The best Corn on the Cob is sweet, delicious, and full of flavor. Nothing is yummier than this classic summer time, side dish. With our fool proof method every piece of fresh corn is sure to be boiled to perfection.
Southern style, boiled corn is the sweetest, juiciest, most tender and delicious corn on the cob you will ever enjoy. Simple and easy to make this well loved vegetable is perfect for serving up at your next summer picnic, barbecue, or weeknight meal.
And if looking for other summer time favorite sides to serve along this best corn on the cob you've got to give our creamy Mac and Cheese, cool Coleslaw Pasta Salad or fresh Mango Berry Salad a try!
🥫 Ingredients
With just four ingredient staples it is easy to up the ante on your corn on the cob game. Perfectly cooked, sweet and juicy corn, has never been so easy to make.
- Fresh Corn
- Butter
- Salt
- Milk
- Water
- Sugar (optional)
(Scroll down to the recipe card for exact measurements and full printable instructions.)
🥣 Step by Step Instructions
Firstly, remove the husks and silks from each ear of corn. This is a great job for little helpers that might want to be with you in the kitchen. Then you can choose to carefully break each corn cob in half if desired.
Secondly fill a large pot roughly halfway with water and bring the pot to a rolling boil. Afterwards add your milk, butter, salt and sugar to the water. Stir the pot occasionally until the sugar and butter are fully melted and dissolved.
By boiling the corn in milk and butter every bite is sure to be infused with big flavor! Keep in mind the sugar is optional. If your corn is in peak season and naturally sweet you don't need to worry about adding any extra sugar. The corn's natural sweetness will shine through all on it's own.
Carefully, using tongs add each corn cob to the boiling liquid. Once added turn down your heat to medium-low.
Allow the corn to cook for 6-8 minutes or until tender and plump. You will know the corn is cooked when it becomes a more vibrant and richer yellow. The kernels on the ends of each cob will also become nice and plump and begin to pull outwards a bit.
Lastly, using tongs carefully remove each corn cob from the pot. Then set it aside to cool slightly before serving and enjoy!
👩🏻🍳 Make it Your Own
Just because this recipe is simple doesn't mean you can't make it your own. Once you've got hot and juicy corn on the cob ready to serve there are so many ways to make it your own. Here are just a handful of different ways you can enjoy your corn this summer.
- Traditional - add melted butter and sprinkle with salt and pepper
- Italian Twist - sprinkle with powdered parmesan cheese and Italian seasoning
- Turn up the Heat - mix together paprika, garlic powder and crushed red pepper
- Sweet and Spicy - heat butter, honey and cayenne
- All American - spread with butter and a little ranch seasoning
🍽 How to Serve
Corn is one of those extremely versatile vegetables that can easily be paired with most any dish. We especially love serving hot corn on the cob alongside other summer time favorites like Instant Pot BBQ Chicken or Poor Man's Burnt Ends.
And if you happen to have leftovers corn we love using our handy-dandy kitchen helper, to cut off the kernels and throw them in another dish later in the week like our easy Chicken Pot Pie or Sweet and Spicy Chili.
📋 FAQ's
Can you boil corn on the cob in milk?
Our favorite way to enjoy fresh summer corn is boiling it with an added cup of milk and butter. With these few simple additions very bite of corn is infused with big flavor! Thus allowing the corn's natural sweetness to shine through.
How long should you boil corn on the cob?
For perfectly cooked corn allow it to cook for 6-8 minutes. Each ear of corn will be tender and plump when ready to enjoy.
A good way to know your corn is ready is that when it becomes a more vibrant and richer yellow or the kernels on the ends of each cob begin to pull outwards it is ready to remove from the boiling pot.
📖 Recipe
Corn on the Cob
Equipment
- Cast Iron Dutch Oven
- Stainless Steel Tongs
- Corn Holder Set
Ingredients
- 8 ears of corn
- water till covered
- 1 cup milk
- 1 stick butter
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1-2 tablespoons sugar optional
Instructions
- Remove the husks and silks from each ear of corn. Break corn cobs in half if desired.
- Fill large pot halfway full of water and bring to a rolling boil.
- Add milk, butter, salt and sugar to water. Stir occasionally until sugar and butter are fully melted and dissolved.
- Carefully add corn to pot. Turn heat to medium-low and allow corn to simmer for 7 to 8 minutes.
- Remove corn from liquid and serve.
Video
Notes
- Adding the sugar will help amp up the corn's natural flavor and sweetness. If corn is in peak season and naturally sweet don't worry about adding the sugar.
- You will know the corn is cooked when vibrant yellow and kernels on ends are plump and begin to pull outwards.