How to Boil Corn on the Cob

Corn on the cob is a summer staple and we are going to teach you how to make it perfectly, so it’s tender, juicy and delicious. Tips and Tricks on How to Boil Corn on the Cob so you can enjoy it all summer long!

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One of my favorite things to eat during the summer is fresh corn on the cob. It’s so delicious and you only need some butter and salt to dress it up. Warm corn on the cob slathered with dripping butter? Yes, please, sign me up!

It’s such a classic summer side dish and I’m showing you how to boil corn on the cob so it’s sweet, tender, and perfectly cooked! Serve it up with baked beans, burgers, and cold lemonade for a summer dinner everyone will love!

Have an Instant Pot? You might like my pressure cooker corn on the cob, too! Or learn how to air fry corn on the cob which is another easy way to make it.

Why You’ll Love Boiled Corn on the Cob

• Make corn on the cob for parties and potlucks since it’s really easy to make a lot of servings. It’s my favorite way to ensure there’s plenty of food to go around!
• If you need a fast and easy recipe, then you’ll love this one. It only takes 17 minutes to make a pot of boiled corn on the cob.
• You only need three ingredients to make this recipe and you can find everything at your local grocery store. However, if corn is in season then I definitely recommend trying to find some fresh corn from a local farmer!

Ingredients for Boiled Corn on the Cob

• Fresh corn on the cob – Check your local farmers market for extra fresh corn! You can also grab some fresh corn from your grocery store too.
• Butter – You can use salted or unsalted butter, either will work. If you use salted then you may need to reduce the amount of salt used to season.
• Salt – Believe it or not, just butter and salt makes the most flavorful corn cobs. It’s the easiest way to cook up this tasty vegetable.

How to Boil Corn on the Cob

1. Remove the husks, the outer leaves, and then remove the silk that is inside. If needed, give each ear of corn a quick wash to remove excess dirt and husk pieces.
2. Fill a large pot halfway with water and bring it to a boil. Once you have boiling water, use tongs to place the corn in the pot.
3. Cover the large pot of water with a lid and boil it for five to seven minutes. Drain off the water and then coat each ear with the butter and sprinkle them with salt. Serve warm!

What to Serve with Boiled Corn on the Cob

Serve up this buttery corn with all of your favorites, like burgers, pollo asado, and BBQ chicken. It’s great to pair with air fryer shrimp and Instant Pot jambalaya too.

For a super hearty meal, serve it with some steak or ribs. Other sides like potato salad and baked beans pair beautifully with this easy corn on the cob!

If you’re wanting to avoid foil wrapping for a corn on the cob recipe, then you’re going to love this!

More Summer Recipes!

• Easy Taco Dip is the perfect appetizer or side dish for summer potlucks and BBQs! It’s loaded with sour cream, taco seasoning, salsa, cheese, lettuce, tomatoes & black olives!
• Tender, juicy, tangy steak with roasted tomatoes make my Balsamic Steak Kabobs the ultimate dinner during the summer! 
• If you need a delicious summer cocktail you have to try my John Daly drink. It’s a classic spiked lemonade and iced tea drink that will cool you off when it’s hot out!
• This Creamy Coleslaw is a must-have recipe for all your summer cookouts!

More Delicious Recipes!

Did you make this? If you snap a photo, please be sure tag me on Instagram at @julieseatsandtreats or #julieseatsandtreats so I can see your yummy treat!

 

5 from 14 votes

Boiling Corn on the Cob

Get perfectly tender, juicy corn on the cob every time with these simple steps!

Prep:10 minutes mins

Cook:7 minutes mins

Total:17 minutes mins

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Ingredients

• ▢ 4 ears corn on the cob
• ▢ 4 tsp butter
• ▢ ⅛ tsp salt

Instructions

• Remove the husk and silks from the corn on the cob.
• Fill a large pot half full with water. Bring the water to a boil over medium heat.
• Place the peeled corn on the cob in the pot. Cover the pot and return to a boil. Boil for 5-7 minutes.
• Remove the corn on the cob from the pot and place on a platter. Serve with butter and salt.

Tips

CAN I BOIL IT IN SALTED WATER?

You don’t want to cook it in salted water. The salt will make the kernels tough and chewy – not good!

CAN YOU OVER BOIL IT?

Yes, you can over boil it and you will know if you’ve done this because the corn will be mushy instead of firm. I recommend cooking it for five to seven minutes for best results!

CAN YOU BOIL FROZEN CORN ON THE COB?

Yes, you can! You can buy frozen corn on the cob and boil it. It will cook in the about the same amount of time as fresh, so five to seven minutes!

CAN I FLAVOR IT WITH OTHER SEASONINGS AND TOPPINGS?

Yes, you can dress it up if you want! Beyond butter and pepper, you can add other seasonings like onion or garlic powder, dried herbs or fresh herbs like parsley or cilantro. Or try a seasoning mix like Italian seasoning or chili seasoning.

You can also sprinkle the corn with cheese – grated Parmesan cheese is really good!

Whatever seasoning or toppings you add should be added after the corn is cooked.

HOW LONG DO THE LEFTOVERS LAST?

Store it in an airtight container and it will keep in the refrigerator for up to five days.

Nutrition Information

Calories: 113kcal (6%), Carbohydrates: 17g (6%), Protein: 3g (6%), Fat: 5g (8%), Saturated Fat: 3g (19%), Cholesterol: 11mg (4%), Sodium: 122mg (5%), Potassium: 243mg (7%), Fiber: 2g (8%), Sugar: 6g (7%), Vitamin A: 293IU (6%), Vitamin C: 6mg (7%), Iron: 1mg (6%)

© Julie's Eats & Treats ®

We are not dietitians and recommend you seek a nutritionist for exact nutritional information. The information in the nutrition box is calculated through a program and there is room for error. If you need an accurate count, I recommend running the ingredients through your favorite nutrition calculator.