I Asked 4 Food Editors the Best Way To Cook Corn—They All Said the Same Thing

It’s also the easiest!

While I’m hesitant to say anything is the best way, when it comes to corn on the cob, there’s just no contest. I’ve tried all the methods—boiling, grilling, steaming, air frying, pressure cooking, you name it. None of them hold a candle to the almighty microwave.

My fellow editors agree! Senior Editor Meg Scott says, “Microwaving corn makes it super easy to shuck, and corn really only needs a couple of minutes of cooking to begin with. The microwave is so much easier than heating up a pot of water to boil or getting the grill ready.“

Associate Editorial Director Myo Quinn adds, “You don’t even need to dirty a plate. I place the corn directly in the microwave.”

3 Reasons You Should Microwave Corn on the Cob

1. It’s Quick. It’s hard to get quicker than a microwave. In just a few short minutes, the corn will be perfectly cooked. Plus, there’s virtually no prep—which brings me to…
2. No Shucking. Microwaving is the method with the least amount of work. That’s because you don’t shuck the corn before you cook it. Once it’s done cooking, you trim one end with a knife and squeeze the other end. The corn pops out, perfectly clean and ready to eat. Take it from General Manager Emma Christensen: “The husks and silks come right off, and the corn is perfectly cooked. It really couldn’t be easier!”
3. It’s Tasty. If you time it right, microwaving produces perfectly cooked corn on the cob every time. The kernels steam inside the husk and emerge crisp-tender. If you’re a grilled corn fan, pop the cooked ears on a hot grill for a minute or two for some char. But I usually just dig in.

Read More: The Brilliant Trick for Shucking Corn in One Swift Move (Even Corn Farmers Swear By It)

How To Microwave Corn on the Cob

Place the unshucked ear (or ears) in the microwave and cook for about three minutes, adding two to three minutes per additional ear. I flip it over halfway through cooking (be careful, it’s hot!) so that it cooks more evenly.

When it is done cooking, use gloves or a towel to grab the ear and set it on a cutting board. Use a sharp knife to trim off one to two inches off the stalk end (opposite the silk), holding the ear with a kitchen towel since it’ll be hot.

Grasp the ear from the silk end, lift it up over the cutting board, and squeeze. The corn will emerge out of the cut end, clean, steamy, and ready to enjoy.

Get Recipe: How to Microwave Corn on the Cob

How To Use Your Perfectly Cooked Corn

• Caprese Corn Salad
• Corn and Ricotta Bruschetta
• 4-Ingredient Corn Salad
• Corn Salsa