How to Cook Corn on the Cob

Corn on the Cob Cooking Tips

Enjoying fresh, summer corn on the cob is a taste bud's treat of the year. But did you know you can also enjoy corn on the cob, with the same yummy taste during the winter months?

Whether you are handy in the kitchen or not, dont worry, it's an easy process. Doing so comes with ease.

Gathering Your Bounty

You simply first gather your harvest for storage. Whether this means roaming through your very own garden or purchasing the corn on the cob at your local Farmers Market. When trying to pick the best corn, please keep in mind these simple tips.

Picking Corn at the Peak of Ripeness

Always pick corn at the peak of ripeness. Choose corn that boasts bright green husks that appear moist. When the silk is stiff and dark, the ear of corn is at it's best. You should also be able to feel a kernel of corn through the husk. Feel for fullness.

Corn on the cob begins to lose approximately 25% of it's sugar within 25 hours of being picked. So keep this in mind, and try to get it into to the freezer as soon as possible.

Preparing Corn for Freezer Storage

Next you prepare your corn for freezer storage. There's no need to shuck your corn prior to freezing. To retain the corns most flavorful goodness while cooking, I prefer to leave the husks on during freezer storage. So you simply take a knife and cut the top off the husks even. Make sure the corn is clean and free of dirt and bugs. Then place approximately four ears of corn per one gallon freezer storage bag. Place bags into the freezer at 0*. These bags of corn can be stored for approximately 10 months, while retaining most flavor.

Cooking Frozen Corn on the Cob

Remove your frozen corn on the cob from the freezer. Rinse under cool water. Do not remove husks. There are a number of ways to cook the frozen corn which includes boiling, grilling, microwaving or steaming. The best way, which allows one to get the feeling of summer corn all over again is to simply boil it.

No need to thaw your corn. Place your corn in a pot of cold water, leaving approximately three inches above for the boiling process. Add one tablespoon of sugar, if desired. Let the corn come to a full boil for approximately 7-10 minutes. You will begin to smell the corn. Take off boil immediately. Let corn cool, then remove husks and silk. You may want to add your own flavorings such as butter, salt, chili powder, etc. and enjoy!

Corn on Cob Dont's

Do not be tempted to quickly submerge your scalding hot corn on the cob into a bowl of freezing water. Doing so can leave your corn tasting soggy. Overcooking corn can lead to tough kernels. As does adding salt during the boiling process.

Health Benefits of Eating Corn

• Corn contains beta-cryptoxathin which is healthy for lungs. And beta-cryptoxathin may also help prevent lung cancer.


• Consuming corn in moderation, regularly helps improve your cardiovascular health.


• Corn is rich in folate, which helps the body generate new cells. This is a very important process during pregnancy.


• Corn contains a high amount of fiber. It helps to keep cholesterol levels low and may even help reduce the risk of colon cancer.

Corn on the Cob Facts

According to Food Facts & Trivia there are 800 kernels in each ear of corn. These kernels come arranged in 16 rows. The rows are always an even number. This is because one cell always divides into two. And as this process continues, it always comes out to an even number. And surprisingly, there is one piece of silk per kernel to each corn on the cob.

Corn is one of the most important foods of the world. It comes in third only to be surpassed by wheat and rice.

How do you enjoy corn on the cob? Plain, dripping butter or do you add spices such as chili powder?