Super easy Instant Pot Steamed Carrots ready in less than 15 minutes. This is a great side to enjoy with some rice or protein.
This post follows the amazing steamed broccoli and cauliflower I shared some time back. I got lots of requests for the steamed carrots recipe. This is the basic recipe; you can season to your liking.
Why steam veggies in the Instant Pot:
- Dump and go, take care of other chores.
- Perfectly cooked each time (if you know the cooking time ?)
Once you start using your Instant Pot, I am sure you will not cook carrots any other way. They are so easy and hands-free.
Table of Contents
Why Carrots and Why Steamed Carrots?
Carrots are cultivated all around the world and are readily available all year round. They are nutritious and, not to forget, budget-friendly. Carrots are rich in antioxidants, vitamins, and dietary fiber. They are only about 41 calories per 4oz, with negligible fat and no cholesterol.
Carrots are also an exceptionally rich source of carotenes and vitamin A. The traditional orange colored carrots get their bright color from beta-carotene, an antioxidant that is converted to vitamin A in the body.
Carrots are about 10% carbs, consisting of starch, fiber, and simple sugars. They rank low on the glycemic index scale.
The nutrition information for carrots is reason enough to eat them. Not to forget, they are delicious too! If you like roasted carrots, you’ll enjoy these air fryer carrot fries and roasted rainbow carrots.
Cooking carrots is recommended because it makes beta-carotene more readily available. However, prolonged cooking can lead to loss of vitamins. Hence, it is recommended to quickly steam or roast carrots.
How to pressure cook Baby Carrots in the Instant Pot?
The best way to steam carrots in the Pressure Cooker is by using a Steamer Basket. I just found a steamer basket in my kitchen that fits perfectly in the Instant Pot, so I did not purchase one. However, if you are looking to buy a steamer rack, here is a recommended one on Amazon.
Add 1 cup of water to the instant pot insert, then place the steamer basket in the insert. If you are using baby carrots, they are already cut into the perfect size; add them in. If using whole carrots, slice them up into 2-inch chunks.
I prefer to steam the carrots for 2 minutes at high pressure, followed by a quick release. This timing gives fork-tender carrots. If you like softer carrots, increase cooking time by 1-2 minutes. Or if the carrots are thicker, increase the cooking time.
If the carrots are too thin, they may fall apart. So adjust cooking time depending on the thickness of the carrots.
Season with salt and pepper, and serve as a side with rice or protein.
How to pressure cook Whole Carrots in the Instant Pot?
For whole carrots, the time will depend on their thickness. If they are thin, I would suggest 3 minutes on Steam mode. Increase cooking time depending on the thickness.
Common Questions
You can absolutely steam the carrots in the Instant Pot steel insert directly. I prefer this method as it means less cleaning effort. I also find that the carrots don’t overcook in the steamer basket, which means better, more consistent results.
I would love to hear how you like these steamed carrots.
Want to make these Steamed Carrots fancy? Here is a Garlic & Herb Butter Carrots recipe.
If you are looking for more side dishes to make in the Instant Pot, don’t forget to check out my detailed guide for Instant Pot Steamed Vegetables.
More Instant Pot Basics Recipes
How to cook Chickpeas in the Instant Pot?
How to Boil Potatoes in Instant Pot?
Easy Peasy Instant Pot Pumpkin Puree
Instant Pot Beets / How to cook beets in Pressure Cooker
Amazing Instant Pot Steamed Carrots
Video
Ingredients
- 1 lb Baby Carrots, or Whole Carrots sliced to 2 inch chunks
- 1 cup Water
- Salt , to taste
- Black Pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Add water to the instant pot insert. Place the steamer basket in the instant pot insert.
- Spread the carrots on the steamer basket. Close the lid with the vent in sealing position.
- Start the Instant Pot and set it on Steam mode for 2 minutes on high pressure. (Note: if you like softer carrots, increase cooking time to 3 minutes. Or if the carrots are thicker, increase the cooking time.)
- When the Instant Pot beeps, quick release the pressure manually. Remove the steamer basket carefully, as it is hot.
- Season with salt, pepper, and enjoy.
Notes
- Cooking time will remain the same, even if you double or triple the quantity.
- For whole carrots, the time will depend on the thickness of the carrots. If they are thin, I would suggest 3 minutes on Steam mode. Increase cooking time depending on the thickness.
Mine cooked on Steam function on High Pressure and More and it took 3 mins like the recipe said. I tested my thickest baby carrot.
I cooked celery, carrots, and potatoes. It all in one pot I went by the directions of 3 pounds of vegetables +3 cups of water. I did it for 13 minutes. They all turned out absolutely perfect.
Hi – That sounds like a perfect one-pot meal! Glad to hear everything turned out perfectly.
Like other commenters mine took closer to 10 mins cook time than 3. I used baby carrots on the steam function, high pressure.
What exactly is “steam mode” in the instant pot? What button would I push? I don’t see any instant pots with a “steam” button and I’m curious what button to push.
Hi Natalie – If your instant pot does not have the steam mode, you can use the pressure cook mode on high pressure.
Mine took another 10 minutes to get soft
Hi Silvy – Were the carrots you had were too thick? If not, I wonder if the instant pot came to pressure (the pressure valve came up), as usually carrots would not take so long to cook under pressure.
Cooked for 3 mins on the steam function and they turned out crunchy. Disappointing.
Hi Julia – Typically baby carrots cook well in 2-3 minutes of high pressure cooking. Were you cooking whole carrots or were they very thick? Also do check that your instant pot was set to high pressure?
Hi I have duo gourmet there is no steam function how to steam idlis or steam vegetables in that. Thanks
Hi Surbhee – For steaming veggies, you can use the pressure cook setting too. For idli, use the pressure cook setting with the valve in venting position. Hope that helps!
I love cooking recipes with carrots as my kids love it so much and it is very healthy too. I rarely eat it as plain steamed carrots though.
The cook time says 13 minutes not 3!
Hey Linda – I include the time for the instant pot to come to pressure in the all my recipes. Otherwise it does not give readers the actual time it will take for the recipe.
Hey Meeta,
Thanks so much for posting this! Quick question, if i had chopped carrots (which I want to use for a carrots and peas sabzi), would I still cook them at HP for 3 mins and then do a quick release?
Thanks,
Hey Kiara – I responded to you on Insta couple of hours back. I have make aloo gajar matar subzi in the instant pot. For that, I add the oil, tempering, spices and then the chopped carrots, potatoes and peas all together along with 1/4 cup water. Pressure cook for 0 minutes at high pressure with a quick release. If any liquid is remaining, saute for 2-3 minutes to dry it up.
If you want to steam carrots separately, then I would suggest 0 minutes for chopped carrots. Hope you enjoy the subzi.
I just saw this message, haha. Thanks so much for getting back to me! 🙂