If you are looking for the best way to cook corn on the cob, I think you are at the right place. In this article, I will instruct you how to cook basic corn on the cob in 6 different ways.

1. How To Boil Corn on the Cob

Ingredients

  • 4 – 6 ears of fresh corn, husked and cleaned
  • 4 cups of water
  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 1 cup milk
  • Salt, to taste

Instructions

Fill a large pot with 4 cups of water and place it over high heat. Then add the unsalted butter and milk to the pot of water.

Bring the water to a boil, ensuring that the butter and milk are fully incorporated.

Once the water is boiling and the butter has melted, carefully add the cleaned ears of corn to the pot, ensuring they are fully submerged.

Reduce the heat to medium and let the corn cook in the boiling water for about 8-10 minutes, or until the kernels are tender when pierced with a fork. Avoid overcooking.

Once the corn is cooked, carefully remove the ears from the pot using tongs and transfer them to a serving platter.

Season the corn with salt to taste.

Serve the boiled corn on the cob immediately while it is still warm and infused with the flavors of butter and milk.

2. Oven Baked Corn on the Cob

Ingredients

  • 4 ears of fresh corn, husked and cleaned
  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
  • 2 tablespoons chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
  • 2 cloves of garlic, minced
  • 1 tablespoon chopped fresh rosemary
  • 1 tablespoon chopped fresh thyme
  • 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • Aluminum foil

Instructions

Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).

In a bowl, combine the softened butter, chopped parsley, minced garlic, chopped rosemary, chopped thyme, kosher salt, and black pepper. Mix well until all the ingredients are evenly incorporated.

Take a sheet of aluminum foil large enough to wrap one ear of corn. Place an ear of corn in the center of the foil.

Spread about a tablespoon of the herb butter mixture over the corn, ensuring it’s evenly coated. Reserve some of the herb butter for serving.

Wrap the corn tightly in the foil, sealing the edges to create a packet. Repeat this process for each ear of corn.

Place the foil-wrapped corn on a baking sheet and transfer it to the preheated oven.

Roast the corn for 25-30 minutes, or until the kernels are tender. The exact roasting time may vary based on the size and freshness of the corn.

Carefully remove the foil-wrapped corn from the oven and allow it to cool for a minute or two.

Unwrap the corn from the foil packets and transfer them to a serving platter.

If desired, spread a little more of the herb butter over the roasted corn while it’s still warm, allowing it to melt and coat the kernels.

3. How To Grill Corn on the Cob

Ingredients

  • 4 ears of fresh corn, husked and cleaned
  • Olive oil or melted butter
  • Salt, to taste
  • Optional: Herbs, spices, or grated cheese for serving

Instructions

Preheat your grill to medium-high heat. Aim for a temperature of around 375°F to 400°F (190°C to 205°C).

Brush each ear of corn with olive oil or melted butter, ensuring all sides are coated. This helps prevent the corn from sticking to the grill and adds flavor.

Optional: Season the corn with salt or a mixture of herbs and spices of your choice. Popular options include garlic powder, paprika, chili powder, or a sprinkle of grated Parmesan cheese.

Carefully place the corn on the preheated grill, directly over the heat. You can lay them parallel to the grill grates or use skewers to secure them and make flipping easier.

Grill the corn for approximately 10-15 minutes, turning occasionally to ensure even cooking. The corn should develop a slight char and become tender. Adjust the grilling time as needed, depending on your desired level of char and tenderness.

Once the corn is grilled to your preference, carefully remove it from the grill using tongs and transfer it to a serving platter.

Season the corn with additional salt, if desired.

Serve the grilled corn on the cob immediately while it is still warm and smoky.

4. How To Microwave Corn on the Cob

Ingredients

  • 4 ears of fresh corn, husked and cleaned
  • Salt, to taste
  • Optional: Butter, herbs, or spices for serving

Instructions

Place the cleaned ears of corn on a microwave-safe plate.

If desired, you can wrap each ear of corn loosely in a damp paper towel. This helps retain moisture and prevent the corn from drying out during cooking. However, it’s not mandatory, and you can skip this step if you prefer.

Microwave the corn on high power for 4-6 minutes, depending on the wattage of your microwave and the size of the corn. Start with 4 minutes and check for doneness. If needed, continue microwaving in 1-minute increments until the corn is tender.

Use oven mitts or a towel to handle the hot plate and carefully remove the corn from the microwave.

Allow the corn to cool for a minute or two before handling, as it will be hot.

Season the corn with salt to taste.

Serve the corn with butter, herbs, or spices of your choice. You can spread butter over the corn while it’s still warm, allowing it to melt

5. Air Fryer Corn on the Cob

Ingredients

  • 4 ears of fresh corn, husked and cleaned
  • Cooking spray or olive oil
  • Salt, to taste
  • Optional: Butter, herbs, or spices for serving

Instructions

Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for a few minutes.

Lightly coat the cleaned ears of corn with cooking spray or brush them with a thin layer of olive oil. This will help the corn develop a crispy texture.

Place the corn in the air fryer basket in a single layer. If your air fryer is small, you may need to cook the corn in batches.

Cook the corn in the air fryer for 10-12 minutes, flipping the corn halfway through the cooking time. The exact cooking time may vary depending on the size of your corn and the air fryer model, so keep an eye on it to prevent overcooking.

Once the corn is golden brown and crispy, carefully remove it from the air fryer using tongs and transfer it to a serving platter.

Season the corn with salt to taste.

Serve the corn with butter, herbs, or spices of your choice. You can spread butter over the corn while it’s still warm

6. Instant Pot Corn on the Cob

Ingredients

  • 4 ears of fresh corn, husked and cleaned
  • 1 cup water
  • Salt, to taste
  • Optional: Butter, herbs, or spices for serving

Instructions

Place the trivet or steaming rack in the Instant Pot inner pot. Add 1 cup of water to the pot.

Arrange the cleaned ears of corn on the trivet or steaming rack, stacking them if necessary.

Close the Instant Pot lid, ensuring the steam release valve is set to the sealing position.

Select the “Manual” or “Pressure Cook” setting on the Instant Pot and set the cooking time to 2 minutes on high pressure.

Once the cooking time is set, the Instant Pot will take some time to come to pressure. This may take around 10 minutes.

Once the cooking time is complete, allow for a natural pressure release (NPR) for about 5 minutes. Then, carefully perform a quick pressure release (QPR) by carefully turning the steam release valve to venting to release any remaining pressure.

Once the pressure is fully released, carefully open the Instant Pot lid. Then using tongs, remove the cooked corn from the Instant Pot and transfer it to a serving platter.

Season the corn with salt to taste.

Serve the corn with butter, herbs, or spices of your choice. You can spread butter over the corn while it’s still warm, allowing it to melt.

Now, you knew how to cook basic corn on the cob in 6 different ways. I hope that after reading this article, you can cook corn on the cob perfectly at home and share it with many others. Good luck.

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Julia Jane is a home cook inspired by her mother's cooking. With the desire to share my cooking experiences with everyone, she created this website

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