Boiled Corn on the Cob Recipe (2024)

Boiled corn on the cob is the perfect summertime side dish. Boiling corn is the easiest cooking method and you’ll love our secret that makes this corn always sweet, juicy, and tender.

Boiled Corn on the Cob Recipe (1)

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Corn on the Cob Recipe:

The start of summer means it is corn on the cob season. I love this Boiled Corn on the Cob recipe for its simplicity. Perfect for summertime BBQs, this boiled corn is SO juicy.

Boiling corn on the cob is the most common way to cook it. If you love corn, be sure to also try our other corn recipes; Instant Pot Corn and Grilled Corn in Foil, so you are prepared to serve this perfect side dish all summer long!

How Long to Boil Corn:

Boiling corn on the cob ensures the kernels stay juicy and plump, yet finding the perfect length of time to boil corn depends on the age of your corn. Fresh ears of corn on the cob can be boiled in about 15 minutes. Ears of corn that may be a little older will take slightly longer – just be careful not to overcook! Check your kernels before removing them from the heat to ensure they are crisp-tender.

Boiled Corn on the Cob Recipe (2)

The Secret to Sweet Corn on the Cob:

I love corn on the cob at the peak of its season. However, sometimes finding the freshest corn can be tricky. The secret to ensuring perfectly sweet and juicy corn every time is to add sugar to the water. I learned this trick from my late friend Pearl who was like a Grandmother to me. This extra kick of sweetness makes a huge difference for boiled corn on the cob!

How to Cook Corn on the Cob:

    1. Shuck your corn and place corn in a large soup or stockpot and fill it with enough water to cover the corn.
    2. Bring water to a boil and add sugar. Cover, reduce heat to medium and boil for 15 minutes.
    3. When time is up, kernels should be crisp-tender. Remove from heat and drain. For easier eating, load each ear of corn onto a wooden skewer. If desired, butter, salt, and pepper your corn.

Boiled Corn on the Cob Recipe (3)

Pro Serving Tip: Serve your boiled corn on the cob on wooden skewers! This keeps your fingers from getting burned as you eat the freshly cooked corn. As an added bonus, the skewer allows you to butter your corn and not worry about the butter dripping all over your hands.

Leftover Corn on the Cob?

This boiled corn on the cob is best when eaten fresh and hot. If you can’t eat all of the corn in one sitting, wrap it in plastic wrap or foil and store it in the fridge then use those sweet juicy kernels for Corn Guacamole or fresh Avocado Corn Salad.

P.S. You can also keep the leftover bare cobs for the best Corn Chowder.

Boiled Corn on the Cob Recipe (4)

What to Serve with Corn on the Cob:

Try pairing corn on the cob with our Perfect Burgers and Potato Wedges at your next BBQ and don’t forget the Lemonade. Your guests will be begging for more.

More Summer Side Dish Recipes:

  • Cucumber Tomato Avocado Salad – our most popular summer salad
  • Asian Chopped Salad – with the best Asian dressing
  • Coleslaw Recipe – simple, creamy and excellent
  • Cowboy Caviar – make a big batch since it disappears fast
  • Strawberry Pretzel Salad – ok, not technically a ‘salad’

Boiled Corn on the Cob Recipe

4.95 from 18 votes

Author: Natasha of NatashasKitchen.com

Boiled Corn on the Cob Recipe (6)

Boiled corn on the cob is the perfect summertime side dish - simple, easy to make, and always sweet, juicy, and tender.

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Prep Time: 5 minutes mins

Cook Time: 15 minutes mins

Total Time: 20 minutes mins

Ingredients

Servings: 5 people

  • 5 cobs of corn, shucked/peeled
  • 1-2 Tbsp sugar, or salt
  • unsalted butter, optional to serve
  • Black pepper, freshly ground (optional)

Instructions

  • Place corn in a large soup/stock pot and fill it with enough water to cover the corn.

  • Bring water to a boil and add 2 Tbsp of sugar (1 Tbsp for a smaller pot and 2 for a huge one).

  • Cover, reduce heat to medium and boil 15 minutes. When time is up, sample few kernels of corn before turning off. "Older" corn may take a few more minutes to cook. Kernels should be crisp-tender.

  • Remove from heat and drain. Butter and pepper your corn if you like. Best to eat it fresh, or wrap it in foil and save it for later.

Nutrition Per Serving

87kcal Calories19g Carbs3g Protein1g Fat1g Saturated Fat14mg Sodium243mg Potassium2g Fiber8g Sugar168IU Vitamin A6mg Vitamin C1mg Iron

  • Full Nutrition Label
  • Nutrition Disclosure

Nutrition Facts

Boiled Corn on the Cob Recipe

Amount per Serving

Calories

87

% Daily Value*

Fat

1

g

2

%

Saturated Fat

1

g

6

%

Sodium

14

mg

1

%

Carbohydrates

19

g

6

%

Fiber

2

g

8

%

Sugar

8

g

9

%

Protein

3

g

6

%

Vitamin A

168

IU

3

%

Vitamin C

6

mg

7

%

Iron

1

mg

6

%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Course: Side Dish

Cuisine: American

Keyword: boiled corn on the cob, corn on the cob

Skill Level: Easy

Cost to Make: $

Calories: 87

If you make this recipe, I’d love to see pics of your creations on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter! Hashtag them #natashaskitchen

Natasha Kravchuk

Boiled Corn on the Cob Recipe (7)

Welcome to my kitchen! I am Natasha, the blogger behind Natasha's Kitchen (since 2009). My husband and I run this blog together and share only our best, family approved and tested recipes with YOU. Thanks for stopping by! We are so happy you're here.

Read more posts by Natasha

Boiled Corn on the Cob Recipe (2024)

FAQs

Is 20 minutes too long to boil corn? ›

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.

How long does it take for corn to boil? ›

Quick reference: Boiling times for corn
Corn typeBoil time
Unhusked fresh corn10 minutes
Husked fresh corn2–5 minutes
Frozen corn cobs5–8 minutes
Frozen corn kernels2–3 minutes
Mar 24, 2022

Can you overcook boiled corn on the cob? ›

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.

Why add sugar to boil corn on the cob? ›

the first thing you'll do. is boil a pot of water and add some cane sugar. the sugar helps draw the sweetness in the corn. making it taste amazing.

Do you add salt to water when boiling corn? ›

Cunningham's approach is simple: Make sure to salt your boiling water, and soften your butter before you slather it on. If at all possible, buy corn with taut, intact husks and shuck the cobs yourself just before you drop them into the pot of water.

Does corn float when you boil it? ›

directions. In a large pot, enough to hold the corn, fill it with water to cover the corn (the corn should float).

Why do you put milk in water when boiling corn? ›

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.

Why is my corn on the cob hard after boiling? ›

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.

Do you boil corn with a lid on? ›

All of the corn should be submerged in the water so that it cooks evenly. If cooking a full pot of corn, you can cover the pot so that any corn that comes up out of the water steam cooks. Still be sure to stir it once or twice during the cook time to rotate the ears of corn in the water.

Why does corn turn black when boiled? ›

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

How do you know when corn is fully boiled? ›

It's a delicate change, but corn on the cob is cooked when the yellow color intensifies, the kernels grow plumper, and the kernels should feel tender (you can poke one with a sharp knife if you must). Leaving them in the pot for too long will cause them to turn tough or soggy.

Is it faster to steam or boil corn? ›

While I love grilling it, my preferred method is steaming it on the stove. Because you don't have to bring a huge pot of water to a boil, it takes much less time than boiling corn on the cob, and it comes out juicy, sweet, and delicious.

How long to boil hot dogs? ›

Hot dogs should be boiled for around four to six minutes. But if the hot dog is frozen, it should be boiled for nine to 10 minutes. You can choose to boil your hot dog in water or beer, depending on your preference.

Does corn on the cob get softer the longer you boil it? ›

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.

Why is my corn on the cob still hard after boiling? ›

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.

How do you know if corn is over watered? ›

Yellowing leaves and a soil that's more saturated than a sponge in a bathtub are classic signs your Corn plant is getting too much water. It's time to dial back the deluge and let the soil go from wet to just damp before giving it another drink.

How do you check corn on the cob? ›

If you must, peel back just a peek of the husk.

If a cob feels heavy for its size, firm from tassel to tail, and has golden tassels, there should be no need to peel back the husks, but if you're new to this method of selection or unsure, you can peel back just a small portion of the husk to check.

References

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