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Home » Recipes » Side Dishes

Foolproof Corn on the Cob

By: Kathryn Doherty | Last Updated: Mar 10, 2025 | Published: Jul 22, 2015
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An easy foolproof corn on the cob recipe that comes out perfectly tender every time and is made in just 10 minutes on the stove!

Close up of a corn on the cob stacked on other corn with a pat of butter on top and parsley and chili powdered sprinkled all over it.


 

There is nothing quite like some butter-dripping-down-your-chin, perfectly tender fresh corn on the cob in the summertime, right?!

They are the perfect inexpensive side for any lunch or dinner and everyone always wants one... or more!

As a kid, we had some of those cute corn cob holders and I loved jamming them in the end so I could pick mine up. I need to get some of those!

Grilled corn is great, but it's so easy to burn or char and it's just a bit more temperamental.

So I almost always turn to this method when we’re having corn on the cob. It’s fast, easy and takes just a couple minutes to prep. Literally, this is all you need:

Corn in husks beside a large pot of water and a container of salt.

And as the title suggests, it's FOOLPROOF!

All you do is bring a big pot of water to a boil, add some salt and add your corn cobs. Then cover and turn off the heat. Let it sit for about 10 minutes and that is it.

And you get perfectly cooked, perfectly tender beautiful corn on the cob every single time.

That is my kind of easy! (I even made you a video so you can see how easy it is - scroll down to see it!)

And while it's ready to go in 10 minutes, I'll go ahead and admit I've totally forgotten about it before. Walked away, got distracted and finally got to it about 30 minutes later.

The corn? Still totally perfect!

That's the "foolproof" part of this corn on the cob. It's so forgiving.

Pro tip: Don’t shuck your corn until you’re ready to cook it. It helps keep it fresh. If you must, peel back the outer green a little bit in the store to make sure the corn looks OK, but replace it and keep everything on until just before you’re ready to drop it in the boiling water.

Cooked corn on the cob with parsley, chili powder and butter.
A pat of butter melting on a piece of corn on the cob sprinkled with parsley and chili powder.

Plus, you can dress up this corn however you like.

Here are a few ideas.

Toppings for Corn:

  • Butter
  • Salt and pepper
  • Paprika
  • Cilantro
  • Parlsey
  • Chili powder
  • Cheese (Parmesan, cheddar, goat, feta)
  • Cooked, crumbled bacon
  • Drizzle of crema

Feel free to mix and match your favorites and create your own masterpiece!

Four ears of corn stacked on a colorful plate with parsley and chili powder sprinkled over them.

And if you are a summer corn lover like me and just can't get enough, be sure to check out some of those other favorite recipes.

Ways to use fresh corn:

  • Spicy corn radish salad
  • Bacon rice with corn
  • Easy corn chowder
  • Quick corn and pepper saute
  • Quick okra, corn and tomato saute

And this summer corn salad with roasted poblanos, cilantro and a creamy dressing is killer for a side dish to share at potlucks and parties.

Sweet summer corn on the cob, welcome to the table!

Enjoy!

XO,

Kathryn

Cropped close up of a corn on the cob stacked on other corn with a pat of butter on top and parsley and chili powdered sprinkled all over it.
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Easy, Foolproof Corn on the Cob

An easy foolproof corn on the cob recipe that comes out perfectly tender every time and is made in just 10 minutes on the stove!
Prep Time5 minutes mins
Cook Time10 minutes mins
Total Time15 minutes mins
Yield: 4 servings

Ingredients

  • 4 ears corn on the cob
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt, for water
  • Optional toppings: Butter, salt and pepper, paprika, cilantro, parsley, chili powder, Parmesan or cheddar or goat or feta cheese, crema, cooked bacon, etc.

Instructions

  • Bring a large pot of water to a roiling boil and add salt.
  • Shuck and add corn cobs to the boiling water. Cover the pot with a lid, turn off the heat and let the corn sit for 10 minutes.
  • Remove the corn from the water, add desired toppings and enjoy!

Notes

Tip: Don’t shuck your corn until you’re ready to cook it. It helps keep it fresh. If you must, peel back the outer green a little bit in the store to make sure the corn looks OK, but replace it and keep everything on until just before you’re ready to drop it in the boiling water. 👍
Also, no worries if you leave the corn longer than 10 minutes. I've accidentally forgotten about it before and come back 30 minutes later and the corn was still tender and tasty.

Video

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 76kcal | Carbohydrates: 17g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 517mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 4g
Tried this recipe?Leave a comment below or follow me on Instagram @familyfoodonthetable and tag me in your photo!
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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Lucy @ Bake Play Smile

    July 22, 2015 at 7:40 pm

    Mmm we LOVE corn on the cob here! I often add a little sprinkle of paprika and parmesan cheese too! Great recipe - and so easy!

    Reply
    • Kathryn

      July 22, 2015 at 7:54 pm

      Ooh, Parmesan cheese - I'll definitely sprinkle that on next time! Yum!

      Reply

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Meet Kathryn

Hi there! I’m Kathryn Doherty, a cookbook author, mom of two, and devoted food and home cooking nut. I’ve got lots of easy recipes to help you get delicious food on the table for your family!

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