• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Fermenting for Foodies

Health, Taste and Tradition

  • Fermentation
    • General Information
    • Beans, Nuts & Seeds
    • Beer, Wine, & Cider
    • Dairy & Cheese
    • Fermented Fruit
    • GF Sourdough
    • Trad Sourdough
    • Probiotic Beverages
    • Vegetables
    • Supplies
  • Healthy Meals
    • Appetizers
    • Baked Goods
    • Breakfasts
    • Condiments
    • Main Dishes
    • Sides & Salads
    • Soups & Stews
    • Desserts
    • Gluten-Free
    • Vegan
  • Fruit-Sweetened Treats
  • Cookbook

Salt-Brined and Fermented Carrot Stick

How to make salt-brine fermented carrot sticks
Why you should make fermented carrot sticks

Fermented carrot sticks are one of my family’s favorite snacks. During the school year, we always have a few jars of pickled carrots in the kitchen. They are quick to make. Easy to serve. And deliciously flavorful.

10 different flavors of fermented carrot sticks
Dill pickle fermented carrot sticks

Why I love fermented carrot sticks

Honestly, fermented carrot sticks are my go-to winter snack. We don’t usually bother in the summer when we’re able to buy fresh, sweet carrots from the farmers’ market. However, fermenting is the best way to eat the bitter, winter storage carrots.

Here are a few reasons why we love fermented carrot sticks:

  • They are so quick to make. Honestly, it’s as easy as chopping up carrots for a snack.
  • The brine can be reused a number of times, making it even easier to ferment carrots
  • They are a great way to get probiotics into my children.
  • Fermenting carrots helps to release the beta-carotene, making them more nutritious than raw carrots.
  • Fermented carrots are softer than typical carrot sticks, so they are easier for toddlers and young children to eat.

Flavoring Fermented Carrots

The best part about making fermented carrot sticks is that they are perfect for all sorts of different flavors!

Here are a few options:

  • Dill pickle: add 1 clove of garlic 1 tsp of pickling spice and a sprig of dill to each jar.
  • Curry: 2 tsp of Indian curry spice mix.
  • Sweet beet: make a mix of sliced beets and carrots for a sweet mix.
  • Spicy: add 1 jalapeno pepper sliced in half along with a few slices of onion.
  • Caraway mustard: 1 tsp of mustard seed and 1 tsp of caraway.
Dill pickle flavor fermented carrots
Beet and carrot sticks

How to Reuse Brine

Carrots don’t need to be packed into new brine every time. That’s what makes them so easy! As long as the brine is yeast and mold-free, you can add in more carrot sticks for another round of fermentation.

Here are a few details:

  1. The ferment will go quite quickly the second time around. Only leave the carrot sticks out of the fridge for up to 2 days.
  2. If the brine has stuff floating in it (usually bits of herbs and spice) then pack the carrots into it and store it in the fridge instead. The risk of contamination is greater if there’s anything that floats on the surface of the ferment.
  3. It will take carrots between 3 to 7 days to ferment in the fridge. Cooler temperatures slow down fermentation, they don’t stop it completely.
  4. I usually reuse brines 3 to 5 times. You could probably do more than that, but I have so many ferments in my fridge that I like to cycle through the flavors.

Packing into brine from Other Ferments

One of the simplest ways to make fermented carrots is to pack them into brine leftover from a different ferment. The carrots will naturally take on the flavor of that ferment.

Here are a few options:

  • Fermented onions
  • Brined kimchi
  • Fermented dill pickles
  • Italian pickled vegetables
  • Sweet and spicy pickles

It’s fine to mix and match brines. Or to use brines from sweet ferments. Feel free to experiment with this very versatile vegetable!

Print

Fermented Carrot Sticks

How to make salt-brine fermented carrot sticks
Print Recipe

★★★★★

5 from 1 reviews

I love fermented carrot sticks because they are a quick, easy and delicious snack. The perfect use for those bitter winter storage carrots. The brine can be reused to make several batches, making it even easier to enjoy probiotic carrot sticks. See the section above for details on flavoring carrot sticks and reusing the brine.

  • Author: Emillie
  • Prep Time: 8 minutes
  • Total Time: 8 minutes
  • Yield: 1 quart jar 1x
  • Category: Pickles
  • Method: Fermented
  • Cuisine: Probiotic
  • Diet: Vegan

Ingredients

Units Scale
  • 2 cups of water (chlorine-free, enough to cover)
  • 3 tsp non-iodized salt
  • 4 to 6 large carrots
  • Vegetable starter (optional, see notes)
  • Flavors (see section above)

Instructions

  1. Mix the salt and 1 cup of water in a quart-sized jar to make a brine.
  2. Wash and cut the carrots into sticks. It’s not necessary to peel them, however, feel free if the skin is particularly rough.
  3. Pack the carrots into a quart jar, making sure that the carrots are 1-inch (2.5 cm) below the top. Try to pack the carrots in tightly, or use a weight to keep them from floating above the brine.
  4. Add flavors to the jar, along with the culture (if you are using it.) Then add enough water to completely submerge the carrots. Be sure to leave a bit of head room for bubbling. Be sure to use a jar that will allow gas to escape during the ferment. See notes for details.
  5. Place the carrots in a dark, room temperature location (a kitchen cupboard is perfect). Let them ferment for 3 to 7 days. After three days the carrots will be deliciously fermented, but still crisp. They will continue to soften the longer they ferment.
  6. Store in the refrigerator and enjoy within 1 month.

Notes

  • Organic, field-grown carrots can ferment without a starter. However, starters are a great way to boost the ferment and add flavor. Starter options include whey, sour kombucha, sauerkraut juice, cultured apple cider vinegar, or a purchased starter. Use 2 Tbsp of culture per quart jar.
  • I often ferment in fido jars or mason jars with a loosely tightened lids.

Keywords: flavour, vegan, gluten free, paleo, keto, whole 30, healthy, pickled, snacks, school snacks, fall, winter

Filed Under: Fermented VegetablesTagged With: Carrots, Paleo, Probiotic, Snacks

Previous Post: « Buttermilk Cornbread With Fixings (GF)
Next Post: How to Avoid The Side Effects of Fermented Foods »

Reader Interactions

Related Posts

How to make fermented pumpkin slices
Fermented Squash Or Pumpkin Finished In Oil
Probiotic and salt-free sauerkraut
How To Ferment Low-Sodium Sauerkraut
Fermented gazpacho for easier digestion
Fermented Gazpacho (GF & Vegan)

Simple fermented nettles
Fermented Nettle Paste For Pesto Or Flavoring
How to Make Your Own Vegetable Starter Culture
Sweet, salty and tangy fermented zucchini relish
Fermented Zucchini Relish

Comments

  1. Karen

    January 22, 2021 at 1:12 pm

    Do you peel the carrots?

    Reply
    • Emillie

      January 24, 2021 at 8:31 am

      Nope, the skin helps provide some of the culture for the ferment. Enjoy!

      Reply
  2. Deb

    March 27, 2021 at 2:03 pm

    First time doing this. May be my last. Lol.
    Purchased starter packets call for salt to be added to the water to make a brine with the packets. Do you make the brine the way it says and then add more salt (the 2 tsp of salt in your recipe) in the jar? Thanks for the help.

    Reply
    • Emillie

      March 28, 2021 at 8:56 am

      Follow the instructions on the package for the salt, since it should be a proper brine ratio. Don’t add any extra salt or it will end up too salty. Enjoy!

      Reply
  3. Anonymous

    September 17, 2021 at 3:47 pm

    Do you need to boil the water?

    Reply
    • Emillie

      September 18, 2021 at 4:04 pm

      The water needs to be at room temperature for fermentation. However, if there is something wrong with your water (like lots of chlorine, or unsafe for drinking) then you can boil your water. Just let it cool before you make your fermented carrots. Cheers!

      Reply
  4. Inga

    October 4, 2021 at 3:33 am

    That looks amazing, definitely making this.
    What do you mean with culture?
    Is there a special starter for fermenting food?
    I make water kefir, can I use that as a started

    Reply
    • Emillie

      October 4, 2021 at 8:18 am

      You absolutely don’t need to add a fermented culture. However, it can be a fun way to change the flavor of the ferment. Culture includes any fermented and probiotic liquid. So homemade water kefir is perfect!

      Reply
  5. AncientMother

    January 21, 2022 at 7:36 am

    Mine turned out well with a couple of differences. I *always* boil the water and salt, then let cool to room temperature. This can easily be done in the morning, and then finish the process in the afternoon. In the winter, I find I have to let the brine sit for longer than 7 days. I keep a careful watch on top liquid level. I taste intermittently and refrigerate when it is the texture I like. One of the additions I enjoy is raw garlic. Great recipe!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Emillie

      January 21, 2022 at 2:08 pm

      Thanks for sharing!

      Reply
  6. AncientMother

    January 21, 2022 at 11:56 am

    ^^^ Additional note to my above comment. I use organic carrots, and I do not peel them. Remove the tip and end of carrots. Scrub them thoroughly with a fine-bristle brush and rinse in cool water. The natural, healthy microbes in the skin are beneficial to the ferment, 🙂

    Reply
  7. Roselle

    April 5, 2022 at 7:14 am

    Having a great time looking at your site.

    Just about to try the carrot recipe. Sounds luscious.

    Am new to fermenting, so can you tell me: the Fido jars you mention look to me as if they are either tightly closed, or open. I can’t see how you can close them loosely? Am I being dumb?

    Your book looks great. Present for self and daughter, perhaps.

    Reply
    • Emillie Parrish

      April 5, 2022 at 10:02 am

      Hi Roselle,
      High-quality fido jars have a gasket type of seal that allows gas to escape but prevents contamination. I always offer a few options for fermenting. If you’re using a regular jar, just use a loosely tightened lid. If you have a fido jar, feel free to seal it! Just be cautious of decorative fido jars which may not be able to handle the build-up of pressure during fermentation. Cheers, Emillie

      Reply
      • Roselle

        April 5, 2022 at 10:55 am

        Hi Emillie

        Thank you. OK, so any jar, like a Kilner jar, with a rubber gasket is OK to close tight? And do the split-type lids work in this way too?

        Best

        Roselle

        Reply
        • Emillie Parrish

          April 6, 2022 at 9:39 am

          Not exactly. You can only close jars that are made for the pressure of fermentation (like brand name fido jars). I’m not sure a kilner canning jar is ok to ferment in. I think they have a different top with an airlock for fermenting. And regular mason jars are not strong enough for fermenting. I use those a lot… but I just don’t tighten the lid all the way. That allows the gas to bubble out. It works pretty well for me!

          Reply
  8. Samantha

    June 22, 2022 at 1:16 pm

    Can salt WITH iodine be used? You specified non-iodine, so is that a preference or need for this recipe? Thanks!

    Reply
    • Emillie Parrish

      June 23, 2022 at 1:13 pm

      Iodized salt often has other additives (anti-clumping agents) that may affect fermentation. Also, iodine is thought to slow fermentation, however, it’s unlikely to have a huge effect. If you only have regular, iodized salt then it should be fine. Cheers!

      Reply
  9. John

    July 15, 2022 at 5:00 pm

    If I reuse a brine do I need to add more salted water to bring the level over the top of the veggies?

    Reply
    • Emillie Parrish

      July 18, 2022 at 11:16 am

      You don’t have to make extra brine when reusing brine… however, if you don’t have enough brine to cover your veggies, then you will definitely need to mix up a bit more. It’s important to keep everything submerged below the brine. I usually don’t make extra brine. I just pack a jar until it’s full, but not over full. Cheers!

      Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe rating ★☆ ★☆ ★☆ ★☆ ★☆

Primary Sidebar

Hi, I'm Emillie, an island-dwelling fermentation enthusiast. Fermenting For Foodies features healthy recipes designed to feed your microbiome.
Read More →

Check Out My Cookbook!

Fermenting Made Simple Cookbook

Want healthy recipes right to your inbox? Subscribe to our mid-month newsletter!

Thank you!

Please check your inbox to confirm your subscription.

Affiliate Disclosure

In order to run this site, Fermenting For Foodies sometimes earns an affiliate commission on the sales of products we link to. We only feature items we genuinely want to share, and this is an arrangement between the retailer and Fermenting For Foodies. Readers never pay more for products. Thank you for reading!

  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Affiliate Disclosure
  • Sponsored Content
  • Contact

Copyright © 2023 · Fermenting for Foodies