Steamed Corn On The Cob Recipe - The Spruce Eats

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How Long to Steam Corn on the Cob for the Perfect Bite

Achieve optimal sweetness and texture with these easy steaming methods

By Cynthia Nelson Cynthia Nelson Food columnist and blogger Cynthia Nelson is the author of "Tastes Like Home: My Caribbean Cookbook." Living in Barbados, Cynthia shares her love of the diverse food of the islands. Learn about The Spruce Eats' Editorial Process Updated on 10/25/25 Tested by Diana Rattray Tested by Diana Rattray Southern-cuisine expert and cookbook author Diana Rattray has created more than 5,000 recipes and articles in her 20 years as a food writer. Learn about The Spruce Eats' Editorial Process (133) Save Write a Review Print

Prep: 5 mins Cook: 10 mins Inactive: 6 mins Total: 21 mins Servings: 3 servings 133 ratings Write a Review Add a comment SaveRecipe

• Steaming corn on the cob with just water brings out its natural sweetness and crisp texture.
• You only need two ingredients and a pot, with or without a steamer basket.
• Adjusting the steaming time allows you to customize the corn from crisp-tender to very soft.

Steaming corn on the cob is a simple and tasty way to prepare fresh corn. You only need two ingredients: corn and water. This quick method truly enhances the flavors and texture of in-season corn.

A steamer basket and pot are needed for the standard steaming method. Don't worry if you lack a steamer basket; alternative methods using a microwave, skillet, or oven are provided.

What You'll Need To Steam Corn on The Cob A Steamer Insert A Generously Sized Pot A Snappy Pair of Tongs

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"Following the directions, the corn was perfectly cooked and delicious. The whole process was very easy—just allow about 6 to 8 minutes to bring the steaming water to a boil. I cooked the corn for 4 minutes and it was sweet and still crisp." —Diana Rattray

A Note From Our Recipe Tester Keep Screen Awake

• 3 ears fresh corn

• Water

1. Gather the ingredients.

2. Husk the corn and remove the silk. Trim away discolored kernels or those damaged by insects. Depending on your steamer basket's size, you may need to cut the corn ears in half to ensure they fit.

3. Add 2 inches of water to a large pot and insert a steamer rack, ensuring the water does not touch the rack's bottom. If necessary, pour off some water.

4. Cover the pot and bring the water to a boil over high heat.

5. When the water begins to boil, use tongs to place the corn into the steamer basket inside the pot.

6. Cover the pot and steam the corn for 4 minutes, or until it turns deep yellow and crisp. For softer corn, steam for 7 minutes. For the softest corn, steam for 10 to 15 minutes. The longer the steaming time, the more closely you must monitor the water level. Don't let it fall below 1 inch, or it may run dry and scorch your pot.

7. Turn off the burner and carefully remove the corn from the pot with tongs. Serve the corn as is, or with butter, salt, and pepper.

Tips

• Choose young, ​freshly picked corn and savor its sweetness and tenderness.
• Avoid salting the water or the corn before cooking, as salt will toughen the corn. Reserve the salt and butter for seasoning after steaming.
• The best steaming/cooking time for a cob of corn is 4 minutes. It produces cooked kernels that are still crisp and sweet.

Recipe Variations

• Mexican Street Corn: Rub each ear of corn with 1 tablespoon of butter. Sprinkle the ears with 1 teaspoon of chili powder, 2 tablespoons of grated cotija cheese, 2 tablespoons of chopped cilantro, and drizzle with about 2 tablespoons of lime juice.
• Basil-Parmesan Corn on the Cob: In a small bowl, combine 3 tablespoons of softened butter with 1 tablespoon of chopped fresh basil and 1 tablespoon of grated Parmesan cheese. Spread the butter mixture on the hot ears of corn.
• Cajun-Style Corn on the Cob: Sauté 2 tablespoons of minced onion and 1 clove of minced garlic in 4 tablespoons of vegetable oil or butter until the onion is transparent. Add 1 1/2 tablespoons of Cajun seasonings to the mixture. Brush over the hot steamed ears of corn.

How to Store and Freeze Steamed Corn

• Steamed corn will keep in the fridge, covered or wrapped well in aluminum foil, for 3 to 4 days. You can leave it on the cob or remove it. Leftover corn is excellent in salads, tacos, and quesadillas.
• To freeze cooked corn on the cob, let it cool and then wrap it tightly in plastic wrap or foil. Place the wrapped corn in an airtight container or sealed freezer bag. Freeze corn on the cob for up to 10 months.

Can I Steam Corn on the Cob Without a Steamer Basket?

If you lack a steamer basket, consider these methods.

• Skillet: Heat 1 to 2 inches of water in a skillet to boiling. Add the shucked corn cobs to the water. Return it to a boil, lower the heat, and cover the skillet with a lid. Steam for 4 minutes or until it is bright yellow. If you have a large skillet, you may be able to steam three or four ears at a time.
• Oven: Heat your oven to 400 F. Shuck the corn and cut it in half if needed. Place it in a bowl or casserole dish with 1/2 inch of water. Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake it for 30 minutes. With the right size dish, you can steam multiple ears of corn at the same time.
• Microwave: You can steam corn on the cob in the microwave in two ways. The easiest is to place the cob in the microwave without husking it or trimming it. Microwave on high for 4 minutes and remove the corn using tongs or an oven mitt. Trim the bottom of the ear (not the top where the silk attaches). Shake out the cooked cob by grasping the top end; this should release the corn and retain the silk. The drawback is that you can only cook one cob at a time this way.
• To microwave more than one cob at a time, shuck it, cut it in half, and place it in a bowl or dish with a couple of tablespoons of water. Cover with plastic wrap and microwave on high for 4 to 6 minutes until bright yellow. Increase the time if needed.

Helpful Links

• How To Cut Fresh Corn From Cobs
• Instant Pot Corn on the Cob

• Caribbean Sides
• Vegetable Sides
• Caribbean Food

Nutrition Facts (per serving)
99	Calories
2g	Fat
22g	Carbs
4g	Protein

Show Full Nutrition Label ×

Nutrition Facts
Servings: 3
Amount per serving
Calories	99
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 2g	2%
Saturated Fat 0g	1%
Cholesterol 0mg	0%
Sodium 267mg	12%
Total Carbohydrate 22g	8%
Dietary Fiber 2g	9%
Total Sugars 5g
Protein 4g
Vitamin C 6mg	28%
Calcium 8mg	1%
Iron 0mg	3%
Potassium 225mg	5%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)

Recipe Tags:

• corn
• dinner
• american
• summer

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