Save this foolproof recipe for buttery, perfectly cooked Microwave Corn On The Cob because the last thing you want to do when it’s 156 bazillion degrees outside is turn on a grill, stove, or oven. #amiright?!?!? Cooking corn on the cob in a microwave gives you kernels that pop with sweet juiciness, and there’s no large pot of water to boil, no grill to heat and then scour clean, and no air-conditioning-killing oven to preheat. Let’s do this!
Why Microwave Corn On The Cob?
With its air-tight and even-heat cooking, a microwave creates the perfect environment for corn on the cob to steam itself. It is hands-free easy-breezy cooking at its finest, and the results are spectacularly yummy. You’re not boiling all the flavor out of the cob or masking it with loads of char because you stepped away from the grill for a minute. (I love char, don’t get me wrong. But not when it’s all you can taste.)
This is about as simple as a recipe gets. Here’s what you’ll need for perfectly cooked, buttery, Microwave Corn On The Cob.
- Corn Cobs – still in their husk are the best but shucked corn and frozen corn will work in a pinch. (You will need to adjust the timing by about a minute per cob for frozen corn.)
- Salted Butter – because corn without butter is a crime. Don’t @ me.
How Long To Microwave Corn On The Cob
A fresh, full-sized ear of corn on the cob (about 8 inches long) should be microwaved on high for about 4 minutes, depending on your microwave’s wattage. If you stack the cobs, it still means 4 minutes per ear. So 4 corn cobs should cook for 16 minutes on high. If the cobs are frozen, go to at least 5 minutes per ear. If they are half-cobs do 3 minutes per ear.
High is 1000 watts in an average microwave. Yours might be more or less strong, so you will need to adjust the timing. If you don’t know the wattage of your microwave, check the manufacturer’s website for your model number, which can usually be found on the inside of the door.
What To Serve with Corn On The Cobb
Summer salads like Panzanella or Summer Vegetable Pasta Salad pair perfectly with Microwave Corn On The Cob. You can also serve it as a side for BBQ Ribs or Sloppy Joes, along with other classics like Cumin Lime Coleslaw, Baked Beans, or Southern Style Potato Salad.
How To Pick Good Corn
A great ear of corn in its husk should have corn silk tassels (which stick out of the top of the ear) that are golden brown. When you touch the tassels they should feel dampish and fresh. Dry or black tassels mean your corn is old. If you peel back the husk a little, the kernels should be plump. If they are missing or dry, the corn cob is old. Uncooked corn on the cob should be stored in its husk open-air in the fridge to prevent it from drying out and losing its flavor. You can freeze cooked cobs for up to a year. Dry them well and wrap each one in wax paper, then aluminum, and then store them in an airtight container.
Microwave Corn On The Cob
Looking for a quick and easy way to cook corn on the cob? Look no further than Microwave Corn On The Cob! This method is foolproof and takes just minutes.
- 4 large corn cobs in their husk* ($2.40)
- 4 Tbsp salted butter ($0.75)
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Cut the cobs to fit your microwave using its inner revolving plate as your guide. Do not peel off the husks. If your corn cobs don’t have a husk and are already trimmed, just go to step 2.
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Place each cob under running water and soak through. Wrap each in a wet paper towel. Place the cobs in the microwave and cook on high for 16 minutes or 4 minutes per cob. Cooking time can vary depending on the wattage of your microwave and the size of the cobs.
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The cobs are done when the kernels’ color has deepened and become glossy. Allow the cobs to cool until you can hold them without burning yourself. Remove the paper towel and cut off the stem end of the cobs.
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Peel the husks off from the top down to the stem end. Clean off any stray strands of cornsilk. Top with 1 tablespoon of salted butter per cob and serve!
See how we calculate recipe costs here.
You can also use shucked corn cobs and frozen corn cobs. For frozen cobs add an extra minute of cooking time per cob.
Serving: 1cobCalories: 223kcalCarbohydrates: 27gProtein: 5gFat: 13gSodium: 111mgFiber: 3g
Read our full nutrition disclaimer here.
How to Make Microwave Corn On The Cob – Step by Step Photos
First, cut the 4 cobs to fit your microwave. If unsure about what size will fit in your microwave, use its inner revolving plate as your guide. Do not peel off the husks. If your corn cobs don’t have a husk, they’re probably already cut to fit, so just go to step 2.
Place the cobs under running water for a few seconds and wrap each one in a wet paper towel. Zap the cobs on high power for about 4 minutes per cob. This doesn’t mean you have to nuke them one by one. You can stack 4 cobs on a microwave-safe plate and cook them all at once, adjusting the time to 4 minutes per fresh cob, or 5 minutes per frozen cob. Cooking time can vary depending on the strength of your microwave.
The cobs are done when the kernels’ color has deepened and become glossy. Allow the cobs to cool until you can hold them without burning yourself. Remove the paper towel and cut off the stem end of the cobs.
Peel the husk off. It will come off super easy, taking almost all of the silk along with it.
That’s it! Top each cob with 1 tablespoon of salted butter and you’re done. Serve with grilled or roasted proteins, summer sides, or salads, or eat them as is. I ate 8 cobs after testing this recipe and then passed out in a corn cob-induced afternoon naptime bliss. I can’t recommend it enough!