Golden ears of corn dripping with butter is a delicious summertime treat. We’ve got the secret formula for how to boil corn on the cob so it’s juicy and crisp-tender every time.
During summer, there’s nothing like fresh ears of corn slathered in butter and sprinkled with salt. And learning how to boil corn on the cob couldn’t be easier! For those of you who have ever wondered, “how long do you boil corn on the cob?”—we’ve got you covered.
Pair your corn on the cob with one of these easy summer recipes for a perfect warm weather meal.
How to Pick the Best Corn on the Cob
When picking corn on the cob, look for bright green husks wrapped tightly around the corn. When you pick up each ear, it should be slightly damp, too. Skip the ones that are yellow, dry or loosely wrapped. Here are more tips on how to pick corn.
After you bring the corn home and before you begin cooking, keep the ears cold to keep your sweet corn, well, sweet.
How Long Do You Boil Corn on the Cob?
Sweet corn peaks mid-summer, so you’ll find the freshest corn on the cob during that time. Whether you buy it directly from the farmer or your local grocery store, take note of how sweet the variety is. The freshest corn and super sweet varieties may require a shorter cooking time, while older corn may take longer to become tender. Either way, you only need 3 to 5 minutes!
How to Boil Corn on the Cob
Ingredients
Ears of corn
One quart of water per ear of corn
Directions
Step 1: Prep the corn
Remove the husks and silk. Cut out any blemishes with a sharp knife.
Step 2: Place corn in boiling water
Once your pot of water is boiling, add the cobs. Cover the pan and let the water return to a boil.
Editor’s Tip: Never boil your corn in salted water! It can make the kernels very tough.
Step 3: Boil
Boil the corn until tender, 3-5 minutes. Remember, the cooking time will depend on the variety and maturity of your corn.
Step 4: Enjoy!
Turn off the heat and carefully remove the cobs with tongs. You can keep the remaining corn warm in the water for another 10 minutes without it becoming too tough. Or, place the corn on a platter and cover it with a dish towel. This keeps most of the heat in.
Have you ever boiled cobs with milk? Learn how to make corn on the cob with milk and butter for the ultimate summer side dish.
NEXT PAGE
ADVERTISEMENT
