Instant Pot carrots just leveled up. Meet your new favorite side dish! These honey-glazed carrots are the perfect combo of sweet, savory, and a little bit fancy without any of the fuss. Quick, easy, and dripping in buttery garlic honey goodness, it’s the kind of recipe that makes everyone think you tried way harder than you did.

A serving bowl filled with instant pot honey glazed carrots.

Why you will love this Instant Pot recipe

The Instant Pot does it again, friends. From main course recipes like our Instant Pot Lamb Shanks to delicious desserts like this Instant Pot Hot Fudge Cake, there are countless reasons to love this little appliance that simply makes life easier. And these Instant Pot glazed carrots are just one more reason. 😉

Here is Why This Instant Pot Honey Glazed Carrots Recipe Works

Fast and Fuss-Free: Thanks to the Instant Pot, you can whip up perfectly cooked carrots in minutes. No babysitting a boiling pot required.

Sweet Meets Savory: The honey glaze isn’t just sweet, it’s loaded with buttery, garlicky goodness and a hint of spice.

Customizable Texture: Tender-crisp, soft, or mashable; this recipe lets you decide how you like your carrots. No judgment if you’re team baby food!

Everyday Fancy: Simple enough for weeknights but fancy enough for holidays. It’s like yoga pants that pass as workwear; effortless and versatile.

While we have shared all the steps for steamed carrots in the Instant Pot, this recipe takes it a step further with that delicious honey-garlic glaze.

Ingredients used to make instant pot carrots with honey.

The Ingredients

Produce: Carrots, garlic, chives or parsley
Pantry: Water, honey
Pantry seasonings: Garlic powder, salt, pepper, red pepper flakes
Fridge: Butter

Variations

Spicy Maple Carrots: Swap the honey for maple syrup and double the red pepper flakes. Toss with butter after you remove the lid.

Citrus Herb Instant Pot Carrots: Add 1 tablespoon of orange juice and 1 teaspoon of orange zest to the glaze, then swap parsley for fresh thyme.

Instant Pot Sesame Ginger Carrots: Use sesame oil instead of butter, replace garlic powder with 1 teaspoon grated ginger, and garnish with sesame seeds and chopped green onions. Include a pinch of brown sugar for extra sweetness.

An instant pot with sliced carrots and a large spatula to stir the glaze.

Tips for Pressure Cooker Carrots

Cut your carrots into even pieces to ensure they cook evenly in the pressure cooker. Thicker carrots might need to be halved or quartered lengthwise.
Use the suggested cooking times to get the exact doneness you prefer. It works whether you’re a tender-crisp fan or all about soft, melt-in-your-mouth carrots.
If you don’t’ have a steamy basket, add water or broth to the pot and place the carrots directly in the water. Use a strainer to drain them before adding the glaze.
Love extra glaze? Feel free to double the butter and honey mixture; it’s great for drizzling over everything from mashed potatoes to roasted chicken.
Leftovers reheat beautifully in a skillet or the Instant Pot on sauté mode. A quick microwave zap also works in a pinch.
This recipe works with any type of carrot! Whether you’re using baby carrots, rainbow carrots, or the large garden variety, just adjust the size for even cooking.

Storage

Refrigerating: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.

Freezing: Place the cooled veggies in a freezer-safe bag or container, removing as much air as possible to prevent freezer burn. Freeze for up to 3 months.

Reheating: Sauté the carrots in a skillet over medium heat or use the pressure cooker sauté mode until heated through. You can also microwave them in 30-40 second intervals.

A serving spoon next to a bowl of honey glazed carrots.

Honey Glazed Carrots Instant Pot

Carrots take center stage with this honey glazed Instant Pot recipe. Tender, buttery, and perfectly sweet with just a touch of spice, they’re a crowd-pleaser for both weeknight dinners and special occasions. Simple to make and packed with flavor, this side dish will earn a permanent spot on your table!

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Instant pot carrots in a dish garnished with herb.

Instant Pot Carrots with Honey Glaze

These Instant Pot carrots have a buttery honey garlic glaze that make them so addictive. They make an easy side dish and they are perfect any time of the year.

4.67 from 3 votes

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Prep Time: 10

Cook Time: 1

Additional Time: 6

Total Time: 17

Servings: to 6 servings

Calories: 114kcal

Author: Dahn Boquist

Ingredients

1 pound carrots baby carrots or large carrots
1 cup water
3 tablespoons butter
2 to 3 garlic cloves minced
½ teaspoon garlic powder
½ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon pepper
¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes
3 tablespoons honey
¼ cup chopped chives or parsley

Instructions

If you are using large carrots, scrub them clean or peel them then slice them into ½ inch thick slices. If they are large in diameter, cut them in half length-wise.
Add the water to the inner pot of the Instant Pot. Place the carrots in a steamer basket and set it in the Instant Pot.
Place the lid on the Instant Pot and make sure it is in the sealed position. Cook on high pressure with the timer set for one of the following choices:
0 minutes for tender-crisp, 1 minute for tender, 2 minutes for soft, 3 minutes for mashable baby food
When the timer is finished, immediately do a quick release of the steam. Check the carrots for doneness. If you like them softer, replace the lid and cook for 0 to 1 minute more on high pressure.
Remove the steamer basket and pour the water out of the inner pot. Place the inner pot back in the Instant Pot. Select ‘saute’ mode and let the pot heat up.
Add the butter to the pot and let it melt. Toss in the minced garlic, garlic powder, salt, pepper, red pepper flakes and honey. Bring to a boil and cook for 2 minutes to get the honey sauce thickened. Toss in the carrots and stir until coated well.
Transfer to a serving dish and stir in the chopped chives or parsley. Taste and season with additional salt and pepper if needed.

Notes

Try to cut the carrots so they are all about the same size so they cook evenly. Baby carrots tend to already be the same size but larger ones may need more prep time.
The cooking time will depend on how large in diameter the carrots are. If they are especially thick, you may want to cut them in half lengthwise (or even in quarters).
If the carrots are not as soft as you would like them, but almost soft enough, replace the lid and and set the timer to 0 minutes. If they seem too crisp for your liking, set the timer for 1 minute.
If you don’t have a steaming basket, the carrots will cook equally well if place them directly in the water. Just use a strainer to drain the water from them before you make the glaze.
Store leftovers in the fridge for up to 4 days. To reheat the carrots, saute them in the Instant Pot or in a skillet until warm. Optionally, heat them in the microwave on 30 to 40 second intervals.