If you're looking for a way to add a little extra flair to your meals, julienning carrots is a great option. This technique results in matchstick-sized carrots that can be used as a garnish or added to salads and other dishes. Plus, julienning carrots is relatively simple and only requires a julienne peeler or a sharp knife.
Learning how to julienne carrots might seem fussy, but if you like cooking with vegetables, this simple French technique will serve you well.
Julienne carrots are matchstick-sized, and they make a great garnish or addition to salads and other dishes. All you need is a julienne peeler or sharp knife—no fancy equipment required!
To julienne carrots, start by washing and drying them. Then, trim off the ends of the carrots and peel them if desired. Next, use a julienne peeler or sharp knife to cut the carrots into thin strips. Once you've julienned all of your carrots, you can use them however you like.
What is the julienned cut used for?
Sauces - Julienne cuts can be used for thickening or as a pasta sauce.
Garnishes - Julienne carrots make an excellent garnish for a variety of dishes, including soups, salads, and main courses.
Sautéed vegetables - Julienned carrots can be sautéed with other vegetables or used as garnishes.
Salads- Julienne carrots add color, flavor, and texture to salads.
Slaw - Julienned carrots can be used in place of or in addition to cabbage in coleslaw.
Soups - Julienne cuts can be used as a thickener for soups or as an ingredient in soup recipes.
Stir-fries - Julienne carrots can be stir-fried with other vegetables or meats.With julienned carrots being so thin, they cook quickly which makes them a great addition to stir-fries.
As you can see, julienning carrots is a versatile technique that can be used in a variety of ways. So next time you're looking to add a little something extra to your meal, give julienning a try!
How to Julienne Carrots with a Peeler
If you have a julienne peeler, julienning carrots is a breeze. All you need to do is peel the carrots and then run them along the julienne peeler to create thin strips.
To julienne carrots with a peeler, place a large carrot, long-side-down, on a flat surface. Grip the carrot with one hand and, with the other hand, hold the julienne peeler at the top of the carrot. Then, simply run the julienne peeler down the length of the carrot to create thin strips. Repeat with remaining carrots.
How to Julienne Carrots with a Knife
If you don't have a julienne peeler, don't worry—you can still julienne carrots with a knife. The key is to start with a sharp knife and to cut the carrots into thin, even strips.
To julienne carrots with a knife, start by trimming off the ends of the carrot. It’s a bit more time consuming, but you’ll get to impress with your fancy knife skills. Next, cut the carrot in half so that you have two shorter pieces. Then, place one of the halves, flat-side-down, on your cutting board.
With a sharp knife, carefully make thin slices down the length of the carrot, being careful not to cut yourself. Once you've sliced the carrot into thin strips, you can then julienne them by cutting the strips into smaller matchsticks. Repeat with remaining carrots.
Now that you know how to julienne carrots, put your new skills to use and try them in a variety of dishes! Julienned carrots are perfect for soups, salads, slaws, and stir-fries.
WHAT SIZE IS JULIENNE CUT?
A julienne cut is usually 1/8-inch (3 mm) wide and 1 1/2 to 2 inches (4 to 5 cm) long, but can vary depending on the size of the vegetable being cut.
WHAT OTHER VEGETABLES CAN I JULIENNE?
In addition to carrots, julienne cuts can be made on a variety of vegetables, including potatoes, zucchini, and squash.
How To Julienne Carrots
PREP TIME: 5 minutes
SERVINGS: 4 servings
Ingredients: 4 large carrots.
Instructions:
1. Wash and dry the carrots. Trim off the ends of the carrots and peel them if desired.
2. Use a julienne peeler or sharp knife to cut the carrots into thin strips. Hold the thick end of the carrot and drag the julienne peeler from the thick to the thin end. Alternatively, use a sharp knife to cut the carrots into thin matchsticks.
3. Julienned carrots can be used in a variety of dishes, including soups, salads, slaws, and stir-fries.
