Imagine the sun setting upon the blazing yellow field of maize, the wisps of stem stirring in the wind with pride, hoisting the corn in a soft green nest. Such a scenic beauty, right?

This corn on the cob is an integral part of our cereal family. It has become essential to our daily diet and adds a delicious flavour to our palate.

Sometimes, we like to eat it peeled and baked. Sometimes, we want to have sauteed or roasted corn. But on days of barbeque and family dinners, most of us cherish the fresh, sweet corn on the cob!

1. How to Cook Corn on the Cob

Corn on the cob is when we eat maize straight from it after cooking it. The top round yellow part of the maize plant is the cob. Cooking corn on the cob is very easy.

So, let’s learn how to cook corn on the cob.

2.1. Boiling

1. Start a pot full of boiling water. Let it come to a boil.
2. Till then, shuck the corn, i.e., peel the outer covering of the corn to expose the juicy yellow kernels inside.
3. Put the corn into boiling water and cover it.
4. Reduce temperature to medium-high heat, preferably medium heat, and let it cook for 6-8 minutes until the kernels get soft.
5. The cooking time may differ according to the cob you are using. Cook it till it gets tender.

2.1.1. How Long to Boil Corn on the Cob

Once corn is cooked in a pan with hot water, it should be about six minutes. The exact cooking time varies by how soft your corn is. Corn cooks a little quicker with more ears of corn.

Tips:

• Add a few drops of sugar and a little olive oil.
• Eat those juicy golden seeds coated with melted butter and sprinkled with salt.
• Peel corn and cut down the silk.
• You can also remove corn kernels from the shell.

2.1.2. How to Use Leftover Boiled Corn on the Cob?

There are recipes for the leftover boiled corn as well:

• Cut the cooked corn out and put it on this corn salad recipe. It comprises fresh corn, vibrant peppers, and ripe tomato. It is an amazing summer meal for parties, picnics, and barbecues.
• Grilled Cowboy Caviar: These grilled Cowboy Caviar Recipes are an excellent, healthy, delicious appetizer that can serve as a salad, side dish, or dish. Grilling vegetables makes the perfect accompaniment.
• Slow-cooking chowders with corn are the perfect food in the slow-cooking cooker.
• Soup – You can also use corn on the cob to make soup!

2.2. Grilled Corn

1. Preheat the grill. Take it to high heat.
2. Peel the corn. The silk should be shucked. Just keep the last layer of husk.
3. Brush the corn with olive oil or any oil of your choice.
4. Sprinkle some salt.
5. Keep the cobs on the grill and cover it.
6. Cook for around 8 to 12 minutes. (Depends on the cob. The time may vary. Sometimes you may need 15-20 mins as well.)
7. After that, keep flipping them to get a perfect char. They should be flipped every 2-3 minutes.
8. Later, remove them, peel them, and you can brush them with some melted butter or other seasonings like salt or lime juice. You can also use smoked paprika. Or serve with garlic, barbeque, or herb butter.
9. You can remove all the coverings and cook directly, but it gets charred faster, so keep an eye on it. Keep brushing butter and turning and season as well.

If you are hosting a dinner or meal, grilling a cob as a tester and then cooking other cobs accordingly is better. If you cook all at once without testing first, they might all fail. Once you learn and gain experience with time and skill, you won’t need to test anymore.

Grilling is an efficient and delicious method. You can cook other veggies alongside corn, and it is effortless. Just keep your eye on the corn; don’t let it burn! This recipe is so tasty you can serve this corn with every grilling dish – like grilled chicken and especially baby ribs!

You can also try Garlic butter sauce infused with roasted corn on a cob with garlic and chilli powder. It is simply amazing and mouth-wateringly delicious!

2.2.1. What to Do with Leftover Grilled Corn on the Cob?

Grilled corn on cobs should last three–four weeks at room temperature. Store them in airtight bags and tightly sealed with foil.

3. Seasonings for Cooking Corn on the Cob

Season the corn while it is still hot from cooking. The most preferred and liked method is first to brush normal butter or garlic butter on the cobs.

Then, for seasonings and garnishes, you can use parmesan cheese, pepper, salt, and pepper mixed with butter, chilli powder, lemon juice, oregano, Mexican spice seasoning, or anything you like! Use finely chopped or diced coriander, chilli, or spring onion as a garnish to make it look more appealing.

Boil with Zesty Parmesan Lime

Clare Gilbey, the Founder of Chakra Practice, discusses their favourite method for cooking corn on the cob with unique tips to enhance the flavours:

“My go-to method for cooking corn on the cob, which I love sharing with friends and clients at our chakra healing retreats, is what I affectionately call the ‘Zesty Parmesan Lime Zing.’

The process is simple; I boil the corn in slightly salted water [just] until it’s tender, which usually takes about 7-8 minutes.

Then, the magic happens—I brush it generously with melted butter, sprinkle it with freshly grated Parmesan cheese, and add a dash of chilli powder for [a bit of] warmth.

The final touch that truly elevates it is a hearty squeeze of lime juice over each cob.

This combination of flavours tantalizes the taste buds [and brings a moment of joy] and connection, enhancing both emotional and physical well-being in the simplest of gatherings.”

4. FAQs

4.1. Do Boiled Corns Need Salting?

No, don’t add salt. They can harden muck. When corn is cooked, it becomes a lighter yellow colour. It is thicker and softer. You could do this by pricking a kernel using your knife. The corn must have high heat. You can take ear corns with tongs to check whether they are soaking hot.

4.2. What is the Best and Easiest Method of Cooking Corn on the Cob?

Place ears in boiling water, cover a pan, and put corn into water for about 20 seconds.

4.3. How Much Time Do You Boil Corn on the Cob?

Using a large pot of boiling water, cook the corn until it turns yellow. Take it out carefully using tongs on a platter and serve it warm.

4.4. Do You Put Corn on the Cob in Cold Water or Boiling Water?

Let go of the husk. Mix in cold water with corn (water must cover corn). Bring the oven to a high heat.

After the water boils, corn will be done.

4.5. Do You Boil Corn on the Cob Covered or Uncovered?

Chop corn up and trim any imperfections from them. Place corn in hot pots filled with salted water. Cover the container and bring the water back to boiling before turning the instant pot off the heat and keeping the container covered.

4.6. Are There Other Methods to Cook Corn on the Cob?

• Oven roasted – Try baking the corn in the flesh using the husk of corn cob and the hull.
• You can also steam the corn-like dumplings.
• You can also microwave unshucked cobs till the kernels inside get tender. Then peel, season, and eat.

Uniform Cooking with Pre-Soaking

Lucas Riphagen, the Co-owner of TriActiveUSA, shares some of the challenges they faced when cooking corn on the cob and how they overcame them:

“One challenge I’ve encountered while cooking corn on the cob is the inconsistent cooking of kernels. Sometimes, I’d find that while some kernels were perfectly tender, others remained tough and undercooked.

To overcome this, I experimented with various cooking methods and finally [found success] with a more uniform approach. [By] first soaking the corn in water for a few hours before grilling, I ensured [that the] heat penetrated more evenly.

Additionally, rotating the cobs frequently on the grill made a significant difference. This method [came as a result of] a particularly frustrating BBQ, where the unevenly cooked corn was the only letdown.

Since adopting this technique, every kernel on each cob comes out perfectly cooked, enhancing our outdoor dining experiences significantly.”

5. Bottom Line

With these quick and easy recipes, make a juicy corn on the cob and season it as you like! Corn on the cob can make a perfect side dish, a random filler, and a vegetarian barbeque addition.

You can pair it with grilled meat or eat it as it is. You don’t have to throw away the extra corn on the cobs. You can cut out the kernels and add them to a salad. You can store it and use it later. You can also use these cobs to make soup; we bet these delicious cobs will be devoured almost immediately!

Guest Author: Saket Kumar

Last Updated on March 18, 2024 by Sathi Chakraborty, MSc Biology