Sweet & Sour Carrots aka Copper Pennies

Here’s my mama’s recipe for Copper Pennies, also known as Sweet & Sour Carrots. If you’ve never tried this and love tangy veggie salads, you’re in for a treat that you’ll crave the rest of your life! marinated carrots

Hello Everybody from Mama,  Today I made Copper Pennies or marinated carrots.  These babies are delicious.  I first tasted these at a small café in Decatur, AL.  They were served with the delicious Chicken Poulet (which Christy says translates as chicken chicken) and a hot homemade roll.  My sister and I ate there whenever we got the chance and hate it that they have since closed.

I’m sure everyone remembers a favorite café that served that one dish that they cannot get out of their heads.  These carrots and  Poulet are those recipes for me and my sister.  We are so lucky to have since found the recipes so that we can serve them to our friends and family.  I love to make these two dishes whenever we are having friends over the weekend since both can be made ahead.  I hate to have people over and then spend all my time in the kitchen.  The wonderful thing about the carrots is that they will keep for about 4 weeks in the refrigerator.  While they make a great side dish, they are equally good with soup and a sandwich.  Heck, I sat down and ate a bowl of them by myself without anything at all.  Even kids seem to like them.  My grandson who is 16 months old couldn’t get enough of them.

carrots ingredients

The ingredients for today’s Sweet and sour carrots recipe are : 

  • Tomato soup
  • Vegetable oil
  • Sugar
  • White vinegar
  • Dry mustard
  • Worcestershire sauce
  • Salt
  • Pepper
  • Onions
  • Bell pepper
  • Carrots

Keep scrolling for the printable recipe card.

To start:

Peel and slice the carrots into round coins.  Place in a saucepan and cover with water.  Heat to boil over medium-high heat and bring to a boil. 

Reduce heat to medium and continue to cook until carrots are tender when pricked with a fork, about 10 minutes. 

Drain the carrots and let cool.  Add chopped bell pepper and onions and stir to distribute.

in pot

In a saucepan, whisk together the soup, oil, sugar, vinegar, mustard, Worcestershire, salt and pepper.  Bring to boil over medium heat while whisking for 2-3 minutes.  Set off heat and let cool to room temperature.

marinated carrots

Pour sauce over the sweet and sour carrot mixture and stir to combine.  Cover and refrigerate for at least 12 hours before serving.  Can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 4 weeks.

Copper Pennies

This is an easy make ahead side dish that goes so well with casseroles. It keeps in the refrigerator for up to 4 weeks.
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: American
Keyword: carrots
Servings: 4
Calories: 351kcal

Ingredients

  • 10 carrots peeled and sliced (about 5 cups)
  • 1 medium onion fined diced (about 1/2 cup)
  • 1 small green pepper fined diced (about 1/2 cup)
  • 1 can tomato soup undiluted
  • 1/2 cup vegetable oil
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 3/4 cup white vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon dry mustard
  • 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper

Instructions

  • Place the carrots in a medium saucepan and cover with water. Heat to boiling over medium-high heat. Reduce heat and cook for an additional 10 minutes or until tender when pricked with a fork.
  • Drain the carrots, add the onions and bell peppers and set aside to cool.
  • Combine soup, oil, sugar, vinegar, mustard, Worcestershire sauce, salt and pepper with a whisk in a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium heat while whisking to combine soup and oil. Continue to cook and whisk for about 2 to 3 minutes. Set aside and cool to room temperature.
  • Pour the sauce mixture over the carrot mixture and stir to combine. Store, covered, in the refrigerator for up to 4 weeks.Serve cold from the refrigerator.

Nutrition

Calories: 351kcal
Tried this recipe?Mention @southernplate or tag #southernplate!

“Positive thinking will let you do everything better than negative thinking will.”

~Zig Ziglar

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55 Comments

  1. Happy New Year to Christy’s Mama, and thanks ever so much for bringing back some favorite “food memories” with the Copper Pennies recipe. It was a constant during my growing-up years back home in NE MS in the ’70s and ’80s. No luncheon, church potluck or shower would’ve been the same without them. I made it a point to make them for my daughter’s high school graduation party several years ago, although they seemed to be less well-known or well-received out here where we live in northern Colorado. I still love to include them sometimes for holidays, and I think I just might make them for Easter this year. Thanks again Mama (& Christy)!

  2. THANK YOUR MAMA, HAD THESE A LONG TIME AGO AT SOMEONES DINNER PARTY. I WILL BE MAKING THIS RECIPE SUNDAY

  3. I don’t know why, but I have completely forgotten about Copper Pennies. It’s probably been 20 years since I’ve made them. Can’t wait to get a bowl chiling in the refrigerator.
    Thanks to Mama for the reminder.

  4. I have not made this for a long time so thanks for the reminder. I think we get stuck in a rut sometimes and forget old favorites.

  5. One of my favorite dishes my late Grandma Rose used to make for us… Miss eating this dish and of course I miss her tenfold!

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