We still have a few weeks left of summer – and that means a few more weeks of sinking your teeth into warm, buttery, salty corn on the cob. And while the promise of this tasty treat may have helped you get through those cold winter months, cooking corn on the cob can be easier said than done. Kernels can often wind up dried out and tough, or even undercooked and hard, making this summer favorite harder to master than you might think. So, what are the best ways to cook corn on the cob? In this article, we’ve compiled 3 different ways to cook corn on the cob that is not grilling or boiling, so you can master the art of perfectly cooked sweet corn before the summer’s over.
Instant Pot
You may be pleasantly surprised to learn that you can cook corn on the cob in your Instant Pot, even if it means having to shuck and half your corn before placing them in. This cooking method requires you to line your corn up vertically on top of the Instant Pot trivet insert, before cooking on HIGH pressure for 5 minutes.
The Kitchn tells us why the Instant Pot is the way to go when it comes to perfectly cooked corn on the cob:
“The corn came out similarly to boiled corn with plump kernels that were juicy and bright yellow. They didn’t dry out and were tender without being overcooked or mushy. Adding the melted butter on top was a nice touch, and melting it in the Instant Pot was an easy way to avoid having to dirty another dish. This yielded a delicious, basic version of corn. It was simple and unfussy.”
Microwave
Did you know that cooking corn on the cob in the microwave was even an option? This super easy and effective method of cooking corn on the cob can be done with or without the husk on and results in perfectly cooked corn each time.
Melanie Cooks explains why the microwave is her preferred method of cooking corn on the cob:
“My favorite method of cooking the corn is to cook corn in a microwave. Before I discovered that you can keep the corn husk on, I would remove the husk first and then wrap corn in a paper towel and microwave them. Well, who needs a paper towel when the husk can act like one. To microwave the corn in its husk, just microwave it on high for 4 minutes for 1 corn, 7 minutes for 2 corns, or 9 minutes if you are cooking 3 ears of corn at a time.”
Steam
Steaming corn on the cob is a great alternative to boiling, and can be done both in the microwave or on the stovetop. Plus, steaming preserves more nutrients compared to boiling or grilling, so you’ll be able to reap all of corn’s nutritional benefits while still maintaining a great flavor.
Taste of Home tells us more on how to steam corn on the stovetop:
“To steam corn on the stovetop, place a steamer basket into a pot filled with a few inches of water. Bring the water to a boil and then add shucked ears of corn to the steamer basket. Cover. Let cook for 4-6 minutes, or until tender. Remove and season with salt, pepper, and melted butter.”
Want to see which of your favorite restaurants is serving up corn on the cob tonight? Have a look at all restaurants to compare food menus.
