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Microwave corn on the cob is the BEST way to cook fresh corn! The corn steams in the husks and locks in the moisture, resulting in juicy, flavorful corn that’s quick and easy to make with minimal effort. And bonus, after corn is microwaved the husks and silk just slip off!
I learned how to make corn on the cob in the microwave years ago when I lived in Buffalo.
My ex-husband’s boss was an about-to-be-90-year-old gentleman who invited us over to dinner at his house several times.
During the summer months when local corn was in season, he’d microwave us corn as a side dish for dinner, saying it was the best way to cook it. I understand if you’re skeptical; I was too. But he was right!
Microwave corn on the cob steams perfectly in its husk, locking in the moisture and making sure the corn is juicy and flavorful.
And as a bonus, after corn is microwaved, it’s super easy to shuck! The corn husks basically just slip right off, along with the corn silk.
If you’re wondering how to cook corn in the microwave, I will show you how easy it is. And I’m here to tell you that it’s the best method I know of for cooking corn!
Once you learn how to cook corn on the cob in the microwave, I think it’ll be your go-to method for making corn all summer long.
Why You’ll Want This Recipe on Repeat
- It’s easy to make. You don’t have to spend time shucking corn and making a mess in the process! There’s no need to boil water, heat the oven, or fire up the grill. This is one instance where the microwave is the perfect tool for the job, and it just so happens to be the easiest!
- There’s no mess to clean up. Corn silk everywhere is a thing of the past! Once your corn is microwaved and cool enough to handle, cut off the end and the ear of corn will slip right out of the husk and silk with no mess to clean up.
- It’s affordable. With food prices through the roof, a cheap side dish that everyone loves is always a win, right?!
- It results in the best corn of your life. The husks lock in flavor and moisture so the corn steams in its own juices. The end result is sweet, juicy, and intensely-flavored corn.
Microwave Corn on the Cob Recipe
There really isn’t much of a recipe going on here. Just grab a few ears of corn and make sure you have access to a microwave, and you’re ready to go!
Don’t forget the toppings though. Butter and salt are my favorites for corn the cob.
How to Cook Corn on the Cob in the Microwave
Put the corn on the cob (with the husk on) directly in the microwave.
My microwave is 1.58kW and 4 ears of corn cooks perfectly for 10 minutes. You can adjust the cooking time based on the wattage of your microwave.
If you’re cooking less corn, you will want to cook for less time. 1 ear of corn cooks for about 5 minutes, 2 ears cooks for about 7 minutes, and 3 or 4 ears cooks for about 10 minutes.
Use potholders to remove the corn from the microwave. Let it sit for about 3 minutes to cool slightly before shucking.
Then shuck the corn. The easiest way to do this after microwaving is to slice off the bottom, and the husks and silk will easily slip off.
Tips for Making Microwave Corn on the Cob
- Make sure your corn is fresh, local if possible, and has the husks on. The corn steams in the husks and the end result is juicy, sweet corn.
- If the corn is fresh, there’s no need to wrap it in a wet paper towel before microwaving. The corn husk itself is what locks in the moisture.
- After microwaving corn on the cob, use potholders to carefully remove it. Not only is the corn hot, but the husks hold in hot steam as well!
Storage
Once it’s cooled, you can store corn on the cob in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
What’s the Best Way to Heat Cooked Corn on the Cob?
The microwave works fine for reheating here. To do so:
- If the corn is shucked, wrap the cooked ear of corn in a damp paper towel.
- Place it on a microwave-safe plate.
- Cook for 2 minutes, and then check it and see if it needs more time.
Another option is to reheat cooked and shucked corn on the cob in a pot of boiling water for 1 to 2 minutes.
Microwave Corn on the Cob FAQs
No! The corn husks act as a natural barrier keeping corn clean. There’s no need to wash corn after shucking. However, sometimes you will find a worm or other critter in your corn. Just cut out that part!
My preference is to microwave corn on the cob with the husk for a couple of reasons: 1) the husk acts as a natural steam room to lock in moisture and flavor so the corn ends up sweet and juicy, and 2) after microwaving, the corn husk and silk slips right off with no mess!
However, if your corn is already shucked you can still cook it in the microwave. To do so, wrap each ear of corn in a damp paper towel. For 1 to 2 ears of corn, microwave for about 3 minutes. And for 3 to 4 ears of corn, microwave for about 5 minutes.
I recommend cooking up to 4 ears of corn in the microwave at one time. If you need to cook more than that, I recommend cooking them in batches.
If your corn is in the husk, cook 1 ear of corn for about 5 minutes, 2 ears for about 7 minutes, and 3 or 4 ears for about 10 minutes.
More Delicious Corn Recipes to Try
- Easy Corn Pudding Recipe
- Grilled Chicken Salad with Corn, Peaches, Blue Cheese, and Honey-Balsamic Syrup
- Layered Corn, Avocado, and Tomato Salad with Herbed Sour Cream
- Fresh Corn Quesadillas with Roasted Garlic and Chive Crema
- Mexican Corn Salad
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Microwave Corn on the Cob
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Instructions
- Place all 4 ears of corn in the microwave (I put them directly in the microwave, no need for a plate). Microwave on high for 10 minutes.
- Use potholders to remove the corn from the microwave. Let it sit for about 3 minutes to cool slightly before shucking.
- Shuck the corn. The easiest way to do this after microwaving is to slice off the bottom, and the husks and silk will easily slip off.
- Serve hot, with butter and salt if desired.
Notes
- Nutritional Information: Information for this recipe was calculated without the optional toppings.
- Storage: Once it’s cooled, you can store corn on the cob in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
- Microwave Cook Time Tip: My microwave is 1.58kW and 4 ears of corn cooks perfectly for 10 minutes. You can adjust the cooking time based on the wattage of your microwave.
- How to Cook Up to 4 Ears of Corn: If you’re cooking less corn, you will want to cook for less time. 1 ear of corn cooks for about 5 minutes, 2 ears cooks for about 7 minutes, and 3 or 4 ears cooks for about 10 minutes.
- How to Microwave Corn on the Cob That’s Shucked: Wrap each ear of corn in a damp paper towel. For 1 to 2 ears of corn, microwave for about 3 minutes. And for 3 to 4 ears of corn, microwave for about 5 minutes.
Nutrition
Nutritional information is automatically calculated and should be used as an approximate.
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This post was first published on An Edible Mosaic on June 4, 2021 and updated on July 5, 2024.
I’m the writer, recipe developer, photographer, and food stylist behind this blog. I love finding the human connection through something we all do every day: eat! Food is a common ground that we can all relate to, and our tables tell a story. It’s my goal to inspire you to get in the kitchen, try something new, and find a favorite you didn’t know you had.
Free Bonus
I always make my corn in the microwave, with husks or without Without I wrap each in a sheet of wax paper!
Love your recipes!
Didn’t know you’d lived in Buffalo!
That’s where I live!
When micro waving corn in the cob What number temp. ( I.E. High) setting do you put the micro wave on? Thank you.
Dennis, My microwave is 1.58kW and 4 ears of corn cooks perfectly for 10 minutes on high (there is no number setting, it just says “high”).
Delicious, sweet and juicy.
I just started to do this it is the best tasting corn I had in years easy to clean up a breeze