Instant Pot Jack Stack Cheesy Corn with Ham: A Kansas City BBQ Favorite, Perfected at Home
There’s nothing quite like the allure of Kansas City barbecue, a culinary tradition deeply ingrained in the heart of the Midwest. For almost a decade, I’ve called this vibrant city home, and in that time, I’ve immersed myself in its rich food scene, particularly its world-renowned BBQ. While countless fantastic establishments vie for the title of “best BBQ in KC,” one side dish consistently stands out in my personal rankings: the legendary Cheesy Corn Bake from Fiorella’s Jack Stack Barbecue. It’s a dish so incredibly perfect, so satisfying, that it has inspired me to recreate its magic in my own kitchen. This Instant Pot Jack Stack Cheesy Corn with Ham copycat recipe is designed to bring that iconic flavor right to your table, with a few clever modifications to make it lighter without sacrificing any of its comforting, savory appeal.
Calories: 202 Fat: 11G Net Carbs: 19G Protein: 9G
My Kansas City Culinary Journey and the Love for Jack Stack
My journey in Kansas City began nearly ten years ago. It feels surreal how quickly time flies when you’re exploring new places and making new connections. Adapting to a completely new environment, finding my way around, and forging new friendships certainly presented its challenges. However, one aspect of settling in was effortlessly enjoyable: discovering the city’s incredible food landscape, especially its barbecue. Kansas City isn’t just a place; it’s a state of mind, and its BBQ is a cornerstone of its identity.
I made it my mission to frequent all the well-known local BBQ joints, determined to craft my own personal list of favorites. Every Kansas Citian has their unique rankings and passionate arguments about which restaurant serves the absolute best. While the debates over brisket, ribs, and burnt ends are endless and delightful, for me, Jack Stack’s cheesy corn consistently held a special, uncontested spot. Its creamy texture, rich flavor, and perfect balance of savory goodness made it an unforgettable side dish. For that reason alone, Jack Stack will always be a staple on my list of top KC BBQ establishments, regardless of any other argument.
We could spend all day debating the merits of various BBQ titans, but that’s a discussion best saved for another time. Today, our focus is on capturing the essence of that beloved cheesy corn and bringing it to life with the convenience of an Instant Pot.
More Than Just a BBQ Side: Versatility for Any Meal
While cheesy corn is an indispensable companion to any BBQ feast, its versatility extends far beyond smoked meats. This delectable dish makes an incredible side for almost any meal, from a casual weeknight dinner to a festive holiday spread. This year, I decided to perfect my homemade version for the upcoming Christmas holiday, eager to share its comforting warmth with family and friends. What’s even better is that with a few thoughtful modifications, I was able to lighten up the recipe considerably without compromising an ounce of that fantastic, familiar taste. It’s truly a comfort food masterpiece that you can feel good about indulging in.
Lightening Up Your Instant Pot Cheesy Corn
This Instant Pot Jack Stack Cheesy Corn is undeniably rich and satisfying. However, achieving that creamy, cheesy goodness doesn’t mean sacrificing your healthy eating goals. By making smart ingredient swaps, you can significantly reduce the calorie and fat content without losing any of the comfort food appeal. For instance, opting for reduced-fat cream cheese instead of its full-fat counterpart makes a noticeable difference. Similarly, substituting whole milk with almond milk or another plant-based alternative can lighten the dish while maintaining its desirable creamy texture. These small changes go a long way in slimming down the recipe, making it a guilt-free indulgence.
You can also control the amount of ham, or even substitute it with leaner turkey ham or omit it entirely for a vegetarian option. The beauty of cooking at home is the ability to tailor recipes to your dietary needs and preferences. With these simple adjustments, this cheesy corn bake remains a delightful, flavorful addition to your meal plan.
No Instant Pot? No Problem! Alternative Cooking Methods
While the Instant Pot simplifies this recipe beautifully, delivering tender corn and a perfectly blended sauce with minimal effort, don’t despair if you don’t own one. This creamy cheesy corn can still be made using traditional methods. You can easily prepare this dish in a slow cooker, allowing the flavors to meld and deepen over several hours for an equally delicious result. Alternatively, you can cook the corn and sauce on the stovetop, bringing everything together in a large pot, and then transfer it to a baking dish for a final bake in the oven to get that irresistible bubbly, golden-brown cheese topping.
Why the Instant Pot is a Game Changer for This Cheesy Corn Bake
The Instant Pot truly shines when preparing dishes like this cheesy corn. Its pressure cooking function dramatically cuts down on cooking time, making it possible to whip up this decadent side in under 30 minutes. The sealed environment ensures that all the moisture and flavor are locked in, resulting in incredibly tender corn and a perfectly smooth, creamy sauce. Plus, the sauté function allows you to brown the ham right in the pot, minimizing cleanup and streamlining the cooking process. From start to finish, the Instant Pot makes creating this iconic Jack Stack Cheesy Corn copycat a breeze, delivering consistent, delicious results every time.
Customization and Serving Suggestions
This Instant Pot Cheesy Corn with Ham is fantastic as is, but it also serves as a wonderful canvas for culinary creativity. Feel free to experiment with different types of cheese; a blend of cheddar, Monterey Jack, and a touch of smoked gouda could add an extra layer of complexity. For a spicy kick, a pinch of cayenne pepper or diced jalapeños can be mixed in. Crumbled bacon bits make an excellent addition, enhancing the savory profile. You could even stir in some chopped green onions or chives just before serving for a burst of fresh flavor.
Serve this versatile dish alongside classic BBQ fare like pulled pork, smoked brisket, or grilled chicken. It’s also a superb accompaniment to holiday roasts, potlucks, or simply as a comforting side to your favorite weeknight meals. Its rich, creamy texture and cheesy flavor make it a crowd-plepleaser that will disappear quickly!
More Instant Pot Recipes to Explore
If you’re loving the convenience and delicious results from your Instant Pot, you’re in luck! There’s a world of recipes waiting to be discovered. Expand your culinary repertoire with these other fantastic Instant Pot creations:
Instant Pot Green Bean Casserole
Instant Pot Chicken Noodle Soup with Spinach
Instant Pot Caramel Apple Cider
Instant Pot Pumpkin Spice Sweet Potato Soup
Instant Pot Homemade Cranberry Sauce
Instant Pot Starbucks Gingerbread Latte
Instant Pot Skinny Pumpkin Spice Latte
Instant Pot Low-Carb Pumpkin Spice Bread
Instant Pot Lasagna
Instant Pot BBQ Pulled Chicken Sandwiches
How to Make Hard Boiled Eggs Using the Instant PotInstant Pot Chicken and Spanish Rice (Arroz Con Pollo)
Instant Pot Cheesecake
Instant Pot Chicken Alfredo Spaghetti Squash
Instant Pot Mongolian Beef
Instant Pot Steak Tacos
Instant Pot Chicken Taco Bowl with Quinoa
Instant Pot Buffalo Chicken Pasta
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Table of Contents
Instant Pot Cheesy Corn with Ham
Brandi Crawford
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Equipment
- Instant Pot
Ingredients
- 4 oz cream cheese (Reduced-Fat recommended)
- 2 12 oz bags frozen whole kernel corn
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
- ½ cup milk or almond milk
- ¼ cup heavy whipping cream
- 3 oz ham (cut into cubes)
- 2 cups cheddar cheese, shredded
- ½ cup cheddar cheese, chopped into chunks
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon water
- ⅓ cup vegetable or chicken broth
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit (220 degrees Celsius).
- Turn your Instant Pot to the Sauté function. Add the olive oil and cubed ham to the pot. Sauté for 2-3 minutes until lightly browned.
- Add the frozen corn, 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese, cream cheese, vegetable or chicken broth, seasonings (salt and pepper), butter, milk, and heavy whipping cream to the Instant Pot. Stir gently to combine all ingredients. Close the lid and set the valve to the sealing position. Cook for 8 minutes on Manual High-Pressure Cooking.
- Once cooking is complete, allow the steam to naturally release for 5 minutes. After 5 minutes, carefully perform a quick release of any remaining pressure.
- Remove the lid from the Instant Pot.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the water and all-purpose flour to create a smooth slurry. Pour this flour slurry into the Instant Pot and stir continuously until the cheesy corn mixture begins to thicken to your desired consistency.
- Transfer half of the cheesy corn mixture into a casserole dish. Evenly distribute the cheddar cheese chunks over this layer. Sprinkle half of the remaining shredded cheddar cheese over the chunks.
- Cover with the remaining cheesy corn mixture. Finally, sprinkle the rest of the shredded cheese on top.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 5-8 minutes, or until the cheese is beautifully melted, bubbly, and slightly golden.
- Allow the baked cheesy corn to cool for a few minutes before serving. Enjoy this ultimate comfort food!
Video
A video demonstration for this recipe would go here!
Nutrition Facts
Nutrition Data Disclaimer
Macros are provided as a courtesy and should not be construed as a guarantee. This information is calculated using tools like MyFitnessPal.com. To obtain the most accurate nutritional information for any given recipe, it is always recommended to calculate the values using the actual ingredients you use and your preferred nutrition calculator. You are solely responsible for ensuring that any nutritional information provided is accurate, complete, and useful for your dietary needs.