This made-from-scratch Cilantro-Lime Instant Pot Creamed Corn brings bright and fresh flavors to a classic side dish. Ready in under 30 minutes, the whole family will love this irresistible dish.
(Originally posted September 4, 2018; Updated on July 1, 2020)
I have been eating creamed corn my whole life. As a kid, it was definitely one of my top five favorite foods. Funny things is... when anybody in my family ever cooked it, they NEVER actually added cream. Or even milk for that matter! Which is crazy because almost every recipe online uses some sort of cream - heavy cream, milk, or even cream cheese. Well, I guess call me the odd ball because we're only using butter for this Instant Pot corn.
Now, I did not grow up eating creamed corn with cilantro or lime. I'm from a small town in Florida and, back in the 80's, I doubt we even knew what cilantro was. So this creamed corn recipe is an adaption of my childhood, combined with my love of the cilantro and lime flavor profile. It's pretty doggone good.
Why This Recipe Works
- With just 6 simple ingredients (plus salt), this made-from-scratch creamed corn has a freshness that is missing in canned creamed corn.
- This recipe can easily be made vegan by swapping the regular butter with vegan butter.
How to Make Instant Pot Creamed Corn
Cut corn kernels off of 6 cobs - should yield between 4-5 cups.
Break up corn into individual kernels.
Add corn to pot.
Then add water and salt. Lock lid and cook to 4 minutes at high pressure.
Meanwhile - finely chop cilantro.
Using a microplane - remove zest from 2 limes, then finely chop.
Once cook time is complete, quick-release pressure and remove lid. Switch to sauté setting.
Add butter, cilantro, and lime zest. Mix well until butter is completely melted.
Make a cornstarch slurry.
Pour cornstarch slurry into pot. Mix well, and continue mixing until desired consistency is reached. Probably about 1 minute.
Switch to warm setting until ready to serve.
And this is the Amazing Result…
Expert Tips
- This recipe has a subtle heat from the cayenne pepper. If you do not like spice, you may reduce the amount to taste, or simply leave it out.
- I highly recommend using fresh corn for this recipe, but in a pinch you may use frozen corn kernels. The cook time will remain the same, and there is no need to defrost the corn before cooking. However, keep in mind that frozen corn has been cooked before freezing, and this will alter the taste of the finished dish.
FAQs
If I leave out the cayenne, lime and cilantro, will this make regular creamed corn? Yes.
What is a microplane grater? Microplane graters are perfect for delicate work such as grating spices, like nutmeg, and zesting citrus fruit. You can purchase one on Amazon for under $15
, or pick one up from the kitchen department of your local department store.
How can I zest limes without a microplane grater? In a pinch, you may use a vegetable peeler and a knife to make lime zest.
Can I use frozen corn kernels? Yes, see Expert Tip #2 above.
More Summertime Favorite Recipes
- Fiesta Bean Salad
- Southern-Style Instant Pot Baked Beans
- Lemon-Thyme Bundt Pan Chicken
- Lemon Dill Salmon with Stone Ground Mustard
- Fresh Grapefruit Margaritas
★ Did you make this Instant Pot Creamed Corn? Please give it a star rating below!★
Cilantro-Lime Instant Pot Creamed Corn
Ingredients
- 5 cups corn
- 1 ½ cups water
- 1 tsp. sea salt
- 2 Tbsp. cilantro leaves finely chopped
- zest of 2 limes finely choped
- ¼ tsp. cayenne pepper
- ½ cup butter
- 1 Tbsp. cornstarch
- 2 Tbsp. water
Instructions
- Cut corn kernels off of 6 cobs – should yield between 4-5 cups. Break up corn into individual kernels.
- Add corn to pot. Then add water and salt, giving a good mix. Lock lid and cook for 4 minutes at high pressure.
- Meanwhile – finely chop cilantro. Using a microplane grater– remove zest from 2 limes, then finely chop.
- Once cook time is complete, quick-release pressure and remove lid. Switch to sauté setting. Add butter, cilantro, lime zest, and cayenne pepper. Mix well until butter is completely melted.
- Make a cornstarch slurry by mixing cornstarch and 2 tablespoons of water. Pour cornstarch slurry into pot. Mix well, and continue mixing until desired consistency is reached. Probably about 1 minute.
- Switch to warm setting until ready to serve.
Notes
Expert Tips
- This recipe has a subtle heat from the cayenne pepper. If you do not like spice, you may reduce the amount to taste, or simply leave it out.
- I highly recommend using fresh corn for this recipe, but in a pinch you may use frozen corn kernels. The cook time will remain the same, and there is no need to defrost the corn before cooking. However, keep in mind that frozen corn has been cooked before freezing, and this will alter the taste of the finished dish.
FAQs
If I leave out the cayenne, lime and cilantro, will this make regular creamed corn? Yes. What is a microplane grater? Microplane graters are perfect for delicate work such as when grating spices, like nutmeg, and zesting citrus fruit. You can purchase one on Amazon for under $15, or pick one up from the kitchen department of your local department store.
How can I zest limes without a microplane grater? In a pinch, you may use a vegetable peeler and a knife to make lime zest.
Can I use frozen corn kernels? Yes, see Expert Tip #2 above.Nutrition
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We love corn and aren't too picky about how it's served but this recipe is a game changer. It's absolutely delicious! It's by far the best creamed corn I've ever had!
Can I use milk?
No, it will curdle under pressure.