These step-by-step directions for how to boil corn on the cob are completely foolproof. You’ll get easy instructions, exact cooking times, and perfect corn on the cob!
How to Boil Corn on the Cob
Knowing how to boil corn on the cob is probably one of the top ten kitchen skills you need to have in your cooking repertoire. It’s that important.
No one- repeat, no one– wants to eat mushy corn on the cob. It’s an offense against nature. And, truthfully, it’s so easy to boil corn on the cob the right way that there’s absolutely no defense for cooking it the wrong way.
It’s been a long journey since I cooked my very first corn on the cob. Many years ago, when I was a college student working in a university computer lab, our department had a little get-together where each of us were expected to help out in some way.
One person ran out to buy supplies. Another set up a grill outside and grilled the hot dogs and hamburgers out in the Florida sun. Meanwhile, the lab manager asked me to head down to the small kitchen on the first floor and cook the corn on the cob.
To this day, it’s a mystery to me why I got chosen for this duty. I was 18, the youngest of the staff, and my cooking skills were pretty much limited to the four food groups of college: spaghetti, mashed potatoes, macaroni and cheese, and ramen noodles.
Nevertheless, I charged gamely downstairs and put a pot on to boil. Having absolutely no idea how long to cook the ears, I simply tossed the shucked ears into the water, turned on the burner, and watched the corn darken slightly in color as the water simmered, then boiled for a few minutes. Then I drained the water and carried the corn back upstairs in a large casserole dish.
I still remember the unusual purple shade of that casserole dish.
Lunch was served, plates were made, and everyone tucked in. Compliments poured in over the corn, leaving me nonplussed because the positive result was really nothing more than a total accident. Everyone liked how crisp it was, as did I, so I made a mental note to try to make boiled corn on the cob the same way in the future.
Fast forward a number of years, and I’ve expanded my cooking repertoire exponentially. I won’t tell you that I never cook spaghetti, mashed potatoes, macaroni and cheese, or ramen noodles anymore, but let’s just say that they they occur much less frequently.
My corn on the cob, however, is just the same as it ever was and is a frequent star of the table. When corn is in season, I pick some up on almost every shopping trip.
I still don’t add anything to the water. I still cook it crisp. And the compliments just keep on coming.
So, in the spirit of that hapless young lady who accidentally got it right on the first try, I’d like to show you exactly how to boil corn on the cob.
If you enjoy this recipe for boiled corn on the cob, you might also like these classic side dish recipes using fresh produce.
- How to steam broccoli the easy way
- Oven Roasted Potato Rounds
- Roasted Acorn Squash
- Baked Sweet Potatoes
Pair this side dish with meatloaf made without eggs for a complete comfort food dinner.
How to Boil Corn on the Cob
Get the exact cooking time for boiled corn on the cob. It's foolproof and easy once you learn how to boil corn on the cob!
Ingredients
- 6 ears Fresh corn
Optional
- 3 tbsp Butter
- Sea salt or smoked salt
Instructions
-
Remove the husks and strings of silk from the corn just before cooking. Snap off the stems. If the ears are too large to fit in your pot, break them in half.
-
Fill a large pot, such as a Dutch oven, half full with water. Put the corn in the water. Cover the pot with a lid and bring the water to a boil over high heat.
-
Once the water is boiling, remove the lid and boil for 2 minutes.
-
Remove the pot from the heat, and let it stand uncovered for 10 minutes. Drain the water and serve the corn immediately.
Optional
-
Rub the cooked corn with butter, then sprinkle with sea salt or smoked salt (smoked salt gives the corn a delightful flavor).
MJ
Corn is my most favorite thing to eat in the summer. We grill it, roast it on the grill or in the oven. I’ve made it just like you. I’ve also boiled it with milk and sugar which a Hispanic friend suggested. Letting it stand for 10 minutes is definitely the key. I do something similar for perfect boiled eggs too.
Katie
Milk and sugar? I’ll have to look into that!
Kita
I just boiled a big old pot of corn this weekend for our family barbeque. It was the hit of the barbeque as usual. Boiling is always our preferred method. Sometimes we roast but boiling is our go to. I’ve never done the let stand or 10 minutes method so I will give that a try the next time I make a batch.
Katie
Give it a shot! I bet you’ll like it. 🙂
Alaina Bullock
I LOVE corn on the cob, and too often I’ll order it when we go out to eat, and it is just not cooked correctly! How you fix it, is the BEST way to do it! And yes, Fresh From Florida offers some amazingly good produce and seafood! I’m lucky that I live in Alabama and my mom lives on Florida – i get Fresh From Florida all the time! Thanks for the recipe!
Katie
Thank you for stopping by! I bet Alabama has some good produce, too!
Theresa Sutton
Oh wow! This just made me super hungry. I LOVE corn on the cob. Apparently I haven’t been boiling it correctly though!
Katie
LOL, everyone has a different method. 🙂 No worries!
Heather
I boil them as well because the kids won’t eat them grilled. I don’t remove the cover and cook more though. I’ll try that.
Katie
Interesting! I’ve never tried giving my kids grilled corn. I wonder if they’d notice?
Gwendolyn Mulholland
I love corn on the cob and can’t wait to stock up my freezer again this season. It is important to not overcook it so that it doesn’t end up mushy. These are great tips for those that struggle to get it right. I also love throwing it on the grill .
Katie
I have had grilled corn at a local restaurant topped with cotija cheese and cilantro- so good!
Censie Sawyer
Yummy, Our favorite summer and fall veggie. We usually grill ours but I do love boiled corn too. I love that our kids like corn on the cobb because it is a great veggie fro them to enjoy
Katie
Yes, my kids like it too! It’s a miracle. 😉
Dina Demarest
Corn is one of those things that I can not stand to eat if it’s overcooked. So I’m very particular about it. I cook it barely! Love to know you only boil for 2 minutes!
Katie
Me too! Mushy corn is the worst.
Kristy @ Mommy Hates Cooking
You just can’t have summer without corn on the cob! Oh so delicious! We grill a couple of times a week, so we usually just grill our corn on the cob. Good to know that boiling it is just as simple!
Katie
Yes! A good option for when it’s raining and you can’t fire up the grill.
Heather Stone Brodbeck
I just bought 10 corn on the cobs today at Food Lion they were having a sale. I love love love corn! And Summer is the perfect time for corn on the cob! Something about the two just go hand in hand. I also love cooking them in my crock pot on low for 6-8 hours or on the grill.
Katie
I blush to admit it, but I still don’t own a crock pot! Isn’t that crazy?
Aileen Adalid
I am in LOVE with corn! I can eat a bunch of them in just one sitting. I especially love it when it’s slathered with butter and your recipe is almost similar to mine <3
Katie
Mmm… I can eat a bunch, too! My current record is 3 ears in one sitting.
Betty
I love corn, boiled, streamed, fried, roasted, corn cut off cob. Any way it can be cooked. Try it in mircowave is quick and easy. Cut the end off, and cut or break the bottom end off. Put timer on 4 mins , hold under cold water, and the silk comes come right off.
Katie Moseman
Good idea! I’ll have to try the microwave method.