Name: Instant Pot Glazed Carrots
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 2 min
Total time: 17 min
Ingredients: 2 pounds carrots (peeled and cut into 1-1.5 inch chunks,); 1/2 cup 100% pineapple juice (see note); 3/4 cup water (plus additional for cornstarch slurry); 1 tablespoon soy sauce (see note); 2 tablespoons brown sugar; 2 tablespoons honey; 1 tablespoon cornstarch; 2 tablespoons butter

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Infused with citrus and glazed with honey, Instant Pot Carrots are a kid-friendly side dish that comes together quickly.

Bowl of instnat pot carrots topped with glaze and parsley.

If you love buttery, sweet glazed carrots, you are going to love this Instant Pot version! This recipe for Instant Pot Glazed Carrots comes together faster than the stovetop version and the flavor is spot on!

Just like my recipes for Instant Pot Chicken Teriyaki and Instant Pot BBQ Chicken, this recipe for Instant Pot Carrots uses pineapple juice to help naturally sweeten and flavor the recipe.

The combination of pineapple juice, honey, and soy sauce yields tender carrots that are sweet, savory, and irresistible.

Notes On Ingredients

Ingredients for instant pot carrots on counter labeled.

Carrots: This recipe works for either baby carrots or carrots cut into 1 to 1.5-inch chunks.
Pineapple Juice: What sets THIS recipe for Instant Pot Carrots above the rest is that the carrots cook in pineapple juice rather than just water. The carrots absorb the natural sweetness of the pineapple juice, adding incredible flavor to the carrots. It also cuts back on the amount of brown sugar and honey needed to glaze the carrots, making these a tad bit healthier. Be sure to use 100% pineapple juice, not sweetened pineapple juice.
Soy Sauce Adding a bit of soy sauce helps to give the carrots a bit of umami flavor and balances out the sweetness better than simply adding salt.
Sweeteners: Using both brown sugar and honey to sweeten helps to give the carrots the absolute best flavor.
Butter: Unsalted butter will add a rich finish to the glazed carrots and help to slightly thicken the glaze.
Cornstarch: To thicken the cooking liquid to create a glaze for the carrots, I use a mixture of cornstarch and water, otherwise known as a cornstarch slurry, after pressure-cooking the carrots.

Recipe Modifications

Soy-Free: Replace the soy sauce with 1 teaspoon kosher salt.
Dairy-Free: Use your favorite nondairy butter in place of the traditional butter.
Orange Glazed Carrots: For a unique, bright citrus flavor, swap out the pineapple juice for pulp-free orange juice. Delicious!
Instant Pot Carrots without Juice: If you don't have pineapple juice or orange juice on hand, I would simply pressure cook the carrots in water. To account for the sweetness of the juice, I would suggest increasing the brown sugar to ¼ cup.

How To Make Instant Pot Carrots

The following tips are provided to help you achieve perfect results. You will find the detailed instructions in the recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Step One: Combine Ingredients. Mix the pineapple juice water, soy sauce, and brown sugar in the inner pot. Add the carrots and toss to coat.

Raw carrots in inner pot with seasonings.

Step Two: Pressure Cook. It is crucial to follow the directions for cooking and releasing pressure when making Instant Pot Glazed Carrots. After 2 minutes of pressure cooking, allow the pressure to release naturally for 5 minutes, followed by a quick release of the remaining pressure. This will stop the cooking process, ensuring the carrots still have a bit of bite to them.

Step Three: Thicken Glaze. To make the sweet glaze that will cling to the carrots, you will need to thicken the cooking liquid with a cornstarch slurry using the saute function. It is best to remove the carrots and place them in a serving dish while thickening the cooking liquid.

Glaze for carrots thickening in inner pot.

Step Four: Serve. Add the carrots back into the sauce and gently toss to coat evenly with glaze and then serve.

Bowl of glazed instant pot carrots topped with parsley.

Serving Suggestions

Instant Pot Glazed Carrots are fabulous served with numerous entrees and are always a welcomed veggie side dish. Below are a few of my favorite pairing suggestions.

Easter Dinner. Pair Instant Pot Glazed Carrots with Instant Pot Mac and Cheese and Instant Pot Honey Baked Ham for an Easter Dinner, Instant Pot style!
As Kid-Friendly Side Dish. These Instant Pot Carrots make a fabulous side dish for meals like Bacon-Wrapped Pork Tenderloin, Honey Lemon Chicken Skillet, and Homemade Fish Sticks.

More Instant Pot Vegetable Recipes

If you tried these Instant Pot Carrots, I would love for you to leave a comment and review below.

Instant Pot Glazed Carrots

Infused with citrus and glazed with honey, Instant Pot Glazed Carrots are a kid-friendly side dish that comes together quickly.

5 from 6 votes

Print Pin Rate

Course: Side Dish

Cuisine: American

Prep Time: 5

Cook Time: 2

Pressure Build-Up and Release: 10

Total Time: 17

Servings:

Calories: 103kcal

Author: Kristen Chidsey

Ingredients

▢ 2 pounds carrots peeled and cut into 1-1.5 inch chunks,
▢ ½ cup 100% pineapple juice see note
▢ ¾ cup water plus additional for cornstarch slurry
▢ 1 tablespoon soy sauce see note
▢ 2 tablespoons brown sugar
▢ 2 tablespoons honey
▢ 1 tablespoon cornstarch
▢ 2 tablespoons butter

Instructions

Pour the juice and ¾ cup of water into the inner pot. Add in the brown sugar, soy sauce, and carrots and toss to coat.
Place the lid on the pressure cooker and be sure the vent knob is pointed to sealed.
Cook on high pressure for 2 minutes by hitting manual or pressure cook and use the +/- buttons to adjust until it reads "2".
Once the cooking time has elapsed, allow pressure to release naturally for 5 minutes, and then release the remaining pressure by using a long utensil to knock the venting knob from sealed to venting.
Remove the carrots to a serving bowl from Instant Pot using a slotted spoon.
Turn Instant Pot to saute. You need to hit cancel and then saute. And allow the cooking liquid to come to a boil.
In a small bowl, whisk together cornstarch plus 2 tablespoons of water until the cornstarch is dissolved. Add the cornstarch mixture to the simmering liquid in the instant pot. Allow to cook, whisking constantly, until the mixture has thickened. Turn off the saute function by hitting cancel, and then whisk in the honey and butter until the butter is melted.
Add the carrots back the instant pot and toss to coat with glaze.
Sere as desired.

Equipment Needed

Electric Pressure Cooker (6 or 8 quart)

Notes

Soy-Free: Replace the soy sauce with 1 teaspoon of kosher salt.

Sweeter Carrots: Use up to ¼ cup of brown sugar for really sweet carrots.

Dairy-Free: Use your favorite nondairy butter in place of butter.

Orange Glazed Carrots: For a unique, bright citrus flavor, swap out the pineapple juice for pulp-free orange juice. Absolutely delicious!

Instant Pot Carrots without Juice: If you don't have pineapple juice or orange juice on hand, I would simply pressure cook the carrots in water. To account for the sweetness of the juice, I would suggest increasing the brown sugar to ¼ cup.

Storage: Allow the carrots to cool and store them in an airtight container for up to 4 days.

Nutrition

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