Dried out carrot sticks are annoying. I like to prep my snacks and lunch in advance. This is why I wanted to figure out the best way to store carrot sticks.
When I first started food prepping, I noticed that my carrots were drying out within just a few days. This is because I was simply cutting the carrots and then putting them in my crisper drawer in the fridge.
Silly, I know!
Yes, I learn everything the hard way. So, then I started putting them in a plastic container, and then in the fridge.
This was better, but the crisp was gone in just a couple of days.
Finally, I was inspired to do a bit of experimenting. Now, I have two methods for carrot storage that I always use.
So now, I’ll be sharing how to store carrot sticks so that they don’t dry out or get floppy.
So if you like to cut your carrots in advance but want them to remain crisp, this is the perfect solution.
♦ Glass jar such as a mason jar.
♦ A cutting board
♦ A chef’s knife
♦ Carrots
Step 2: Cut your carrots into carrot sticks
Step 3: Put the carrot sticks in a jar with a lid
Step 4: Fill the jar with fresh water
Step 5: Seal the lid completely
Step 6: Place the container in the fridge
Step 7: When you are ready to serve the carrot sticks, remove them from the jar and thoroughly rinse them. Serve as desired.
Important note: Replace the water in the jar every 4 days.
How to know if carrots have gone bad
Just because a carrot is floppy doesn’t mean that it’s gone bad. A few ways to tell if a carrot has gone bad is if it’s developing mold or a white film.
If you see these signs, then throw away the carrot and don’t use it. If you see dark spots on a carrot, it’s also a sign that the carrot has gone bad.
You can also smell the carrot. If it smells foul or pungent, then it has gone bad, and you shouldn’t eat it.
A few tips on storing carrots in water
• Use filtered water if at all possible.
• Be sure to change the water every 3 to 4 days. I like to use my Amazon Alexa as a reminder tool. I ask her to remind me to change the carrots in 3 days.
• When you are ready to serve the carrots, wash them. Even though they have come out of a jar of clean water, it is highly recommended that you wash the carrots once more.
How to store carrot sticks
This is how we store carrot sticks in water and keep cut carrots fresh for longer.
Ingredients
- 2 carrots
- Water
Instructions
- Wash and peel the carrots.
- Cut the carrots into carrot sticks.
- Place the carrots in a glass jar with a lid.
- Fill the jar with filtered water.
- Close the lid and place the carrots in the fridge.
- Change out the water with fresh water every 3 days.
- Wash the carrots before serving.
The bottom line
Carrots aren’t adored as such without their crisp and crunchy structure, especially when eaten raw. I mean, nobody wants a soggy carrot in between their teeth, right?
And although carrots are hardy by default, keeping them that fresh for long is paramount. Thankfully, keeping them that way isn’t necessarily complicated.
Jennifer
Thursday 9th of December 2021
Hi,
When I went to eat my carrots the white interior part of the mason jar lid was all puffed up around the edges, but the middle was flat and normal. Have you seen this happen and are the carrots still ok to eat?
Thanks, Jennifer
Andi Reis
Wednesday 18th of October 2023
Hi, Jennifer. We don't have a lot of experience with home canning. We always say "If in doubt, throw it out."