Instant Pot Honey-Glazed Carrots (Video)

These Instant Pot glazed carrots are cooked with dark brown sugar and orange juice concentrate. They may not be the healthiest side, but they’re incredibly tasty — sweet, tender, and bright with citrus. They come together quickly, making them perfect for Easter or any weeknight side.

If you enjoy glazed vegetables, this recipe is a must-try. These sticky carrots are soft and full of flavor thanks to the orange juice concentrate, which gives them a pleasant citrus zing. I recently shared a southern candied yams recipe and these glazed carrots are the same comforting idea applied to carrots.

You can glaze carrots many ways — steaming, roasting, microwaving, or slow-cooking — but the Instant Pot is my favorite for speed and consistent results. It heats up quickly and the carrots cook in about four minutes, producing perfectly tender carrots while leaving your stovetop free for other dishes.

WHY THIS RECIPE WORKS

This Instant Pot glazed carrots recipe is a quick, low-effort side I love to make for holidays. Baby carrots are convenient since they don’t need peeling or chopping. The Instant Pot cooks them rapidly and evenly, so they come out soft without turning mushy.

Using orange juice concentrate gives the dish a more pronounced citrus flavor than regular orange juice. The balance of butter and brown sugar creates a glossy, sticky glaze that even picky eaters tend to enjoy.

HOW TO MAKE INSTANT POT GLAZED CARROTS

1. Add the brown sugar, salt, orange juice concentrate, and butter to the Instant Pot.
2. Add the baby carrots and toss them to coat evenly in the brown sugar mixture.
3. Secure the lid, set the vent to “sealing,” and pressure cook on high for 4 minutes.
4. When the time is up, switch to “venting,” open the lid carefully, remove the carrots, and set them aside.
5. To make the glaze, add the reserved brown sugar and a bit of white sugar (optional) to the Instant Pot and use the Sauté function. Cook about 6–7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the glaze thickens and becomes glossy.
6. Return the carrots to the pot and toss them in the glaze until they’re well coated. Serve warm.

INSTANT POT GLAZED CARROTS QUICK TIPS

Baby carrots save time because they require no peeling or slicing. If you prefer, you can substitute maple syrup or honey for some or all of the sugar for a different flavor profile.

You’ll likely have leftover glaze — don’t waste it. It makes a great finishing drizzle for baked salmon, roasted broccoli, or other vegetables. For a bright, finished presentation, sprinkle chopped parsley over the glazed carrots.

Tip: avoid halving the recipe quantities too drastically; the carrots may end up under-seasoned. The glaze is versatile, so store extras for other uses.

CAN I MAKE THEM IN ADVANCE?

• Yes. Let the carrots cool completely, then store them in a sealed container in the refrigerator. Store the extra glaze separately in a small container.
• They’ll keep up to two days in the fridge, though they’re best eaten within a day for optimal texture and flavor.
• To reheat, warm the carrots gently in a saucepan with a splash of the orange liquids or microwave until heated through. Reheat the glaze separately if needed, then toss to recoat.

If you like this Instant Pot glazed carrot recipe, save it to your Pinterest board or share it on Facebook. Don’t forget to follow the author on Pinterest for more recipes.

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