Instant Pot Corn on the Cob
This Instant Pot Corn on the Cob recipe makes perfectly tender sweet corn. Cooking corn in the Instant Pot is quick, easy and foolproof!
Corn on the cob is a delicious side dish for this Turkey Burger Recipe, Grilled Chicken Breast and Instant Pot Pulled Pork. Or use cooked corn on the cob to make Corn Salad.
Why You’ll Love Instant Pot Corn on the Cob
Instant Pot corn on the cob is seriously life-changing. If you usually boil corn on the cob, you have to try cooking corn in the Instant Pot instead!
- Hands-Off: With Instant Pot corn on the cob, you don’t have to watch a pot on the stove, and you will always know exactly when your corn is done.
- Fast: Corn on the cob takes only 2 minutes of pressure cooking time in the Instant Pot, plus the time it takes for the pot to reach pressure.
- Perfectly Cooked: Pressure cooker corn is really foolproof – it always cooks to tender perfection!
If you’re new to cooking with an Instant Pot, my easy beginner’s guide with Instant Pot instructions has been helpful to many readers. I’ve also rounded up some of my very favorite Instant Pot recipes.
How to Choose the Best Sweet Corn
The best corn on the cob is fresh with plump, sweet kernels. I like to buy my corn on the cob at the farmer’s market whenever possible because I know it will be the freshest. Follow these steps to pick the best ears of corn:
- Look for bright green husks. The husks should be wrapped tightly around the cob. Fresh husks may be slightly damp. Avoid buying corn with husks that are dry or yellowish.
- Check the tassel. The tassel is the silks that are sticking out of the top of the corn. The tassel should be brown or golden in color. The tassel should be silky, slightly sticky and moist. Avoid buying corn if the tassel is black or dry.
- Look for a fresh stalk. If the bottom of the corn where it was broken off of the stalk is brown, the corn is likely a few days old.
- Check for insect holes. If you see tiny brown holes in the husk, it is a sign that there might be worms or other bugs in the corn.
- Feel for plump kernels. You should be able to feel firm, plump corn kernels through the husk. If you feel soft spots or empty spots where kernels are missing, don’t choose that ear of corn.
You don’t need to peek! It’s common practice to peel back the husks at the top of corn to check the tip of the corn cob. Opening up the husk in this way shortens the shelf life of your corn. You can choose delicious sweet corn by following the steps above, no peeking required.
Loved this tonight! Never using a pot again! Thank You!
Sarah
How to Cook Corn on the Cob in an Instant Pot
There are just a few simple steps to cooking sweet corn in the Instant Pot. Start by removing the husks and silks.
Then pour 1 cup of cold water into your Instant Pot inner pot. Use 1 cup of water in a 6 quart Instant Pot, and 1 1/2 cups of water if you are using an 8 quart pot.
Put the metal trivet in the bottom of the pot. You’ll set the corn on the trivet so that it isn’t sitting in the water or touching the bottom of the pot.
When you place the ears of corn on top of the trivet, arrange the different layers of corn in alternating directions. You can see how I did this in the photo. This helps the corn to cook evenly. You should be able to fit 3 ears of corn in each layer.
After closing the Instant Pot lid and moving the steam release valve to the sealing position, set the pressure cook time to 2 minutes at high pressure. The Instant Pot will take about 12-15 minutes to reach pressure and then the cook time will start counting down.
As soon as the cook time ends, quick release the pressure by using the handle of a long spoon to carefully move the steam release valve to the venting position. When the steam finishes escaping and the pin drops down, open the lid. Your corn is done and ready to enjoy!
Instant Pot Corn on the Cob Recipe Tips
- You can fit up to 6 ears of corn in a 6 quart Instant Pot and up to 9 ears of corn in an 8 quart Instant Pot.
- Remember to arrange the layers of corn in opposite directions in your Instant Pot, as shown in the photo.
- Trim the stalks if the cobs are too long to fit in the pot.
- Quick release the pressure as soon as the cook time ends to keep the corn from over-cooking.
Can you cook corn in the husks?
I wondered if it would be easier to remove the husks and silks after cooking the corn, so I tried cooking corn in the husks in my Instant Pot. What I found was that it wasn’t any easier to shuck the corn after it was cooked. The corn was too hot to handle when it first came out of the pot, so I had to wait for the corn to cool. When the corn was cool enough to shuck after cooking, I was in a rush finishing up the rest of our meal and trying to get dinner on the table.
It’s much easier and more convenient to remove the husks and silks before cooking the corn. You can prep the corn earlier in the day to save time later. If you really want to cook corn in the husks, you should add one minute to the pressure cook time.
Serving Suggestions
Fresh sweet corn is so delicious as is, we usually serve it simply with butter, salt and pepper. If you want to dress up your corn a bit more, sprinkle on some grated Parmesan cheese or serve it with a drizzle of Chimichurri sauce. Corn on the cob is amazing served with Garlic Butter or Honey Butter. Or use it to make Mexican Street Corn.
Serve this Instant Pot corn on the cob with your favorite summer meals. Try it with:
- Grilling Recipes: Corn is the perfect side dish for Grilled Pork Chops and Grilled Steak.
- Burgers: Try Black Bean Burgers or Air Fryer Hamburgers.
- Ribs: Both Instant Pot Ribs and Crock Pot Ribs are so easy.
- Pulled Chicken: Serve corn on the cob with Instant Pot BBQ Chicken or Slow Cooker BBQ Pulled Chicken.
How to Store Corn on the Cob
- Before Cooking: Store fresh ears of corn at room temperature if you plan to cook them within a few hours. For longer storage, keep the husks on, wrap the corn tightly in a plastic bag, and store in your refrigerator. Fresh corn on the cob is best cooked within 1-2 days, but may last in the refrigerator for 3 days.
- After Cooking: Let the corn cool, and be sure to refrigerate within two hours of cooking. Place corn in a zip-top bag and seal, or store in an airtight container. The corn will last in the refrigerator for about 3 days. You can also freeze cooked corn by cutting the kernels off of the cob and freezing in an airtight container for up to 3 months.
More Easy Instant Pot Recipes
- Try these Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes next. Just like Instant Pot corn on the cob, the Instant Pot makes the BEST mashed potatoes!
- Instant Pot Baked Beans are another favorite summer side dish, perfect for a BBQ!
- Instant Pot Baked Potatoes make an easy meal when you load them up with your favorite toppings.
- Instant Pot Green Beans and Instant Pot Broccoli are also super easy vegetable side dish recipes!
- This Instant Pot Whole Chicken recipe is another pressure cooker recipe that I make all the time for an easy dinner.
Like this recipe? Pin it to Pinterest!
Instant Pot Corn on the Cob
Ingredients
- 4 ears corn on the cob, husks and silks removed (see note)
- 1 cup water, use 1.5 cups for 8 quart Instant Pot
Instructions
- Place 1 cup water in the Instant Pot inner pot (use 1 1/2 cups water if using an 8 quart instant pot). Put the metal trivet in the bottom of the pot.
- Set the ears of corn on the trivet, alternating the direction of the corn ears in each layer of corn.
- Close the Instant Pot lid and turn the steam release valve to the sealing position. Press the "Manual" or "Pressure Cook" button and set the cook time to 2 minutes. The Instant Pot will take some time to reach pressure and then the cook time will begin counting down.
- When the cook time ends, quick release the pressure by carefully turning the steam release valve to the venting position (I do this using the handle of a long spoon). When all of the steam has escaped and the pin drops down, open the Instant Pot lid.
- Serve corn with butter, salt and pepper, or as desired.
Notes
- You can scale this recipe up or down. You can fit up to 6 ears of corn in a 6 quart Instant Pot and up to 9 ears in an 8 quart.
Amazing! Thank you
What if you’re only cooking 2 ears of corn? Should you shorten the cook time?
Hi Wendy,
Cook for the same time with 2 ears.
Loved this tonight! Never using a pot again! Thank
You!
if I just cooked a chicken in my ip and want to now make corn on the cob to accompany chicken for dinner, do I need to increase the cook time as the IP will already be hot and come to pressure much more quickly than if I started with a cold pot.
It may come to pressure a little bit more quickly, but probably not all that much if you add cold water to the pot for cooking the corn on the cob. You can add a minute to the cook time if you want but it’s probably not necessary.
Did corn on the cob and ITV was great. However I did not take off husks just cut off the bottoms to just above first row of kernels and contued the instructions. When they were done I took them out and with an oven mitt on squeezed the husk end and the cob came right out all clean. Perfect.
I tried this recipe and once my insta pot got to the actual 2 min time showing, I got a message of burn food. I released the pressure and the water burnt in the bottom of the pot. So what is the trick to it not doing this?
Hi Mimi,
If your pot ran out of water then the most likely cause was the valve was not all the way to the sealing position and all the water vented out before it could come to pressure or finish. However, if there was still water in the pot, a burn warning should not happen. In that case you may want to contact the Instant Pot company to troubleshoot your pot.
I made this yesterday and it was super easy and perfectly cooked. One question, shouldn’t we hit cancel after cook time has finished and before we release the pressure?
Corn turned out, but I got a burn notice, even tho i added 1 1/4 cups water to my 6 qt. Ideas what i did wrong?
Did you remember to turn the steam release valve to the sealing position? Was your sealing ring fitted in the lid correctly? Those are my first two thoughts of what might have gone wrong. You can read more about troubleshooting in my post about the Instant Pot burn message.
I really appreciate when 8qt instant pot directions are included in recipes! Cooking corn right now!
Hi there, Are there special instructions for cooking 8 corn husks in a 10 qt instapot?
You may need to increase the amount of liquid in the pot. Other than that, the method should be the same.
Mmmmmmmm this and our Greek burgers on grill is part of our menu tonight. Thank you for recipe. ??❤️???
Thanks for the clear instructions. so easy and they turned out perfectly. I will never cook them any other way again.
Perfect every time!
Made corn on the cob tonight with my ip and it was the best ever!! Never making it any other way.