How to Cook Carrots in an Electric Pressure Cooker

Carrots are fantastic vegetables because they can easily be served with just about any entree.

Vertical image of bowls of cooked orange root vegetables seasoned with herbs in front of an electric pressure cooker.

They are the side dish that pairs with every protein you can think of, from chicken to pork, fish to beef, turkey or lamb, and even tofu or lentils.

This popular root vegetable is one that many of us have on hand practically at all times. And you can prepare a delicious side dish in just a few minutes, right in your electric pressure cooker.

That’s right – this cooking method only takes about 4 minutes. Isn’t that fantastic?

Anything that you choose to cook for dinner, these beautiful orange veggies will go perfectly with it. I usually like to whip them up when I’m having leftovers for dinner. It’s nice to have something fresh on the side of some leftover pot roast or roasted chicken.

People of all ages love these sweet vegetables, and diners are sure to sing their praises when they are cooked to perfection with this fast and easy method.

You can dress them down for a casual weeknight meal, but they can also be elevated to serve for fancy dinner parties or holiday meals.

Vertical image of two white bowls filled with chopped and baby orange root veggies, one with herbs and one with melted butter.

The best way to cook them in this appliance is by steaming them. So, what will you need to make these?

First and foremost, your electric pressure cooker. That’s pretty obvious at this point, right? Whether it’s in Instant Pot or another type, it’s time to get it out of the closet or cabinet and set it on your countertop.

If you don’t have one already, we can help you to choose which one meets your needs.

You will also need to use a steamer basket or trivet to keep the vegetables out of the water in the bottom of the insert. Using one of these extra accessories will prevent the vegetables from becoming too mushy, like they would if you cooked them directly in the liquid.

This method is fantastic because all you have to do is dump in your ingredients and go. You can take care of cooking your entree in the meantime, have a glass of wine, or finish up one or two quick household chores.

Vertical image of two bowls filled with a vibrant side dish seasoned with fresh chopped herbs.

They’re sure to be cooked perfectly every time, without any fussing or over-attentive tending from you.

Here’s everything I’ll cover in this article:

Once you start cooking your root vegetables this way, I’m not sure you’ll want to prepare them any other way again.

The best part is that this vegetable is easily available year round, and totally budget-friendly. It will make a tasty addition to any meal.

How Should I Season My Carrots?

There are endless ways to serve these sweet and tasty steamed veggies, from the simple to the more elaborate or complicated.

Vertical image of a plate with slices of pork next to cooked and seasoned orange root veggies.

My top favorite and ultimate go-to is using a bit of butter, salt, pepper, and chopped fresh parsley. But there are so many other things you can throw in to make your vegetables even more flavorful.

Here’s my guide to more top-rated possibilities:

Which flavor combination will you try with this bright root vegetable? Will you go sweet, or try something more savory? Start with a fat and basic seasonings, and mix and match from there.

For some extra tips on cooking time and texture adjustments, keep reading through to the end of this article!

How to Cook Carrots in an Electric Pressure Cooker

Preparing this simple side is a cinch, and it’s perfect for serving alongside just about anything that you’re making for dinner, or that you have left over in the fridge.

Step 1 – Prepare

Horizontal image of whole and baby root veggies on a gray surface.

Prepare 1 pound of root vegetables. If you are using the whole vegetable, peel and chop them into 2-inch pieces. You can also use the baby version, with no preparation required.

Horizontal image of bowls of sliced and baby root veggies and a bowl of water on a gray surface.

Measure out 1 cup of water. Note that you can use up to 2 pounds of vegetables max with this amount of water.

Horizontal image of the inside of an Instant Pot with a steamer insert.

Add the water to the insert, and position a steamer basket or trivet accessory in the base.

Step 2 – Steam

Spread the vegetables out evenly in the steamer basket or on the trivet. Close the lid and make sure the vent is in the sealing position.

Horizontal image of steaming baby root veggies in an Instant Pot.

Set the appliance to Manual and High for 3 minutes. Note that this time will remain the same, even if you double the quantity of root vegetables.

Step 3 – Release Pressure and Season

Quick release the pressure manually. Carefully remove the vegetables and transfer them to a serving bowl.

Horizontal image of white bowls, one with sliced orange fresh produce and one with baby orange fresh produce.

Season as desired, toss, and serve.

How Can I Achieve the Perfect Level of Doneness?

The ideal amount of time to cook these vibrantly hued veggies in this particular appliance is 3 minutes on High. This gives them just the right level of softness, with just a little bit of crunch remaining.

Horizontal image of a white bowl filled with sliced cooked root vegetables seasoned with herbs.

Of course, the concept of “just right” is subjective.

If you prefer them to be a bit more crunchy, set the timer for 2 minutes. Or, if you prefer them to be very soft, add an extra minute to the timer.

So easy!

Looking for even more easy and delicious side dishes that you can prepare in this amazing appliance? Try these next:

What will you serve with this quick and easy side dish of orange vegetables? Tell us in the comments below.

Photos by Meghan Yager, © Ask the Experts, LLC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. See our TOS for more details.

Nutritional information derived from a database of known generic and branded foods and ingredients and was not compiled by a registered dietitian or submitted for lab testing. It should be viewed as an approximation.

About Meghan Yager

Meghan Yager is a food addict turned food and travel writer with a love for creating uncomplicated, gourmet recipes and devouring anything the world serves up. As the author of the food and travel blog Cake 'n Knife, Meghan focuses on unique foodie experiences from around the world to right at home in your own kitchen.

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