For chefs, knife skills are a non-negotiable. To work in a restaurant, you have to have several styles of cut down pat. Small dicing is one of these essential kitchen techniques. Whether it’s a potato, onion, or carrot, a small dice is about 1/4 inch square. This would be extremely simple if all vegetables started out as perfect cubes. Unfortunately, that’s not the case. Rounded vegetables like carrots tend to roll around, and can be tricky to dice evenly. Learn how to dice a carrot safely with these easy tips.
Start by washing and peeling your carrots to prepare for chopping.
Next, create a flat surface. Cut your carrot in half lengthwise to form two long planks.
Lay the planks down on the newly formed flat sides, this will create stability for the rest of your cuts.
Cut each plank in half lengthwise to form 4 long carrot sticks.
Line the sticks up, so that you can cut across all 4 sticks at the same time. Make even cuts all the way across, about 1/4 inch apart.
Watch the video below to see our chef demonstrate just how easy this knife cut is.
Now that you know how to dice carrot, you’re ready to get cooking. Try this technique for recipes like. Try some of our favorite recipes with diced carrots.
Recipe with diced carrots
Za’atar Beef & Carrots with Zucchini Rice & Lemon Mayo
A hearty duo of spiced beef and carrots is perfectly matched by white rice laden with tender bites of zucchini and currants.
Seared Chicken & Glazed Carrots with Goat Cheese Mashed Potatoes
The flavor of fig—a Mediterranean fruit beloved for its rich, densely sweet complexity—elevates the irresistible glaze for tender sautéed carrots in this dish.
Smoky Chicken & Creamy Cilantro Sauce over Spicy Carrots & Farro
This vibrant dish is bursting with exciting flavors thanks to the blend of smoky spices.
Ramen Noodle & Spicy Peanut Stir-Fry with Mushrooms, Carrots & Bok Choy
Hearty, delightfully chewy ramen noodles are a comfort food staple perfect for pairing with umami-rich sauces, like the combo of smooth peanut butter spread, soy sauce, sambal oelek, and more that we’re using in this dish
Want to try this at home? You’ll need a good knife. Check out our guide to essential knives for your home kitchen.
