I can’t believe I’m saying this, but I’ve been skipping the grill for corn on the cob and making corn in the instant pot instead. Instant Pot Corn on the Cob is so easy!

 

Four ears of cooked corn on the cob that has been lightly sprinkled with ground pepper.

Corn on the Cob

Corn on the cob is one of the highlights of any summer meal. There’s nothing quite like fresh corn from the fields either. 

I was a little girl when I first started shucking corn with my family. It was so much fun to park it on a little stool or chair my mom brought out for me and pulling back all of the husks, removing that fine silk and plunking the cleaned corn in a large bucket for later. 

 

How to Pick Good Corn on the Cob

Picking out corn is tricky, and it BUGS ME when everyone is standing around pulling the husks down. Don’t get all up in everyone’s food!

Here’s the right way to pick out corn on the cob.

  1. You’ll want to feel the corn in the husk, holding it in your hand to check for missing kernels, if you can feel that there are holes where kernels should be, then pick another.
  2. Look for the cornsilk tassels at the top that are light brown and sticky to the touch. If they’re dry or black, then it’s an old ear of corn and you should pass. 
  3. Look for plump corn that is plentiful with the kernels. 
  4. Husks should be bright green, wrapped tightly against the corn and slightly damp.
  5. Don’t choose any husks that are starting to yellow or feel dry, there also shouldn’t be any small holes. 

How to Cook Corn on the Cob

There are many different ways to cook corn on the cob and I highly recommend you try a few, but of course start with this instant pot recipe corn on the cob. 

 

To grill corn on the cob you’ll want to refer to our post on how to grill corn on the cob . Yes, it takes an extra step but I promise it produces the yummiest, juiciest corn evaaahhhhh. 

There’s also the pot boiled corn method. Dunk your corn in a large pot of milk or water and boil until bright yellow and tender. 

 

A serving plate with 5 ears of corn. The plate of corn is sitting on a red and white checked tea towel and there is a small container of

Instant Pot Corn on the Cob

Alright, here’s how to make corn on the cob in an instant pot. 

  1. Place a trivet in an instant pot to keep the corn from scorching on the bottom of the instant pot. 
  2. Pour in the milk, water and butter. Tip: You can do whatever works for you, all milk, all water or a combination. 
  3. Add the salt and stir to combine.
  4. Carefully lower the corn in and add the lid with the valve on “seal”
  5. Cook, allow a natural or do a quick release and then serve with butter and additional salt and pepper to taste! 

A close-up of four ears of cooked corn on the cob sprinkled with ground pepper.

Can Corn Be Cooked In The Husk?

You can microwave, boil, instant pot and grill corn in the husk. I love to keep them in the husk, especially on the grill as the corn doesn’t dry out. 

It takes a little longer to cook than if the husk is removed first, but the corn will cook just fine in the husk. Add a few minutes if you do it in the instant pot. 

Can Corn On The Cob Be Reheated?

Corn on the cob reheats quite well.  Just bring a pot of water to a boil and drop the corn on the cob in.

Boil until it is just heated through, about 2-3 minutes. Or reheat in the microwave. 

 

Tip on Reheating Corn on the Cob

I love this tip for reheating corn. 

Cut the corn off of the cob and store in an airtight container. Reheat in the microwave or in a pan on the stove until hot. 

How to Store Corn on the Cob

You can store full corn on the cob in an airtight container in the fridge for a few days or cut it off of the cob and store in the fridge for a few days or the freezer. 

How Long Will Corn Keep In The Freezer?

Frozen corn should be eaten within a year of placing it in the freezer to avoid ice crystallization.

 

Four ears of cooked corn on the cob. The plate of corn is sitting on a red checked tea towel.

Check out our Instant Pot Cheat Sheet for everything you need to know about cooking all the basics in the IP! It’s just not going to get any easier than making this instant pot corn on the cob.

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Instant Pot Corn On The Cob

3 from 2 votes
Servings: 6
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 3 minutes
Total Time: 8 minutes

Description

I can't believe I'm saying this, but I've been skipping the grill for corn on the cob and making corn in the instant pot instead. Instant Pot Corn on the Cob is so easy!

Ingredients 

  • 6 Ears Corn
  • 1 1/2 Cups Half and Half, or cream or milk
  • 3 Tablespoons Butter
  • 1/2 Teaspoon Salt

Instructions

  • Pour milk, butter and salt into the Instant Pot and stir to combine.
  • Place the trivet into the Instant Pot.
  • Stack the ears of corn in the instant pot. Close the lid and set the valve to the sealing position.
  • Press the Pressure Cook/Manual button and press 2 minutes (3 to 4 minutes for unshucked corn). 
  • When finished, turn the valve to a Quick Release
  • Carefully remove the corn. Cover with butter and sprinkle with salt, and enjoy!

Notes

You can reheat left over corn on the cob by bringing a pot of water to a boil. Submerge the cooked corn in the boiling water until it's just heated through. It should only take a minute or two.

Nutrition

Serving: 1cobCalories: 130kcalCarbohydrates: 3gProtein: 2gFat: 13gSaturated Fat: 8gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 3gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 37mgSodium: 269mgPotassium: 83mgFiber: 1gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 392IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 65mgIron: 1mg
Author: Sweet Basil
Course: 200+ Easy Side Dish Recipes Every Mom Needs
Cuisine: American

Four ears of cooked corn on the cob that has been lightly sprinkled with ground pepper.