The Easiest Way to Make Corn Taste So Much Better

While you can get most produce year-round, there’s no denying that it tastes its best while in season. Whether you’ve been tending your garden all summer, frequenting the farmers’ market, or scouting out the best finds at the grocery store, you know being picky with your summer produce is worth the effort. But after you’ve picked out the perfect-looking fruits and veggies, how you cook your food ultimately determines how it tastes.

We love casseroles and fritters, but when it comes to ingredients like corn, you’re missing out if you don’t enjoy those juicy kernels fresh off the cob at least once in a while. Whether you serve it brushed with herb-filled butter or let it shine in a crowd-pleasing bowl of elote dip, the first step is to cook the corn to preserve its natural, fresh taste.  

Cooking corn can be as simple as tossing the cobs into boiling liquid. However, to preserve the tender-crisp texture, you can’t let it cook endlessly; otherwise, the kernels will become soggy and unappealing. Instant Pots and air fryers offer a hands-off process but don’t always unlock the ingredient’s full potential. Making corn on the stovetop is easier than you might think, and with one Instagrammer’s tip, you can effortlessly impress a crowd. 

How to Cook Perfect Tender-Crisp Corn on the Cob

Recently, Instagram’s @Telloandrose caught our eye with a video sharing an easy tip for cooking stovetop corn on the cob. “My family thinks I’m an expert corn picker, but I’ve really just mastered the art of timing and sugar water,” the user wrote in the video’s caption.

This foolproof method uses just a few ingredients, can be served to those with dairy allergies (unlike the milk-boiling method), and enhances the natural sweetness, allowing you to savor summer in every bite. 

• Gather equipment and ingredients. You need a large pot of water and 2 tablespoons of white sugar. And don’t forget the star ingredient–corn. Just be sure to remove the husks and silk before cooking.
• Prepare the water. Fill the pot 3/4 full with water; bring to a boil over high heat and stir in sugar. It’s tempting to add salt at this step, but adding salt to corn while cooking toughens the skin, so save your salt until just before serving.
• Boil the corn. Add corn to the boiling water. The water will briefly stop boiling when you add the corn, but allow it to return to a boil, then cook for two minutes. After two minutes, carefully remove the corn from the boiling water. The corn is done when the kernels are bright yellow and tender.
• Serve. Place corn on a platter. Sprinkle with salt, if desired, top with a pat of butter, and dig in.

More Ideas for Serving Fresh, Cooked Corn

Corn on the cob is a solid side dish, but sometimes, you end up with more than you need or simply want to switch things up. Luckily, you can use this adaptable ingredient in various dishes to keep mealtime exciting. Don’t forget you can also freeze your corn for an easy recipe addition.

Add to dips: You can use it as the base ingredient in a gooey hot dip, or choose a cold dip that you can mix up and pop into the fridge. For those who appreciate a little heat, try a jalapeño corn dip, perfect for scooping up with warm tortilla chips.

Make a salad: Corn adds a delicious natural sweetness to any salad or bowl meal. Add it to your favorite grain bowl, incorporate it into cowboy caviar, or toss it with a zesty lime vinaigrette for a flavorful side.

Use in salsa: Whip up a batch of corn salsa to add to your make-ahead burritos for the week. Opt for a simple corn salsa, go protein-forward with black bean salsa, or make a creamy version using avocado. 

Toss into soup: While corn chowder is always a delicious option, you don’t need a lot of corn to enhance your soup and stew. Add ½ cup cooked corn to the pot of your go-to soup recipes, like vegetable soup or taco soup, to give your leftovers a tasty makeover.