If you're craving a sweet, juicy corn on the cob but don't have the time or patience to wait for it to cook on the stovetop or grill, the microwave is your friend. With just a few minutes in the microwave, you can have perfectly cooked corn on the cob that's tender and flavorful.
The best part about cooking corn on the cob in the microwave is that it's incredibly easy. It's a great option for busy weeknights when you don't have a lot of time to cook, or for summer picnics and barbecues when you want to enjoy delicious corn on the cob without having to heat up the grill.
Before we dive into the step-by-step instructions, let's gather the necessary ingredients and equipment.
How to Cook Corn on the Cob in the Microwave
Follow these simple steps for perfectly cooked corn on the cob in minutes.
- Clean and trim corn.
- Wrap in damp paper towels.
- Microwave on high for 3-4 minutes.
- Flip and microwave for another 3-4 minutes.
- Let cool slightly.
- Slather with butter and salt.
- Enjoy hot and fresh!
There you have it – a quick and easy way to cook corn on the cob in the microwave. So next time you're craving this delicious summer treat, don't hesitate to give this method a try.
Clean and trim corn.
Before you can cook your corn on the cob in the microwave, you'll need to clean and trim it. Here's a step-by-step guide:
- Remove the husks. Start by peeling back the outer husks of the corn. You can do this by hand or use a knife to carefully cut them away.
- Remove the silk. Once the husks are removed, you'll see a layer of silky fibers covering the corn. Use your hands to pull away the silk, making sure to get all of it.
- Trim the ends. Use a sharp knife to trim off the ends of the corn cobs. This will help them cook evenly in the microwave.
- Optional: Cut the corn into smaller pieces. If you want to make it easier to eat, you can cut the corn cobs into smaller pieces. Simply use a sharp knife to slice them into 2-3 inch pieces.
Once you've cleaned and trimmed your corn, it's ready to be cooked in the microwave. Follow the rest of the steps in the recipe to enjoy perfectly cooked corn on the cob in minutes.
Tip: If you're having trouble removing the silk from the corn, you can soak the cobs in cold water for a few minutes. This will help to loosen the silk and make it easier to remove.
Wrap in damp paper towels.
Once you've cleaned and trimmed your corn, it's time to wrap it in damp paper towels. This step is important because it helps to create steam in the microwave, which cooks the corn evenly and prevents it from drying out.
- Dampen paper towels. Start by wetting a few paper towels under cold water. Wring out the excess water so that the paper towels are damp but not dripping.
- Wrap the corn. Place each corn cob on a damp paper towel. Wrap the paper towel around the corn, making sure to cover it completely.
- Microwave the corn. Place the wrapped corn cobs in the microwave. Microwave on high for 3-4 minutes.
- Flip and microwave again. After 3-4 minutes, carefully flip the corn cobs over. Microwave on high for another 3-4 minutes, or until the corn is tender when pierced with a fork.
Once the corn is cooked, carefully remove it from the microwave. Let it cool for a minute or two before unwrapping the paper towels. Serve the corn hot with butter, salt, and pepper, or your favorite toppings.
Tip: If you don't have paper towels on hand, you can also use a damp cloth or even a wet lettuce leaf to wrap the corn. Just make sure that whatever you use is damp enough to create steam in the microwave.
Microwave on high for 3-4 minutes.
Once you've wrapped the corn cobs in damp paper towels, it's time to microwave them. Here's how:
- Place the corn in the microwave. Arrange the wrapped corn cobs in a single layer on a microwave-safe plate. Make sure that the cobs are not touching each other.
- Microwave on high for 3-4 minutes. Set the microwave to high power and cook the corn for 3-4 minutes. The cooking time may vary depending on the wattage of your microwave and the size of the corn cobs.
- Check the corn for doneness. After 3-4 minutes, carefully remove the corn from the microwave. Unwrap one of the paper towels and check the corn for doneness. Insert a fork into the center of the corn cob. If the corn is tender and the fork goes in easily, it's done.
- Continue microwaving if needed. If the corn is not done, wrap it back up in the paper towel and microwave it for another 1-2 minutes. Continue microwaving in short increments until the corn is tender.
Once the corn is cooked, carefully remove it from the microwave. Let it cool for a minute or two before unwrapping the paper towels. Serve the corn hot with butter, salt, and pepper, or your favorite toppings.
Tip: If you're cooking a lot of corn, you may need to cook it in batches. Just make sure to wrap each batch of corn in damp paper towels before microwaving.
Flip and microwave for another 3-4 minutes.
After the first 3-4 minutes of microwaving, it's important to flip the corn cobs over and microwave them for another 3-4 minutes. This ensures that the corn cooks evenly on all sides.
- Flip the corn cobs. Carefully remove the corn cobs from the microwave. Unwrap the paper towels and flip the corn cobs over.
- Re-wrap the corn cobs in paper towels. Wrap the corn cobs back up in the damp paper towels.
- Microwave the corn cobs for another 3-4 minutes. Place the wrapped corn cobs back in the microwave and microwave on high for another 3-4 minutes.
- Check the corn for doneness. After 3-4 minutes, carefully remove the corn from the microwave. Unwrap one of the paper towels and check the corn for doneness. Insert a fork into the center of the corn cob. If the corn is tender and the fork goes in easily, it's done.
If the corn is not done, continue microwaving it in short increments of 1-2 minutes until it is tender. Once the corn is cooked, carefully remove it from the microwave and let it cool for a minute or two before unwrapping the paper towels. Serve the corn hot with butter, salt, and pepper, or your favorite toppings.
Let cool slightly.
Once the corn is cooked, it's important to let it cool slightly before eating it. This will help to prevent you from burning your mouth.
- Remove the corn from the microwave. Carefully remove the corn cobs from the microwave. Be careful, as the corn will be hot.
- Unwrap the corn cobs. Unwrap the corn cobs from the paper towels.
- Let the corn cool for a minute or two. Place the corn cobs on a plate and let them cool for a minute or two. This will give the corn a chance to cool down slightly.
- Serve the corn. Once the corn has cooled slightly, it's ready to serve. You can serve it with butter, salt, and pepper, or your favorite toppings.
Tip: You can also use tongs to hold the corn cobs while they're cooling. This will help to protect your hands from the heat.
Slather with butter and salt.
Once the corn is cool enough to handle, it's time to slather it with butter and salt. This is the classic way to enjoy corn on the cob, and it's hard to beat.
- Spread butter on the corn. Take a generous amount of butter and spread it all over the corn cob. You can use your hands or a knife to do this.
- Sprinkle salt on the corn. Once the butter is spread, sprinkle salt on the corn cob. You can use as much or as little salt as you like, depending on your taste.
- Enjoy! Take a bite of your buttered and salted corn on the cob and enjoy! The corn should be tender and juicy, with a slightly sweet and salty flavor.
Tip: You can also add other toppings to your corn on the cob, such as pepper, paprika, or chili powder. Get creative and experiment with different flavors to find your favorite combination.
Enjoy hot and fresh!
Corn on the cob is best enjoyed hot and fresh. So once you've slathered it with butter and salt, don't wait to dig in!
- Serve the corn immediately. Once the corn is cooked, serve it immediately. This will ensure that it's hot and fresh.
- Eat the corn with your hands. Corn on the cob is traditionally eaten with your hands. This is the best way to enjoy the sweet, juicy kernels.
- Savor the flavor. Corn on the cob is a simple but delicious snack. Take your time and savor the flavor of each bite.
Tip: If you have leftover corn on the cob, you can store it in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat the corn, simply microwave it on high for 1-2 minutes, or until it's heated through.
FAQ
Have a question about how to cook corn on the cob in the microwave? Here are some frequently asked questions and answers:
Question 1: How do I choose the right corn for microwaving?
Answer 1: Choose fresh corn on the cob with bright green husks and plump kernels. Avoid corn with dried-out husks or kernels that are shriveled or discolored.
Question 2: Do I need to remove the husks and silk before microwaving?
Answer 2: Yes, you need to remove the husks and silk before microwaving. The husks and silk can trap moisture and prevent the corn from cooking evenly.
Question 3: How long do I microwave the corn for?
Answer 3: The cooking time will vary depending on the wattage of your microwave and the size of the corn cobs. As a general guideline, microwave the corn for 3-4 minutes on high, then flip the cobs and microwave for another 3-4 minutes, or until the corn is tender when pierced with a fork.
Question 4: Do I need to wrap the corn in paper towels before microwaving?
Answer 4: Yes, wrapping the corn in damp paper towels helps to create steam in the microwave, which cooks the corn evenly and prevents it from drying out.
Question 5: How do I know when the corn is done?
Answer 5: Insert a fork into the center of the corn cob. If the fork goes in easily and the corn is tender, it's done.
Question 6: How do I serve corn on the cob?
Answer 6: Corn on the cob is traditionally served with butter, salt, and pepper. You can also add other toppings, such as sour cream, chili powder, or grated Parmesan cheese.
Question 7: Can I reheat corn on the cob in the microwave?
Answer 7: Yes, you can reheat corn on the cob in the microwave. Simply wrap the corn in damp paper towels and microwave on high for 1-2 minutes, or until it's heated through.
Closing Paragraph for FAQ: With these tips, you'll be able to cook perfect corn on the cob in the microwave every time. So next time you're craving this delicious summer treat, don't hesitate to give this method a try.
Now that you know how to cook corn on the cob in the microwave, here are a few tips for making it even more delicious:
Tips
Here are a few tips for making the most delicious corn on the cob in the microwave:
Tip 1: Use fresh corn. Fresh corn on the cob has the best flavor and texture. Look for corn with bright green husks and plump kernels.
Tip 2: Cook the corn in its husk. Microwaving the corn in its husk helps to trap the moisture and flavor. Simply remove the silk from the corn, but leave the husks intact.
Tip 3: Add a little bit of water to the microwave. Placing a small bowl of water in the microwave along with the corn will help to create steam, which will cook the corn more evenly.
Tip 4: Experiment with different toppings. Once the corn is cooked, you can top it with a variety of ingredients to add flavor. Some popular toppings include butter, salt, pepper, sour cream, chili powder, and grated Parmesan cheese.
Closing Paragraph for Tips: With these tips, you'll be able to make corn on the cob in the microwave that is both delicious and easy to prepare. So next time you're looking for a quick and tasty snack or side dish, give this method a try.
Now that you know how to cook corn on the cob in the microwave and have some tips for making it even more delicious, it's time to give it a try. With just a few minutes in the microwave, you can enjoy this classic summer treat.
Conclusion
Microwaving corn on the cob is a quick and easy way to enjoy this delicious summer treat. With just a few minutes in the microwave, you can have perfectly cooked corn that's tender and juicy.
To recap the main points:
- Choose fresh corn on the cob with bright green husks and plump kernels.
- Remove the husks and silk, but leave the corn in its husk for microwaving.
- Wrap the corn in damp paper towels to help create steam in the microwave.
- Microwave the corn on high for 3-4 minutes, then flip the cobs and microwave for another 3-4 minutes, or until the corn is tender.
- Serve the corn hot with butter, salt, and pepper, or your favorite toppings.
Closing Message: So next time you're craving corn on the cob, don't hesitate to give this microwave method a try. You'll be surprised at how easy and delicious it is.