Instant Pot Corn on the Cob

Instant Pot Corn on the Cob is one of the easiest and most reliable ways to cook corn. You might think this sounds strange, but believe me when I say it turns out perfect every time.

Why You’ll Love It

• Corn on the cob cooks quickly, taking only about 7 minutes with no supervision required. In contrast, you would cook corn on the cob in boiling water on the stove top for about 10 minutes or on the grill for 15-20 minutes.
• You can cook a whole pot of corn as long as you keep it under the max fill line.
• Perfect for summertime cooking when you have fresh corn straight out of the garden.
• The corn cooks perfectly every time.

Alice Ludman says: The corn came out perfectly tender and flavorful in just minutes.

You might also want to try this easy Instant Pot Potato Salad.

Ingredients for Corn on the Cob

There’s not much that you need for this recipe.

• Corn on the cob – This recipe calls for cooking 2 ears of corn but you can cook as many as you like up to the fill line.
• Water
• Garnish – Butter, salt, and black pepper or topping of your choice.

How to Choose Good Corn

When you’re selecting good corn on the cob at the store, there are a few things you should look for to ensure you’re getting the best quality.

• Check the husks – It should be bright green and tightly wrapped around the ear of corn. Avoid corn with dry, brown, or wilted husks, as these are signs of age and potential dryness.
• Kernels – Feel the kernels through the husk. They should feel plump and firm. Gently squeeze the cob; it should have a slight give but not feel mushy.You want to find corn that is firm and fresh, with no kernels that are shrivelled or dark.
• Silk – Peek under the husk at the top of the ear where the silk (the fine threads) is exposed. Fresh corn will have golden or pale yellow silk. If the silk is brown or dry, it might be older corn.
• Appearance – You can check the corn by peeling back a little bit of the husk at the top to check the tip of the corn. If it’s mostly bare at the top, or the kernels are dry-looking or dark, pick another cob.
• Weight – Heavier corn cobs tend to have more moisture and, therefore, are likely fresher.

How Many Ears of Corn Can I Cook at Once?

You can add as many ears of corn on the cob as you need to the Instant Pot, as long as you don’t exceed the fill line on the pot. That’s usually about 8 cobs at a time, depending if you have a 5 or 8-quart pot. You can stack them up in the inner pot on top of each other, however they fit.

Expert Tips to Follow

• You can make as many ears of corn as you can fit in the Instant Pot up to the max fill line.
• You don’t need any additional water in the pot even if you add more pieces of corn.
• If you have an 8-quart pot, use 1 1/2 cups of water.
• Make sure to use a trivet or steamer basket to hold the corn out of the water. It will keep your corn from getting waterlogged.

How to Make Instant Pot Corn on the Cob

Before putting the corn in the Instant Pot, you need to shuck it and take all the corn silk off. You can cut it into halves or thirds if you prefer smaller pieces.

1. Place the trivet inside the Inner Pot.
2. Pour in the water.
3. Add the corn on top of the trivet. You can stack as many as you like, up to the fill line.
4. Press the Pressure Cook button and set the time to 2 minutes.
5. When the time is up, do a quick pressure release.
6. Enjoy!

Toppings For Corn

You might want to try other toppings for your Instant Pot corn on the cob. I usually just butter it while it’s still hot, then sprinkle with a bit of salt and pepper.

You could also dress them up with toppings, if you want. Here are a few of our favorites:

• Shredded parmesan cheese or feta
• Mayo & paprika (+parmesan cheese)
• Cajun seasoning
• BBQ Sauce
• Homemade Pesto
• Cilantro

How to Store and Reheat

To Store:

To store leftover corn on the cob allow it to cool to room temperature. Do not leave it out for more than 2 hours to prevent bacterial growth. Wrap each ear of corn individually in plastic wrap and place it in the refrigerator. Corn can be stored in the fridge for up to 3-4 days.

To reheat, take the corn on the cob out of the refrigerator and let it sit at room temperature for about 15-20 minutes.

To Reheat:

In the microwave – heat it on medium power (50%) for about 1-2 minutes per ear, depending on your microwave’s wattage. This gentle heating prevents overcooking.

On the grill or stovetop – Preheat your grill or a skillet over medium heat, place it directly on the grill grates or in the skillet. Turn the corn occasionally and heat for 5-10 minutes or until it’s hot and slightly charred to your liking.

What to Serve With Corn on the Cob

I think corn on the cob goes with anything. It’s the perfect side dish for pulled pork, BBQ ribs, or any of these delicious chicken dishes.

You could also try one of these dishes, made in the Instant Pot, to go with your corn.

• Instant Pot Chicken Leg Quarters
• Instant Pot Country Style Ribs
• Instant Pot Brisket Recipe
• Instant Pot Ranch Pork Chops

Why Use An Instant Pot?

The Instant Pot is one of the most useful kitchen appliances you can buy, because it drastically cuts down on the cooking time for developing flavors in soups and stews, getting tough cuts of meat tender, and even baking a cheesecake. If you don’t have one, check out our guide on which one to buy. Also see our guide to How to Use an Instant Pot and the many accessories you can buy for it.

Questions About the Recipe

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