If you're looking for a way to add a little extra flair to your meals, julienning carrots is a useful technique. It creates thin, matchstick-style strips that work well in salads, slaws, stir-fries and garnishes. You can do it with a sharp knife, or use a julienne peeler when you want a faster, more repeatable method.
Learning how to julienne carrots might seem fussy, but if you cook with vegetables often, the technique is worth learning.
Julienne carrots are matchstick-sized, and they can add color, texture and quicker-cooking pieces to many dishes.
To julienne carrots, start by washing and drying them. Trim the ends and peel them if desired. Next, use a julienne peeler or sharp knife to cut the carrots into thin strips. Once you've julienned the carrots, use them in salads, soups, slaws, stir-fries or garnishes.
What is the julienned cut used for?
Garnishes - Julienne carrots make a colorful garnish for soups, salads and main dishes.
Sautéed vegetables - Thin carrot strips cook quickly and can be sautéed with other vegetables.
Salads - Julienne carrots add color, flavor and texture to salads.
Slaw - Julienned carrots can be used with cabbage and other shredded vegetables.
Soups - Thin strips work well in soups when you want smaller pieces that cook quickly.
Stir-fries - Their small, even size makes julienned carrots useful for quick stir-fry cooking.
For more background on the technique itself, see our guide to how to julienne cut.
How to Julienne Carrots with a Peeler
If you want a compact tool specifically for matchstick-style cuts, the Stainless Steel Julienne Peeler is designed for this type of prep.
Place a large carrot lengthwise on a stable surface. Hold it securely near one end and draw the julienne peeler smoothly down the carrot using steady pressure. Work away from your fingers and stop before your hand gets too close to the blade.
How to Julienne Carrots with a Knife
If you don't have a julienne peeler, you can use a sharp chef’s knife. Trim the carrot, create a stable flat side, slice it into thin planks, stack a few planks and cut them into narrow matchsticks.
Knife cutting gives you more control over the exact size, while a julienne peeler can make repeated strips faster once you are comfortable using it.
What size is a julienne cut?
A classic julienne is typically a thin matchstick-style cut. Exact dimensions vary by recipe and ingredient, so consistency is usually more important than matching one exact measurement at home.
What other vegetables can I julienne?
In addition to carrots, firm vegetables such as potatoes, zucchini, cucumber and daikon can be cut into julienne-style strips.
For larger batches or recipes where you also need flat slices, compare our mandoline slicers. For a broader range of prep tools, browse vegetable slicers & mandolines.
How To Julienne Carrots
PREP TIME: about 5 minutes
SERVINGS: 4 servings
Ingredients: 4 large carrots.
Instructions:
1. Wash and dry the carrots. Trim the ends and peel if desired.
2. Use a julienne peeler or sharp knife to create thin, even strips.
3. Use the julienned carrots in salads, slaws, soups, stir-fries or garnishes.
