Instant Pot Potato Carrot Recipe - Vegan in the Freezer (2024)

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You can easily make delicious and flavorful potatoes and carrots in an Instant Pot in under 30 minutes. This convenient method allows you to enjoy your favorite vegetables whenever you want. Compared to baking this dish in the oven, which takes at least 45 minutes and can heat your home when it's already hot outside, using an Instant Pot saves time and energy regardless of the temperature outside. I recently acquired a new instant pot and am eager to make the most of it. The recipe I'm sharing, Instant Pot potatoes and carrots, and contains wholesome ingredients. You might struggle to decide whether to mash it or savor a big piece. The flavors are well-balanced and delicious.

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Why You'll Love This Potatoes And Carrots Recipe

Ready In Less Than 30 Minutes- This dish is perfectly cooked in just 20 minutes with the Instant Pot.

Flavorful and Delicious- The combination of ingredients and seasonings makes this dish a family favorite.

Simple Ingredients- You only need potatoes, carrots, garlic, oil, and some seasonings to make this flavorful recipe.

What Is An Instant Pot?

  • An Instant Pot is a brand name for an electric pressure cooker.
  • It is an electric appliance, so you don't have to boil water on a stove top to raise pressure.
  • It's programmable! This makes life so easy.
  • An Instant Pot does so much more than pressure cooking.It's a pressure cooker, slow cooker, yogurt maker, steamer, rice cooker,sauté/browning pan, and warming pan.
  • Close the lid, turn the sealer on instead of the vent, push the type of cooking, put in the time, and walk away.
  • Many people make electric mixers now. Instant Pot, Cuisinart, Bestek, Crock Pot, and many more.
  • Originally, I made this recipe in a pressure cooker that needs less liquid to come to pressure.The recipe card is correct for an Instant Pot.
  • I used the 6-quart size for this instant pot potato carrot recipe, but it will also work in a larger size.

Equipment Needed

  • Instant Pot or Pressure Cooker
  • Cutting Board
  • Knife
  • Measuring Cups and Spoons
  • Ladle for Serving

Ingredients

Instant Pot Potato Carrot Recipe - Vegan in the Freezer (1)

Extra Virgin Olive Oil- To saute the carrots and onions.

Onion- For flavor.

Carrots- Balances out the flavor of the potatoes and provides some sweetness.

Garlic- Adds a depth of flavor.

Potatoes- Provides a thick, hearty base for the dish. Yukon gold potatoes, baby potatoes, russet potatoes, and yellow potatoes all gave delicious flavor.

Vegetable Broth- For flavor and adds moisture.

Italian Seasoning- More flavor.

Spike- A delicious seasoning blend.

Parsley- For garnish

How To Make Instant Pot Potatoes and Carrots

Start by adding olive oil and onions to the Instant Pot. If using larger potatoes, you'll want to cut them all into about the same size pieces to make sure they cook evenly. Saute the onions for 5 minutes, then add the carrots and saute for another 5 minutes. Next, add potatoes and the remaining ingredients and stir gently. After that, shut the lid of the pot, turn the knob to seal it, and click the "manual" button. Set the timer for 5 minutes, and let the instant pot complete the cooking process. Finally, allow the pressure valve to release naturally, which usually takes about 10 minutes. Serve the potatoes and carrots in a serving bowl sprinkled with fresh parsley on top for garnishing.

Instant Pot Potato Carrot Recipe - Vegan in the Freezer (2)

Popular Substitutions & Additions

Potatoes- You can change the potatoes in this instant pot carrots and potatoes recipe for whatever you have at home. Keep in mind that cooking time will vary depending on the size of your potatoes.

  • Yukon Gold potatoes are large potatoes that are yellow and are not as starchy as russet potatoes.
  • Russets taste fantastic, too, but you usually need to clean up their skins some or peel them completely.
  • The small, colorful baby potatoes that are on the market now would add a pretty color variety with their purple, red, and gold skins.
  • Fingerling potatoes have nutty or earthy flavors, with different varieties also being in different colors. No need to peel.
  • You can even use sweet potatoes!
  • I would avoid waxy potatoes as they don't seem to cook as well as other steamed potatoes.
  • Red potatoes don't need to be peeled either, and the inside is a bright white.

Carrots- Use whole carrots that have been diced, baby carrots, or even use those beautiful new colorful carrots that come in shades of orange, purple, and red. I'd probably only change out one type of vegetable at a time just to have a visually more calming dish. Or you could go 'Alice in Wonderland' and do mixed colors of potatoes and carrots all at the same time.

Other- Add other seasonings, spices, and add-ins to the instant pot potatoes and carrots to suit your taste. Use fresh herbs, minced garlic, fresh chives, vegetable stock, fresh thyme, vegan melted butter, salt, and black pepper for even more delicious flavors. You can also use vegan chicken broth or beef broth to take the recipe up a notch.

Instant Pot Potato Carrot Recipe - Vegan in the Freezer (3)

Can You Freeze Instant Pot Potatoes And Carrots?

No. I don't suggest that you freeze this dish because potatoes tend to get a grainy texture when frozen. If you want to go ahead and save some time, I suggest cooking it in the Instant Pot and then store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Reheat on the stove or in the microwave when ready to serve.

Instant Pot Potatoes And Carrots FAQs

What type of potatoes should I use?

You can use any variety of potatoes you like, but they all cook differently. Yukon gold is a great choice, as are fingerlings and red potatoes. Make sure to adjust the cook time according to the size of your potatoes. You can get mushy potatoes quickly if they are cooked too long.

Can I use frozen carrots in this instant pot potatoes and carrots recipe?

Yes, you can use frozen carrots. Just add them in with the potatoes and vegetable broth, then set the timer for 5 minutes. The cook time may be slightly longer depending on how thickly they're sliced.

How do I know when the Instant Pot is done cooking?

When the timer goes off, and the pressure has been released, look for a little button to pop up. That means that the pot is done cooking, and you can open it.

Can I double this side dish recipe?

Yes! This recipe can easily be doubled to serve more people. For a 6-quart Instant Pot, you will need to add ¼ cup of liquid and increase the cooking time by 5 minutes.

Instant Pot Potato Carrot Recipe - Vegan in the Freezer (4)

📋 Recipe

Instant Pot Potato Carrot Recipe - Vegan in the Freezer (5)

Instant Pot Potatoes And Carrots

Ginny McMeans

An ideal side dish or flavorful comfort food. Diced potatoes and carrots are a delicious and easy-to-make dish that can be ready to enjoy in 30 minutes or less.

Print Pin Recipe Save

Prep Time 5 minutes mins

Cook Time 15 minutes mins

Total Time 20 minutes mins

Course Side Dish

Cuisine Gluten Free, Instant Pot, Vegan

Servings 6 Servings

Calories 356 kcal

Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 onion - white, diced
  • 2 pounds carrots - baby carrots, cut in half if medium sized
  • 3 cloves garlic - finely chopped
  • 4 pounds potatoes - Yukon gold, cut into chunks, usually in half or fourths
  • 1 ½ cup vegetable broth
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning - click on Italian Seasoning for a homemade recipe
  • 1 teaspoon Spike - original seasoning, if you don't have this get it in your cupboard. It is the best mix and is in all the grocery stores
  • fresh parsley for garnish

Instructions

  • Add oil to the Instant Pot. Sauté onions for 5 minutes.

    Instant Pot Potato Carrot Recipe - Vegan in the Freezer (6)

  • Add carrots and saute 5 more minutes.

    Instant Pot Potato Carrot Recipe - Vegan in the Freezer (7)

  • Add the remaining ingredients. Stir. Close thelid and turn the knob to sealing on top of the Instant Pot.

    Instant Pot Potato Carrot Recipe - Vegan in the Freezer (8)

  • Click the "manual" button and set the time to 5 minutes.

  • Once cooking completes let the pressure valve release naturally (about 10 minutes)

    Instant Pot Potato Carrot Recipe - Vegan in the Freezer (9)

  • Dish up into a serving bowl and sprinkle on a bit of fresh parsley.

    Instant Pot Potato Carrot Recipe - Vegan in the Freezer (10)

Video

Nutrition

Serving: 1cupCalories: 356kcalCarbohydrates: 70gProtein: 9gFat: 6gSaturated Fat: 1gSodium: 141mgPotassium: 1840mgFiber: 11gSugar: 10gVitamin A: 25260IUVitamin C: 70.3mgCalcium: 101mgIron: 3.1mg

Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

Instant Pot Potato Carrot Recipe - Vegan in the Freezer (2024)

FAQs

How long do I steam frozen vegetables in the Instant Pot? ›

You can use frozen vegetables, but they will need a little extra cook time. Rather than setting the cook time to 0 minutes, you will just set it to 1 minute. An alternate method is to allow the pressure to release naturally rather than doing an instant pressure release.

How long does it take to soften veggies in Instant Pot? ›

For cooking starchy vegetables, such as potatoes, parsnips, or winter squash, cut them into 1-inch pieces and steam for 4 minutes to become tender.

How do you not overcook vegetables in an Instant Pot? ›

How can I use a pressure cooker to make healthy foods without them becoming mushy or overcooked? Just use less time for the pressure period (at the low end, pressure time can be as little as 1 min, and electric pressure cookers can even be set for 0 minutes).

How do you steam vegetables in an Instant Pot without a basket? ›

Instructions
  1. Add water in the Instant Pot.
  2. Place the vegetables in the Instant Pot and sprinkle with garlic powder.
  3. Close the lid and cook at high pressure for 3 minutes.
  4. When cooking time is complete, do a quick pressure release.
  5. Open the lid, add butter, stir a bit and let it melt completely.
  6. Serve and enjoy.
Jun 15, 2022

Should frozen vegetables be thawed before steaming? ›

There is no need for you to thaw most vegetables before cooking, as this may actually make them mushy. Simply add them straight from the freezer to a steamer basket. However, veg with a higher moisture content, like spinach, will need to be gently defrosted before you steam them.

How do you steam and freeze vegetables? ›

How to prep: Wash the vegetables and cut or break them into florets. Blanch them for 3 minutes, transfer them to a bowl of ice water to cool, drain them, and allow them to dry completely. Then, spread them in a single layer on a parchment-lined baking sheet and freeze for 2 hours, or until fully frozen.

Why aren't my veggies softening? ›

These hemicelluloses dissolve in the heat and steam of cooking, weakening the cell walls and causing the vegetables to soften. But here's the deal – hemicelluloses aren't soluble in acid and therefore won't dissolve if the cooking environment is too acidic.

Does steaming soften vegetables? ›

Steaming softens vegetables, making chewing easier, and can make some vegetables easier to digest—like broccoli and cabbage,” registered dietitian and chef Michelle Dudash, R.D.N., tells Runner's World. “Steaming vegetables adds moisture, too, making the vegetables juicier.”

How long does it take for vegetables to soften? ›

That depends! Hard vegetables such as sweet potatoes and carrots can take 10-15 minutes to cook. Medium-firm vegetables like onions and celery usually take 6-8 minutes to cook. Soft vegetables such as snow peas, zucchini, and squash take 3-5 minutes to cook.

Is it better to steam or pressure cook vegetables? ›

Steaming beat both methods, retaining more nutrients than boiling or pressure cooking, because the greens weren't dunked in water, which can leach out the nutrients.

Can you overcook in a Instapot? ›

It is a pressure cooker, so it's going to cook everything WAY faster than you are accustomed to. So know, it is very easy to overcook in the pressure cooker. Be sure to try out lower times than you think you need.

How long to cook veg in pressure cooker? ›

Time Table: Vegetable Cooking Times for Pressure Cookers
VegetableApproximate Cooking Time (minutes)Pressure Level
Carrots, 1" (25 mm) chunks4High
Cauliflower flowerets2 to 3High
Celery, 1" (25 mm) chunks3High
Collard5High
58 more rows

How do you steam carrots without a steam basket? ›

5 Ways to Steam Vegetables Without a Basket
  1. Fill a metal strainer or colander.
  2. Grab a wire cooling rack.
  3. Use a splatter screen.
  4. Try a foil pie tin.
  5. Fire up the microwave.

What vegetables can be steamed? ›

Broccoli, cauliflower, carrots, asparagus, artichokes, zucchini and green beans are great choices because they're sturdier and won't turn to mush too easily. Leafy greens — baby bok choy, spinach and Chinese broccoli — also steam up nicely but take less time.

How long should you steam frozen broccoli? ›

Put a couple inches of water in a pot over medium heat. Once the water is boiling, add your steamer basket; if you don't have a steamer basket, you can use a metal colander or sieve that fits in the pot. Add your broccoli, cover with a lid and let steam for 5 to 8 minutes. Season and add a squeeze of lemon.

Do instant pots steam while cooking? ›

It can take up to 30 minutes for an Instant Pot to come to pressure. During the pressurization time, you may see steam coming from under the edges of the lid or through the black pressure valve on the top of the lid. This is perfectly normal!

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