How To Boil Corn

Learning how to boil corn just right can produce the juiciest, sweetest corn on the cob you’ve ever had. How long do you boil corn on the cob? What should I boil corn in? What should I serve it with? We’re answering all your corn on the cob questions so you can rule the summer side dish!

How To Shuck Corn

Your corn may come with the husk (the green leaves that cover the corn cob) already removed. If not, you can easily shuck them yourself (or get your kids to do it!).

1. Grab the husk at the top of the ear of corn with two hands and separate it into two halves. Your halves may be different sizes, and that’s totally okay!
2. Pull the husks all the way down to the bottom, so you can see the corn inside. If you have any chunks of husks left, pull those down, too.
3. Rip the husks off from the bottom of the ear, or where the stem is.
4. Use your fingers to pull out any little bits of silk that are left between the kernels. That’s it! Your corn is now ready to cook.

How To Boil Corn and How Long

1. Fill a medium to large pot with generously salted water and bring to a boil.
2. Add the ears of corn with long tongs. Boil for about 5 minutes. The corn will turn a richer, brighter yellow when it’s ready. Remove from the boiling water with tongs and serve right away (so your butter gets all nice and melty).

Serving Suggestions

• Butter (and salt, if you like), a classic for a reason!
• Mexican street corn style with a little butter, mayo, cotija cheese, chili powder, and lime juice
• Butter and Tajín for a shortcut to Mexican flavors
• Butter, a squeeze of lime juice, and some chipotle or chili powder
• A little hot sauce or Sriracha
• Butter and a little ranch seasoning
• Bacon. You can thank me later.
• Butter and cilantro
• Mayo, minced garlic, and powdered parmesan cheese

Should You Boil Corn In Milk?

Some people do, but I honestly feel that it’s unnecessary. I like to boil my corn on the cob in just heavily salted water to bring out the naturally sweet flavor of the corn.

This recipe is great for prepping corn for other recipes, too, like creamed corn or corn salsa.

If you’re using corn you’ve boiled for another recipe, you can remove it from the cob with a knife, a small bowl, and a large one. Place the smaller bowl upside down in the large bowl. Hold the corn vertically, and stand it up on the small bowl. Use the knife to cut downwards to remove the corn kernels. This way all the corn lands in the bowl instead of all over the counter (or floor).

What Can I Serve With Corn?

There are so many foods that we love with corn, but here are a few of our faves:

• BBQ, like pulled pork, ribs, BBQ chicken, or even BBQ jackfruit
• Burgers, whether beef, turkey, or even bean burgers. Try it with our healthier In N Out burger, too!
• Grilled fish or chicken
• Spaghetti or other pastas. We especially love corn with pastas with a tomato-y sauce.
• Other beef dishes, like steak or meatloaf

More Easy Recipes

• Air Fryer Hard Boiled Eggs
• One-Pot Chicken Pesto Pasta
• Instant Pot Broccoli
• Mexican Stuffed Peppers
• Instant Pot Potato Salad