If there’s one thing that says “summer” to me, it might just be corn on the cob. When my family visited my grandmother in Michigan every summer, “Doo-Dah” would bring us corn on the cob for the requisite family cookout. My dozens of cousins and second cousins (well, close to dozens) and I sat in the yard, shucking the corn and taking off as much of the silk as we could, happily anticipating the feast ahead.
A few short hours later would find us happily munching the kernels off of the cobs, which we had buttered and sprinkled with salt. Delightful!
My father taught me how to eat the corn neatly so it wouldn’t get stuck in your teeth, by popping the kernels off one row at a time using your bottom teeth, rather than digging in with a CHOMP! It works, and has the added benefit of a typewriter joke. Finish the line of corn, say “Ding!” and start over. Well, that’s what my dad does anyway.
He also taught me the delights of eating leftover corn, still cold from the fridge, with a sprinkle of salt. It’s one of my favorite summertime treats to eat corn this way, so I usually get extras so I can intentionally have leftovers.
Unfortunately, when I moved out on my own, I discovered that I wasn’t actually sure about the right way to cook corn on the cob. I tried microwaving it, boiling it endlessly, seasoning the water with a variety of things… but nothing was ever quite right.
So after reading about a dozen “recipes” and formulas for corn on the cob, the guy and I settled on this method (which is a conglomeration of a couple different ones), which turned out to be a happy discovery. THIS is how corn on the cob shoud be!*
- Fill your pot with water.
- Add 1/4 cup to 1/2 cup of sugar.
- Drop in your corn.
- Bring everything to a boil, making sure the sugar is dissolved in the water.
- Boil for no longer than 8 minutes.
- Remove from the water and let it cool enough for handling and eating.
- Handle it and eat it.
It was perfect! Well, almost perfect. It was early-season corn and not the best I’ve ever had, but it was delicious and cooked properly! With just a smear of butter and a few shakes of salt, it was delicious with our dinner of tomato pie.
And I had my 2 ears of leftover corn reserved in the fridge for later, when I enjoyed them cold, and sprinkled with salt.
Now that you’ve got such an easy delicious recipe for corn on the cob, don’t forget it!
*Unless it’s grilled, which is equally as delicious, and always a special treat. I LOVE grilled corn on the cob.
Hi! I'm Emily. I'm a Navy wife and stay at home mom of two beautiful children. I cook simple, delicious, grain-free recipes, do crafts, decorate my home on a budget, and keep a happy household. I tandem breastfeed, babywear, cloth diaper, practice elimination communication, homebirth, and co-sleep, but I'm not a hippie.
Been boiling this way for years. Yes,your doing it the right way.
[...] prefer grilling. You can also do corn the quick, easy way by boiling it if you’re at home. Here’s a good method of preparing it that way, but it is vital that you make sure to remove the corn from the hot water [...]
I never eat corn, but we are fasting and only eating fruits & veggies. This was FABULOUS! my super picky daughter (age 5) who doesn’t like veggies (but she eats them anywayz) loved it! Ate her piece and asked for more. Thanks for sharing and don’t worry about haters, they’ll always try to bring you down.
grain-free…..you do realize that corn is a GRAIN, right???
I wrote this in may 2008. Over a year before I “found” grain free.
Corn is actually a grass, not a grain.
GRAINS ARE GRASSES!
grain (grn)
n.
1.
a. A small, dry, one-seeded fruit of a cereal grass, having the fruit and the seed walls united: a single grain of wheat; gleaned the grains from the ground one at a time. Also called caryopsis.
b. The fruits of cereal grasses especially after having been harvested, considered as a group: The grain was stored in a silo.
Who cares smarty pants. Don’t worry about her mistake…. But one mistake she didn’t make was to teach me how darn easy it was to boil some corn.. Lol. Can I say yumm to my first time boiling corn on the cob?! Turned out great. Now I’m not afriad to boil my own corns. Super EASY! No more tiny little store bought freezer corn
) Thanks, my mommy is going to be surprise!
I’m glad you got the point of the post. haha. Haters gon hate.
thanks, i never thought it was just that simple.
After several failed attemps boiling corn with butter and salt, you have shown me how to do it right. Thank you.
BooHoo Mr.No Sugar! Recipe was awesome! Kids loved it…..moderation my dear man. Think we can handle a little extra sugar with dinner. Butter? You better take that out as well. No sugar water and no butter? Yuck! Thanks for the great recipe….
We’ve always added sugar but we add a cup may try it your way with less sugar. Enjoyed reading your site.
[...] the corn (boiling or grilling both work – be sure not to overcook), and then cut the corn off the [...]
Tied it today. The corn came out perfect! the sugar added a little sweetness to the corn. Cooked it for 5 minutes.
I’m eating this as I type. Absolutely delicious. I boiled for 3 minutes and it came out lovely.
Can you use Splenda?
Superb!!!
So, So, good! I never would’ve thought to add sugar to the water. Loved it!
just wanted to comment that you might want to leave out the sugar. The U.S. has a bad obesity problem, ya know?
The sugar gives the corn a nice sweet flavor. Who cares if the US has an obesity problem, a half a cup of sugar isn’t going to make a difference to a person that chooses to live unhealthy.
Great recipe! Thank you!
Corn has enough natural sugars in it to bring out the sweetness. If your corn isn’t sweet enough then you are boiling it for to long.
Came our perfect. I used agava liquid cane sugar which gave it the same sugar taste with less calories and no preservatives. I agree with what was said…if you already have a problem..eating sweet corn is not going to solve it. Live a little! Most of the sugar probably gets thrown out with the water when you drain…then soaking multiple ears of corn decreases this by more. It really was great!..also..i used frozen mini corn and it worked great too!
Just wanted to comment you might want to leave your nose out of other peoples’ business. Ya know?
This is a delicious recipe for boiled corn on the cob. Thank you!
Yes, and we still spray ‘Dibrom’ over 63,000 acres!!! Look it up. It will make you love sugar!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
You go “Doo Dah”. Many thanks. Just picked it out of the garden, used your recipe (I can never remember how long I cook it) and it was JUST right. And I am a southern woman!
Along with the microwave shucking instructions, these have not have been the easiest, but best corn on the cob I’ve ever made. Several of my more Southern neighbors have told me I put “my foot” in the corn this year! High praise indeed.
Thanks for a great recipe!! Tried this tonight and it was a hit for everyone!!
Thanks Emily! I have to look for cooking times for corn on the cob evey year. Don’t know why I can never remember…do I put the corn in before or after the water boils?…haha your tips on the EATING protion of your post, we will try tonight : ) Thanks again!
57 commets! dam!!!
Just had it, guess the small addition of sugar makes all of the difference. Both me and the misses loved it! Thanks
hope its good!!!!
thank god for the deliusousnes
Tried it…liked it……one variation….used brown sugar…..yum yum!!
thought i knew. thanks