, it's even better the next day after all the flavors have melded together in the refrigerator.
Whole30 Carrot Top Salsa Verde
Swap carrot tops for parsley in this versatile Italian-inspired sauce. This carrot top salsa verde is Whole30 compliant, and pairs well with steak, chicken, and all sorts of vegetables. This is a great recipe to use when you need to extend the life of your carrot tops: it freezes well and can be thawed for use later!
Walnut and Carrot Top Pesto
Everyone needs to have a carrot top pesto recipe. Mine combines carrot tops with walnuts for a slight twist on the basil/pine nut classic. I've used this pesto on way more than just pasta: try it on salmon, chicken, or roasted vegetables too!
Carrot Top Pesto Breakfast Strata
So you've made some carrot top pesto, but don't know how to use it all up? That's where this Carrot Top Pesto Breakfast Strata comes in play. Use up all the pesto you made earlier in this stunning brunch recipe. Think of it like a savory bread pudding.
