Super easy Instant Pot Steamed Carrots ready in less than 15 minutes. This is a great side to enjoy with some rice or protein.

Steamed Carrots in Instant Pot Pressure Cooker
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This post is following the Amazing Steamed Broccoli and Cauliflower I shared some time back. I got lots of requests for steamed carrots recipe. This is the basic recipe, where you can season to your choice.

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.

Check out other Instant Pot Basics recipes – Cooking ChickpeasCooking BeetsBoiling Potatoes and Pumpkin Puree.

Why Carrots and Why Steamed Carrots?

Carrots are cultivated all around the world and are easily available all year round. They are nutritious and not to forget, budget friendly. Carrots are rich in anti-oxidants, vitamins and dietary fiber. They are only about 41 calories per 4oz, with a negligible amount of 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 might enjoy these air fryer carrot fries.

Cooking carrots is healthier, as cooking makes the beta carotene more easily available. However prolonged cooking can lead to loss of vitamins. Hence it is recommended to quick steam or roast carrots.

Ready to enjoy some 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 which fit perfectly in the instant pot, so I did not purchase one.  However if you are looking to purchase a steamer rack, here is a recommended one on Amazon.

Add a cup of water to the instant pot insert and place the steamer basket in the insert. If you are using baby carrots, they are already cut into the perfect size, just add them in. If using whole carrots, slice them up in 2-inch chunks. 

Steamed Carrots - Instant Pot

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 a minute.

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 the thickness of the carrots. If they are thin, I would suggest 3 minutes on Steam mode. Increase cooking time depending on the thickness.

Common Questions

Do I have to use a Steamer Basket? Can the carrots be steamed directly in the Instant Pot steel insert?

You can absolutely steam the carrots in the instant pot steel insert directly. I just prefer this method as it means less cleaning effort. I also find the carrots don’t get overcooked in the steamer basket, which means better and 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.

Garlic and Herb Butter Carrots Instant Pot

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.

4.73 from 37 votes

Amazing Instant Pot Steamed Carrots Recipe

Perfectly steamed carrots in minutes in the pressure cooker. This is the basic recipe, and you can season the carrots to your preference. Easy & healthy side dish! 
Prep Time: 2 minutes
Cook Time: 13 minutes
Total Time: 15 minutes
Servings: 3

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 lid with 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)
  • 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.

Video

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.

Nutrition

Calories: 52kcalCarbohydrates: 12gSodium: 122mgPotassium: 358mgFiber: 4gSugar: 7gVitamin A: 20850IUVitamin C: 4mgCalcium: 48mgIron: 1.4mg

Additional Info

Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: American
Diet: Dairy-free, Gluten-free, Nut-free, Paleo, Vegan, Vegetarian
Tried this recipe?Mention @pipingpotcurry or tag #pipingpotcurry!

About Meeta

I strongly believe that each one of us has a chef inside us, we just need to explore the ingredients and create great food. My passion is to share easy, healthy, and wholesome recipes made using Instant Pot & Air Fryer, that are well tested, so you can cook with confidence.

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15 Comments

  1. Like other commenters mine took closer to 10 mins cook time than 3. I used baby carrots on the steam function, high pressure.

  2. 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.

    1. Hi Natalie – If your instant pot does not have the steam mode, you can use the pressure cook mode on high pressure.

    1. 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.

      1. 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?

    1. 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!

  3. 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.

    1. 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.

  4. 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,

    1. 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.