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Learn How to Boil Corn on the Cob so it turns out perfect every time. Fresh boiled corn on the cob makes a delicious and easy side dish to serve for backyard barbecues and family get-togethers.

Three corn cobs of boiled corn on a white platter. A glass bowl with melted butter sits next to the corn.

Fresh corn on the cob is a popular American vegetable that shows up a lot during warm summer months. It makes a quick and easy side dish to serve with grilled chicken or fish, fried chicken, burgers and more.

Four fresh corn on the cob set on a white wooden table. A stick of butter and a small dish of salt sit next to the corn.

Boiled Corn On The Cob Recipe

This method for how to boil corn on the cob is a quick and easy one. 

  1. Shuck Corn:  Strip off the husk and snap off the end stalks. Pull off the silk and remove the strands caught between the kernels. You can rub a damp paper towel along the kernels to help loosen the strands caught between the kernels.
  2. Boil Pot of Water: Bring a pot of water to a boil. Don’t add salt as this can make the corn a little tough.
  3. Boil Corn: Using tongs, lower each shucked cob of corn into the boiling water. Boil for 3-5 minutes. Set a timer so you don’t overcook them.
  4. Serve Corn: Using tongs, remove boiled corn from the water and place on serving platter. Serve with butter and salt or other toppings you may choose.

5 Tasty Toppings For Corn On The Cob

Butter and salt are the most common toppings for corn on the cob, but there are some other tasty toppings to try. These options are for serving 4 ears of corn.

  1. Parmesan Cheese: Mix together 1 clove grated garlic, 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil and 2 tablespoons melted butter. Slather on corn on the cob and sprinkle with finely grated Parmesan cheese.
  2. Pesto and Parmesan Cheese: Slather homemade pesto sauce over the hot corn and sprinkle with finely grated Parmesan cheese.
  3. Honey Butter: Mix together 1/2 stick butter melted, 1 tablespoon honey and 1/4 teaspoon salt and slather on corn on the cob.
  4. Mexican Style:  Mix together 2 tablespoons crumbled queso fresco, 1/4 cup sour cream, 2 teaspoons chili powder, juice of 1/2 lime. Spread on corn on the cob and sprinkle with more crumbled queso fresco cheese. 
  5. Garlic Pepper: Mix 1/2 stick butter with 2 teaspoons garlic pepper. Slather on corn on the cob.

Four corn on the cob in a white pot filled with water.

How Long Do You Boil Corn On The Cob?

Boil corn on the cob for 3-5 minutes so it is crispy tender when done. Set a timer so you don’t over cook it. Over-cooked corn will lose flavor and the kernels will be a little chewy.

Do You Add Salt To Boiling Corn On The Cob?

Don’t add salt to the water that you boil corn on the cob in. It can make the corn kernels a little tough.

How Do You Cut Corn From The Cob?

Hold a shucked ear of corn vertically resting one end on a plate, a cutting board or in a wide bowl. Using a sharp knife, slide the blade of the knife down the length of the cob to slice off the kernels, careful not to press too hard or you will also cut away some of the cob with the kernels.

A white platter filled with cooked vegetables.

Choosing the Best Corn

Corn should be displayed in the refrigerated section at the grocery store, and it should be kept in the shade and/or on ice at farmers’ markets.  It’s best if the corn was picked the day you purchase it. Check the husks to make sure they look fresh, tight and green. Strip back part of the husk to see whether the corn kernels look plump rather than shrunken.  Refrigerate the corn as soon as you get home and leave the corn unhusked until you are ready to cook it. If the ears have already been husked, then place them in a plastic bag and store in the refrigerator until you’re ready to use. 

When Is Corn In Season?

Fresh corn is available all year long. However you can enjoy corn when it’s peak in season which is mid to late summer.

Three corn on the cob with melted butter on them.

More Resources

A white platter with 3 ears of boiled corn on it brushed with butter and dusted with chopped cilantro.
Yield: 4 Servings

How to Boil Corn on the Cob

Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 5 minutes
Total Time 10 minutes

Learn How to Boil Corn on the Cob so it turns out perfect every time. Fresh boiled corn on the cob makes a delicious and easy side dish to serve for backyard barbecues and family get-togethers.

Ingredients

  • 4 ears corn, shucked
  • Water for boiling
  • 4 tablespoons butter
  • Pinch of sea salt

Instructions

  1. Shuck the corn by stripping off the husk and snapping off the end stalks. Pull off the silk and remove the strands caught between the kernels. You can rub the kernels with a damp paper towel to help remove the strands caught between the kernels.
  2. Bring a large wide pot of water to a boil.
  3. Using tongs, lower each shucked cob of corn into the boiling water.
  4. Boil the corn for 3-5 minutes so it's crispy tender. Set a timer so you don't over-boil the corn or it will lose its flavor and the kernels will be chewy.
  5. Using tongs, remove boiled corn from the water and place on serving platter. Serve with butter and salt or other toppings you may choose.

Notes

5 Tasty Toppings For Corn On The Cob

Butter and salt are the most common toppings for corn on the cob, but there are some other tasty toppings to try. These options are for serving 4 ears of corn.

  1. Parmesan Cheese: Mix together 1 clove grated garlic, 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil and 2 tablespoons melted butter. Slather on corn on the cob and sprinkle with finely grated Parmesan cheese.
  2. Pesto and Parmesan Cheese: Slather homemade pesto sauce over the hot corn and sprinkle with finely grated Parmesan cheese.
  3. Honey Butter: Mix together 1/2 stick butter melted, 1 tablespoon honey and 1/4 teaspoon salt and slather on corn on the cob.
  4. Mexican Style:  Mix together 2 tablespoons crumbled queso fresco, 1/4 cup sour cream, 2 teaspoons chili powder, juice of 1/2 lime. Spread on corn on the cob and sprinkle with more crumbled queso fresco cheese. 
  5. Garlic Pepper: Mix 1/2 stick butter with 2 teaspoons garlic pepper. Slather on corn on the cob.

How Long Do You Boil Corn On The Cob?

Boil corn on the cob for 3-5 minutes so it is crispy tender when done. Set a timer so you don't over cook it. Over-cooked corn will lose flavor and the kernels will be a little chewy.

Do You Add Salt To Boiling Corn On The Cob?

Don't add salt to the water that you boil corn on the cob in. It can make the corn kernels a little tough.

How To Cut Corn From The Cob

Hold a shucked ear of corn vertically resting one end on a plate, a cutting board or in a wide bowl. Using a sharp knife, slide the blade of the knife down the length of the cob to slice off the kernels, careful not to press too hard or you will also cut away some of the cob with the kernels.

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

4

Serving Size:

1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 201Total Fat: 13gSaturated Fat: 7gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 4gCholesterol: 31mgSodium: 387mgCarbohydrates: 22gFiber: 2gSugar: 5gProtein: 4g

theharvestkitchen.com attempts to provide accurate information, however, this nutritional information is provided as a courtesy and is an estimate only. The nutritional information provided comes from online sources and calculations. See full disclaimer on About page.

© The Harvest kitchen
Cuisine: Healthy