Carrot Top Chimichurri - The Perfect Carrot Greens Recipe! (2024)

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Save those leafy greens, and make this delicious Carrot Top Chimichurri! This South American inspired sauce is great for topping meats and vegetables.

Other vibrant green herb sauces to try — Authentic Chimichurri Sauce and Arugula Basil Pesto.

Carrot Top Chimichurri - The Perfect Carrot Greens Recipe! (1)

Contents

Mix up your Chimichurri with Carrot Tops!

I’ve been buying rainbow carrots this spring with beautiful greens attached. They make a stunning side dish, and my son is enticed to eat his veggies by the array of colors.

The next time you pick some up, don’t let them cut the green leafy tops off! Reduce food waste by using the edible greens. Chop them up, and toss up a quick carrot top chimichurri.

Carrot Top Chimichurri - The Perfect Carrot Greens Recipe! (2)

Chimichurri is a staple condiment in South America. Made differently around the region, Argentina is famous for the version made with parsley and thyme.

Carrot tops have a flavor similar to dill. They add a unique earthy flavor to sauce!

Not only is it delicious, it’s also full of health-boosting ingredients. The greens, plus olive oil and garlic, give it superfood status.

Traditionally, chimichurri is used at Churrasquerías, or steakhouses, as a meat topper. Use this on steak, seafood, or even roasted vegetables!

What You’ll Need

  • Carrot Tops (make sure your grocery store clerk doesn’t cut these off!)
  • Italian Parsley (optional, but I love the flavor)
  • Olive Oil
  • Red Wine Vinegar
  • Lemon Juice (optional, but adds a fresh flavor)
  • Garlic (smashed and minced for the most health-boosting properties!)
  • Oregano
  • Kosher salt
  • Red Chili Flakes
Carrot Top Chimichurri - The Perfect Carrot Greens Recipe! (3)

How to Make Carrot Top Chimichurri

Step 1: Very finely hand chop carrot tops, parsley, and garlic. This process takes a few minutes. Add in the rest of the chimichurri ingredients to a bowl, along with the chopped herbs.

I have also made chimichurri in a food processor. This works, but the presentation isn’t as beautiful. The olive oil becomes green and murky.

Step 2: Taste the chimichurri sauce, and adjust the salt, vinegar, and chili to taste.

Carrot Top Chimichurri - The Perfect Carrot Greens Recipe! (4)
Carrot Top Chimichurri - The Perfect Carrot Greens Recipe! (5)

FAQ & How to Store Carrot Top Chimichurri

How to Store Chimichurri

Store carrot top chimichurri in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days, until ready to serve. Allow to warm up to room temperature prior to serving.

Are carrot greens poisonous?

Carrot tops are not poisonous. They are a nutritious green, with a grassy flavor, similar to parsley or dill. You can saute them, use them in sauces, or even chop them up in salads.

How to Use Chimichurri made with Carrot Greens

  • It would be perfect on this Baked Beef Tenderloin.
  • Grilled steaks
  • On top of Grilled or Baked Chicken
  • On roasted vegetables, like Roasted Rainbow Carrots
  • Mixed in to hummus, similar to this Pesto Hummus.
  • Drizzle on top of salads!

Other Herbed Condiments

  • Creamy Avocado Salsa Verde
  • Basil Walnut Pesto
  • Authentic Chimichurri

If you make this recipe, be sure to share it with me! Find me on Facebook or Instagram and be sure to tag #SunkissedKitchen @SunkissedKitch

Carrot Top Chimichurri - The Perfect Carrot Greens Recipe! (6)

Carrot Top Chimichurri

A vibrant chimichurri sauce made with carrot greens! Don't toss those nutritious greens – use them to make a flavorful sauce for your carrots, or for meat or seafood dishes.

Print Pin Rate

Course: Condiment

Cuisine: Argentinean

Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 0 minutes minutes

Total Time: 5 minutes minutes

Servings: 8 servings

Calories: 89kcal

Author: Michelle Miller

Ingredients

  • 1 cup carrot tops very finely chopped
  • 1/4 cup Italian parsley optional, very finely chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic very finely minced
  • 1/2 teaspoon Kosher salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon red chili flakes
  • 1/2 teaspoon oregano dried or fresh
  • black pepper to taste
  • 1/3 cup olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice (optional)

Instructions

  • Very finely chop carrot tops, Italian parsley, and garlic. Add to a bowl.

  • Add the rest of the chimichurri ingredients to the bowl, and stir to combine. Adjust the salt, vinegar, and chili flakes, to taste.

Notes

How to Store Chimichurri

Store carrot top chimichurri in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days, until ready to serve. Allow to warm up to room temperature prior to serving.

Are carrot greens poisonous?

Carrot tops are not poisonous. They are a nutritious green, with a grassy flavor, similar to parsley or dill. You can saute them, use them in sauces, or even chop them up in salads.

How to Use Chimichurri made with Carrot Greens

  • It would be perfect on this Baked Beef Tenderloin.
  • Grilled steaks
  • On top of Grilled or Baked Chicken
  • On roasted vegetables, like Roasted Rainbow Carrots
  • Mixed in to hummus, similar to this Pesto Hummus.
  • Drizzle on top of salads!

Nutrition

Calories: 89kcal | Carbohydrates: 2g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 9g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 7g | Sodium: 149mg | Potassium: 21mg | Fiber: 0.2g | Sugar: 0.1g | Vitamin A: 197IU | Vitamin C: 9mg | Calcium: 32mg | Iron: 1mg

Tried this Recipe? Tag me Today!Mention @SunkissedKitch or tag #SunkissedKitchen!

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Carrot Top Chimichurri - The Perfect Carrot Greens Recipe! (2024)

FAQs

Can you do anything with the greens on top of carrots? ›

Carrot greens are just as edible as carrots themselves, and they're delicious in this tangy chimichurri sauce, pesto, and more. Today, we're making chimichurri out of carrot greens! I don't know who ever spread the idea that vibrant carrot tops should be tossed. They're edible and delicious, so let's start using them!

Can you eat too many carrot tops? ›

Carrot greens and tops are not poisonous, and they are most certainly edible. Carrot greens do contain alkaloids, but so does nearly every leafy green vegetable. Alkaloids are chemical compounds that serve as the plant's defense mechanism against pathogens.

Do you juice carrot greens? ›

Carrot leaves are still commonly discarded but they are beneficial to one's health when consumed as juice, vegetable, or chutney. After learning about the numerous health benefits of carrot leaves, you too will want to consume them rather than throw them away.

How to start carrots from carrot tops? ›

Place the carrot tops on the plate, ensuring that the bottoms are covered with water, but they are not completely submerged. Keep an eye on the level of water for the carrots and top up when needed. Watch your carrot tops begin to sprout roots.

Which part of carrot is not edible? ›

Final answer: The edible part of the carrot is the Carrot Root. This is where the plant stores its nutrients, making it sweet and nutritious for human consumption. Other parts of the carrot, like the leaves and stems, are also edible but are not usually eaten.

What is the green leaves on top of the carrots? ›

share: In most the grocery stores you probably won't find carrots with their tops attached. It's a shame because, carrot greens — also known as “fronds” — aren't just a decoration on top of Bugs Bunny's favorite snack. These feathery green leaves are a table-worthy food.

Are carrot greens healthy to eat? ›

And the carrot tops (AKA greens, AKA leaves) have a similar nutritional profile to carrots; they are rich in vitamin A, C, K, and potassium. Don't toss those greens. Reduce food waste by using the whole carrots and their leafy tops. Carrot tops can be used in soups, salads, and pesto, and you can also saute them.

What does drinking carrot juice every day do? ›

Carrot juice is incredibly nutritious, providing potassium, several carotenoids, and vitamins A, C, and K. Drinking this veggie juice may help improve eye health, boost your immune system, and strengthen your skin.

Are there any side effects of eating carrot leaves? ›

Otherwise, unless you eat them in extremely high amounts, she explains carrot greens have no known side effects.

Why are my carrot tops falling over? ›

Weak stems indicate genetic issues or stress; staking provides gentle support. Water wisely: Overwatering and underwatering both lead to droopy leaves.

Can you reuse carrot tops? ›

A: Yes, you are correct that you can cut off the top of the carrot and regrow the leaves only. Once the taproot (carrot) is removed it cannot grow another. When cut from the top, the growing point for the taproot is removed, however the growing tip for new leaves is not removed.

What happens when you put carrot tops in water? ›

Prepare for garden magic! Over the next few days, you'll notice the carrot tops will start to sprout new leaves from the center. Change the water in the bowl every two to three days.

Should you store carrots with the green tops? ›

One thing you will want to do when bringing home carrots from the market is to separate the greens from the carrots. That's because the tops will continue to draw moisture away from the vegetables as they sit in your fridge. Just remove the tops from the vegetables and store them separately.

What to do with carrot scraps? ›

Carrot tops can be used in a variety of ways. You can stir them into soups, toss them with salad greens, use them in place of herbs, add them to veggie burgers, or blend them into smoothies or green juice.

How do you preserve carrot greens? ›

You can store the carrot greens in a bag in the freezer. When making soup add the greens as you would parsley. It will enhance the flavor. In general, carrot greens make an excellent and tasty substitute for parsley!

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