I love having a big pot of corn on the cob at my summer BBQs. It’s so versatile – everyone can enjoy it boiled, grilled, or even microwaved. I always used to boil my corn, but then I started grilling it, adding a whole new dimension to the dish. So lately, I’ve been microwaving corn as it has been the quickest and easiest method to cook corn.
In this article, I’ll tell you everything you need to know about how to microwave corn. By the end, you’ll be able to have the perfect batch of corn ready for any occasion, all without turning on your stove or firing up a grill.
How do you microwave corn?
When microwaving corn, the general rule of thumb is to place it in a microwave-safe dish, cover it, and microwave for about 4 minutes for a single ear of corn. Then, increase the microwaving time by 2 minutes per ear of corn added. Once done, remove the corn from the microwave and let it sit for a minute before serving.
Now that’s how it is generally…
However, the method changes slightly depending on the type of corn you are cooking. I’ve written about it below, so keep reading to learn how to microwave different types of corn!
Can you cook corn in the microwave?
Yes, corn can be cooked in a microwave. It is one of the easiest vegetables to cook in a microwave. It doesn’t matter what type of corn you have on hand; you can cook them all in the microwave.
So even if you have corn on the cob, corn in the husk, canned corn, frozen corn, or even corn without the husk, you can still stick it in the microwave. For an ear of average size, it would take about 3-7 minutes of microwaving time to cook it perfectly.
A few days ago, I was craving some delicious corn on the cob. But I didn’t feel like boiling a pot of water and waiting for the corn to cook. Plus, I was short on time – I only had about 15 minutes until my guests were to arrive.
I quickly remembered that you cooking corn in a microwave is the quickest way. So I grabbed a few ears of corn from the fridge and got to work.
It only took about 12 minutes in the microwave for the ears of corn to be perfectly cooked. It was so quick and easy that I could finish up with plenty of time to spare.
Is it bad to microwave corn?
No, microwaving corn is not harmful. It’s a good way to cook it, quickly and easily. Microwave cooking just means that you are heating up the food by using microwaves. So you aren’t affecting the nutrition of the corn, and it’s safe to eat as long as you stick to the guidelines in this article.
Look:
Microwaves use electromagnetic radiation that travels at the speed of light heat foods. Just thinking of it like that makes it seem like they will kill you, but that’s not how it works.
The short of it is that radiation produced by the microwave is able to go deep into the food and release energy that excites water molecules there, causing them to heat up—this action results in the production of heat, which cooks the food from the inside out.
As long as you don’t leave it to cook for too long, you have nothing to worry about.
The bottom line is that because microwaves can work their way deep into your foods, this allows them to safely be used for more than just heating things – but also for pasteurizing, sterilizing, even defrosting!
So don’t ever worry that microwaving corn is a bad thing. It is a quick and easy way to cook corn, helping you make the most delicious dishes in a short amount of time.
Is it better to boil or microwave corn?
Whether one is better than the other is subjective to the situation. If you need to make a large batch of corn at once, then boiling is the best. On the other hand, if you want to cook a small amount of 3-4 ears, then microwaving would be the better choice. If you want the best-flavored corn, your best option would be to grill it.
Another factor that will help you determine which option is better is going according to the cooking time. If you are in a rush and need to get the corn cooked fast, microwaving will be a good choice. It only takes about 2-4 minutes to microwave a single ear of corn. And the end result will be similar to what you would have in taste from boiled corn.
If you can manage to wait 20-30 minutes, then boiling would be the option to go with since you’ll be able to boil more corn at once than you can microwave. However, this delay isn’t something most people are prepared to endure for the most part.
In terms of the taste and texture of the corn, microwaving will be the winner, with boiling coming in second. As mentioned earlier, the microwave will heat the inside of the corn and bring out its sweetness, while boiling can often leave your corn tasteless and mushy.
In the end, there is no clear-cut answer when deciding between microwaving and boiling. It just depends on your situation and personal preference.
How long should I microwave an ear of corn?
As mentioned earlier, microwave cooking is very quick. You should generally microwave an ear of corn for about 4 minutes which is very fast. Increase the time by 2 minutes per additional ear of corn.
So if you were microwaving 4 ears of corn, it would take about 10-12 minutes, depending on the wattage of your microwave and the heat settings selected.
What microwave settings should I use?
Modern microwave ovens usually come with microwave wattage ranging from 800 watts to 3000 watts. The microwave wattage should be used as a guide for cooking time. For example, the recommended 4 minutes cooking time for an ear of corn mentioned above is for a standard 1000 watt microwave on high.
If the microwave wattage is lower than 1000 watts, then it would take about 5 minutes to make a single ear of corn. If the wattage is higher than 1000, then it can take between 2-3 minutes to microwave the same-sized corn.
Tips to Microwave Corn
Now that you know how to microwave corn, here are some tips to make the process even easier:
- You can husk the corn before microwaving it. This will help to shorten the cooking time.
- If you have leftovers, you can microwave them for a shorter period without fear of the corn becoming rubbery or dry.
- You can also add butter, salt, or other spices to your corn while cooking for enhanced flavor.
- If microwave wattage is lower than 1000 watts, cook corn for 5 minutes.
- Increase cooking time by 2 minutes per additional ear of corn in a 1000 watt microwave.
- If microwave wattage is higher than 1000 watts, microwave the corn for about 2-3 minutes. Or 1 minute per additional ear.
- Cover the corn with a paper towel to keep it moist.
- Do not microwave more than 10-12 minutes total for multiple ears of corn
- Keep an eye on the cooking process to avoid overcooking your corn.
FAQ
How do you know when the corn is done?
The corn is done when it is tender, and the kernels are cooked through. You can test for doneness by piercing a kernel with a fork – if the kernel is soft, the corn is done.
Can you microwave more than one ear of corn at a time?
Yes, microwave more than one ear of corn at a time to reduce microwave cooking time or cook several ears at once. However, keep in mind that it may take longer depending on the size and type of microwave.
Your microwave oven’s manual should specify how many ears can fit in the microwave. You should also go based on the number of corns that can fit in your microwave-safe dish. There should be enough space between the ears of corn so keep this in mind when microwaving.
I have experimented with various numbers of ears in my microwave over the years and can say that 4-6 small or medium-sized fresh ears are just right if they are spread out somewhat loosely inside the microwave. Larger corn cobs take up more space, and I can only do 3-4 at once.
What if I don’t have a microwave-safe dish?
If you don’t have a microwave-safe dish, you can still microwave corn by using a microwave pyrex dish, paper towel, or leaving the corn in the husk.
- Read more if microwaving corn on the cob without the husk.
- Read more if microwaving corn on the cob with husk
- Read more if you are microwaving corn with plastic wrap.
What’s the best way to reheat microwaved corn?
There’s no definitive answer to this question – it depends on your microwave wattage and personal taste. However, here are a few tips:
- If you want to heat the corn until it’s hot, place it in a microwave-safe dish and microwave on high for 1-2 minutes using 10-20 seconds intervals.
- If you want to reheat the corn without drying it out, wrap it in a damp paper towel, then place it in a microwave-safe dish and microwave on low for 30 seconds.
To learn more, you can check out this article on how to reheat corn on the cob in a microwave.
Wrapping Up
Microwaving corn is a quick and easy way to cook this summertime favorite. The microwave can be used for all types of corn, whether in the husk or without it. It doesn’t matter if you are cooking one ear or ten ears, microwaved corn always cooks up fast enough so that no time goes wasted. So if you’re ever short on time but craving some fresh cut corn, give microwave-cooking a try!
FAQ
What are some dish recipes that use leftover cooked corn?
Leftover cooked corn can be used to make delicious dishes such as creamy corn chowder, cheesy corn casserole, or spicy black bean and corn salad.
What is the best way to keep fresh sweet corn moist?
The best way to keep fresh sweet corn moist is by storing it with a wet paper towel wrapped around each ear of corn. This will help prevent it from drying out.
Can you share a recipe for cooking perfect sweetcorn on the cob?
To cook perfectly sweetcorn on the cob, start by removing its husk and silk. Then steam it over boiling water for 4-6 minutes until tender. Serve hot with butter and salt.
How do you prepare fresh ears of sweetcorn before cooking them?
Before cooking fresh ears of sweetcorn, remove their husks and silks. Rinse them under cold water to clean off any remaining debris or dirt. Then pat dry with a damp paper towel before proceeding with your chosen recipe.
How can I cook corn on the cob in the microwave?
To cook corn on the cob in the microwave, wrap it in a damp paper towel and place it on a plate. Microwave for 2-4 minutes per ear of corn until perfectly cooked.
What is the best way to keep fresh sweet corn moist?
The best way to keep fresh sweet corn moist is by storing it with a wet paper towel wrapped around each ear of corn. This will help prevent it from drying out.
Can you share a recipe for cooking perfect sweetcorn on the cob?
To cook perfectly sweetcorn on the cob, start by removing its husk and silk. Then steam it over boiling water for 4-6 minutes until tender. Serve hot with butter and salt.
How do you prepare fresh ears of sweetcorn before cooking them?
Before cooking fresh ears of sweetcorn, remove their husks and silks. Rinse them under cold water to clean off any remaining debris or dirt. Then pat dry with a damp paper towel before proceeding with your chosen recipe.