Vegan Carrot Lox (Smoked Salmon Alternative) Recipe
Carrot Lox is a delicious and healthy vegan alternative to traditional smoked salmon, featuring thinly sliced carrots marinated with smoky, savory, and sweet flavors before slow roasting to achieve a soft, flavorful texture perfect for sandwiches or appetizers.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes (plus 1-3 days marinating time)
- Cook Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 40 minutes plus 1-3 days marinating
- Yield: Serves 4 to 6 1x
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Vegan
- Diet: Vegan
Ingredients
Scale
Carrot Lox Ingredients
- 1 pound carrots, thinly sliced
- ¼ cup soy sauce or tamari
- 1 tablespoon liquid smoke
- ¼ cup maple syrup
- 2 tablespoons fresh or dried dill
- 2 tablespoons nori flakes
- ¼ cup lemon juice
- Zest of 1 lemon
Instructions
- Marinate the Carrots: Place the thinly sliced raw carrots into a shallow pan or a large ziplock bag. Pour the soy sauce or tamari, liquid smoke, maple syrup, dill, nori flakes, lemon juice, and lemon zest over the carrots. Mix well to ensure all slices are coated. Cover the pan or seal the bag and refrigerate for 1 to 3 days, allowing the flavors to deeply penetrate the carrots.
- Preheat the Oven: Set your oven to 300°F (150°C) to prepare for slow roasting the marinated carrots.
- Roast the Carrots: Transfer the marinated carrots along with the marinade into a roasting pan with at least 2-inch sides to prevent spilling. Roast in the preheated oven for 90 minutes, stirring occasionally if possible, until the carrots are tender, smooth, and cooked through, absorbing the smoky and savory flavors.
- Serve and Store: Remove the roasted carrots from the marinade and serve as you would smoked salmon, perhaps on bagels or crackers. Reserve the marinade liquid as it makes an excellent flavorful sauce for tofu, tempeh, or other dishes.
Notes
- Marinating for at least 24 hours intensifies the smoky and savory flavor, but up to 3 days is recommended for best results.
- Thinly slice carrots lengthwise to mimic the texture of smoked salmon.
- The reserved marinade is rich in flavor and can be reused as a marinade or sauce for other vegan protein dishes.
- Use tamari instead of soy sauce for a gluten-free option.
- Adjust liquid smoke quantity according to your taste preference if a stronger smoky flavor is desired.
Keywords: Vegan smoked salmon, carrot lox, plant-based lox, vegan appetizer, smoky carrot recipe
