Instant Pot Corn on the Cob (Fresh or Frozen!)

This Instant Pot Corn on the Cob Recipe is SO easy and delicious! There's nothing better than fresh sweet corn dripping with melted butter and salt in the summertime. This classic side dish goes well with almost any meal and it's never been easier than in your pressure cooker.

Original posted January 2021, updated July 2024.

Instant Pot Corn on the Cob

My baby boy (a term I use lightly since he'll be 10 years old this month) loves yellow and orange foods. He actually has never said that; it's just an observation that my husband and I have made. 

His favorite foods are mac & cheese (or any kind of pasta really), popcorn (buttered!), carrots, french fries (do they qualify as yellow?), and cheese dip. I'm not sure he's even aware that he always wants food in this color range, but he does. Daily.

Anyway... last year a family friend gave us a 50-gallon trash bag full of fresh-picked sweet corn. They'd already put up all the corn they could possibly use for a year so they were sharing with anyone who wanted some.

We happily took a bag and added some to our freezer. But we also wanted to cook some right away and enjoy it fresh - when it's best! That's when I decided we'd try some in my Instant Pot.

And it worked like a dream. Why? Let me explain.

Why Cook Corn in the Instant Pot?

This may seem silly to some of you but we got a new cooktop when we remodeled our kitchen in 2019 and I hate it. But can't really afford to replace it so soon so we just have to live with it.

It's a smooth, touch-controlled glass-top contraption, and boiling anything on our cooktop is a nightmare. The minute one drop of water splashes out of a pot the cooktop shuts off. 

Do you know how often boiling water splashes out? A lot. And it's so freakin' frustrating to start a pot of water, then go do something else while I wait, only to come back and find it off and not boiling because a drop of water splashed out. Ugh!

Anyway... that's one reason why I love pressure cooking corn and never having to boil corn again! It's foolproof and so, so easy and I always get the best results!

So make some Instant Pot Corn and serve it with Grilled Chicken Thighs and maybe some fresh Cucumber Salad or Cheesy Funeral Potatoes and you have a delicious meal that did NOT make your house hot!

How to Choose the Best Fresh Corn

• If you're picking the corn yourself, look for tiny holes in the husks and avoid those ears. That means there are probably insects or worms in the corn.
• If you're buying fresh corn from a local market, look for bright green husks. Also, the tassels on the end should be silky and brown or golden. Not dry, fragile, or black. If the husks are dull or dark, OR the tassels are black and dry, the corn is not fresh.
• If you're using fresh-picked corn, it's best to cook it or freeze it within a day or two of picking.
• For this recipe, I used shucked corn but you can also cook it in the husk - see the tips below!

Tools Needed

Electric Pressure Cooker - Instant Pot is the most popular brand (I think) but you can use any pressure cooker you have.

Tongs - the easiest way to place corn in the Instant Pot and take it out!

Ingredients

• Corn on the Cob - fresh or frozen
• Water
• Toppings

How to Make Instant Pot Corn on the Cob

Now let me show you the easy-peasy steps:

1. First, clean each ear of corn by removing the corn husks and the silks.
2. Next, place the trivet in your Instant Pot inner pot, then pour the cup of water in the bottom of the pot.
3. Place the corn in the pot, with each ear alternating in opposite direction so that there's some space between them.
4. Seal the lid closed and set to High Pressure for 2 minutes on manual mode. Be sure to turn the venting position to "Seal".
5. When done cooking, do a quick pressure release by turning the knob to "Vent."
6. Open lid carefully and use tongs to remove corn. Serve this juicy corn immediately with your favorite toppings!

And that's it!! So easy and delicious and you get perfect corn every time!

Cooking Frozen Corn in the Instant Pot

I can hear it now... someone asking, "What about frozen corn?" Yes, you can cook frozen corn in the Instant Pot. While I highly recommend fresh sweet summer corn as the best corn (there's just nothing better!), I understand that fresh is not always available or easy, so frozen is a great alternative. You do have to adjust the pressure cook time but otherwise, it's almost exactly the same. 

And since we got a 50-gallon bag of corn, obviously we couldn't eat it all while fresh, so here's how to cook frozen corn in an Instant Pot:

• Place the trivet in your pressure cooker, then add 1 cup of cold water. 
• Place the frozen corn cobs right on the rack, stacking them alternately, just as you do the fresh corn.
• Seal Instant Pot and cook for 4 minutes on High Pressure.
• Quick Release the pressure when it's done to avoid over-cooking.

Pro Tips for Instant Pot Corn on the Cob

• If you'd like to cut the ends off your corn and cook it in the husk, you can! Just add 1 minute to your cooking time.
• Change up your corn with toppings! Our favorite toppings are salt and a little butter (or a lot), but you can also add parmesan cheese, garlic, cilantro, chili powder, and/or lime juice. You can make delicious corn that suits your tastes and is the perfect side dish.
• Approximately 6 medium-sized corn ears will fit in a 6-quart Instant Pot and up to 9 ears will fit in an 8-quart Instant Pot. If the stalks are too long, trim them until the corn fits.
• Quick-release the pressure as soon as the timer is done to avoid overcooking! 

How to Store Instant Pot Corn

Store any leftover pressure cooker corn in an airtight container for 3-5 days. You could also wrap the individual ears in plastic wrap or aluminum foil to store in the fridge.

Reheat leftover corn in the microwave or drop in boiling water for a couple of minutes.

Serving Suggestions

Serve hot corn with corn cob skewers or use a sharp knife cut the corn kernels off the cob and serve as whole kernel corn. Either way, corn is one of my favorite side dishes.

This corn would also be ready to use in any other recipe that calls for canned or cooked corn, such as this Mexican Street Corn Dip or this Crack Corn Dip. You could even use it in this Corn & Mac Casserole.

You can top this tender corn with butter, of course, but there are also some more delicious and flavorful options. Choose the toppings of your choice...

• Salt 
• Parmesan cheese
• Garlic butter
• Drizzle of honey
• Fresh herbs (I used parsley)

More Instant Pot Recipes

This easy side dish goes with so many other main dishes and side dishes. Here are some great recipes that go with Instant Pot Corn on the Cob:

• Instant Pot Country Style Ribs
• Instant Pot Mississippi Pot Roast
• Instant Pot Potato Salad
• Instant Pot Black-Eyed Peas
• Easy Instant Pot Au Gratin Potatoes
• 20+ Instant Pot Chicken Recipes