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Instant Pot Corn on the Cob

This Instant Pot Corn on the Cob recipe produces the sweetest, tender and juicy corn in minutes! Instant pot corn kernels are perfectly cooked and burst in your mouth with wonderful flavor.

Corn is at its peak of freshness and we can’t stop thinking about Corn Chowder and how fresh corn takes the Corn Salad and Salmon Cobb Salad to the next level.

Instant Pot Corn on the Cob in a bowl garnished with butter and pepper

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Instant Pot Corn on the Cob:

Instant Pot Corn on the cob is a favorite with our kiddos. Make a batch and you’ll taste and feel the difference of pressure-cooked corn. My only complaint is I’ve never seen corn on the cob disappear so fast!

We love corn on the cob and having a variety of cooking methods like easy boiled corn, or grilled corn on the cob is smart when other appliances are being used. This corn on the cob instant pot method might become your new favorite!

Up close Corn on the cob cooked in instant pot

How to Choose Sweet Corn on the Cob:

It’s so tempting to pull back the husk at the grocery store to take a peek at your corn. Taking a look is the most reliable way to check but most grocery stores have that little sign that says “do not shuck corn.” This is because once it gets shucked, it will quickly become shriveled, ugly and starchy. It’s also not sanitary.

Here are some reliable ways to select corn on the cob without getting ugly stares at the grocery store:

  • Feel the Corn through the husk. The kernels should feel evenly firm and plump without gaps or holes.
  • The “Tassels” or Silk threads at the top should be brown and sticky to the touch. If tassels are black or dry, the corn is old.
  • The Husk or leaves should be tightly wrapped around the corn and bright green in color. Dry, brown or loose husk indicates old cobs. Avoid cobs with brown holes, especially towards the top which can indicate worms.

How to choose sweet corn on the cob with fresh corn, milk, cream, sugar and butter

How to Make Instant Pot Corn on the Cob:

If you’ve never tried cooking corn in milk or cream, you are in for a treat! It enhances the natural sweetness of the corn and makes it extra juicy.

  1. Peel and break your corn ears in half.
  2. Plug in the instant pot and add water, cream, sugar and melted butter to the inner cooking pot, stirring to combine.
  3. Place the corn in rings standing up to fit more. The liquid will not cover the ears completely.
  4. Cover, seal the vent and set on manual high pressure for 5 minutes then quick release the steam completely before opening lid.
  5. Remove the corn with tongs and rest 5 minutes before serving. The corn will be delicious on its own but you can garnish with additional butter or seasoning if desired.

How to make instant pot corn on the cob with milk, butter and corn on the cob in instant pot

Tips for Using an Instant Pot:

The instant pot is an amazing time-saving tool when used correctly and safely. If this is your first time using the instant pot, be sure to follow the package instructions and run the recommended water test so you know how to safely use one before attempting a recipe.

  • Plug in your instant pot and keep the inner cooking pot inside the pot while adding ingredients.
  • Do not overfill the instant pot.
  • For safety, wear an oven mitt to switch the valve to the “vent” for steam release and stay clear of the hot steam.
  • Do not open the instant pot until the pressure has fully released and the pressure indicator has dropped back into resting position. Remember: if the pressure indicator is raised, there is pressure behind it. 

How to use an instant pot to cook corn on the cob

More Genius Recipes for Your Instant Pot:

If you love instant pot cooking, or even if you’re new to cooking in the instant pot, here is a great list of recipes to start with. These are our favorite ways to use the instant pot for quicker and even better results than using the stovetop or a slow cooker.

Instant Pot Corn on the Cob

4.94 from 16 votes
Author: Natasha Kravchuk
Instant pot cooked corn on the cob in a bowl
This Instant Pot Corn on the Cob recipe produces the sweetest, tender and juicy corn in minutes! Instant pot corn kernels are perfectly cooked and burst in your mouth with wonderful flavor.
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 10 minutes

Ingredients 

Servings: 6 people
  • 6 Ears Corn on the Cob, (can use 4 to 6 ears), shucked and halved
  • 4 cups water
  • 1/2 cup heavy whipping cream, (or 1 cup half and half*)
  • 1 Tbsp granulated sugar
  • 3 Tbsp salted butter

Instructions

  • Peel and break your corn ears in half.
  • Plug in the instant pot and add water, cream, sugar and melted butter to the inner cooking pot, stirring to combine.
  • Place the corn in rings standing up to fit more. The liquid will not cover the ears completely.
  • Cover, seal the vent and set on manual high pressure for 5 minutes then quick release the steam completely before opening lid. 
  • Remove the corn with tongs and rest 5 minutes before serving. The corn will be delicious on its own but you can garnish with additional butter or seasoning if desired.

Notes

*If using 1 cup half and half, use 3 1/2 cups water. the recipe should have 4 1/2 cups total liquid. 
**Note that most of the liquid, cream, butter and sugar stay in the pot and there is not a simple way to reflect that in the nutrition label. 

Nutrition Per Serving

204kcal Calories19g Carbs3g Protein14g Fat9g Saturated Fat42mg Cholesterol80mg Sodium258mg Potassium2g Fiber8g Sugar637IU Vitamin A6mg Vitamin C21mg Calcium1mg Iron
Nutrition Facts
Instant Pot Corn on the Cob
Amount per Serving
Calories
204
% Daily Value*
Fat
 
14
g
22
%
Saturated Fat
 
9
g
56
%
Cholesterol
 
42
mg
14
%
Sodium
 
80
mg
3
%
Potassium
 
258
mg
7
%
Carbohydrates
 
19
g
6
%
Fiber
 
2
g
8
%
Sugar
 
8
g
9
%
Protein
 
3
g
6
%
Vitamin A
 
637
IU
13
%
Vitamin C
 
6
mg
7
%
Calcium
 
21
mg
2
%
Iron
 
1
mg
6
%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: American
Keyword: instant pot corn on the cob
Skill Level: Easy
Cost to Make: $
Calories: 204
Natasha's Kitchen Cookbook

If you make this recipe, I’d love to see pics of your creations on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter! Hashtag them #natashaskitchen

Natasha Kravchuk

Welcome to my kitchen! I am Natasha, the creator behind Natasha's Kitchen (established in 2009), and I share family-friendly, authentic recipes. I am a New York Times Best-Selling cookbook author and a trusted video personality in the culinary world. My husband, Vadim, and I run this blog together, ensuring every recipe we share is thoroughly tested and approved. Our mission is to provide you with delicious, reliable recipes you can count on. Thanks for stopping by! I am so happy you are here.

Read more posts by Natasha

4.94 from 16 votes (7 ratings without comment)

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Comments

  • Evelina
    May 14, 2024

    Tried this recipe for the first time, and it was perfect!! I’ve never been able to cook corn properly lol, but this recipe is amazing! Thanks Natasha!

    Reply

    • Natasha's Kitchen
      May 14, 2024

      Great job! Keep it up, I hope you’ll love all the recipes that you will try.

      Reply

  • Dee
    March 25, 2024

    Question, if I only want to cook 2 cobs of corn do I still need to use the same amount of liquids?

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      March 26, 2024

      Hi Dee, I recommend ensuring to at least have the minimum required liquid per your Instant Pot guide. You can scale the recipe using the recipe slider. But I recommend clicking “Jump to recipe” at the top of the post, it will take you to our printable recipe where you’ll have the option to change the number of servings. Hover over the number of servings highlighted in red and slide it to how many servings you would like to make. I hope that helps!

      Reply

  • Melissa
    July 21, 2022

    We just made this. It was really good corn, but the cream was chunky when it finished. Kinda looked gross but it was yummy. Not sure I would add the cream next time. Kinda seemed like a waste to me.

    Reply

    • Natasha
      July 22, 2022

      Hi Melissa, I haven’t had that happen before – did you add anything acidic?

      Reply

  • Kate
    July 2, 2022

    Do you really need to use that much liquid? Especially the cream? It seems like it will all just be thrown out.

    Reply

    • Natasha
      July 3, 2022

      Hi Kate, we’ve found this quantity to work really well. One good use for the broth might be to make Corn Chowder and use that liquid as the corn stock.

      Reply

  • Casey
    June 27, 2022

    I love this corn!! Does anyone see a problem with my making a large batch of this corn and keeping on warm, in the liquid, in my slow cooker (while my Instant Pot is used to make Ribs)? I would like to ideally, keep it warm up to 3 hours… I don’t want the corn to get soggy or toughen up though. Thanks!

    Reply

    • Natashas Kitchen
      June 27, 2022

      Hi Casey! We always enjoy it fresh. I recommend finding some tips online, but I probably wouldn’t keep it warm for more than 3 hours.

      Reply

  • Judy Handschug
    June 27, 2022

    As much as I’d love to try your way of cooking corn I just can’t stop doing it my way. First time in my life it comes our perfect every single time, and that’s no lie. Corn cooked perfectly in the microwave. True you can only cook 2 at a time but we have NEVER had a bad ear of corn.

    Reply

  • Todd Hurd
    June 26, 2022

    I used this recipe and love it. Simple and perfect every time.

    Reply

    • Natasha's Kitchen
      June 26, 2022

      Glad you enjoyed it, Todd!

      Reply

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