BEST Way to Boil Corn on the Cob (That Doesn’t Suck!)

Boiled Corn on the Cob doesn’t have to suck. We tested it until we came up with a method where corn comes out perfectly sweet, tender and juicy every time.

Let me convince you to Boil Corn on the Cob this way!

When somebody tells me that they’re going to boil corn on the cob, my heart kind of sinks. We take our beautiful corn on the cob pretty seriously here in the Midwest, and 9 times out of 10, boiling = bland.

My very favorite corn cooking method is corn on the cob on the grill, but that doesn’t mean that boiling it has to be bad. I’ve researched and tested a ton of different corn boiling methods, so that you don’t have to.

I’ve tried all of the possible additions like butter, milk, salt and sugar, and it turns out, the best idea is to use all of them!

Follow my method below for how to boil corn on the cob that comes out perfectly sweet, tender and juicy every single time. You’ll never go back to boiling corn any other way.

Ingredients For The Best Boiled Corn On The Cob

• corn – you want fresh corn that has been shucked, with all of the silk removed.
• unsalted butter – adds rich flavor to the corn.
• milk – creates a richer, more luxurious cooking liquid for boiling corn on the cob that helps enhance the corn’s natural sweetness.
• sugar – amplifies the corn’s natural sweetness, especially if it’s not at peak ripeness.
• kosher salt – seasons the corn and helps soften the kernels as the corn boils.
• ground black pepper – an optional addition when you serve the corn to add a touch of spice.

The Best Way to Boil Corn On The Cob

1. BOIL. Bring 12 cups of water to boil in a large pot with a lid.

2. ADD. Stir in the butter, milk, sugar and salt until the butter is melted.

3. SIMMER. Add the corn, cover the pot and simmer until the corn is tender.

4. SERVE. Remove the corn from the pot and serve it sprinkled with black pepper and more salt.

How Long to Boil Corn On The Cob

Timing is key when boiling corn. Exact timing depends on the corn and your desired level of tenderness, but I’ve found that simmering the corn for 8 to 10 minutes usually results in a tender-but-not-mushy ear of corn.

Boiled Corn On The Cob Serving Suggestions

Corn on the cob boiled is super versatile and can become an ingredient in a larger recipe, or be served with a variety of entrees and other side dishes. Some ideas include:

• Keep it simple and classic by serving boiled corn on the cob with a generous smear of butter (bonus points for using my Homemade Butter Recipe) and a sprinkle of salt and pepper.
• Use this best boiled corn on the cob (cut off the cob!) as the starting point for Mexican Street Corn Salad. No need to roast the corn, as it’s already cooked.
• Serve it as part of a complete summer meal along with Buttermilk Marinated Chicken and Summer Berry Salad.