Corn on the cob is always a hit at summer gatherings and barbecues. Instant Pot corn on the cob is the easiest and tastiest way to cook this quintessential summer favorite. That’s because when you pressure cook corn on the cob, it comes out so tender and is perfect every time.
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Table of Contents
Introduction
Corn on the cob is great to cook for a barbeque, picnic, or just an ordinary dinner. It’s one of my favorite side dishes to make in the summer. You can grill or boil sweet corn but I find that the best way to make corn on the cob is using the Instant Pot.
The corn comes out perfect every single time! Pressure cooking the corn is such an easy way to cook corn and there’s something about pressure cooking corn that makes it come out juicier than using other methods.
Here are some recipes that would go well with Instant Pot corn:
– Instant Pot Jamaican Jerk Chicken
– Instant Pot Korean Gochujang Chicken
–Instant Pot Thai Grilled Chicken
Tips and Substitutions
Cooking corn with the husk
I generally shuck the sweet corn (remove the husk) before cooking it. However, you can cook the corn with the husk. Increase the pressure cooking time by 2 minutes. The nice thing about cooking the corn with the husk is that the husk and silk come off really easily and the corn stays warm for longer.
Instant Pot frozen corn on the cob
Of course, fresh corn always tastes best, but sometimes you need to buy frozen corn on the cob, especially when it’s out of season. If you’re purchasing frozen corn, it usually comes in packages that are labeled “mini corn on the cob” and the pieces are about 3 inches long.
Use the same directions in this recipe to make Instant Pot frozen mini corn on the cob.
Toppings
I do love eating sweet corn plain with nothing on it, especially when it’s farm-fresh corn. However, sometimes we like to change things up and add seasonings or toppings to the corn on the cob. Here are some ideas for you:
- Sprinkle with cajun or creole seasoning
- Spread butter all over the corn and sprinkle with salt and/or pepper
- Melt equal quantities of butter and Frank’s red hot sauce for a buffalo sauce flavored topping
- Spread some sriracha mayo all over the corn
- Spread butter all over the corn on the cob and squeeze a lime wedge over it. Sprinkle cilantro and queso fresco on top
- Spread butter all over the corn and sprinkle freshly grated parmesan on top
FAQS
– Remove the husk over a trash can. I like to take a trash can outdoors and peel the husk over the trash can.
– Grasp half or one-third of the leaves and silk at the top, and pull down in one quick motion.
– Grasp another handful and repeat until all the leaves and most of the silk is separated from the ear of corn.
– Snap off the stem or cut it off over a cutting board using a chef’s knife.
– Clean off any remaining silk by pulling it off with your hands or use a small brush.
I’ve left the sweet corn in the Instant Pot till the pressure releases naturally and it’s been cooked perfectly fine. You can even reduce the time and pressure cook the corn for a minute if you’re going to do this.
It’s best to use a trivet so that the corn sits above the water and steams rather than boils. However, you certainly can place the corn in the water and pressure cook it that way. [Find out more: what is a trivet?]
You can fit 6 or more medium-sized corn in a 6 quart Instant Pot and 8 or more in an 8 quart. Just don’t overpack the inner pot, so there’s room for the air to circulate. The quantity of water and pressure cooking time stays the same.
You can cook even one piece of corn but keep the same pressure cooking time and quantity of water.
All Instant Pot models and other brands of pressure cookers such as Ninja Foodi can be used to make this recipe.
Yes, you can make this Instant Pot corn recipe in the mini. You’ll need to cut the corn in half.
The Steam button and Pressure Cook button operate in almost the same way, so you can use either.
Corn always tastes best when freshly cooked. However, you could cook it ahead of time and refrigerate it. Reheat by microwaving or steaming in the Instant Pot with the steam release handle set to Venting.
Corn on the cob can be refrigerated for 4 to 5 days. Store it in an airtight container or freezer bag.
If you’re new to the Instant Pot and aren’t familiar with how to use it, you might find it helpful to first read one of the following guides and then come back here to learn how to make this recipe.
- General Instant Pot Instructions for Beginners
- Instant Pot ULTRA Beginner’s Manual
- Instant Pot DUO EVO PLUS Beginner’s Manual
- Instant Pot DUO NOVA Beginner’s Manual
- Instant Pot DUO GOURMET Beginner’s Manual
- Instant Pot DUO CRISP Beginner’s Manual
- Instant Pot PRO Beginner’s Manual
- Instant Pot PRO CRISP Beginner’s Manual
Corn on the Cob – Ingredients
- Corn
More details in the recipe card at the bottom of this post
How to Make Instant Pot Corn on the Cob (Step by Step Instructions)
- Shuck the corn
- Place corn in pressure cooker
- Pressure cook
- Release pressure
- Remove corn from trivet
Shuck the corn
- Grasp one-third or half the husk and silk and pull down in one quick motion.
- Repeat until all the husk has been pulled down.
- Break off the stem.
- Do the same for all the ears of corn.
Place corn in pressure cooker
- Add 1 ½ cups of water to the inner pot.
- Place the trivet in the inner pot.
- Add the corn to the inner pot. If the pieces are too big, cut them in half.
Instant Pot Duo Pressure Cook 2 minutes
- Close the lid and make sure steam release handle is in ‘Sealing’ position
- Press Manual or Pressure Cook and + or – until the display reads 2 (2 minutes).
Instant Pot Ultra Pressure Cook 2 minutes
- Close the lid.
- Select Pressure Cook mode and adjust the time to 2 minutes (00:02).
- Press Start.
Pressure Cooking Process (Duo and Ultra)
- Instant Pot display will change to On.
- Once the Instant Pot is pressurized, the float valve will go up.
- The display will count down to 0; it will then switch to Keep Warm mode and display L0:00 or 00 00 and begin to count up the number of minutes since pressure cooking completed.
How to Quick Release Pressure (QR) on the DUO
- Move the steam release handle to Venting. Steam will come out of the steam release handle.
- When your Instant Pot is depressurized, the float valve will be in the down position.
- Press Cancel and open the Instant Pot.
How to Quick Release Pressure (QR) on the ULTRA
- Press down on the Steam Release Button until it locks into place, and steam begins to come out of the Steam Release Valve.
- When your Instant Pot is depressurized, the float valve will be in the down position.
- Press Cancel and open the Instant Pot.
[Find out more about the pressure release methods and how and when to use them. ]
Remove corn from trivet
- Transfer corn from Instant Pot to a large plate with tongs.
Stovetop Instructions for Corn on the Cob
- Husk the corn and remove the silk.
- Fill a large pot ¾ full of water and bring it to a boil.
- Add corn to the pot and bring it back to a boil.
- Boil for 2 minutes, turn off the heat and cover with a lid.
- After 10 minutes, drain the water and transfer the corn to a large plate.
See the recipe card below for detailed instructions.
Instant Pot Corn on the Cob
Ingredients
- 4 ears corn (or any quantity) *
- water 1 ½ cups to 2 cups
Instructions
Shuck the corn (remove husk)
- Grasp half or one-third of the leaves and silk at the top, and pull down in one quick motion.
- Grasp another handful and repeat until all the leaves and most of the silk is separated from the ear of corn.
- Snap off the stem or cut it off over a cutting board using a chef’s knife.
- Clean off any remaining silk by pulling it off with your hands or use a small brush.
Instant Pot Instructions
- Add water to the inner pot and place a trivet in the Instant Pot.
- Place corn on the trivet. If the corn doesn't easily fit, break it into two pieces.
- Close the lid and pressure cook the corn on High Pressure for 2 minutes.
- Do a Quick Release of Pressure and open the lid. [Read More: The Different Pressure Release Methods]
- Remove the corn from the Instant Pot with a pair of tongs and transfer to a large plate to cool.
Stovetop Instructions
- Fill a large pot ¾ full of water and bring it to a boil.
- Add corn to the pot and bring it back to a boil.
- Boil for 2 minutes, turn off the heat and cover with a lid.
- After 10 minutes, drain the water and transfer the corn to a large plate to cool.
Notes
- * You can pressure cook from 1 to 8 ears of corn depending on the size of the corn and the size of the Instant Pot. Use the same quantity of liquid and pressure cooking time.
Nutrition
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I am not a certified nutritionist. I provide my best estimate of nutritional information merely as a courtesy to my readers. If you depend on nutritional information for dietary or health reasons, I suggest using your favorite online nutrition calculator to confirm the nutritional value of this recipe based on the actual ingredients that you use.
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More Instant Pot Side Dishes
Mary t says
Thank you for including specifics about Instant Pot models. That was helpful for a newbie like me! Perfect timings and the corn was so tender.
Paint the Kitchen Red says
Mary, thank you for your comment and I’m so happy it worked well for you.
Donna Marie Feigle says
I have not tried this Recipe yet…….But another addition that is Wonderful……Use a couple of TBL of ‘ Old Bay Seasoning to Bling up Corn on the Cob…..It’s Awesome!
Paint the Kitchen Red says
Thanks for the suggestion, Donna! Love Old Bay.