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Corn on the Cob is one of our favorite side dishes. It’s inexpensive and so tasty. Boiling Corn on the Cob is simple and tastes amazing. Learn the trick to the best fresh sweet corn on the cob ever.

Boiling corn on the cob is so simple! We have the best recipe for perfect corn on the cob! Learn how to boil corn on the cob that is amazing! Once you know how long to boil corn on the cob and what to add, you will always make corn this way!
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Boiling Corn on the Cob:

We love sweet corn on the cob at my house. We have had it grilled, smoked, put in the oven with the corn husk on and boiled. My kids love it and it definitely a good side dish that we have often.

I have discovered a new trick that brings out the sweetness of corn on the cob. You are going to be surprised how easy it is and you will never cook corn on the cob any other way.

So what is the trick?

Do you want to know the secret to the best corn? I do this every time I boil corn and my kids can’t get enough. It’s so good and packed with flavor.

What is the secret ingredient to making the best corn on the cob? Instead of using plain water, try boiling the corn in milk and butter instead! You are going to love how delicious this corn is.

It just takes it to an entirely new level. Whether you are getting your corn fresh from the farm stand, or using frozen, you are going to love how amazing they taste with this easy recipe.

Close up image of corn on the cob on a white plate with melted butter.

Ingredients:

  • 6-8 ears of corn
  • 1 stick salted butter
  • 1 cup milk

How to boil Corn on the Cob:

  • Fill a large pot with cold water and heat on the stove on high heat. Bring to a boil. (You can also use salted water to boil the corn)
  • Once your water is warm add in a stick of butter and a cup of milk. You can also add in sugar, but it is not necessary.
  • Peel the corn husks off your corn and remove the silk. Add the corn cobs to the hot water mixture once the water has return to boiling.
  • Cook the corn cobs for 8-10 minutes, use tongs to carefully remove the corn and enjoy! Cover the pot until ready to eat.

I like to discard the water outside rather than the sink because of the butter in the water.

Add more butter and sprinkle with salt and pepper if you prefer. Serve immediately. Enjoy!

Close up image of corn on the cob on a plate with butter melting.

How long to boil corn on the cob:

It only takes about 8-10 minutes to boil corn. As you can see, it’s an incredibly easy and quick side dish idea!

I love that I can make this at the last minute and still have a great side dish to serve. It doesn’t take a lot of thought or time. Plus, corn on the cob is not expensive at all.

How do you know boiled corn on the cob is done?

Your boiled corn should be done around the 5-6 minute mark. But I usually let it stay in the boiled milk and simmer for about 8-10 minutes.

After the corn has boiled for around 8 minutes, it should be ready to eat. You can stick a knife or even a fork in it and see that it is tender. We love this sweet corn!

How do you cook fresh corn on the cob?

I follow this recipe when making fresh corn on the cob. I peel and husk the corn and then add them right to the pot with the water, butter and milk mixture.

Can you overcook corn on the cob?

Yes, you can. It is best to only leave your corn in the boiling water for no longer than 10 minutes. If you do leave it in longer it can be overcooked and lose its flavor and the texture can become mush.

How to use leftover corn on the the cob

We love leftover corn. Store your leftover corn in an airtight container. If I do have any leftover corn on the corn, I will use a sharp knife cut the kernels off the corn and make this Spicy Corn Dip or serve it in my salads.

See How to Cut Corn Off the Cob.

Leftover corn on the cob also freezes great. You can store cron in the freezer for up to 3 months. See How to Freeze Corn on the Cob.

You can also find our 7 Ways to Use Leftover Grilled Corn.

Corn on the Cob Kitchen Tools

Boiling corn on the cob is so simple! We have the best recipe for perfect corn on the cob! Learn how to boil corn on the cob that is amazing! Once you know how long to boil corn on the cob and what to add, you will always make corn this way!

I use a stock pot to boil the corn on the cob. My favorite is the Calphalon 8 quart with stainless steel insert. It’s so handy to just lift it right out of the pan and have the water drained.

Boiling corn on the cob is so simple! We have the best recipe for perfect corn on the cob! Learn how to boil corn on the cob that is amazing! Once you know how long to boil corn on the cob and what to add, you will always make corn this way!

We have several cute corn on the cob dishes and holders. It makes it so easy for the kids to eat it. They love how fun they are. Did you know they even have butter spreaders just for corn?

These are so handy if you like to add more butter after the corn has cooked. Even the kids can easily spread the butter without getting it everywhere. I love my butter spreader! 

What to serve with Corn on the Cob

The kids love when I fix Chicken on a Stick and this yummy corn on the cob.  It’s also great with Grilled Mahi Mahi Recipe. That only takes 15 minutes and the corn is really quick too.

Corn on the Cob Seasoning ideas.

Salt, pepper and butter is a great way to bring out the natural sweetness of the corn, but here are more delicious seasoning ideas.

  • lime juice
  • fresh herbs like fresh parsley or cilantro
  • chives
  • Chili powder or paprika
  • cotija cheese
  • garlic butter
  • herb butter
  • parmesan cheese

What is your favorite way to eat corn on the cob? Leave us a comment and let us know!

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Boiling Corn on the Cob Recipe

5 from 67 votes
Boiling corn on the cob is so simple! We have the best recipe for perfect corn on the cob! Learn how to boil corn on the cob that is amazing! Once you know how long to boil corn on the cob and what to add, you will always make corn this way!
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 8 minutes
Cool 8 minutes
Total Time 13 minutes
Servings 8
Cuisine American
Course Side Dish
Calories 177

Ingredients

  • 6-8 corn on the cob
  • 1 stick salted butter
  • 1 cup milk

Instructions

  • Fill a large pot with water and heat on the stove on high heat.
  • Once your water is warm add in a stick of butter and a cup of milk.
  • Peel the husk off your corn and add the corn cobs to the water mixture once the water is boiling.
  • Cook the corn cobs for 8-10 minutes, carefully remove the corn and enjoy!

Recipe Video

Recipe Notes

Looking to serve more people with this same recipe? Feel free to split the corn in half. I do this a lot for little kids to make eating the corn easies for their little hands.

Nutrition Facts

Calories 177kcal, Carbohydrates 14g, Protein 3g, Fat 13g, Saturated Fat 8g, Cholesterol 33mg, Sodium 124mg, Potassium 222mg, Fiber 1g, Sugar 5g, Vitamin A 530IU, Vitamin C 4.6mg, Calcium 39mg, Iron 0.3mg

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About the Author

Hi, I’m Carrie. Welcome to Eating on a Dime!

I’m on a mission to help you cook delicious meals without busting your budget. Together we are going to cook real food… for real families!

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Comments

  1. So you turn the pot off once the corn is in? This sounds delicious and I will be trying tonight!

  2. I cook it in the boiling water for 8-10 minutes prior to turning the burner off. Thank you!

  3. Have cooked corn (on the cob) many years & many ways…I am now resigned to the microwave style…Quick, delicious & no silk picking, ever !!!

  4. 5 stars
    Between living in a small town in “rural America,” with not much in the way of farm fresh produce, I was pretty skeptic when I bought the first batch of corn that appeared in our grocery store for the season. I found your recipe and gave it a try, and it turned out wonderful (considering all the above obstacles). I added a little more salt and some sugar to my water out of habit, but otherwise followed your recipe. Thank you,

  5. Your recipe says ‘Cool’ and I think you meant ‘Cook’.
    We will try this tonight!