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Enjoy perfectly cooked, juicy corn on the cob--every single time--with this easy and foolproof method for Instant Pot Corn on the Cob! It's hands-down my favorite way to prepare summer corn, and once you try it, I think it'll be yours too.
Pair it with BBQ Chicken, Instant Pot Ribs, or Burgers for the ultimate summer meal.
Why Instant Pot Corn is the Best
While I love grilled, boiled, and air-fried corn, nothing beats Instant Pot Con for three simple reasons.
- Fast. Ready in under 20 minutes, including pressure build-up--and nearly all of that time is hands-off.
- Superior Flavor. Cooking corn in the moist heat of the Instant Pot steams it to perfection, intensifying the sweet, natural flavor without drying it out or making it waterlogged.
- Easy. You don't even have to shuck it first! In fact, the husk and silk peel off easily after pressure cooking.
Happy Cooking! xo Kristen
How To Make Instant Pot Corn on the Cob
If you are unfamiliar with cooking in an Instant Pot or the functions of your Instant Pot, be sure to start with my guide for using an Instant Pot for the best results on this and future recipes. You will find the full recipe in detail in the recipe card below.
- Prepare the corn. You can use husked or unhusked corn. If keeping the husks on, trim the tip and the stem so the cobs fit inside the pot.
- Add Water to Inner Pot. The amount of water varies based on the size of your pressure cooker.
- 1 cup for a 3- or 6-quart Instant Pot
- 1½ cups for an 8-quart
- 2 cups for a 10-quart
- Use a Trivet. For the best flavor, I highly recommend using a rack or basket to place the corn on the cob. This will allow the corn to steam perfectly and prevent the corn from becoming waterlogged.
No Trivet?
You can use crumpled up foil to help raise the corn above the water.
- Pressure Cook. The cook time varies based on whether your corn is husked or not.
- Husked corn: High pressure for 2 minutes
- Corn in husk: High pressure for 3-4 minutes (4 minutes for thick cobs)
- Let Pressure Release for 5 Minutes. After 5 minutes, carefully perform a quick release using a long utensil to move the vent knob from the sealed to venting position.
USe caution
Stand back to prevent your face from being burned from the steam that is released from the venting knob.
- Serve. If needed, let corn cool slightly, then remove husks and silk. Serve immediately with your favorite toppings.
How to Season Corn on the Cob
- Butter and Salt: A classic for reason!
- Cilantro Lime Corn: Season melted butter with lime zest, lime juice, and cilantro and slater over corn.
- Mexican Street Corn: Slather with mayo, sprinkle with chili powder, and drizzle with crema.
- Fresh Herbs: Brush with yogurt, butter, or mayo and sprinkle with parsley, dill, or chives.
- Parmesan: Butter or oil, plus a generous dusting of freshly grated parmesan.
- Turn it Into a Salsa or Salad: Cut the corn off the cob and use it to make corn salsa, black bean corn salsa, street corn salad, or corn tomato salad.
Cooking Frozen Corn in the Instant Pot
While there is nothing better than fresh summer corn on the cob, you can use the Instant Pot to pressure cook frozen corn on the cob as well.
- Add water and trivet to the inner pot as recipe directs.
- Place the frozen corn on the trivet.
- Pressure cook for 4 minutes on High Pressure, followed by 5 minutes of natural pressure release.
More Instant Pot Vegetable Recipes
- Instant Pot Green Beans
- Instant Pot Baked Sweet Potatoes
- Instant Pot Spaghetti Squash
- Instant Pot Baked Potatoes
- Instant Pot Creamed Corn
- Instant Pot Glazed Carrots
- Instant Pot Artichokes
Did you make this recipe?
If you enjoyed this recipe, please leave a comment with a 5-star review at the bottom of the post. Thank you!
Instant Pot Corn on the Cob
Video
Ingredients
- 1 to 12 ears corn on the cob
- 1 to 2 cups cold tap water for pressure cooking, see recipe card for exact amount
Instructions
- Trim off the tip of the corn cob and remove the long stem at the bottom of your corn cobs, so that the corn will fit inside the Instant Pot. If desired, remove the husks and silk from the corn.
- Pour cold tap water into the inner pot and top with the rack or trivet. For 3 or 6-quart Instant Pot: Use1 cup of waterFor 8-Quart Instant Pot: Use 1½ cups waterFor 10-quart Instant Pot: Use 2 cups water
- Place corn cobs right on the trivet or in the steamer basket, stacking as many corn cobs as desired in Instant Pot.
- Place lid on pressure cooker and be sure lid is sealed and vent knob is closed or pointed towards "seal."
- Set to Pressure Cook on High pressure for 2 minutes for corn without husk. Cook on high pressure for 3-4 minutes for corn with husk. I recommend 4 minutes if your corn cobs are really thick.
- Once the cooking time has elapsed, let the pressure release naturally for 5 minutes and then release any remaining pressure.
- Serve corn as desired.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Published in 2019 and updated in 2025.
this was exactly the post that I was needing! I have a large barbecue for dinner and made these and it was the easiest thing you could ever do! thank you so much for sharing this informational recipe!
Excellent!!
Thanks for all of your great recipes, as well as your helpful hints and tips to help us get the most from our InstantPots!
So glad I found you right after I got mine!
I am so glad you are enjoying my recipes AND your instant pot 🙂
We've made it twice this week in the instant pot sooo good! Thank you Kristen!
You are so welcome!
Easy to understand, gave the option of shucking the corn or not. I usually don’t watch the video associated with a method, but found this very helpful.
I am glad this was easy to understand and that you found the video helpful.
The Insta Pot and the Vortex Air Fryer Plus are now a staple in my house.
This corn was better than the microwave or the grill. As a matter of fact, almost everything I cook in either appliance is better than the grill. My husband has not touched the bbq this season.
WAHOO!!! I love that you are enjoying so much Karen!
Turned out perfect. Thanks
Wonderful!
we have a family of 7...Can I place the corn on cobs on end inside instant pot, instead of laying them on their sides?
Yes! The bottoms will be submerged in water, but the cooking time will work.
We love corn and love that we can make it in our IP with this easy recipe. Thanks for sharing!
So glad you found this recipe to be helpful Ashley!
I'm making this for the weekend, I bet everyone is going to devour it!