Do You Have to Peel Carrots to Eat Them? Here’s What Experts Say (2024)

When it comes to carrots, there are plenty of pre-peeled options in the produce department. But if you have a bag of unpeeled carrots stashed in your produce drawer, you may wonder, "Do you have to peel carrots?" We asked experts to clarify if you need to peel carrots to enjoy them and get all the nutritional benefits. It's well-known that we could use more veggies in our diets. There are enough hurdles to getting the minimum recommendation into our meal plans and produce prep shouldn't be another.

Do You Have to Peel Carrots?

“There is no need to peel carrots before eating—many people enjoy eating them with the skin on,” says Alan Hilowitz, former communications director at Bolthouse Farms. “However, since carrots are grown in the ground, washing/scrubbing is important if you do choose not to peel,” he adds. Of course, you should always wash your produce to reduce your risk of illness and pesticides, so hopefully, that’s nothing new.

Why Peel Carrots?

If we can just skip the carrot peeler, why do you have to peel carrots? There are some good culinary reasons to peel. “The peel does have a slightly different texture from the rest of the carrot, so it may stand out in a recipe, depending on the application,” Hilowitz says. “Some varieties have skin that may be tougher, grittier, or more bitter than the rest of the carrot,” he adds.

“Steaming or certain raw applications may be better peeled,” says Hilowitz. “If you are going for a uniform visual look and texture, we suggest peeling.”

Lynn Blanchard, the Better Homes & Gardens Test Kitchen director, agrees that scrubbing is sufficient, but there are cases when peeled carrots are best. If you want a smooth puree for a soup or baby food, then peeling would be the way to go, Blanchard says.

When to Skip Peeling Carrots

“Juicing and roasting carrots are good times to avoid peeling,” says Hilowitz. “If you are making a rustic dish, then leaving the peel on could potentially enhance the look and experience of the dish. If you are using the carrots for a stock, broth, or sauce that will require straining in the end, this is another instance in which it may be better to leave the peel on.”

Blanchard sometimes determines whether she'll leave the peel on based on the carrot's exterior. "If [the carrot] is smooth and can easily be scrubbed, then I don't bother to peel if using in a soup or stir fry," she says. Blanchard points out another benefit of not peeling carrots: less food waste.

To answer the question, "Do you have to peel carrots?" it's mostly a matter of preference. Don't put carrot peels in the garbage disposal if you decide to peel your carrots. They can cause clogs. Peel into a trash can or add to your compost.

Whatever your choice, you'll enjoy the health benefits of carrots. Both peeled and unpeeled carrots have many benefits. Carrots are an excellent source of vitamin A—which is essential for vision, your immune system, and reproduction.

What to Make With Carrots

Peeled or unpeeled carrots are used in many recipes, including salads, stews, side dishes, and desserts. These roasted carrots made with maple and blood orange are a delicious alternative to classic glazed carrots. Simmer carrots and cabbage for a hearty vegetable dish to go with your next steak dinner. For a springtime side, Carrot Ribbon Salad is a colorful recipe with peas and vinegar. And don't miss our Best Loved Carrot Cake for the traditional favorite, complete with cream cheese frosting.