Microwave Corn on the Cob

Here’s how to microwave corn on the cob! This rule of thumb for how to cook it makes for golden, juicy kernels every time.

Want corn on the cob and want it now? Here’s a quick way to cook it: Microwave Corn on the Cob! It’s fast, it’s simple, and it tastes just as good as boiling. There are just a few rules of thumb to keep in mind when you try this simple method. Here’s what to know!

How to cook corn on the cob in the microwave

The microwave saves precious minutes when you’re looking to cook this summer vegetable. How long to microwave corn on the cob? It takes between 4 and 10 minutes, depending on how many cobs you cook at once and the strength of the microwave. Here’s a guideline:

• Wrap shucked corn in a wet paper towel. Use corn that’s already been shucked and cleaned. Place a wet paper towel under and on top of the corn cobs.
• Cook 1 to 4 cobs at once. Cooking 1 to 2 cobs takes about 4 to 5 minutes. Cooking 3 to 4 cobs takes about 8 to 10 minutes.
• Microwave on High for 4 minutes. Remove the paper towel and check to see if the kernels are bright yellow and cooked through on all sides of the cobs.
• Rotate the cobs and continue to cook in 2 minute bursts. Cook until the kernels are bright yellow on all sides. The time varies depending on the amount of cobs and the strength of the microwave.

Why to use shucked corn

Some people swear by cooking microwave corn on the cob in the husk. However, here are some advantages to husked corn:

• You can eat it right away. No need to wait for it to cool, then pull of the husk and silks.
• There’s not a significant difference after it’s cooked. Make it with good corn, and you won’t be able to tell the difference.
• Some corn comes already shucked. You might have bought it shucked at the grocery store: so it’s nice to have a method that works for both.

How to season microwave corn on the cob

Once you’ve got your microwave corn on the cob, there’s nothing better than a big salb of butter, kosher salt, and a few grinds of black pepper. It’s summertime bliss! But if you’d like an even fancier cob of corn, we love that too. Here are a few ways to season corn you might enjoy:

• Add paprika or smoked paprika. 
• Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese and herbs. 
• Shake on some Old Bay (purchased or homemade).
• Make Mexican street corn (elote). This Mexican street corn has a creamy, spiced sauce, sprinkle of cheese, lime and cilantro.
• Make corn salad! Cut the corn off the cob and use it for Classic Corn Salad or Elote Salad.

Other ways to cook corn on the cob

Microwave may be the fastest, but there are a few more corn on the cob methods worth noting! Here are a few pros and cons to other methods:

• Boiled: Boiling corn on the cob takes only 5 minutes! You just have to wait for a big pot of water to boil first. But if you’re cooking more than 4 corn cobs, it’s the way to go. Go to Boiled Corn on the Cob.
• Grilled: If you’ve got a grill, this is the way to go! Grilled corn has the best smoky, developed flavor. Here’s How to Grill Corn on the Cob (3 Ways!).
• Baked: You can even bake corn! It’s very simple and great for 8 ears corn, though it takes 35 minutes to bake. Go to Oven Roasted Corn on the Cob.

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Boiled Corn on the Cob

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How to Grill Corn on the Cob (3 Ways!)

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Oven Roasted Corn on the Cob

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Grilled Corn in Foil

This microwave corn on the cob recipe is…

Vegetarian, vegan, plant-based, dairy-free and gluten-free.

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