Instant Pot Potato Carrot Medley has flavor to spare and all in under 30 minutes. So simple you can have your favorite vegetables anytime you want.
Instant Pots are such a time saver. Here is a recipe that would probably take 45 minutes in the oven and would heat up the house while everything was baking.
Not such a good idea when it is pushing 80°, 90° or even 100° outside. Over 90° here yesterday and it’s only April.
No matter what the temperature is, ‘time’ is always in short supply. The instant pot helps take care of that problem for you.
I am excited to finally have an instant pot and I’m determined to take full advantage of it.
Instant Pot Potato Carrot Medley is packed full of goodness. You’ll be torn on whether to mash it or just stick a chunk right in your mouth.
Either way, the great taste is all there with a perfect balance of all the flavors.
Table of Contents
Equipment Needed
- Instant Pot or Pressure Cooker
- Cutting Board
- Knife
- Measuring Cups and Spoons
- Ladle for Serving
Ingredients
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.
Potatoes- Provides a thick, hearty base for the dish. Yukon gold potatoes, baby potatoes, russet potatoes, and yellow potatoes all gave delicious flavor.
Garlic- Adds a depth of flavor.
Italian Seasoning- More flavor.
Spike- A delicious seasoning blend.
Vegetable Broth- For flavor and adds moisture.
Parsley- For garnish
How to Make Instant Pot Potatoes and Carrots
- Sauté onions. Add olive oil to your instant pot and cook, with the lid open, on the sauté setting for about 5 minutes until slightly translucent. Give them an occasional stir to ensure they cook evenly.
- Add carrots. Add sliced carrots and stir to get them coated in the oil and onion mixture. Continue sautéing for about 5 more minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Stir in remaining ingredients. Add chopped garlic, Italian seasoning, Spike seasoning, and vegetable broth. Stir to combine.
- Set and cook. Close the lid and turn the knob on top of the Instant Pot to the sealing position. Click the "manual" button and set the time to 5 minutes. Once cooking completes, let the pressure valve release naturally (about 10 minutes)
- Garnish and serve! Pile your Instant Pot potatoes and carrots into a serving dish and garnish with chopped fresh parsley to serve.
Watch Us Make Instant Pot Potatoes and Carrots
Popular Substitutions & Additions
Potatoes - You can change the Yukon gold potatoes in this instant pot carrots and potatoes recipe for whatever you have at home. Russets taste fantastic, too, but you usually need to clean up their skins 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. Keep in mind that cooking time will vary depending on the size of your potatoes.
Carrots - Use whole carrots that have been diced, baby carrots, or even use those beautiful 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.
Chef Tips
Avoid Using Waxy Potatoes:
Due to their lower starch content, they don’t cook as well in the instant pot as compared to their starchier counterparts like Yukon and Russet. Waxy potatoes include red potatoes (also called “Red Bliss”) and fingerling potatoes.
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.
Can I use frozen carrots?
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.
📋 Recipe
Instant Pot Potatoes And Carrots Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 1 white onion, diced
- 2 pounds carrots, sliced
- 4 pounds Yukon gold potatoes, cut into chunks
- 3 cloves garlic, finely chopped
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning, homemade or store bought is fine
- 1 tsp 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.)
- 1 ½ cups vegetable broth
- Fresh parsley, for garnish
Instructions
- Add the olive oil to your instant pot and cook, with the lid open, on the sauté setting for about 5 minutes until slightly translucent. Give them an occasional stir to ensure they cook evenly.
- Add the sliced carrots and stir to get them coated in the oil and onion mixture. Continue sautéing for about 5 more minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Add the chopped garlic, Italian seasoning, Spike seasoning, and vegetable broth. Stir to combine.
- Close the lid and turn the knob on top of the Instant Pot to the sealing position. Click the "manual" button and set the cook time to 5 minutes. Once cooking completes, let the pressure valve release naturally (about 10 minutes)
- Pile your Instant Pot potatoes and carrots into a serving dish and garnish with chopped fresh parsley to serve.
Jen
I always forget about utilizing my instant pot for sides...thanks for the reminder. Looks amazing!
Erin @ burdenfreecaregiving.com
Your pictures are spectacular! Wonderful recipe- healthy and not time consuming. Two of my favorite things. Thank you for including all the nutritional information. Perfect addition to your site.
Ginny McMeans
Yes, I have mine on the counter now and tucked in the corner. I am loving getting to use it more often. Thanks too!
Ginny McMeans
How nice you are to give me such a glowing review. I am so glad you found this recipe. Thank you Erin!
Anna @ Crunchy Creamy Sweet
Trying this very soon! I am always on the look out for new Instant Pot recipes!
Ginny McMeans
I'm so glad you found this one Anna! It's so simple and flavorful 🙂
Erin @ The Speckled Palate
YUM! This sounds utterly delicious and perfect for the weather we've been having. Since it's gonna get HOT here quickly, I feel like investing in an instant pot would be a good idea...
Ginny McMeans
I have fallen in love with it Erin and I always like to learn new things. I think you'll really love this recipe!
Erin @ Texanerin Baking
You only cook the potatoes for 10 minutes?! I need an IP!
Ginny McMeans
No kidding Erin! We had this again last night.
Jacqui Buck
This looks delicious. I haven't heard of an instant pot is it the same as a pressure cooker?
Ginny McMeans
Very much so Jacqui. It's electric and is programmable but it pressure cooks the sme way and you can do so with the traditional cooker.
Brandy | Nutmeg Nanny
My instant pot is seriously my BFF! Love this!
Ginny McMeans
Haha Brandy! I'm so glad you have such a good friend. 🙂
Alainore
This recipe is now in my favorites list! SO easy and absolutely delicious. It smells heavenly and the taste is perfect. Reminds me of the potatoes I used to cook with pot roast.
Ginny McMeans
So happy to hear that Alainore! I have made them a few times now too 🙂
Melissa Lawrence
Is their a good substitute for Spike seasoning? I looked it up, and it has soy in it, which I am allergic to. Thank you!
Ginny McMeans
I found a recipe if you would like to mix it. It is good on lots of things. Here is the link: http://bit.ly/2rlQWr7 I am not aware of another pre-made seasoning mix that is similar.
Kameron B
This was amazing! Our whole family, including two 3 year olds, gobbled this up. It was super easy to make too. Thank you!
Ginny McMeans
Fantastic Kameron! Love that your little one went for it too 🙂 Thanks so much!
Cantcook
Vegetable broth ? Any Substitutes?
Ginny McMeans
No Cantcook. Sorry about that but vegetable broth is perfect. You can get it in a can and a box in the soup area if you don't make your own.
Dwight
Are you using a steamer basket ?
Ginny McMeans
No steamer basket Dwight. Just right in the pot.
Mar
I’m just worried about the only liquid is the 1/2 cup vegetable broth. It seems like it should have more liquid.
Ginny McMeans
No Mar the measurement is perfect.
Karen
What if I want to cook less than the recipe? Do the same settings and time apply?
Ginny McMeans
Yes Karen, they will!
Sara
This looks fantastic! I'm excited to try it. Is there something I could use instead of Spike?
Ginny McMeans
It's a great group of spices Sara but, yes, you could substitute Italian Seasoning or some such mix that you might have on hand.
Mandy
If you serve this as a side dish, what would you serve as the main course?
Ginny McMeans
You could go traditional and serve with Field Roast Vegan Sausage or make you own seitan. Any bean burger or slider would go great too. If you'd like to get a little fancier this quiche would be perfect. https://veganinthefreezer.com/broccoli-tofu-quiche/. Thanks for asking Mandy and I hope you get to make it soon.
Carole
Hi,
Doesnt the instant pot need 1 and 1/2 cups of water to pressurize? I have one but I'm not sure Im using it properly ...
Thank you for the help!
Ginny McMeans
No Carole, this works perfectly. Just follow the directions and you'll be golden.
Marie
I want to cut this recipe in half. Do I need to adjust the cook time?
Thanks!
CLaire
Which size pot? I am trying now but can barely fit it all in (6qt) - worried I"m past the "MAX" line...
Ginny McMeans
No, it will be just fine Marie.
Ginny McMeans
It's 6 Qt. Claire. It does almost fill to the top (see the video) and it worked just fine. Are your pieces larger? That could take more room.
Claire
All worked great, was worried, but just perfect! Thanks for sharing your recipe, invaluable to complete novice like me!
Ginny McMeans
That is great Claire!!! Thanks so much for letting us know!
Kate
This is my go-to method for potatoes and carrots; can I add my cabbage for St. Patrick's Day? If so, what adjustments (if any) should I make? Thanks!
Ginny McMeans
Sorry Kate but I have never done cabbage in an Instant Pot so I would not know. I would make it for you but I don't have any cabbage at the moment.
Monica | Nourish & Fete
This sounds and looks delicious! I have never tried Spike seasoning but am definitely intrigued - I love using simple spices like this to make meal prep easier!
Traci
Ya know...I never use spike. I don't even know if I know what it tastes like, which is funny and goes to show that there's always still flavors to be discovered. Love the simple recipe, Ginny! Thanks for sharing 🙂
Katie | Healthy Seasonal Recipes
I love that you can saute in the pot before doing the pressure cooking. That is amazing!
Hayley | The Simple Supper
I'm obsessed with my instant pot and this sounds so easy. I probably already have everything I need in my fridge. Wonderful recipe!
Dana
This looks super cozy!
Chris
Okay this looks SO tasty!! Comfort food at it's finest! Thanks for sharing, will have to give it a go 🙂
Michele
hi there - if cut the recipe in half should i also cut the broth on half? seems like 1/4 cup wouldn’t be enough liquid. thanks!
Ginny McMeans
Hi Michele, this would turn out fine with 1/2 cup broth and half the other ingredients. No problem.