Methods for the production of monometal carbides are disclosed. A metal source and a carbon source are reacted under conditions suitable to produce a reaction product. The reaction product may comprise fully carburized monometal carbide and excess carbon, or an intermediate product comprising partially carburized monometal carbide in the presence or absence of excess carbon. The carbon content in the reaction product may then be adjusted in a controlled removal or addition process to produce a product the fully carburized monometal carbide having near stoichiometric carbon.