Wondering how to cook corn on the cob? We’ve got you covered with recipes from grilled to oven roasted and with or without the husks.
Since summer cookouts aren’t complete without corn on the cob, I’ve been up to my ears in corn on the cob (yes that was a CORN-Y pun) testing recipes and methods for cooking corn on the cob to find the best one.
After cooking countless ears of corn in various ways, my conclusion is that that they are all delicious and they are all the “right” way.
The three main factors are as follows: available equipment, time constraints, and the number of people eating the corn on the cob.
Since fresh corn on the cob can be eaten raw the goal of cooking it is to soften and warm the corn. There’s no need to worry about the exact temperature and time.
Start with the freshest corn you can find, warm it up in your favorite manner, slather it with butter and enjoy.
Disclaimer: This post contains links to products for making this recipe. If you use those links, I may earn a commission. Learn more here.
Let’s start with how to choose corn on the cob.
1. Purchase corn on the cob as close to the time that you will be making it as you can. After being picked the corn on the cob starts drying out and the natural sugars start turning into starch.
1. The freshest corn on the cob is always the best. Try to purchase from farm stands or farmers markets when possible since it was most likely picked recently.
2. Look for the ears of corn with bright green husks that are still tightly wrapped around the cob.
3. Check the stems. Choose the corn on the cob with stems that are still moist.
4. The corn tassels should be silky, sticky and moist. Avoid the ones with black, dry silks.
5. Run your fingertips along the cobs to check for tightly packed rows of corn without missing kernels.
6. Check for wormholes, worms, and bugs.
7. When possible, peel back a bit of the top of the husks, without peeling it entirely, to check the tip of the corn cob for bright, plump, full ears of corn.
How To Cook Corn On The Cob On The Grill
Corn On The Cob Grilled With The Husks
Get additional recipe details, step-by-step photos, and tips for corn on the cob grilled with husks here.
Step One:
Place the corn with the husks on the grill over medium heat.
Step Two:
Cook for 25-30 minutes turning every 5 minutes until hot.
Corn On The Cob Grilled Without Husks
Get additional recipe details, step-by-step photos, and tips for Grilled Corn On The Cob here.
Step One:
Place peeled corn on the cob on grill rack over medium heat.
Step Two:
Cook about 14 minutes, turning every 2 minutes, until hot.
How To Cook Cob On The Cob In The Oven
Corn On The Cob Baked With The Husks
Step One:
Place the corn on the cob on the oven rack that has been preheated to 400˚F.
Step Two:
Bake for 25-30 minutes until hot and tender.
Corn On The Cob Baked In Foil
Get additional recipe details, step-by-step photos, and tips for Oven Roasted Foil Wrapped Corn On The Cob here.
Step One:
Spread butter over peeled corn on the cob (optional) and wrap in foil.
Step Two:
Bake at 400˚F for 30 minutes.
Corn On The Cob Baked In A Pan
Step One:
Put peeled corn on the cob in a pan or on a baking sheet with sides.
Step Two:
Bake at 400˚F for 25-30 minutes.
How To Cook Corn On The Cob In The Microwave
Get additional recipe details, step-by-step photos, and tips for cooking corn on the cob in the microwave here.
Step One:
Place up to four ears of corn on the cob with the husks in the microwave.
Step Two:
Cook on high. One ear for 2-3 minutes, two ears 3-4 minutes, three ears 4-5 minutes, or four ears 5-6 minutes.
How To Cook Corn On The Cob In An Instant Pot
Step One:
Put the steam rack in an 8 quart Instant Pot with one cup of water.
Step Two:
Add six ears of peeled corn on the cob.
Step Three:
Cook on high pressure for three minutes. Use quick pressure release.
How To Cook Corn On The Cob On The Stovetop
Get additional recipe details, step-by-step photos, and tips for boiled corn on the cob here.
Step One:
Fill a large stock pot halfway with water and bring to a boil over medium heat.
Step Two:
Add peeled corn on the cob.
Step Three:
Cover, return to a boil and cook for 5-7 minutes.
How To Cook Corn On The Cob In A Slow Cooker
Step One:
Put peeled corn on the cob in a large slow cooker and add water.
Step Two:
Cover and cook on high for 2-3 hours until hot and tender.
What To Make With Leftover Corn On The Cob
Made too much corn on the cob? Cut it off of the cob. Freezer the corn for later or use it in one of these recipes:
Corn Salad by The Gunny Sack: This Corn Salad recipe is a creamy combination of fresh sweet corn, colorful peppers, and ripe tomatoes! It is the perfect summer salad for potlucks, picnics, and barbecues.
Kickin’ Ranch Corn Dip by Julie’s Eats and Treats: Easy, Creamy Dip Loaded with Ranch, Corn, Green Chilies & Cheese!
Cowboy Caviar by The Gunny Sack: This easy appetizer recipe for Cowboy Caviar, aka Southwest Black Bean salad, is fun to serve in little tortilla chip cups. This healthy dip has lots of protein and fiber!
Bacon Corn and Spinach Dip by Lil’ Luna: One of the yummiest appetizer recipes!! Three cheeses, corn, spinach, and of course bacon!!
Slow Cooker Taco Soup by The Gunny Sack: This Slow Cooker Taco Soup recipe is so easy to make and so flavorful. Just brown the meat, put everything in the crockpot to cook, and then just stir! Serve with corn chips.
Wondering how to cook corn on the cob? We’ve got you covered with recipes from grilled to oven roasted and with or without the husks.
- 4 ears corn on the cob
- 4 tsp butter
- 1/8 tsp salt
Place the corn with the husks on the grill over medium heat. Cook for 25-30 minutes turning every 5 minutes until hot. Click here for a more detailed recipe for grilled corn with the husks.
Place peeled corn on the cob on grill rack over medium heat. Cook about 14 minutes, turning every 2 minutes, until hot. Click here for a more detailed recipe for grilled corn on the cob.
Place the corn on the cob with the husks on the oven rack that has been preheated to 400˚F. Bake for 25-30 minutes until hot and tender.
Spread butter over peeled corn on the cob (optional) and wrap in foil. Bake at 400˚F for 30 minutes. Click here for a more detailed recipe for oven roasted foil wrapped corn on the cob.
Put peeled corn on the cob in a pan or on a baking sheet with sides. Bake at 400˚F for 25-30 minutes.
Place up to four ears of corn on the cob with the husks in the microwave. Cook on high. One ear for 2-3 minutes, two ears 3-4 minutes, three ears 4-5 minutes, or four ears 5-6 minutes. Click here for a more detailed microwave corn recipe.
Put the steam rack in an 8-quart Instant Pot with one cup of water. Add ears of peeled corn on the cob. Cook on high pressure for three minutes. Use quick pressure release.
Fill a large stock pot halfway with water and bring to a boil over medium heat. Add peeled corn on the cob. Cover. Return to a boil and cook for 5-7 minutes. Click here for a more detailed stovetop corn recipe.
Put peeled corn on the cob in a large slow cooker (can fill the slow cooker with corn if desired). Add one cup of water. Cover and cook on high for 2-3 hours.
Recipe Video
NUTRITION FACTS DISCLAIMER: The nutrition facts calculated for this recipe are for four ears of corn, four teaspoons of butter and 1/8 teaspoon of salt with a serving size of four. If you change the serving size, the nutrition facts will change. If you add ingredients or makes substitutions, the nutrition facts will change.
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