Instant Pot Corn on the Cob

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This Instant Pot Corn on the Cob is an easy way to cook a classic summer favorite. The corn on the cob will be cooked beautifully in under 10 minutes. Serve it up with butter and salt and you’re in for a summer treat from heaven!

Freshly cooked corn on the cob topped with butter, and salt on a plate.

My extended family has a summer cottage on a lake in eastern Michigan. Every single Sunday, we all drive to the cottage for a day with cousins, aunts, uncles, second cousins, grandma, third cousins…. And every single Sunday, we pick up sweet corn on our way up.

We sit together in the sun, and we husk the corn together. Then, we get out the biggest pot that we can find, and we boil 30 ears of sweet corn for dinner EVERY. SINGLE. SUNDAY. It’s a summer thing, and it makes me uniquely aware of the beautiful state that I live in.

Sometimes, I want some Michigan sweet corn (on a day other than Sunday), but it always seems like so much work to go through the hassle of boiling the corn. This Instant Pot Corn on the Cob is the perfect solution to my problem! I can make perfect corn on the cob in under 10 minutes with my Instant Pot, and it is so simple! It comes out perfect every single time!

I’ve definitely added this recipe to my favorite Instant Pot dishes (alongside Spicy Rigatoni With Sausage and Cream Sauce and Broccoli Pasta), and I think you will too!

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Why Make This Recipe

Corn on the cob with butter, herbs, and a bite taken out of one piece on a plate.

Fast: You can have corn on the table in under ten minutes! No searching for a pot or waiting for water to boil.
Cooked to Perfection: The steam trapped in the Instant Pot cooks the corn perfectly from all angles!
Delicious Summer Side Dish: Corn is a welcome addition to most meals any time of the year, but it’s the perfect treat alongside some Air Fryer Barbeque Chicken or easy Pasta Salad.

Ingredients to Make Instant Pot Corn on the Cob

Here is a visual overview of the ingredients in the recipe. Scroll down to the recipe at the bottom for quantities.

Water: You just need a small amount of water in the bottom of your instant pot. For some extra flavor you can try adding chicken broth instead.
Cobs of corn: I can fit 4-6 cobs in my instant pot. Shuck them before adding to your instant pot. You can use as many as you’d like, and you don’t need to change the cook time.
Butter: I use salted butter in this recipe, because I love my corn salty. If you are sensitive to the taste, use unsalted butter.
Salt: You can use any seasoning you like! A garlic herb butter would be a good crowd pleaser, but you can also use paprika for a bit of smoke or cajun seasoning for a spicy kick!

Tools

Instant Pot: If you don’t have an instant pot, try this Air Fryer Corn on the Cob

How to Make This Recipe

One cup of water being poured into an Instant Pot.

Step One: Pour one cup of water into the bottom of your Instant Pot.

Trivet placed in an Instant Pot with corn cobs inside.

Step Two: Place the trivet in the pot along with as many cobs of corn as you’d like. Cook on HIGH for 2-3 minutes. Once the cooking cycle has completed, perform a Quick Pressure Release.

Step Three: Remove the corn from the Instant Pot and serve with butter and salt.

Expert Tips

You can adjust the cooking time depending on how soft you want your corn. I recommend 2 minutes for firmer corn and 3 minutes for a little bit softer corn. Alternatively, you can cook for the same amount of time but allow for a natural pressure release instead of a quick release to soften the corn.
Store leftovers in an airtight container or plastic bag in the fridge. They will stay good for about 3-5 days. To reheat, you can place them back in the instant pot or in the microwave. I would suggest cutting the corn kernels off of the cob and reheating that way for a more tender and enjoyable second-day side!

Recipes FAQs

Close-up image of Freshly cooked corn on the cob.

Does this Recipe Work with Other Vegetables?

You can certainly use your Instant Pot to make fresh vegetables, but unfortunately, the same instructions won’t work for each different type of vegetable.

This recipe for Instant Pot Corn on the Cob uses high pressure and a two minute cook time. This is because Corn on the Cob is a very sturdy vegetable and can handle a longer cook time under more intense pressure.

How Does this Compare to Boiled Corn on the Cob?

I honestly don’t see a large difference between Instant Pot Corn on the Cob and Boiled Corn on the Cob. My mom was initially worried that the Instant Pot Corn on the Cob would end up dried out because it’s not cooked directly in water.

As I’ve learned with the Instant Pot, this isn’t the case whatsoever! The small amount of water combined with the pressure leaves the corn moist and thoroughly cooked. It’s delicious!

Can I Cook Frozen Corn on the Cob in the Instant Pot?

Yes! You can cook frozen corn on the cob in the Instant Pot. Just add 1–2 extra minutes to the cook time if using frozen corn.

Do I Need a Trivet or Steamer Basket?

Yes, it’s best to use a trivet or steamer basket so the corn doesn’t sit directly in the water. This might make it too soft. You want your corn to be steamed.

Can I Keep the Corn Warm in the Instant Pot?

Yes! If you don’t plan to serve the corn right away, you can use the Instant Pot to keep it warm. After cooking, switch the Instant Pot to “Keep Warm” and leave the lid on. The corn will stay warm for about an hour without overcooking.

If you liked this recipe, make sure to check out these other recipes that I picked out just for you:

If you tried this Instant Pot Corn on the Cob Recipe or any other recipe on my website, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it went in the 📝 comments below!