This homemade Cilantro-Lime Instant Pot Creamed Corn adds fresh and vibrant flavors to a traditional side dish. Ready in less than 30 minutes, this irresistible dish is sure to be a hit with the whole family.
(Originally posted on September 4, 2018; Updated on June 20, 2024.)
I have been eating creamed corn my whole life. It was one of my top five favorite foods as a kid. The funny thing is, when anybody in my family ever cooked it, they NEVER actually added cream—or even milk, for that matter! This is crazy because almost every recipe online uses some sort of cream—heavy cream, milk, or even cream cheese. I guess call me the oddball because we're only using butter for this Instant Pot corn.
I did not grow up eating creamed corn with cilantro or lime. I'm from a small town in Florida, and back in the 1980s, I doubt we even knew what cilantro was. So this creamed corn recipe is an adaptation of my childhood, combined with my love of the cilantro and lime flavor profile. It's pretty doggone good.
Why This Recipe Works
- Simple Ingredients: Only 6 ingredients plus salt for a rich, fresh flavor.
- Fresh and Bright Flavor: Cilantro and lime zest add a unique twist to traditional creamed corn and brighten up the flavor profile.
- No Cream Needed: Unlike most creamed corn recipes, this one relies on butter for richness.
- Easy to Customize: Adjust the cayenne pepper for your preferred level of heat.
- Versatility: Can be made vegan by using vegan butter.
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
Ingredients for Cilantro-Lime Instant Pot Creamed Corn
- Corn (5 cups): Provides the sweet and juicy base for the dish. Fresh corn is best for optimal flavor.
- Sea Salt (1 tsp.): Enhances the natural sweetness of the corn.
- Cilantro Leaves (2 Tbsp., finely chopped): Adds a fresh, herbaceous note.
- Lime Zest (zest of 2 limes, finely chopped): Brings a bright, citrusy flavor that complements the corn.
- Cayenne Pepper (¼ tsp.): Introduces a subtle heat to the dish.
- Butter (½ cup): Provides richness and helps meld all the flavors together.
- Cornstarch (1 Tbsp.): Used to thicken the sauce.
- Water (2 Tbsp.): Mixed with cornstarch to create a slurry for thickening.
How to Make Instant Pot Creamed Corn
And this is the Amazing Result
Expert Tips
- Fresh Corn: Use fresh corn for the best flavor, but frozen corn works well too.
- Microplane Grater: Use this for zesting limes for the finest zest.
- Vegan Option: Substitute regular butter with vegan butter.
- Adjusting Heat: Reduce or omit cayenne pepper if you prefer a milder dish.
- Cornstarch Slurry: Ensure the slurry is well mixed to avoid lumps.
- Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Serving Suggestions: This dish pairs well with grilled meats or as a side for Mexican-inspired meals.
FAQs
Can I make this without cilantro and lime? Yes. Leaving out cilantro and lime will give you a more traditional creamed corn.
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 from the kitchen department of your local department store.
What if I don’t have a microplane grater? In a pinch, you may use a vegetable peeler and a knife to make lime zest.
Can I use frozen corn? Yes, you can use frozen corn without defrosting. The cooking time remains the same.
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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 6 cobs to yield 4-5 cups. Break up the corn into individual kernels.
- Place corn, 1 ½ cups of water, and 1 tsp. sea salt into the Instant Pot. Mix well.
- Lock the lid and cook on high pressure for 4 minutes.
- Once the cooking time is complete, perform a quick release of the pressure and remove the lid.
- Switch the Instant Pot to the sauté setting. Add ½ cup butter, chopped cilantro, lime zest, and ¼ tsp. cayenne pepper. Mix until the butter is completely melted.
- Make a cornstarch slurry by mixing 1 Tbsp. cornstarch with 2 Tbsp. water. Pour the slurry into the pot and mix well until the desired consistency is reached, about 1 minute.
- Switch the Instant Pot to the warm setting until ready to serve.
Video
Notes
Expert Tips
- Fresh Corn: Use fresh corn for the best flavor, but frozen corn works well too.
- Microplane Grater: Use this for zesting limes for the finest zest.
- Vegan Option: Substitute regular butter with vegan butter.
- Adjusting Heat: Reduce or omit cayenne pepper if you prefer a milder dish.
- Cornstarch Slurry: Ensure the slurry is well mixed to avoid lumps.
- Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Serving Suggestions: This dish pairs well with grilled meats or as a side for Mexican-inspired meals.
FAQs
Can I make this without cilantro and lime? Yes. Leaving out cilantro and lime will give you a more traditional creamed corn. 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 from the kitchen department of your local department store.
What if I don’t have a microplane grater? In a pinch, you may use a vegetable peeler and a knife to make lime zest.
Can I use frozen corn? Yes, you can use frozen corn without defrosting. The cooking time remains the same.Nutrition
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Becky
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!
Fernando Fortune
Can I use milk?
Gary White
No, it will curdle under pressure.