Boiled Corn on the Cob Recipe (2024)

FAQs

How long should you boil corn on the cob? ›

Bring a large pot of water to a boil and add the corn. Cook, stirring occasionally to make sure the corn is submerged, for 3 to 5 minutes, or until the corn is tender and bright yellow.

Boiling corn on the cob brings out its natural sweetness. But if you want an even juicier and sweeter crisp-tender bite, swap out some of the water for milk. The milk enhances the flavor and texture. It also infuses the corn on the cob with milk and butter, resulting in salty, buttery kernels.

Avoid cooking corn for too long. "If you have super fresh corn — which can even be eaten raw — it's a waste of time to cook for the common recommended time of 20 [or more] minutes," says Jones. Overcooking can also result in chewy and firm kernels. You can steam for 8-10 minutes or less, or even use the microwave.

Granulated sugar – boiling corn in slightly sweetened water brings out the pure sweetness of the corn. Lemon juice – preferably fresh lemon juice, but if you don't have any on hand lemon juice concentrate will do. Salt – not too much, a little goes a long way. The salt enhances the flavors of the corn.

Fill a large pot with water until it's about halfway full, then bring it to a boil over medium-high heat. Once the water is boiling, seasoning generously with salt (it should taste like the ocean). This is very important, as it will season the corn and bring out its natural sweetness.

Fill a large pot about 3/4 full of water and bring to a boil. Stir in sugar and lemon juice until sugar is dissolved. Gently place ears of corn into boiling water, cover the pot, turn off the heat, and let corn cook in the hot water until tender, about 10 minutes.

A little butter, milk and a dash of sugar will go a long way to improving the flavor. If you have the option, I'd recommend frozen corn over canned. Its already cooked…so just heat. If wanting to keep real simple, I drain, heat then add a little butter, kosher salt and a good bit of Fresh Ground Black Pepper.

If your corn is still hard, tough, or even chewy after it's boiled, it can be a result of two factors. For one thing, you may have over-cooked your corn. Set a time to ensure your corn isn't boiling for too long. Another reason might be the freshness of your corn.

The black layer forms when a layer of cells compress and turn dark where the kernel attaches to the cob.

What happens if you boil corn on the cob too long? ›

Yes, you can boil corn too long. If you leave the cobs in boiling water for too long, the corn's starch content will absorb too much water and its pectin will dissolve, yielding kernels with a soggy texture.

Generally, boiling frozen corn anywhere from eight to 10 minutes is enough for the kernels to turn bright yellow and plump. The kernels will appear soggy if you boil corn (frozen or fresh) for too long. Leaving corn in boiling water for too long increases water retention and destroys corn's crispy texture.

Yes, you can boil corn too long. If you leave the cobs in boiling water for too long, the corn's starch content will absorb too much water and its pectin will dissolve, yielding kernels with a soggy texture.

Bring the pot of COLD water to a boil. Using a pair of tongs, carefully drop each ear of corn into the pot. Cover the pot and return the water to a boil. Boil the corn for 5-7 minutes or until done.

Each method has its advantages. For large batches, boiling is hard to top. For quick, no-muss no-fuss corn on the cob, the microwave is miraculous. And grilling has a cool factor and perhaps a little edge when it comes to flavor.