Vegan Carrot Hot Dog Ingredients
- 5 medium, straight carrots
- Water for boiling the carrots
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 1/4 cup apple or grape vinegar
- 1/4 cup water
- 2 garlic cloves, finely minced
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- A pinch of dried coriander
- 1 tsp salt, or to taste
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp seven-spice blend
- 2 tbsp liquid smoke; if unavailable, the original recipe suggests using a hot piece of charcoal with a little oil to add smoky flavor
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- Hot-dog buns
- Jalapeño or pickled cucumber
- Ketchup
- Mustard
- Vegan mayonnaise
- Thin French fries
- Vegan cheddar, optional; the original author did not add it
- Caramelized onion, optional
How to Make Vegan Carrot Hot Dogs
Peel the carrots and boil them in water for 10 minutes, or until a knife can be inserted but the carrots are still firm.
Remove them from the water and set aside.
Prepare the marinade in a container shaped so the liquid can cover the carrots.
Mix the water, vinegar, soy sauce, spices, garlic and salt.
Add the cooked carrots so they are submerged in the marinade and refrigerate for a full day. The original recipe notes that some people use a sealed food-safe bag to make it easier to keep the carrots covered by the marinade.
The next day, place the carrots in a non-stick pan over low heat with half the marinade and 3 tablespoons olive oil. Cook until the liquid reduces onto the carrots and they brown lightly on all sides.
If using it, place a slice of vegan cheddar over each carrot and let it melt slightly.
Assemble the carrot hot dog
Open the bun and add vegan mayonnaise, jalapeño or pickled cucumber, then the carrot, ketchup, mustard, optional caramelized onion and thin fries.
Enjoy.
Why a Carrot Dog Makes More Sense Than a Meat Hot Dog
Carrots do not contain a “hormone that treats diabetes,” and they are not antibiotics or medicines for ulcers, kidney disease or parasites. But they have something real and stronger: carrots are among the richest sources of beta-carotene, which the body converts to vitamin A, important for vision and normal body functions. USDA.
The biggest difference here is not even the carrot itself, but what it replaces. Animal hot dogs are processed meat, and WHO’s IARC classifies processed meat as carcinogenic to humans (Group 1) because there is sufficient evidence that it causes colorectal cancer. The evidence reviewed by IARC estimated about an 18% increase in relative risk for each 50 g of processed meat consumed daily. WHO / IARC.
We do not need to invent medicinal powers for carrots. The real vegan argument is much stronger: the same sandwich idea, the same marinades and smoky flavors, but built around a carrot instead of processed meat. 🌱
Try our vegan sausage, quinoa and black-bean burger, or black-bean mortadella.
