How Long to Boil Corn on the Cob

Corn is such a versatile ingredient, and you can use one simple cooking technique as a baseline for many different recipes: boiling. During the summer when it is in season, you can often find fresh, juicy corn sitting in your local grocery store waiting to be cooked. Undoubtedly, boiling corn on the cob is the easiest and most hassle-free way to prepare the food because it takes limited prep work and minimal dishes. Time to get cooking!

How long does it take to boil fresh ears of corn?

When you are determining how long to boil a piece of corn on the cob, you need to consider this moisture content. The high moisture content of corn gives it the signature sweet flavor we all know and love, but it also impacts the cooking time. The more moisture in the corn, the less time it will take to cook. 

So, how long does it take to boil a pot of corn on the cob? Let’s break it down. With fresh corn that is in season, you only need to boil it for between 5-10 minutes. Out-of-season corn is drier, so you may find that it takes an extra few minutes to boil or that the mouth-feel of the kernels just isn’t the same.   

How to boil fresh corn on the cob?

You can cook corn on the cob in a variety of ways. Boiling corn is a great base technique for many recipes. From there, you can char it, sauce it up, or shave it and just eat the kernels! 

You can have delicious boiled corn on the cob in a few simple steps:

1. In a large pot, add your corn and fill it with enough water to cover the pieces. The corn should float in the water.
2. Over medium heat, let the water come to a boil. Accounting for the time it takes water to reach its boiling point, let your corn cook for 10-15 minutes depending on how soft you want it. 
3. Use tongs to remove the corn pieces from the water. If you don’t have tongs handy, you can drain the water and remove the corn that way. Just be careful because it’s extremely hot!  
4. Add your desired toppings. I recommend olive oil, rosemary, thyme, parsley, black pepper, and a squeeze of lemon juice. This herby mixture is flavorful and the lemon adds a refreshing twist.    
5. Enjoy!

How to boil sweet corn on the cob?

There are a few types of corn, each engineered for certain desirable qualities. In sweet corn, the sugar content is maximized by harvesting at the peak sugar development point. Despite the popular myth, no color of corn is sweeter than the others. Sweet corn can be yellow, white, or bi-colored. 

The sweeter and fresher the corn is, the quicker it will cook. Unhusked sweet corn that is exceptionally fresh can take as little as 2-5 minutes to cook once the water is boiled.  

How to boil frozen corn on the cob?

Boiling it fresh is considered the best way to cook your corn on the cob, but that doesn’t mean you can’t still get some great flavor out of frozen ears. Boiling frozen corn isn’t all that much different from fresh cobs. It takes just 5-10 minutes to cook through once the water is at a roaring boil.

Frozen corn will lose that crisp texture that fresh corn has and may be less sweet after the hot blanching treatment, but you can always mask these flaws by adding toppings and seasonings. 

What is the serving suggestion for boiled corn on the cob?

One serving of corn is equivalent to one small/medium-sized ear. An average cob of corn has about ¾ cup of kernels. One ear of corn will have approximately 90 calories, 3 grams of protein, and a gram of fat. 

Why add sugar when boiling corn on the cob?

Sometimes the corn just isn’t sweet enough! 

Have you ever bitten into a cob of corn, expecting that distinct sweet and earthy flavor but instead were met with a watery, butter-soaked mess? Not all corn is sweet corn, and sometimes local markets make mistakes and mislabel what they were shipped. Admittedly, seeing that pile of corn in the produce section is exciting and it’s possible to misread the variety label. Either way, we can fix this!

By adding a pinch of sugar to your water before you boil corn, you’ll boost the sugar content as it cooks, enriching the flavor of your final product.

Are boiled corn cobs healthy? 

It definitely can be! Corn is high in fiber and is known to be a positive digestive aid. It is known to be good for eye and heart health, too! Although, this food is super high in starch and sugar so it can spike blood sugar and prevent weight loss efforts. It’s best to consume in moderation.

What can I do with the corn water?

When you are done boiling your corn, you’ll be left with a pot of delicious corn water that you can use in chowders, soups, and stews. 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Hey, I’m Kevin

My name is Kevin. My life changed when I realized that healthy living is a lifelong journey, mainly won by having a well-balanced diet and maintaining an active lifestyle.

By experimenting in the kitchen and sharing my meals on Tumblr, I learned healthy eating is not boring! By making a few adjustments to my favorite foods, I could design a diet that could help me achieve my wellness goals while satisfying my desire for BANGIN food! 😅 Now I try to help people around the world realize that same level of freedom in eating regardless of budget. Welcome, let’s #DemocratizeWellness together!