An easy, sweet, salty staple for your table!
Corn is a wonderful grain/vegetable that is native to the Americas and is used in a variety of ways to make many tasty dishes. It was one of the backbone crops in many cultures. Corn was and is still called maize and referred to as one of three sister crops by many Native American groups, including the Iroquois and Cherokee people. Corn, along with beans and squash, was grown with all three together in the same plot—beans would climb the stalks, while squash would cover the ground and keep away weeds. It was also a common crop in Mesoamerica and South America, where there are records of agricultural deities associated with and symbolized by maize. Which makes total sense to me—good corn tastes truly divine!
My favorite thing about corn is how accessible it is, especially when it’s in season. It’s not too expensive, it’s delicious, and it’s filling—excellent for the whole family! Having an easy way to cook it in any home just makes it even more accessible than it already was.
While corn can be ground to make tortillas or popped into popcorn, it is also excellent to eat as it is grown: on the cob! All you need is corn on the cob, a stove, a pan, and some butter to complement your seasonings. Corn can be a sweet vegetable, so complementing that natural sweetness with melted butter and some salt and pepper is the perfect side dish.
Sweet Corn and Silk
Sweet corn is the most common type of corn you’ll find in grocery stores and the best to eat off the cob. To pick the best corn in the pile, you can check how the husk feels. It should be a little moist, dark green, and hug the ear of corn tightly. If you check the kernels by pulling the husk down a little, the corn kernels underneath should feel plump and full. If the ear of corn itself feels a little heavy for its size, that’s good! Too light means that the inside of the cob might have been eaten by bugs, which is not something you want for obvious reasons.
Ingredients
- 4 ears of corn on the cob, husks and silks removed
- Butter (for serving)
- Salt
- Pepper
How to Make Stovetop Corn on the Cob
Step 1: Fill a large pot with water and bring it to a boil over medium-high heat.
Step 2: Add the corn to the boiling water. Ensure the corn is fully submerged.
Step 3: Cook the corn for 3 to 5 minutes, or until it is tender and bright yellow.
Step 4: Carefully remove the corn from the water and drain.
Step 5: Serve the corn warm with butter, salt, and pepper to taste.
FAQs & Tips
How to Make Ahead and Store?
You can keep your stovetop corn on the cob in an airtight container in your refrigerator for about 3 to 5 days before it goes bad. You can also make this about an hour in advance and just let it briefly stay in the warm water without causing any change to the corn’s quality. However, don’t put any salt in the water so that you don’t end up with toughened corn kernel skins.
Butter Up?
You don’t have to use just plain butter, salt, and pepper on your corn! Add a little garlic powder or even some paprika if you’d like to change things up. These are savory choices that improve any vegetable you add them to. You can also use a different type of butter, like basil butter or garlic butter. Just mix up room-temperature butter with basil, garlic, or both, and apply as desired to your warm corn! If none of that sounds delicious to you, there’s always the option of drizzling some BBQ sauce onto your corn for extra flavor.
Fresh Is Best!
Fresh and clean is the key to delicious corn. You can technically use frozen corn, but fresh is the best. If you buy corn in a husk, you need to make sure that all the silk is pulled off and all the corn is thoroughly washed under cold water to get the best results. Corn silk can get stuck in your teeth like unwanted floss if left on the cob, and washing your vegetables is always a good practice to keep dirt off your plate.
Serving Suggestions
When I think corn on the cob, I think of my family’s barbecues! Serve them next to items like BBQ Boneless Chicken Thighs, Grilled BBQ Chicken, or BBQ Meatballs. You can also put them as a side next to a delicious BBQ Hamburger! If you prefer vegetarian meals, a Black Bean Burger could be a good choice, too.
Stovetop Corn on the Cob
Ingredients Â
- 4 ears of corn on the cob husks and silks removed
- Butter for serving
- Salt
- Pepper
InstructionsÂ
- Fill a large pot with water and bring it to a boil over medium-high heat.
- Add the corn to the boiling water. Ensure the corn is fully submerged.
- Cook the corn for 3 to 5 minutes, or until it is tender and bright yellow.
- Carefully remove the corn from the water and drain.
- Serve the corn warm with butter, salt, and pepper to taste.
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