Carrot Soufflé the perfect holiday or Sunday dinner side dish. It's savory, rich, naturally sweet, and perfect for the whole family!
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This recipe was originally published on March 11, 2019. It was updated with new photos, recipe information, and recipe improvements on March 22, 2021.
Table of contents
- <This Carrot Soufflé is...
- Recipe ingredients:
- Recipe substitutions:
- What is carrot soufflé?
- How to cook carrots:
- What is the best way to blend the carrots?
- How to make this carrot soufflé:
- Is carrot souflé gluten-free? Vegan? Clean?
- How do you serve carrot soufflé?
- Can you double or triple this recipe?
- How long do leftovers last?
- Tools needed to make this recipe:
- Other holiday side dish recipes:
Whether you're looking for new holiday side dishes or investigating how to make your classic recipes healthier, look no further than this Carrot Soufflé!
My first and only detention in high school was for reading cooking magazines in class. Nothing like some Bon Appetit, Cooking Light, or Gourmet to set a bad example for the other students. So, I went to detention… and read more magazines there.
At the time, my planner was full of the recipes I had planned out for the evening’s dinners and -- as you can probably guess-- I squeezed my class assignments in the margins. It was around this time that Cooking Light emerged as my favorite magazine.
Fast forward to college. On one of my most memorable trips home, my mom tried out Cooking Light's New Carrot Soufflé.
Not technically a souffle, but with sufficient airiness to make it its own new classic. The sweetness of the carrot, anchored by eggs, balanced with the richness of butter and heightened with a touch of vanilla and salt. All baked together to form a light and velvety scoopable dish.
Omg. Just the thought of it gets me giddy and makes my mouth water.
So, naturally, this dish quickly became a holiday regular that mom and I made for Easter, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and even Mother’s Day.
In recent years, however, I wanted to make it over a bit; to grow it up and have it reflect the new flavors I was coming to love.
First I replaced the white sugar with a natural sweetener to amplify the flavor of the carrots. Then, I changed out non-fat sour cream with Greek yogurt, adding more richness and depth of flavor while still keeping the souffle healthy. Finally, I added in a touch of ground cinnamon to add a delicate, yet festive flavor kick.
What resulted is a luscious and heartwarming dish. One my brother-in-law says is proof of how I can find a way to make any vegetable taste good. One that is a new rendition on a tradition we’ve enjoyed throughout the years.
Save this carrot side dish recipe for later on Pinterest:
This Carrot Soufflé is...
- Naturally sweet
- Accented by notes of vanilla, cinnamon, and ginger
- Delicious with roast turkey, ham, pork, and beef tenderloin
- Gluten-free
- Processed sugar- free
- Perfect for leftovers
- Loved by the whole family
Both healthy and delicious, this recipe is one your whole dinner crew will love!
Recipe ingredients:
- Carrots - cut up full-sized carrots work, as do halved baby carrots. You will need 2 lbs of either
- Eggs - binds the soufflé together
- Unsalted butter - just enough to add richness to the dish
- Greek yogurt - 2% to 5% yogurt is best
- 1-to-1 Gluten-Free Flour - keeps this recipe gluten-free
- Large eggs
- Honey - use raw honey to keep this recipe processed sugar-free
- Cinnamon - just a touch of holiday flavor
- Vanilla Extract
- Salt + Baking powder - seasons and adds lift to the soufflé
Recipe substitutions:
- Flour - traditional all-purpose flour can substitute for the 1-to-1 gluten-free flour, but the recipe will no longer be gluten-free
- Butter - vegan butter or coconut oil can work in place of the unsalted butter
- Yogurt - sour cream (low-fat or full-fat; not fat-free) can work in place of the Greek yogurt, though it will affect the recipe calorie and nutritional facts
What is carrot soufflé?
Carrot soufflé is a light, airy, and naturally sweetened carrot side dish composed of blended carrots, honey, yogurt, vanilla extract, eggs, and other spices and seasonings.
Though the soufflé is not a technical soufflé in that we do not whip up egg whites for it, it does puff up when baked, giving a similar appearance to a traditional soufflé.
How to cook carrots:
- Add the carrot pieces to a dutch oven or stockpot
- Cover the carrots with water and season the water with salt (it should taste like seawater)
- Cover the pot and turn the burner on to high heat.
- Once the water has come to a rolling boil, reduce the heat to medium-high and cook for 14-15 minutes, or until the carrots are tender when pierced with a fork.
What is the best way to blend the carrots?
I have found that the best way to blend the carrots for this recipe is to use a food processor. If you don't have a food processor, however, a high speed blender will do the trick.
If using a high-speed blender, add your eggs into the blender first and follow up with the rest of the ingredients.
How to make this carrot soufflé:
- Boil your carrots in salted water until tender.
- Drain the carrots.
- Add the carrots and the rest of the recipe ingredients to the bowl of a food processor (or blender).
- Blend the mixture until smooth and pourable.
- Pour the carrot soufflé into a greased baking dish and bake for 40-45 minutes, or until the souffle no longer jiggles when shook and is golden brown around the exterior.
Is carrot souflé gluten-free? Vegan? Clean?
This carrot soufflé is gluten-free if you use a 1-to-1 gluten-free flour blend. It is not vegan, unfortunately, because the recipe needs eggs to work.
The recipe is full of clean ingredients, given that there are no processed ingredients in it. So, enjoy knowing that you're eating a healthy and delicious side dish!
How do you serve carrot soufflé?
Carrot souffle is often served as a side dish to a celebratory meal, though it is sweeter so you could also serve it for dessert.
Our family loves it as a side at Thanksgiving, Christmas, and even Mother's Day. It is delicious served with...
- Roast turkey, ham, pork, or beef tenderloin
- Blistered green beans
- Stuffing
- Air Fryer Butternut Squash
- Dinner rolls
- Cranberry sauce
Can you double or triple this recipe?
Yes, you most certainly can double or triple this recipe. You will likely need to blend the carrots in batches and bake them in multiple dishes (otherwise, baking will take a while).
How long do leftovers last?
Leftover carrot soufflé lasts covered in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. It does not freeze well.
Tools needed to make this recipe:
- Cutting board
- Vegetable peeler
- Chef knife
- Dutch oven or stockpot
- Large strainer
- Measuring cups & spoons
- Food processor
- 1 ½ quart baking dish
Other holiday side dish recipes:
- Scalloped Sweet Potatoes
- Mashed Butternut Squash
- Cheesy Asparagus Tarts
- Cranberry & Edamame Brown Rice Salad
- Healthy Deviled Eggs
- Air Fryer Butternut Squash
- Healthy Corn Souffle
- Blistered Green Beans
- Healthy Mashed Potatoes (No Butter or Oil!)
- Apple Cranberry Sauce (No Processed Sugar!)
- Gluten-Free Cornbread
- Orange Salad with Honeyed Hazelnuts
If you made and liked this recipe, don't forget to rate the recipe and let me know how it went for you in the comments! It always makes my day to hear from you!
This recipe was inspired by Cooking Light's Carrot Soufflé recipe.
Alexa says
Great recipe! I’m from Connecticut and had this dish in New Orleans, I’ve been obsessing over it ever since! I made this with the yogurt and threw it away the taste was so sour. I made it again 2 days later without the yogurt and added an extra egg and it was perfect! I made it again and added a left over sweet potato and the texture was even more luxurious! Oh I also replaced the honey with date and maple syrup. Love it!
Mae's Menu says
Hi, Alexa! So glad to hear you liked the carrot souffle! Thanks so much for sharing and having a great day!
Chelsea
Beth says
Thank you, Mae! I love this recipe. Delicious but also healthy. I've been looking to add more vegetables to my diet (besides salad) and this fits the bill. I didn't taste any sour notes (I used whole milk yogurt). I used 1/4 cup of agave and even that was a bit sweet for me. I steamed the carrots in a little bit of water until just short of soft to try and maximize the nutrients (and I drank the steam water as I usually do - probably sounds unusual but someone told me a long time ago about the benefits of that so I do it). I put everything in my Vitamix (adding the carrots last) and it couldn't have been easier. Thanks again!
Mae's Menu says
Hi, Beth! I am so glad to hear that you liked it! Thanks so much for sharing!
Best,
Chelsea