Mexican Carrot Dogs with Chunky Salsa Verde

Name: Mexican Carrot Dogs with Chunky Salsa Verde
Yield: 4
Cuisine: Mexican
Ingredients: 4 Large Whole Carrots; Marinade:; 1/2 Cup Raw Apple Cider Vinegar; 1/4 Cup Coconut Aminos; 3 Tsp Liquid Smoke (I used hickoy flavor); 2 Tsp Dijon Mustard; 1 Tsp Minced Garlic; 1 Tsp Onion Powder; 1 TB Chili Powder; 1 Tsp Smoked Paprika; Salsa Verde:; 1/2 Cup Mild Diced Roasted Green Chiles; 3 Large Tomatillos (chopped); 1 Chayote Squash (chopped); 1 Small Green Bell Pepper (chopped); 1 Large Shallot (chopped); 2 TB Fresh Cilantro (chopped); 1 Tsp Minced Garlic; Extras:; 4 Gluten-Free Hot Dog Buns; Romaine Lettuce; Ketchup

April 27, 2016 by Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine 208 Comments

The ultimate plant-based hot dog! Mexican carrot dogs with chunky salsa verde are a fun summer bbq must! Gluten-free and vegan, this healthy meatless recipe will have your taste buds fooled and your body thanking you!

What? Yes, yes I did! The ever trendy carrot dog! For the longest time, longer than I can even remember, I’ve wanted to make the “carrot dog”. Even when I still ate beef, back in the day, I never liked hot dogs (I mean really…what is a hot dog? Is it even cow in the first place? YUCK!) Now if you’re shaking you head thinking carrot dogs sound gross, just hold up. You are in for a very tasty surprise!

How could a carrot possibly pass for a hot dog? Well, just the same way as cauliflower rice can pass for rice. We all know it’s completely different, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t a tasty fun alternative! I wholeheartedly believe carrot dogs are the definition of fun food! Carrot are one of those jack of all trades food. It can make mac and cheese, killer waffles, and of course take on the role of a hot diggidy dog!

Not only is this recipe prepping you for summer bbqs ans cook-outs, but I made it Mexican style for a little Cinco de Mayo fun! Forget the tacos and quesadillas, carrot dogs are where it’s at! I’ve paired these dogs with a refreshing, not so spicy, chunky salsa verde. This salsa included green chiles, tomatillos, chayote squash, green bell pepper and a few other extra spices. The salsa is so good I think I’ll be making it alone as is for topping on any dish!

Y’all do remember I love salsa verde, right? Well this was my first homemade version and new favorite. When this whole dish is assembled, it just looks and smells like summer. That salsa really does it! Plus, you grill the carrots after marinating and all is right in the world. I didn’t even have to worry about having gas in the big outdoor grill for these. I used my trusty dusty grill pan (in love! You should buy one!) They come in handy for those chilly winter months or, if you’re like me, and you grill runs out of gas or won;t light 7 out of 10 times!

Enough blabbing! Are you ready for some summer Mexican food fun? You think carrot dogs will ever surpass the almighty veggie burger? Probably not….but who know! I’ll never diss the dog (even though I just made a new freeze batch of veggie burgers over the weekend…opps!)

Mexican Carrot Dogs with Chunky Salsa Verde