By Grace Elkus for Food Network Kitchen

Grace is a contributing writer at Food Network.

If you're guilty of skipping over recipes that mention the word "julienne," it's time to learn the French technique once and for all. Don't worry: the fancy-sounding knife cut is easier to pull off then it sounds, and you'll be rewarded with veggies that look as good as they taste. Grab a bag of carrots, secure your cutting board into place and let's get slicing.

Why Do You Julienne Carrots?

While you can julienne any number of vegetables (think potatoes, bell peppers and parsnips), carrots are perhaps the most versatile of the bunch. Julienned carrots fit perfectly into spring rolls, are easy to spear in salads and slaws and look pretty as a garnish atop soups or proteins. Their slender size also means they're quick-cooking, making them ideal for last-minute sides.

What Size Is the Julienne Cut?

While there’s no one standard size for a julienne cut (it can be any length you need), they’re typically 2 to 3 inches long and 1/8 inch thick.

How to Julienne Carrots

Step 1: Trim and Peel the Carrots

Trim the stem end off of each carrot. Then, peel the carrots so that all the matchsticks look identical.

Step 2: Segment the Carrots

Cut the carrots into segments the desired length of your julienne, likely about 2 to 3 inches.

Step 3: Square off the Carrot

Slice off the rounded sides of the carrots to create a rectangle or cube that lies flat on your cutting board. Reserve the scraps for another use, or julienne them by slicing them into thin strips, about 1/8-inch thick all around. (Just know these ones will be a little wonkier than the others).

Step 4: Cut Planks

Slice the square or rectangular pieces into 1/8-inch thick planks.

Step 5: Cut the Planks into Strips

Stack the planks on top of one another and cut them lengthwise into 1/8-inch thick strips. This is your julienne cut!

Can You Julienne Carrots Without a Knife?

Yes! While the results won’t be quite as precise, you can use a julienne peeler, a food processor with a mandoline blade or a mandoline with a julienne blade.

How to Use Julienned Carrots

As mentioned above, julienned carrots are often used in raw preparations like salads and coleslaw. But they're also great in cooked dishes! If you're cooking en papillote, julienned carrots will fit easily into your packet. Creating a roulade? The julienne is sure to be your friend. With this new knife cut in your reportoire, the possibilities are endless.

Related Links:

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