Perfect Instant Pot Corn on the Cob

Instant Pot Corn on the Cob

Around here, we love corn dishes just as much as we love corny jokes. Sometimes we’ll even eat a whole meal of only fresh corn, butter, and new potatoes. It really is a treat.

Though there are several ways to cook corn on the cob, the Instant Pot is one of the quickest ways I know. It’s great option for two people, or for a large group because you can add as many or as few cobs as you like and they all cook evenly.

With very little effort, you can have tender, sweet cobs, just begging to be buttered.

How to Select Fresh Corn

Starting with sweet, fresh corn is essential to achieving the tastiest Instant Pot Corn on the Cob. If you mistakenly buy older ears of corn, or corn that hasn’t been freshly picked you could end up with very starchy, less sweet corn.

Why does older corn get starchy? Over time, the cob dries out and the sweet sugars within the corn kernels convert to starches. Here are some tips to selecting the best cobs for your dinner.

• Buy corn in season, preferably directly from the farmer or at a Farmer’s Market. Chat up the vendors for the low down on when the corn was picked. Ideally, choose corn that was picked that day or the day before.
• Choose ears that have tight, bright green, moist husks and dark silks. If the husks are loose, or the silks are too dry, it means that the corn has also began to dry out.
• Moisture is key. Select ears of corn that are heavy. Peel back enough husks to view even rows of plump kernels (check for bugs here). They should be fully formed to the tip of the cob and appear light and slightly translucent in colour.
• Finally, poke one kernel with your fingernail. The juice should just squirt out of a perfectly fresh ear of corn. Of course, be sure to purchase the cob you have tested, regardless of the outcome for sanitary reasons.
• Cook the corn the same day you bought it for best results. If you let it sit for too long, it will start to dry out or even mold.

What to Do with Old Starchy Corn

It happens to the best of us. Even with the above pointers, you can still end up with bland starchy corn. Additionally, sometimes our ambitions are greater than the energy we have to cook everything we buy, even with the best of intentions.

Have no fear, you can still save this corn. The key is to cook on high heat, such as in an Instant Pot.

Usually, I would say to keep the husks on as they can protect the kernels from drying out. However, cooking shucked cobs with a little water under high pressure will ensure they stay sweet and hydrated.

Another way to boost the flavour of lacklustre corn is to cook it with dairy. Corn loves fat…just think of all that butter slathered on a cob and try not to drool. Experiment with compound butters flavoured with your favourite herbs and spices for a variety of corn side dishes.

Then, there’s Mexican Street Corn (Elotes) and Esquites. This street food classic is slathered with mayonnaise or crema and cheese! It’s practically irresistible, right?

I also like to add corn to my Scalloped Potatoes (or Gratin Potatoes) along with a generous top layer of cheese. The casserole dish gets picked clean every time!

How to Cook Instant Pot Corn on the Cob

Prepare the Corn

Shuck each ear of corn by grabbing onto the husks of one side and pulling it outward and downward towards the stalk. Flip the ear over and repeat with remaining husks. Remove all silk.

Next, cut each cob in half crosswise, as well as the tip of the corn. This will ensure that the corn will stand up straight in the pressure cooker.

Arrange Corn in the Instant Pot

Place the metal trivet in the bottom of the Instant Pot and add one to two cups of water. Arrange each cob in the Instant Pot so that they are standing up on their ends.

Place the lid on the Instant Pot, ensuring the silicon seal is in position and the pressure release is in the sealing position.

Set the Instant Pot timer to manual and ‘high pressure’, then pressure cook for 4 minutes. Immediately quick release the pressure after the four minutes of cook time.

How to Eat Instant Pot Corn on the Cob

I love that you can cook a large batch of corn in the Instant Pot. No more heating up a large pot of water or overcooked corn. We love to slather our corn with butter, then shake on some salt and pepper.

However, you can also use this method to pre cook corn for salads and soups. Cut the corn off the cobs and fill up some freezer bags and you’ll enjoy sweet local corn all winter long.