Remember cocktail weiners? Or little smokies? Those little sausages we used to simmer in BBQ sauce every New Year's? This Holiday I converted an old recipe to make Cocktail Carrots instead, and they turned out fantastic!
I know, you're probably saying, "Carrots....really? " Trust me, I KNOW! But wait until you try them!
Carrots actually can taste just like hot dogs, thanks to my Smoky Vegan Carrot Dogs recipe. So all I had to do to recreate this recipe was to use baby carrots instead and cook them just like my Carrot Dogs.
Then it's just a matter of simmering them in my secret sauce until they are super sweet, super tangy, and ready to be devoured by your holiday party guests.
But hold on, I can hear the comments now:
"But I don't eat hot dogs anymore Chuck. I've Vegan. Why do you keep creating recipes that mimic all the things I gave up? "
Because that's what I do.
I recreate all our old comfort food recipes - to make it as easy as possible to switch to a plant-based diet.
Because we all know, food addiction is a very real and very powerful thing. We have become so used to these foods, that the thought of never having a hot dog again, or cheese, or tacos, or whatever it is, is so frightening to some people, they will never make the switch at all.
And that's not good.
I want to show them that you CAN have your favorite foods, satisfy those old cravings, and not give up a thing when it comes to flavor, but without using any meat, dairy, or oil.
And by using ingredients made from whole, natural foods, allow them to continue to enjoy their favorite comforts foods, but in a much healthier way.
I will be the first one to admit, I used to LOVE sausages. Hot dogs, brats, kielbasa, smoked sausage, polish dogs, little smokies, even those little cans of Vienna Sausages....
I know, I ate a horrible diet when I was younger.
And if it wasn't for recipes like this, or my Tacos, or my Cheese Sauce, or my French Fries, I may have never made the switch myself. These recipes are what made it possible to keep me on track and judging from the number of emails, comments, and messages I get every day - I know they help a lot of other people too.
THAT .... is what Brand New Vegan is all about.
SO....if you're still with me... 😉
Speaking of that secret sauce....let's go make some Cocktail Carrots for that big New Year's Eve party or potluck.
Little Smokies Cocktail Carrots
As I said, we are going to use baby carrots to make this recipe. I used a small, 16oz bag that will easily serve 3-4 people.
Head on over to my Smoky Vegan Carrot Dog Recipe to get the marinade ingredients (and I'll list them below in the recipe box too) and make a batch of the marinade.
To cook your carrots, you can either boil them on the stove until they are fork-tender (about 10-15 minutes), OR ...
You can also cook them in your Instant Pot, WITH the marinade, for 3 minutes on MANUAL. (my preferred method)
If you boil them: Drain them when they are done cooking and add them to a large ziplock freezer bag or covered bowl, along with the marinade. Let them sit as long as you can (overnight is best), but at least several hours to allow that smoky flavor to permeate the carrots. The longer the better.
If you use your Instant Pot: Do a Quick Release after 3 minutes and then just transfer the carrots and marinade to a covered bowl and let them marinate in the fridge for several hours or until you are ready to finish them in the sauce.
Speaking of Sauce
Now that the carrots are finished and are happily marinating, we can make our sauce.
I would start the sauce just a few minutes before you are ready to finish the carrots, as the sauce comes together VERY quickly.
And that is because we only need 2 ingredients.....Grape Jelly & Dijon Mustard. I know, just go with me on this...
For a small bag of carrots like this, I would use ½ cup of Grape Jelly and ¼ cup of Dijon. I know it sounds like a weird combination, but you have to try it. This is exactly how I made them in the past using the little smokies. Some people have used Red Currant Jelly too, but old-fashioned Grape Jelly will work just fine.
Don't skimp out on your Grape Jelly either. Try and find a good Organic or 'natural' brand of Grape Jelly. Why? Because 99% of the Grape Jelly in the stores now is made with High Fructose Corn Syrup - and we don't want that.
I used a Canadian brand called Crofter's that I found at my local Fred Meyer (Kroger). Their website has a handy "Where To Buy" link that should help you find it near you. This is not a sponsored post, I just really like their products. https://croftersorganic.com
Now we just mix in your favorite mustard. I used Grey Poupon but any dijon mustard will work. In fact, plain yellow mustard will work too.
Just whisk the jelly and the mustard together until smooth. That's it.
Once you have marinated your carrots as long as you want, drain the marinade (yes, you can save the marinade and reuse it for more carrot dogs, and it does freeze well), add your carrots to a large saucepan and stir in the sauce.
Heat until bubbly and the carrots are cooked all the way through.
You can also use your favorite BBQ sauce, or add more mustard, or use spicy horseradish mustard, or use Currant Jelly instead of Grape - use whatever sauce you want as this recipe is very flexible.
Feel free to adjust it to your own taste.
And that is my old Cocktail Weiner recipe, revived to make these incredibly tasty Cocktail Carrots.
I hope you enjoy the recipe and if you do, please be sure and let me know down in the comments below.
Have a Happy and SAFE New Year's everyone, drink responsibly if that is your thing, and don't forget to call one of the free ride services or taxi if you have a bit too much. Whatever you do - please be safe.
That's it for 2019 and wow, what a year! I can't wait to see what 2020 has in store for us.
See y'all next year!
PrintLittle Smokies Cocktail Carrots
- Prep Time: 60 min
- Cook Time: 30 min
- Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
- Yield: 3-4 servings 1x
- Category: Appetizer, Snack
- Method: Stovetop, IP
- Cuisine: American, Vegan
Description
Remember little smokies? Those little sausages we used to simmer in BBQ sauce every New Year's? This Holiday I converted an old recipe to make Cocktail Carrots instead, and they turned out fantastic!
Ingredients
- 16 oz bag Baby Carrots
Marinade
- ¼ cup low sodium soy sauce
- ¼ cup apple cider vinegar
- ¼ cup low sodium vegetable broth
- 2 Tbs maple syrup
- 1 Tbs liquid smoke
- 1 tsp yellow mustard
- 1 tsp minced garlic
- 1 tsp pickled jalapeno juice
- ½ tsp onion powder
Sauce
- ½ cup grape jelly
- ¼ cup dijon mustard
Instructions
- Whisk all marinade ingredients together and set aside.
Stovetop
- Cook carrots by boiling on the stove for 10-15 min until just fork tender.
- Drain and mix with marinade. Allow to marinate in the fridge overnight or at least several hours.
IP
- Add carrots AND marinade to your IP and cook on MANUAL for 3 minutes.
- Carefully release the pressure (QR - quick release) and transfer carrots and marinade to a bowl.
- Allow them to marinate overnight or at least for several hours.
Sauce
- Drain your marinated carrots (save marinade for another use) and add to a large saucepan.
- Whisk the jelly and mustard together until smooth and stir into the carrots.
- Heat gently until bubbly and carrots have heated through.
- Serve to your guest with toothpicks for skewering.
Maria
I made this for a party, and everyone loved it--even kids! Will definitely make again.
Jax
Would this recipe work just tossing it all in a crockpot for 4-6 hours on low?
Susie
Great lil appetizer! I did not add the jelly just served with the original sauce and so tasty
JoAnn
Are there stove top directions for this recipe? Thank you
Mary
Cute idea!
Catt
Is it too late to ask a question about this recipe?
Can you believe I am in CANADA AND CANT FIND CROFTERS GRAPE JELLY!!!!!! Argh, joys oh joys. Short of trying to order or go to Parry Sound.... I can find the other flavours. Would Wild Blueberry jam work? Would it be better if I just continue to hunt for grape jelly (that I haven't found around here either!!!!!) Is grape jelly the only thing to use - as in I should order from the States? I just love your recipes. Thanks, Chuck.
Lee Rhodes
another AMAZING recipe Chuck! Thank you....crazy how they really mimic little smokies! cooked in Instant Pot for 3 min as i would finish in crockpot next day after marinated over night. I made these for appetizer for my football weekend. Go Pack Go!
Natalie
Lee, did you keep them on low in the crockpot during your game? I want to take these to a Super Bowl party. Ideally, I'd like to leave them heated in the crockpot, but am worried they might get too soft.
Kari
Do you have to use the grape jelly mix?
Chuck Underwood
No - use whatever you want.
Deirdre Hulihan
This former hot dog lover is impressed & so is my non-vegan partner. I love the grape jelly - Dijon mix. Thanks!
Peggy Seager
The one time i made these, the recipe was different. It stated to cook the carrots in the marinade for an hour & 1/2 in a crockpot, drain, then pour bbq sauce all in & cook for 4-5 hours
Winona Davies
Totally making this for New Year's! I'm having my sister and her family who are big pork addicts, but who have said they want to switch up. Can't wait to serve this!
Susan Seamans
Sounds good but we always used grape jelly and chili sauce
Jodi
I’m going to try that because I hate mustard. Thanks for the idea!
Amber b
These were pretty good. For the second cook I heated them in a non-stick filter skillet to brown a little then added some BBQ sauce at the end to caramelize on them. Thank you for the recipe
Rebecca
Has anyone tried this successfully without the pickled jalapeno juice? I don't own pickled jalapenos, nor do I have any desire to buy a jar just for a teaspoon of juice. How about the juice from dill pickles, or capers, or something?
Sally Jules
I just made it now and the carrots are marinating for tonight. I used pickle juice... Will let you know! So far they smell great!!
Sarah
I didn't have pickled jalapeños either and didn't think about just using pickle juice. I was thinking it was more for a little kick of heat so I drizzled in just a very small amount of Sriracha.
Timesaflyin
Have you tried freezing these? I was wondering about the texture of the carrot after freezing.
Shawna
Can't wait to make these.
Lindsay
When using the Instant Pot, is it low or high pressure on the MANUAL setting? I think mine makes me choose, if I’m not mistaken. Thanks!
Chuck Underwood
I leave mine on HP always.