A Side Dish That Steals the Show

Forget everything you thought you knew about carrot puree! This isn’t just for babies; it’s a sophisticated, vibrant, and incredibly delicious side dish that comes together in a flash thanks to the magic of the Instant Pot. We’re talking naturally sweet carrots, steamed to tender perfection and blended with a touch of butter into a velvety, smooth puree. It’s the perfect, elegant accompaniment to roasted chicken, pork, or a holiday feast. In under 20 minutes, you can have a side dish that looks and tastes like it took hours.

Ingredients

• 1.5 lbs / 680g carrots, peeled and roughly chopped
• 1 cup / 240ml water
• 1 tbsp / 15g butter, softened
• 1-2 drops liquid stevia
• Salt, to taste

Instructions

1. Directions
2. Prep the Pot: Place the trivet inside your Instant Pot liner and pour in 1 cup of water.
3. Add Carrots: Arrange the chopped carrots evenly on top of the trivet.
4. Pressure Cook: Secure the lid and turn the pressure valve to the “Sealing” position. Select “Manual” or “Pressure Cook” and set the timer for 4 minutes on High Pressure.
5. Quick Release: Once the cooking cycle is complete, carefully perform a Quick Release by turning the valve to the “Venting” position. Wait for the float valve to drop before opening the lid.
6. Combine & Blend: Carefully remove the trivet and transfer the cooked carrots to a mixing bowl. Add the softened butter, liquid stevia, and a pinch of salt.
7. Puree to Perfection: Using an immersion hand blender, blend the mixture until it reaches your desired creamy consistency. Alternatively, you can transfer everything to a standard blender.
8. Serve: Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary. Serve immediately while warm.

Nutritional Information

• Per Serving (Serves 6)
• Calories: 63
• Total Fat: 1.9g
• Net Carbs: 1.86g
• Protein: 1g
• Fiber: 2.8g

Pro Tips

• For an ultra-silky texture, pass the puree through a fine-mesh sieve after blending to remove any remaining fibrous bits.
• Introduce warm spices like a pinch of nutmeg, cinnamon, or ground ginger along with the butter for a cozy flavor profile.
• For a savory twist, omit the stevia and blend in fresh herbs like thyme, rosemary, or a clove of roasted garlic.
• Make it dairy-free by substituting the butter with an equal amount of high-quality olive oil or coconut oil.

FAQ

Q: Can I make this carrot puree dairy-free
A: Yes, you can easily make this recipe dairy-free. The pro tips suggest substituting the butter with an equal amount of high-quality olive oil or coconut oil for a delicious dairy-free version.

Q: How can I make this carrot puree savory instead of sweet
A: For a savory twist, simply omit the liquid stevia. The recipe suggests blending in fresh herbs like thyme or rosemary, or even a clove of roasted garlic to create a more savory flavor profile.

Q: What is the best way to get a super smooth carrot puree
A: For the smoothest, most velvety texture, the recipe recommends passing the puree through a fine-mesh sieve after blending. This will remove any small fibrous bits that might remain.

Q: How long does it take to cook carrots in the Instant Pot for puree
A: The carrots cook very quickly. You only need to pressure cook them on High Pressure for 4 minutes, followed by a Quick Release. The entire side dish comes together in under 20 minutes.