Carrots are a great vegetable because I think they can easily be served with every meal. With the holidays coming up, I wanted to share with you a simple and easy Instant Pot Brown Sugar Carrots recipe that is a crowd pleaser at any family dinner.
Instant Pot Carrots are delicious and ready in no time at all!
I’m so excited about this brown sugar carrots recipe. I love easy recipes and this one is definitely simple!
Seriously…. these cook only 4 minutes in my Instant pot. How cool is that? Yes, it is that quick, but they taste like they have been slow cooking all day.
You are going to love this super simple instant pot pressure cooker carrots recipe.
Easy Brown Sugar Carrots!
If you are grilling or pan frying or baking chicken or pretty much cooking anything these sweet glazed carrots will go perfectly.
We have eaten them on burger night, we ate them on Christmas and even Thanksgiving. They are perfect for a weeknight meal or fancy enough for any holidays.
Plus the kids love these cooked carrots too! I don’t know about you but that is always a win in my book.
You will need a pressure cooker to make these brown sugar carrots.
I am using an 8 quart Instant pot but you can use a 6 quart. There are tons of different brands of electric pressure cookers. I personally have an Instant Pot and so far I am loving it!
You can find the Instant pot on sale here. It’s really changed dinner time in my home. I can now create a delicious meal in under an hour but it tastes like it has been cooking all day.
If you have been putting off trying an instant pot, I highly recommend going ahead and biting the bullet. I love using the pressure cooker when I don’t have much time.
It is perfect for frozen food or meals that normally take a while. You can toss everything in (no defrosting needed!) and have dinner ready in no time at all.
For those days when you forget to take something out of the freezer or wait until the last minute for dinner, the instant pot is your best friend in the kitchen.
I am not exaggerating when I say it truly has changed meal time around here. We love ours!
You can also these Instant Pot Accessories to make pressure cooking a breeze. We just love to pressure cook and I am certain you will too.
Dinner time is much easier and less complicated now that I have the pressure cooker. If you are hesitant or on the fence, don’t be. You will love it!
You can also make this meal in the slow cooker if you prefer.
How do you steam vegetables in an instant pot?
There are a few different ways to steam vegetables in an electric pressure cooker. The first is by using the steamer basket or trivet to keep the vegetables out of the water or broth in the instant pot.
This option is generally the best for green vegetables or other soft vegetables that will become mushy when cooked in a liquid or easily over cooked like broccoli or asparagus.
For these vegetables, you’ll want to be sure that you use a quick release after the pressure cook time so they do not become over cooked.
The other option is what we use to make this carrots recipe and you’ll be happy to know that this is the easier option.
For this option, you put all the ingredients in the instant pot without a steamer basket or trivet and the vegetables cook in the pressure cooker in the liquid.
This option is better for heartier vegetables like carrots or spaghetti squash as they are not as easy to become over cooked.
Both options work great, so definitely choose based on the veggies that you are preparing.
What is needed to make this carrots instant pot recipe?
You only need 5 ingredients to create this delicious recipe. Also, 2 of these ingredients are water and salt so I’m not sure if those even count.
You won’t believe how easy this recipe is to create and your family is going to be impressed by this delicious recipe!
- 32 oz bag of baby carrots
- 1 cup of water (can use chicken stock if you have some)
- ½ cup brown sugar
- 4 tablespoons of butter
- ½ tsp of salt (just eye ball it)
How to make these Instant Pot Carrots without steamer basket:
First in your electric pressure cooker, place the baby carrots inside. Then add the butter, water, and brown sugar and salt.
Finally pour the water (or chicken broth) over these ingredients.
What is the carrots instant pot cooking time?
Next add the pressure cooker lid and set it to sealing. Set the timer for 4 minutes (yes, only 4 minutes!).
After this cook time, do a quick release to release the pressure on your instant pot. Then give the candied carrots a quick toss in the sauce and serve immediately.
Then sit back and watch everyone devour the amazing sweet carrots that you have just served them. This is ALWAYS my favorite part.
Print this Instant Pot Brown Sugar Carrots Recipe below:
Brown Sugar Carrots Pressure Cooker recipe
Ingredients
- 32 oz bag of baby carrots
- 1 cup water (can use chicken stock if you have some)
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 4 tablespoons butter
- 1/2 tsp salt (just eye ball it)
Instructions
- In your electric pressure cooker, place carrots inside.
- Add butter, water, and brown sugar and salt.
- Pour water (or chicken broth over it)
- Add the pressure cooker lid and set it to sealing.
- Set the timer for 4 minutes.
- Do the quick release to release the pressure.
- Give the carrots a quick toss in the sauce and serve immediately.
Recipe Notes
Nutrition Facts
If you enjoy this easy side dish, try these other Instant pot side dishes recipes:
- Pressure cooker Mashed Potatoes Recipe
- Quick and Easy Instant Pot Spaghetti Squash Recipe
- Instant Pot Homemade Refried Beans Recipe
- Instant Pot Cilantro Lime Rice Recipe
- Brown Rice Pressure Cooker Recipe
- Instant Pot Twice Baked Potatoes Casserole Recipe
- Easy Spanish Rice Pressure Cooker Recipe
You might also like this easy Crock Pot Glazed Carrots Recipe for another easy side dish idea.
Also, if you love pressure cooking as much as I do, try these other Instant Pot Recipes:
- Cauliflower Soup Recipe
- Minestrone Soup Recipe
- Chicken Florentine Recipe
- Bacon Ranch Chicken Pasta
- Mongolian Beef Recipe
- Pressure Cooker Buffalo Chicken Pasta
Did you know you can reduce the leftover sauce and spoon over ice cream? It is yummy!
These are fantastic. Perfect cooking time and great taste.
This recipe was extremely easy and delicious! The carrots were super tender and not overly sweet! I actually added some of the left over sauce to some vanilla ice cream and it was perfect. Will definitely be making these again!
Is 1/2 cup enough liquid? And the directions say to add water with sugar & butter, but then says pour water over all ingredients. Did I miss something? REALLY want to make these!
Regina – It should be 1 cup of water. I updated the post. Thank you!
I made these in addition to carrots made with the crockpot pork tenderloin. They were perfectly cooked and the flavor was delicious. Since I already had a pound of baby carrots with the pork tenderloin, I halved this recipe and it was perfect!
I have frozen carrots. Do you know if the cook time would remain the same?
I would add 3-4 more minutes to the cook time for frozen carrots.
Have you ever tested halved brussell sprouts cooked in thebinstant pot with this glaze?
I haven’t yet but I think it would be delicious! If you try it, please let us know how it turns out.
Loved this! It was delish. My favorite kind of carrots to go with good pork chops! BTW, love the new web site design!!! Thanks!