C.J. Braden • 2 Minute Read
How to Peel Carrots and Potatoes Faster
Every year around the holidays, I try new hacks to cut my cooking prep time down. I love to cook, don’t get me wrong, but sometimes I just want to get to the best part faster-EATING! I like to experiment with new dishes, but with each new dish, comes prep work.
What if I told you I have a quick little secret that will help your meals get prepped faster this year? You’d like that, right? Anything that makes life easier is always awesome in my book!
Cooking hacks make prep work go quicker
As it turns out, sweet potatoes and carrots are in many holiday dishes, and a while back, I learned a quick trick that will help you peel them faster. By the way, for anyone that is new to cooking, you don’t have to peel them before eating, but many digestive tracts (including my own) sometimes can’t digest peels well, so sometimes it’s good idea to just go ahead and peel away.
Read on to learn how to peel carrots and potatoes faster as well as a few other helpful cooking and baking tips and tricks.
Thanksgiving is a great day to try out new kitchen hacks
Tip 1- Use a Sharp Hand Held Veggie Peeler
While many people like to use a knife to peel their veggies, I always stick to using peelers. I usually like to go a little faster when it comes to peeling potatoes and veggies, and using peelers help my fingers stay intact.
Prepare your Thanksgiving dishes quicker this year
I like to use the OXO vegetable peeler for my potatoes, carrots, and cucumbers. I’ve had mine for many years and it has remained super sharp.
Stoneware Thanksgiving dinner
Tip 2- Try a Peeling Machine
When it comes to peeling apples, I like my apple “peeling machine”. I used to use a hand peeler for them, but when making my homemade pies and delicious baked applesauce, I had to start using something that made my prep time be much less. Mine has held up for over a year now, so I know it’s a winner.
How to prep your roasted carrots faster
Get my 17 second roasted vegetable hack below or on my YouTube channel!
There are potato peeling machines on the market, but I’ve not tried one. If you have, leave me a comment at the bottom of this post telling me about your experience!
How to prep your apple pies faster
Tip 3- Try a Cutting Mat
I like using slim cutting mats for many things in the kitchen. They are great for protecting your counters when making breakfast, lunch and dinner! They are flexible so you can also use them to easily pour cut veggies into a pan. I set two on my counter when peeling veggies. I use one to peel the scraps onto, then the other to actually cut them.
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I purchased mine on Amazon for around $8.00. I hand wash them so they don’t warp, as others have had this happen after washing them in the dishwasher. I also store them FLAT to help them keep their flat shape.
Fun Thanksgiving cookie ideas
I also love the stone cutting board my mom gave me years ago. It’s pretty enough to leave out on my counter all the time! Quick tip-if it’s a porous stone like mine, don’t cut lemons on it! The lemon juice can eat away at the shiny finish.
Tip 4- Peel In Two Directions
Here is my quick tip on how to peel carrots and potatoes faster! I used to peel them going in one direction. This worked, but it took longer. Now I peel them like this:
Carrot and potato peeling hack
I peel carrots and potatoes in a continuous up and down motion. It really does cut the time in half. This will work on all straighter potatoes and carrots. I have tried it on some curved potatoes and it mostly works, but you will still have to peel in one direction around curves and ends.
Check out my 21 second video below on my YouTube channel “Carolyn Braden” showing you this continuous peeling motion.
C.J. Braden is a regular contributor and editor for Carolyn’s Blooming Creations. She has been featured in numerous media publications such as InStyle Magazine, on HGTV, on Bustle.com, and more. She is the author of the books Georgia McMasters in Amethyst Lake Cemetery, How To Be Yourself: 3 Little Ways to Get Back To You Being You, and the illustrator for the children’s book Bridging Connections. She is a former classroom teacher that now dedicates her life to educating others on how to live their most healthy, creative and happy life. Learn more about her visiting our About Us page.