Introduction: Easy Microwave Corn on the Cob
In this cooking basics Instructable, learn how to make perfect corn on the cob in just a few minutes in the microwave. There is no shucking and hardly any silks to deal with. It is one of my favorite ways to cook corn on the cob especially if I am just making 1 or 2 ears of corn.
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Follow the easy steps below, watch the short video tutorial, or do both!
Supplies
Ingredients:
- Fresh Corn in the husks (washed), I always like to use sweet corn, either yellow corn or white corn.
- Cutting board
- Sharp knife
- Microwave
- Toppings (butter, salt, pepper, etc)
Step 1: Rinse
Begin by giving the corn a good rinse. This will remove any extra dirt, bugs, etc, that may be on the outside of the husks. It will also add a bit of dampness which will help add a bit of steam to the microwave.
Step 2: Cook
Now time to cook those ears of corn. Place the corn in the microwave and set the timer for 3 minutes. The time will vary depending on the wattage of your microwave and the size of the corn. 3 minutes is a good start for just 1 ear of corn. If you are doing 2 ears, start with 5 1/2 minutes. 3 ears, try 8 1/2, 4 ears 11 1/2 minutes. For any more than for I just recommend doing the classic boiling method.
Step 3: Cut and Wiggle
Once it is done cooking allow it to sit for a minute or two. Then use an oven mitt to grab the corn and place it on a cutting board.
Cut the stem end off and then remove the corn from the husk. There are a few ways to get the corn out. My favorite way is to pinch and squeeze the top while wiggling the corn, it should come right out. By holding it you are also holding the silks in place. You can also use a fork or tongs and grab the corn and pull it out. Then remove any stray silks that might be clinging on for dear life.
Use a knife and cut off the other end.
Step 4: Season and Eat
Now you can season it however you want. I love putting butter, salt, pepper, and paprika on mine. So yummy!
Enjoy!
*Print the microwave corn on the cob recipe here if you want.
Step 5: Video Tutorial
Now watch those steps in action with this short video tutorial.
10 Comments
Tip 2 months ago on Introduction
To hold the cooked corn on a cob, place in cooler. This will keep it warm for hours if cooking for a large group. Also cut the ends and serve at the table. Also another hack if serving with butter; fill a glass canning jar, we use a two quart, 3/4 of the way with boiling water, place one stick of butter in the jar, the boiling water will melt the butter and float on the surface, dip each cob with tongs in the jar and the perfect amount of butter will stick to the warm cob and season as desired.
Reply 2 months ago
Nice! Good tips!
2 months ago on Step 5
We have corn almost every dinner here on the farm. Been microwaving it for years. I first cut off the top down to where the first consistent large kernels are. I save the silk from that cut top section... I freeze it in a zip-lok and use it in smoothies, since it has a lot of medicinal value. If the stem is too long, I will cut it a bit, and remove the outer layer of husk. Then I typically microwave it for 2/min per ear [for fresh picked corn]. My favorite topping for it is mayo, siracha, and salt mixed and put in and old siracha bottle [keep in fridge] to squeeze out right on the hot corn.
Reply 2 months ago
Awesome!! And oldy but goody method for sure! One of my favorites.
2 months ago
I buy my corn picked that day fresh, so the corn typically has a bit more husk on it then one gets in one's typical chain store. I cut some of the heel and the nose of the cob's husk so that the cob fits into the microwave and snip off the loose pieces the husk. I use to roast cobs in the oven and just got in the habit of snipping off the loose pieces of the husk. I cook it in the MW for 3 minutes and leaving it sit for a few minutes before running the MW for another minute. I just pull the husk back and remove the silk. The pulled back husk makes a great handle to eat the corn right off of the cob. When the corn is that fresh it doesn't need anything more and microwaving corn really seals in all that flavour. You have given away one of the best ways to cook corn. Someone told me about cooking the corn in its husk, at a local grocery store over 40 years ago and I started cooking it in the oven. Our engineer who was a farmer on the side, one day, brought a whole bunch of fresh picked corn into work, so I tried to cook it in the lunch microwave and was blow away and that too was a long time ago.
Reply 2 months ago
That is awesome! Yeah, this method has been around for ages and it is amazing at how many still haven't tried it this way. It really is one of my favorite ways to cook corn on the cob, especially since I live by myself and only ever eat one maybe two at a time.
2 months ago on Step 5
My microwave is 1000 watt. I've done this for years but 4 minutes per ear and the ears come out perfectly.
Reply 2 months ago
Awesome! Yes the time will definitely vary depending on the wattage of the microwave. Mine is at 1200 watts, 3 minutes works great for that wattage.
2 months ago
One of the ways I do it is this way (it only works with fresh fresh fresh corn): I take my corn and a cup of water over to the microwave and boil the water. While the water is heating I completely remove the husks and silk to the compost bucket then get a tea bag from the cupboard. Once the water is hot I place the tea bag into the cup. Only now do I eat the corn. My favorite condiments for corn are butter or EVO, salt, pepper, or paprika but as I'm eating the corn raw I leave them off. (Thank you @qualsite for the mayo, siracha idea.) Fresh raw corn on the cob is sweet. Remember, it is used to make corn syrup. (High-fructose corn syrup is NOT the same as corn syrup.)
2 months ago
Cool. You could have listed under supplies only "corn"