Introduction
Juicing carrots is a great way to get all the nutritional benefits of carrots in a quick and tasty drink. However, one downside to juicing is that it leaves behind a pile of carrot pulp. While some people may be tempted to toss the leftover pulp in the trash, there are actually many uses for it. Carrot pulp is nutritious, versatile and easy to use. Read on to learn what to do with carrot pulp after juicing.
Nutritional Value of Carrot Pulp
While juicing extracts most of the liquid and nutrients from carrots, carrot pulp still retains significant nutritional value. Here are some of the key nutrients found in carrot pulp:
- Dietary fiber – Carrot pulp contains approximately 40% of the recommended daily intake of fiber per 100 grams.
- Vitamin A – Carrot pulp has around 230 IU of vitamin A per 100 grams.
- Potassium – There are approximately 320mg of potassium in 100 grams of carrot pulp.
- Vitamin K – Carrot pulp contains around 10-13 mcg of vitamin K per 100 grams.
- B-vitamins – Carrot pulp provides small amounts of B vitamins like folate, thiamin and niacin.
So rather than waste all those nutrients by throwing out your pulp, consider re-purposing it!
Ways to Use Leftover Carrot Pulp
Here are some of the top ways you can make use of carrot pulp after juicing:
Bake it into muffins, breads or cookies
One of the most popular uses for carrot pulp is in baked goods. The pulp adds moisture, fiber, nutrients and flavor. For every 1 grated whole carrot called for in a recipe, you can generally substitute in about 1/2 cup of carrot pulp.
Some examples of recipes you can add carrot pulp to are:
- Carrot cake or muffins
- Banana bread or zucchini bread
- Oatmeal cookies
- Pumpkin pie
If the pulp is very wet, wrap it in a clean towel and squeeze out any excess liquid before baking.
Make veggie patties or fritters
Carrot pulp can be a key ingredient in healthy veggie burgers and fritters. Mix the pulp with eggs, onions, herbs and spices and pan fry into patties. The carrot pulp holds it all together while also bulking up the nutrition.
Some mix-ins you can add include:
- Chickpea flour
- Chopped walnuts
- Sunflower seeds
- Chopped kale or spinach
- Grated cheese
Shape the patties and fry them in olive oil for a delicious veggie burger option.
Blend into hummus
For an extra nutrient and fiber punch in hummus, blend some of the leftover carrot pulp into your standard hummus recipe. The earthy flavor of the carrots complements the sesame hummus nicely.
Aim for about 1/4 to 1/2 cup of carrot pulp per 1 cup of chickpeas when making hummus. You can adjust to taste based on how much carrot flavor you want.
Make carrot top pesto
Don’t throw away the green tops from your carrots! They make a wonderful pesto when blended up with olive oil, nuts, garlic and cheese. Simply chop the tops and pulp and process in a food processor into a paste.
To make 1 cup of carrot top pesto:
- 2 cups loosely packed carrot tops and pulp
- 1/3 cup olive oil
- 1/4 cup toasted walnuts or pine nuts
- 1 large clove garlic
- 1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
- Salt and pepper to taste
You now have a vibrant orange and green pesto to toss with pasta, spread on sandwiches or use as a dip!
Make a carrot pulp soup
Another way to get all that valuable nutrition from carrot pulp is to make it into a soup! Simply boil the pulp in vegetable or chicken broth until softened. Then blend into a creamy pureed soup.
For 1 quart of soup:
- 2 cups carrot pulp
- 1 onion, chopped
- 3 cups broth
- 1 potato, diced (optional for thickness)
- 1 bay leaf
- Salt and pepper to taste
Garnish with croutons, chopped chives or a swirl of plain yogurt.
Bulk up meatballs or meatloaf
For a healthier meatball or meatloaf, mix some grated carrot pulp into the ground meat. It will add moisture and nutrients without compromising the texture. Replace about 1/4 to 1/3 of the meat with finely minced carrot pulp.
Season the meat mixture as usual with your favorite spices and herbs and bake or pan fry per the recipe instructions. The carrot pulp beefs up the nutrition without you even tasting it!
Make a hydrating carrot pulp face mask
Don’t forget skincare! Carrot pulp contains antioxidants and vitamin A, making it great for nourishing face masks.
Here is a simple carrot pulp face mask recipe:
- 1/4 cup carrot pulp
- 1 tbsp plain yogurt or milk
- 1 tsp honey
- Few drops of olive oil (optional)
Mix the ingredients into a thick paste. Apply to clean face and leave on for 10-15 minutes. Rinse off and moisturize. Your skin will feel fresh and rejuvenated.
Boost your compost
If you can’t use up all your carrot pulp, take whatever is left and add it to your compost bin. Carrot pulp contains nutrients that are beneficial for the bacteria and fungi needed to create rich, nutritious compost for your garden. The pulp will break down quickly.
You can also bury the pulp directly around plants in your garden. It will provide organic material and nutrients as it decomposes.
Storing Leftover Carrot Pulp
If you don’t use up all your carrot pulp right away, proper storage is important for preserving nutrients and preventing spoilage. Here are some tips:
- Store carrot pulp in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 2-3 days max.
- You can also wrap tightly in plastic wrap and freeze for several months.
- If freezing, break clumps into smaller pieces so it is easier to scoop out portions later.
- Pressing excess liquid out before storing can help pulp last longer.
- Compost any pulp that starts to smell bad or get moldy rather than eating it.
With proper storage methods, you can keep carrot pulp on hand to use in recipes or add to your compost gradually.
Nutritional Comparison
This table compares the nutritional values of carrot juice versus fresh carrots versus carrot pulp (per 100g) to show that pulp retains many nutrients even after juicing:
| Nutrient | Carrot Juice | Raw carrots | Carrot pulp |
|---|---|---|---|
| Calories | 41 | 41 | 27 |
| Protein | 0.9g | 0.9g | 1.2g |
| Fiber | 0.6g | 2.8g | 10.6g |
| Vitamin A | 256mcg | 835mcg | 230mcg |
| Vitamin C | 5.3mg | 5.9mg | 4.5mg |
| Potassium | 266mg | 320mg | 138mg |
Conclusion
While carrot pulp may seem like a waste product after juicing, there are ample ways to put it to use. Taking a little time to incorporate the pulp into recipes allows you to get the most nutritional bang for your buck from carrots. Carrot pulp adds important fiber, vitamins and minerals to baked goods, burgers, soups and more. With a little creativity in the kitchen, that juicing byproduct can provide nutrients for your whole family. Next time you juice carrots, explore these carrot pulp recipes and uses so none goes to waste.
