Corn on the cob can be boiled, grilled, or cooked in the microwave. It’s also possible to make roasted corn. Once cooked, serve using corn handles to reduce mess. Season with butter, salt, and pepper, or try something more unique, like making delicious Mexican street corn!
Table of Contents
1. How to Choose Your Corn
The best type of corn for making corn on the cob is sweet corn due to its smaller, easier-to-handle size and deliciously sweet flavor. An ear of corn or field corn – the type that is grown for grain will likely be too large and won’t taste as nice.
You want to make sure you pick a fresh corn cob with lovely colorful corn kernels. If you pick an old or under-ripe cob of corn, no matter how well you cook it, you won’t get the taste you are after.
2. How to Prepare Your Corn
Before you start cooking your corn cobs, remove the husks and corn silk from the cob (this is called shucking the corn!).
Just as with any other veggies, corn takes a little bit of preparation before it is ready to hit the test kitchen and be used in tasty corn recipes.
3. How to Boil Your Corn
To boil corn, simply place the cobs in a pot of boiling water and leave for 3-5 minutes. Boiling is one of the easiest ways to make cooked corn, with a small cooking time and the least mess. Once boiled, serve with butter, salt, and pepper, and enjoy!
4. How to Grill Your Corn
Corn can be cooked on the grill or BBQ in around ten minutes, turning it over at regular intervals. Grilled corn is a delicious summer classic: crispy on the outside and juicy in the middle. It makes a fantastic side dish at a barbecue or potluck.
5. How to Microwave Corn
To cook corn on the cob in the microwave, wrap the cobs in a wet paper towel and cook on full heat for 3-5 minutes. This is a good method to cook large amounts of cobs quickly when you’re in a hurry and have no time to boil water. The cobs taste very similar to boiled corn!
6. How to Use Corn Holders
The easiest way to eat corn on the cob is by using corn holders. These are small spiked handles, usually made of plastic, metal, or wood, that you screw into the sides of your cob, providing an easy-to-hold, clean gripping point.
Corn on the cob is often slathered in butter, herbs, and seasonings and can be messy to hold! Corn holders are great for keeping your hands clean while you eat.
7. How to Season Corn on the Cob
The traditional seasonings for corn on the cob are butter, salt, and pepper. These are a delicious, simple, and crowd-pleasing way to serve corn and will surely be a hit with your guests. However, there are other, more unique ways to season corn on the cob as well. These include:
- Add a spicy kick with sriracha or chipotle sauce
- Drizzle with olive oil, cover with parmesan, and grill for delicious Italian-fusion flavor
- Season with butter and herbs such as cilantro or garlic
- Served Mexican street corn style: grilled and then seasoned with mayo, sour cream, cotija cheese, chili powder, and lime
8. How to Eat Corn on the Cob
The easiest way to eat corn on the cob is by using corn handles. However, you can also slice off rows of kernels to eat with a knife and fork or remove all the kernels and serve in a tasty summer corn salad.
There is no wrong way to eat corn. Find the way that works for you and don’t feel self-conscious! It’s a messy dish; nobody will judge you.
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9. How to Store Leftover Corn
To store leftover corn, wrap the cobs in foil or plastic wrap and refrigerate. Ensure the corn cobs have cooled to room temperature before placing them in the refrigerator, but don’t leave them sitting out too long – no more than 2 hours after cooking.
Once properly stored, corn cobs will last up to five days before losing their freshness and becoming unpleasant to eat.
10. Fun Corn on the Cob Recipes
Here are some delicious corn-on-the-cob recipes to try with your leftover corn:
- Combine with flour, eggs, milk, baking soda, and seasoning for delicious corn fritters
- Grind into cornmeal to make cornbread
- Remove the kernels and add to a tasty salad
- Slice off rows of kernels and use them as a filling for tacos
11. Common Mistakes to Avoid
It is important to cook your corn for the right amount of time. Undercooked corn will be too hard and chewy, while overcooked will become sloppy and lose some of that tasty bite and crunch.
Working out the best amount of time to cook corn takes practice. Keep checking your corn throughout the process rather than setting a timer and walking away!
Can you eat corn on the cob with a toothache?
Eating corn on the cob with a toothache is not advised due to the firm bite you have to employ to tear the corn from its cob. If you really fancy some corn while suffering from dental issues, it is better to chop the corn off the cob before eating.
How do you eat corn on the cob when you have braces?
The best corn-eating method with braces is to remove the corn from the cob and enjoy. Biting into a cob of corn is likely to damage your braces or at the very least, get annoying kernels stuck in them.
What is the difference between corn on the cob and corn off the cob?
The only difference between corn on the cob and corn off the cob is presentation. They will have the same delicious flavor if you cook and season them the same way. Some people prefer the simplicity of biting into a cob, while others like to remove their kernels for ease of consumption and reduced mess!