Slathered in butter and sprinkled with salt, there’s nothing like fresh ears of corn. For those of you who have ever wondered How long do you boil corn on the cob?—we’ve got you covered. Here’s how long you should boil one of our favorite summer foods.
Pair your corn with one of these fresh and easy recipes for the ultimate summer meal.
Cooking Time Depends on the Corn
Sweet corn peaks mid-summer, so you’ll find the freshest corn on the cob possible during that time. Whether you buy it directly from the farmer or your local grocery store, take note of how sweet the variety is. The freshest corn and super sweet varieties may require a shorter cooking time, while older corn may take longer to become tender.
Here are our tips on picking the best corn.
How to Boil Corn on the Cob
Ingredients
- Ears of corn
- One quart of water per ear of corn
Step 1: Prep the corn
Remove the husks and silk. Cut out any blemishes with a sharp knife.
Step 2: Place corn in boiling water
Once your pot of water is boiling, add the cobs. Cover the pan and let the water return to a boil.
Pro tip: Never boil your corn in salted water! It can make the kernels very tough.
Step 3: Boil for 3-5 minutes
Boil the corn until tender, 3-5 minutes. Remember, the cooking time will depend on the variety and maturity of your corn.
Step 4: Enjoy!
Turn off the heat and carefully remove the cobs with tongs. You can keep the remaining corn warm in the water for another 10 minutes without it becoming too tough. Or, place the corn on a platter and cover it with a dish towel. This keeps most of the heat in.
Try your corn with one of these easy flavored butter recipes!
Try Another Popular Corn-Boiling Method
The method above is the most popular way to boil corn, but you may prefer this method better, depending on how tender you like your corn. Once you place the corn into the boiling water, cover the pot, turn off the heat and let the corn sit in the water for 10 minutes. The corn will have a crisp-tender finish.
Here are other delicious ways to prepare corn on the cob.
I like to peel the husks back and rub ears of sweet corn with delicious dill butter before putting them on the grill. The butter melts over the golden kernels as the corn steams inside the husk. —Jeannie Klugh, Lancaster, Pennsylvania
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I created a lime butter especially for grilled corn and love to add fresh cilantro from my garden. —Andrea Reynolds, Westlake, Ohio
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After one bite of this grilled corn on the cob, you'll never go back to your old way of preparing it. The incredible flavor of roasted corn combined with bacon and chili powder is sure to please your palate and bring rave reviews at your next backyard barbecue. —Lori Bramble, Omaha, Nebraska
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When our son was young, corn was the only vegetable he'd eat. My husband and I soon got bored with the simple salt and butter topping, so I stirred in some lemon juice and chives.—Sue Kirsch, Eden Pairie, Minnesota
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I'd never grilled corn until last summer when my sister-in-law served it for us. What a treat! So simple, yet delicious, grilled corn is now a must on my summer menu. —Angela Leinenbach, Mechanicsville, Virginia
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My husband and I agreed that the original recipe for this corn needed a little jazzing up, so I added the thyme and cayenne pepper to suit our tastes. Now fresh summer corn makes a regular appearance on our grill. —Kathy VonKorff, North College Hill, Ohio
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This is the best grilled corn I have ever tasted! The butter, garlic and cheese perk up the flavor and make it hard to resist. A great side dish for your cookout! —Mitzi Sentiff, Annapolis, Maryland
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In Mexico, grilled corn sometimes comes slathered in mayonnaise, rolled in grated cheese and served with lime and chili powder. This is my family's take on the dish, with our own flavor enhancements. —Carolyn Kumpe, El Dorado, California
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For a July Fourth barbecue, I whipped up a butter and horseradish topping for grilled corn. People actually formed a line to get seconds. —Trish Loewen, Bakersfield, California
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A little tart and a touch sassy, this fun way to fix corn will be a hit. Just a few minutes of pan frying gives it a delightful golden color. —Faye Sloan, Las Vegas, Nevada
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Who knew a store-bought dressing could add so much flavor? This medley tastes delightful with garden-fresh veggies. Feel free to sub in your favorites and let the grill and the dressing do the rest! —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
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I've loved corn served with this simple seasoning since I was a child. It makes corn on the cob extra special. —Anna Minegar, Zolfo Springs, Florida
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Steaming the basil under the husks adds lots of flavor to these fantastic ears. Lime makes their sweet taste pop even more. —Diane Eaton, Campbell, California
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Mexican food is my grandmother’s favorite. I wanted a perfect side for her legendary tacos, and this chile-lime grilled corn turned out to be just right. —Ashley Crainshaw, Shawnee, Kansas
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Roasting fresh-picked corn is as old as the Ozark hills where I was raised. My Grandpa Mitchell always salted and peppered his butter on the edge of his plate before spreading it on his corn, and I did the same as a kid. Today, I continue the tradition by serving lemon-pepper butter with roasted corn—it's a favorite! —Allene Bary-Cooper, Wichita Falls, Texas
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There's nothing that says summer quite like fresh sweet corn, and honey butter makes these ears even sweeter. —Nancy Kreiser, Lebanon, Pennsylvania
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It makes the flavor of the corn really pop!
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My dad, the family gardener, grew corn in abundance, so it graced our table A LOT. This is one of the ways my grandmother spiced it up on the grill. —Shirley Hodge, Bangor, Pennsylvania
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Corn on the cob is a comforting and cherished Midwest dish. It's amazing when grilled, and my recipe adds a few unexpected ingredients to make it taste even more like summertime. —Caitlin Dawson, Monroe, Ohio
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The wonderful spice mixture doesn't add heat, only great flavor. This just may be the best corn you've ever had! —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
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We love Mexican food and corn on the cob. So I combined them into something fresh and spicy. For Italian flair, I make this corn with basil and oregano butter and Parmesan cheese.—MacKenzie Severson, Germantown, Maryland
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We love corn and are always looking for new ways to enjoy it. This tastes great right off the grill but leftovers are delicious in salads and tacos. I like to let the corn cool, cut it off the cob, then top it with butter and fresh cracked pepper. —Rachel Smith, Vicksburg, Michigan
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The post How Long Do You Boil Corn on the Cob? appeared first on Taste of Home.
Alexa Hackfort
