Perfectly Boil Corn on the Cob Every Time

Corn on the Cob is surely a summertime favorite that we all look forward to. The star of your barbecue or the perfect side to a meal, learning how to boil corn on the cob is essential. Our homemade corn on the cob recipe reveals step by step how to make this easy side using only ears of fresh sweetcorn and explains why cooking it creates beautifully tender, delicious basic boiled buttered corn. This article will also explain the tips and tricks as well you can do while cooking to get better results, it even gives an answer to those common questions. Keep reading to be briefed on how you can up your corn game!

How Do You Boil Corn on the Cob: A Step-by-Step Guide

What You Need to Get Started

If you are making corn on the cob, collect all of your ingredients needed for cooking and make sure to have them prepped. You just have to get the corn, fresh from a store or produce stand; fill up a big pot of water (and add some seasoning); then boil. Just fill the pot with enough water to cover all your corn and bring that sucker to a boil! Note: the fresher your corn, the tastier this is going to be. Farm-fresh sweet corn is perfectly suited to boiling, with its tender kernels that explode into flavor.

Corn on the cob should be husked and silk removed beforehand. Shucking you need to do this, it helps with even cooking. When the water is boiling, add your corn to it. Boil the corn for 4-7 minutes, depending on how soft you want your corn and how big it is. Smaller ones might only need 4 minutes, though if you’re boiling larger cobs give them around 6-7 mins. When Kernels are tender and juicy your corn is done.

How long do I boil corn on the cob?

My Favorite Boiled Corn On The Cob RecipeOne of the most frequently asked questions about boiled corn is, “How long do you boil it?” It all depends on whether or not you have fresh corn. Fresh corn wont need as much time to cook—more like 5 minutes versus the usual 7 for older ears. It is easy to overcook and make your corn mushy, so be mindful of the cooking time. When finished, remove the corn from the boiling water immediately to prevent additional cooking.

Some people add salt or even sugar to the water before boiling for extra flavor. That said, salting the water can make corn chewy; season after you cook it.

Boiling Corn on the Cob – Mistakes to Avoid

What Overcooking Does To The Corn

The biggest mistake people make is overcooking it. Corn on the cob can get nice and gritty! If they are boiled for too long, the kernels get so tough that they lose their own sweetness. You will need to adjust because you want the corn to be tender and not mushy. (You’ll need a bit less time for freshly picked sweet corn, and obviously more if it’s older or frozen. A quick blanch in boiling water and they will be juicy, sweet corn kernels ready for the next cob. If you’re unsure if the corn is done, stick a fork or knife into one of the kernels — it should feel soft but not mushy.

Do You Salt the Water?

One item under debate is whether the water you use for boiling corn should include salt. Some chefs swear by this technique; others say the corn ends up tough. It might be safer to add flavor after your corn has been boiled. After you add a touch of salt and pepper eat them up, no one else will! Others like to use butter or other flavor enhancers for the ultimate taste.

How to Choose the Best Corn for Boiling

Choose Fresh Corn from the Market

The trick to cooking great corn is about freshness. At home or in the supermarket look for green husks that are close fitting around the ear of corn. The husks should be moist but not wet, and the silk on top of each ear is golden, not dried out. When you press them, your kernels must be plump and firm. And, the thing about sweet corn is that its sweetness peaks just after being picked so a batch of fresher corn will taste better than if you bought all your ears on Saturday and then returned for more in another week.

Fresh Sweet Corn vs Frozen Corn

Sweet corn is typically the best for boiling because it has tender kernels and is naturally sweet. Yet, frozen corn also works well in the absence of fresh. One of the best ways to preserve that famous farm-fresh taste is by picking and freezing corn cobs at peak ripeness, so you can enjoy frozen sweetcorn kernels in their prime. If using frozen corn, the cooking time will need to be adjusted for a few minutes as it thaws.

It Can Be More Than Boiled

Corn on the Cob: Steamed vs. Boiled

Another great method to cook corn on the cob is by steaming it. Boiling takes more time to cook and loses a few nutrients, but it can alter the taste. Slip the shucked kernels in a steamer basket over some boiling water and steam them for 5-7 min. Steaming corn is generally one of the healthier methods as it has an enhanced natural sweetness and good mineral content. And you can just watch the clock for perfect timeliness with none of the danger of overcooking.

Grilled Corn on the CobInstructions

Grilling corn on the cob is a common outlier from boiling with its addition of smoky flavor. If you have all your veggies cut up, I suggest grilling everything either by putting the corn on the grill whole with or without husks. Grilling in the husks steams the corn — and will give you that characteristic char. We use this method for fresh corn, it comes off with a little char and is not completely blackened after half grilling: The result is lightly crunchy on the outside from roasting so long against blazing hot grill plates, but kernels are still juicy too. The versatile starter can go alongside any summer dishes you try to serve onto your table!!

Key Takeaways

• Boiling corn on the cob is quick and easy, requiring only 4-7 minutes depending on the size of the cob.
• Avoid overcooking, as this can make the kernels tough and reduce their sweetness.
• Fresh sweet corn is best for boiling, but frozen corn works well in a pinch.
• You can experiment with adding salt or sugar to the water, but seasoning after cooking is a safer option.
• Leftover corn can be used in a variety of dishes or stored for future use by freezing the kernels.

By following these steps, you can enjoy perfectly cooked corn on the cob every time, making it a standout summer side at your next gathering.