Have you ever opened a bag of fresh crisp carrots only to discover they’ve gone slimy? Slimy carrots are a common occurrence. But the muck is there to tell you something. Want to know what it is? Keep reading to find out in today’s article all about why your carrots have suddenly gone slimy.
Table of Contents
- Why Are My Carrots Slimy?
- What Happens If You Eat Slimy Carrots?
- How to Fix Slimy Carrots
- How to Keep Baby Carrots From Getting Slimy
- Slimy Carrots? There’s An Easy Fix!
- FAQ
Why Are My Carrots Slimy?
Carrots are supposed to be crunchy, healthy, and delicious. So why are yours covered in slime?
The reason is bacteria.
Many types of fresh produce go rancid, even in the fridge, at a rapid pace. Smoothies, salads, fruit, and more usually have a shelf life of only a few days– max!
Because of this, you can expect carrots that are beginning to grow old to develop translucent slime on them. Yes, we know. It is quite off-putting! This happens most often with fresh-cut carrots that are placed in a bag and baby carrots.
What makes baby carrots slimy is the fact that they are sitting in a wet bag for a long period of time. Over time, the condensation from the carrots breeds bacteria which is what causes the slick goo to form on the outside of your sticks.
Is it unappetizing? Yes. But it is there to signal you. Do yourself a favor and buy new carrots when you notice crud on carrot sticks–your body will thank you!
White Slime on Carrots
Now you may be thinking, “That’s fine and all, but why are my baby carrots turned white? What then?”
The reason baby carrots slimy white are two-fold. First, baby carrots that turn white usually do so because of dehydration. A dehydrated carrot doesn’t typically pose any threat to your health. Rather, it may make for a softer, drier, and less satisfying carrot than what you’re used to.
So, what about the gooey stuff? Most of the time, the slime that you notice on carrots won’t be white. It may just be that what you’re seeing is a dehydrated carrot that has gone rancid. In this case, the white stuff is the dried outer layer of the carrot and the clear gunk is bacteria.
On the other hand, the white substance on carrots could be mold.
Slime and mold? No thank you…
Therefore, no matter which way you slice it, it’s likely time to give those slimy white carrots the boot.
What Happens If You Eat Slimy Carrots?
You most likely won’t enjoy eating slimy carrots. On top of that, they may make you sick.
Remember that the goop that develops on carrots isn’t there just to be gross. It is an indicator that the carrot has actually started to rot. With this in mind, it is important that you exercise caution when choosing to eat food that is already showing signs of spoilage.
Slimy Carrots Safe to Eat?
If you must eat slimy carrots, we recommend cooking them if you can. If you can’t, wash them thoroughly using water, and peel off the outer layer. This will enable you to get closer to the center of the carrot, where it may be much fresher. Eat the carrot with caution, and pay close attention to any signs your body may be giving you indicating that you’re getting ill.
Common signs of food-related illness include:
- Vomiting
- Nausea
- Low-Grade Fever
- Abdominal Cramping
- Headache
- Fatigue
- Diarrhea
I Ate Slimy Carrots Will I Get Sick?
If you ate slimy carrots there is a possibility you’ll get sick. This is especially true if you ate the carrots raw.
Pay attention to your body for the next 48 hours and observe any differences in how you feel.
As mentioned in the segment above, there are many symptoms that accompany food-related illnesses that you’ll need to watch for. If you experience the onset of any of these symptoms, be sure to rest, drink plenty of water, and see a local physician if your symptoms continue.
How to Fix Slimy Carrots
Before we tell you how to “fix” slimy carrots, let us be clear that we do not recommend that you eat them. There are many risks associated with eating rotting food. If, however, you don’t want to waste your carrots and are looking for ways to use them, there are a few things you can do.
Can Slimy Carrots Be Washed?
Yes, slimy carrots can be washed, but be aware that it may be difficult to lift that thick clear coating just by scrubbing. You may also need to follow up by peeling off the outer layer.
Can I Cook Slimy Carrots?
Cooking slimy carrots is a good idea because cooking kills off germs. To be extra safe, thoroughly wash, rinse, and peel off the outer layer of the carrots before throwing them in your next dish.
Can You Boil Slimy Carrots?
Boiling slimy carrots is another novel idea for getting rid of harmful bacteria. Wash, rinse, and peel carrots first as an added measure of precaution. Then, throw them in a pot of boiling water. Cook until tender.
How to Keep Baby Carrots From Getting Slimy
We know how hard it is to remember to use up baby carrots before they’ve gone gooey, but there is a method you can try to keep your carrots crispy and crunchy for several weeks!
The secret? Storing your carrots in water! Simply grab a container with a matching lid, place the carrots inside, and fill it completely with water. Then, carefully place the lid on and put it in the fridge. And there you have it! Your carrots will stay crunchy and fresh for about three weeks. Note: Be sure to change the water every 4-5 days.
Slimy Carrots? There’s An Easy Fix!
Slimy carrots are an indicator of the presence of bacteria. Thankfully, this slime can be prevented by storing your fresh cut or baby carrots in a container filled with water in your refrigerator.
Remember that you may choose to eat slimy carrots at your own risk, but doing so has the potential to backfire.
FAQ
Why is organic carrots so slimy?
Just like slime on conventional carrots, organic carrots can become slimy due to the presence of bacteria.
Why do packaged carrots feel slimy?
Packaged carrots have been sitting in an airtight bag for a long period of time where they develop bacteria. This bacteria presents itself as slime.
What does it mean when carrots get a white slimy discharge?
Most of the time, gunky carrot film will present itself as a sticky clear fluid. Any white that you see may indicate the presence of mold or dehydration.
