Cooking Carrots In An Instant Pot: No Steamer Basket Needed

Cooking carrots in an Instant Pot is a quick and easy way to make a delicious and healthy side dish. The Instant Pot is a convenient way to steam carrots, which is the healthiest way to cook them. You can steam them with or without a steamer basket, and it only takes about 10-15 minutes.

How to prepare carrots for cooking in an instant pot

Preparing carrots for cooking in an instant pot is simple and only takes a few minutes. Here is a step-by-step guide:

Step 1: Wash and Peel the Carrots

Start by rinsing the carrots under running water to remove any dirt or residue. You can use a vegetable brush to gently scrub them. If you are using organic carrots, you may choose to keep the peel on as it contains many nutrients. Otherwise, use a vegetable peeler or a sharp knife to remove the peel.

Step 2: Cut the Carrots

Cut off the ends of the carrots and then slice or chop them into your desired size and shape. You can cut them into sticks, rounds, or diagonal slices. Aim for a thickness of around 1/2 inch to ensure even cooking. If you are using baby carrots, you may not need to cut them at all unless they are very large.

Step 3: Prepare the Instant Pot

Add water to the inner pot of your instant pot. The amount of water needed will depend on the size of your instant pot, but typically, you will need about 1-2 cups of water. You can also use vegetable broth or stock instead of water for added flavour.

Step 4: Use a Steamer Basket or Trivet (Optional)

If you have a steamer basket, you can place it inside the instant pot. This is not necessary, but it will ensure that the carrots are steamed rather than boiled. If you don't have a steamer basket, you can use the metal trivet that usually comes with the instant pot. Place the steamer basket or trivet inside the pot before adding the carrots.

Step 5: Add the Carrots

Place the prepared carrots into the instant pot, either directly into the water or on top of the steamer basket or trivet. If you are cooking whole carrots, you may need to stand them upright in the pot.

Step 6: Season the Carrots (Optional)

At this point, you can season the carrots with salt, pepper, or any other desired herbs and spices. You can also add a tablespoon of butter or olive oil for extra flavour and moisture. However, seasoning can also be added after cooking if preferred.

Step 7: Close the Instant Pot and Set the Timer

Close the lid of the instant pot and make sure the valve is set to sealing. Set the timer for 2-3 minutes for crisp or fork-tender carrots, or up to 4 minutes if you prefer softer carrots. The instant pot will take a few minutes to build up pressure before the cooking time starts.

Step 8: Quick Release the Pressure

Once the cooking time is complete, carefully quick-release the steam and open the instant pot. Be cautious when releasing the steam, as it will be very hot. Remove the carrots from the pot using tongs or a kitchen towel to protect your hands.

Your carrots are now ready to be served! You can enjoy them as a side dish or use them in other recipes. For best results, serve the carrots immediately while they are still warm.

How to cook carrots in an instant pot without a steamer basket

Cooking carrots in an instant pot is a quick and easy way to make a delicious and healthy side dish. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to cook carrots in an instant pot without a steamer basket.

Ingredients and Equipment:

• Carrots (baby carrots or regular carrots cut into 2-inch pieces)
• Water
• Instant Pot
• Kitchen knife
• Peeler
• Heat-proof bowl or plate
• Kitchen towel

Step-by-Step Guide:

• Prepare the carrots: Rinse and peel the carrots. If using regular carrots, cut them into sticks or slices approximately 2 inches long. Baby carrots do not need to be cut.
• Add water to the Instant Pot: Pour 1 cup of water into the inner pot of the Instant Pot. The amount of water may vary depending on the size of your Instant Pot, so refer to the user manual for specific instructions.
• Elevate the carrots: Place a heat-proof bowl or plate on the trivet or steam rack that comes with the Instant Pot. This will elevate the carrots and ensure they are not submerged in the water. You can also use aluminium foil balls or a high-sided heat-proof bowl to elevate the carrots.
• Add the carrots: Place the carrots on the bowl or plate, ensuring they are not in the water.
• Close the Instant Pot: Secure the lid on the Instant Pot and make sure the vent is set to sealing.
• Set the cooking time: For fork-tender carrots, cook on high pressure for 1-2 minutes. If you prefer softer carrots, increase the cooking time to 3 minutes.
• Release the pressure: Once the cooking time is complete, use the quick-release method to open the Instant Pot. Be careful when releasing the pressure, as the steam can be very hot.
• Remove the carrots: Use tongs or a kitchen towel to carefully remove the carrots from the Instant Pot.
• Season and serve: Season the cooked carrots with butter, salt, pepper, or your favourite herbs and spices. You can also drizzle them with maple syrup or toss them in melted butter and honey for a sweet treat.

Storage and Reheating:

• Store any leftover carrots in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-5 days.
• To reheat the carrots, you can microwave them for 1-2 minutes or cook them in the Instant Pot with 1 cup of water for 1 minute. Reheated carrots may be softer than the first time they were cooked.

How to cook baby carrots in an instant pot without a steamer basket

Ingredients

• Baby carrots
• Water
• Salt (optional)
• Butter (optional)
• Other seasonings (optional)

Method

• Rinse the baby carrots. There is no need to peel or chop them.
• Add one cup of water to the inner pot of the Instant Pot.
• Place the baby carrots directly into the water.
• Close the lid of the Instant Pot and ensure the valve is set to 'sealing'.
• Set the Instant Pot to cook on high pressure for 2 minutes for fork-tender carrots, or 3 minutes for softer carrots.
• When the cooking time is up, use the 'quick release' method to open the Instant Pot and carefully remove the carrots.
• If desired, season the carrots with salt, butter, or other seasonings of your choice.

Tips

• If you prefer crisp carrots, cook for 1 minute instead.
• If you find the carrots too firm, simply reseal the Instant Pot and cook for another minute.
• If you want to cook whole carrots, peel and slice them into pieces approximately 2 inches in size.
• If you are using frozen carrots, add 1 minute to the pressure cooking time.

How to season cooked instant pot carrots

Butter & Maple

Toss the cooked carrots in 2 teaspoons of unsalted butter and 1 teaspoon of maple syrup (or honey).

Zesty Indian

Combine ½ teaspoon each of cumin and chaat masala with 1 teaspoon of lime juice and ¼ teaspoon of salt. Toss the cooked carrots in this mixture until they are nicely coated.

Classic

Stick to the basics with a simple seasoning of ¼ teaspoon each of sea salt and freshly ground pepper. Toss the cooked carrots until they are nicely coated.

Herbed Butter

Heat 1 teaspoon of olive oil in a pan and add 2 teaspoons of salted butter and 2 teaspoons of parsley or cilantro. Add the cooked carrots and sauté for 2 minutes.

Spicy & Sweet

Heat 1 teaspoon of olive oil in a pan and add the cooked carrots. Sprinkle with ½ teaspoon each of chilli powder and brown sugar, then sauté for 2 minutes.

Garlic & Herb

Heat 2 teaspoons of oil in a pan with 1 teaspoon of Italian seasoning blend. Add the cooked carrots and sauté for 2 to 3 minutes.

Buttery Herbed

For a buttery flavour, replace the olive oil with melted grass-fed butter. Add fresh herbs and toss. It is best to melt the butter before adding it to the carrots.

Honey Cinnamon

Replace the fresh herbs and pepper with ¼ teaspoon of cinnamon, ¼ teaspoon of vanilla extract, and 1 teaspoon of honey, to taste. Add a pinch of salt.

Honey Herb

Replace the olive oil with melted grass-fed butter and 1 teaspoon of honey, to taste. Omit the pepper.

Garlicky Lemon

Combine the olive oil (or butter), salt, and pepper with minced or crushed garlic cloves and lemon juice for a delicious garlicky lemon flavour.

How to store leftover instant pot carrots

To store leftover instant pot carrots, place them in an airtight container and put them in the fridge. They will stay fresh for about 3 to 4 days.

It is important to note that the shelf life of carrots depends on how they are stored and their form. Raw, unpeeled carrots will last between 3 and 4 weeks in the refrigerator, while peeled or sliced carrots will last between 2 and 3 weeks.

To extend the shelf life of carrots, you can store them in plastic bags or a bowl covered in plastic wrap in the fridge. Make sure to remove any excess air and seal the container tightly. Additionally, you can freeze carrots by first blanching them to prevent any harmful bacteria build-up.

Frequently asked questions