Steamed Corn on the Cob

Prep: 5 mins
Cook: 10 mins
Inactive: 6 mins
Total: 21 mins
Servings: 3 servings

Steaming corn on the cob is one of the easiest and most delicious ways to cook fresh corn. It only requires two ingredients: corn and water. The steaming process is very quick and the method really brings out the best taste and texture of fresh, in-season corn.

You will need a steamer basket and pot to use the standard steaming method. If you don't have a steamer basket, don't sweat it. Alternative methods are listed using your microwave, skillet, or oven.

Steamed corn cob halves drizzled with butter on a serving platter

​The Spruce Eats / Julia Estrada

"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

Steamed Corn on the Cob Tester Image
A Note From Our Recipe Tester

Ingredients

  • 3 ears fresh corn

  • Water

Steps to Make It

  1. Gather the ingredients.

    Ingredients for steamed corn on the cob recipe gathered

    ​The Spruce Eats / Julia Estrada

  2. Husk the corn and remove the silk. Trim off any discolored kernels or any that have been damaged by insects. Depending on the size of your steamer basket, you may need to cut the ears of corn in half so they are short enough to fit.

    Ears of corn with the husk on, without husk, and ear broken in half

    ​The Spruce Eats / Julia Estrada

  3. Add 2 inches of water to a large pot and insert a steamer rack. Make sure the water is not touching the bottom of the steamer rack. If it is, pour some of it off.

    Metal steamer insert placed in large pot with water at the bottom

    ​The Spruce Eats / Julia Estrada

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

    Large pot covered with a lid

    ​The Spruce Eats / Julia Estrada

  5. When the water begins to boil, place the corn into the steamer basket inside the pot using a pair of tongs.

    Corn cob halves piled up in a steamer insert

    ​The Spruce Eats / Julia Estrada

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

    Large pot covered with a lid

    ​The Spruce Eats / Julia Estrada

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

    Steamed corn cob halves with pats of butter on a serving platter

    ​The Spruce Eats / Julia Estrada 

Tips

  • Choose young, ​freshly picked corn and savor its sweetness and tenderness.
  • Avoid salting the water or the corn before you cook it. Salt will toughen the corn. Save the salt and butter for seasoning the corn after it has been steamed.
  • 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 well wrapped in aluminum foil, for 3 or 4 days. You can either keep it on the cob, or remove it. Leftover corn is great 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 don't have a steamer basket, try 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.
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
99 Calories
2g Fat
22g Carbs
4g Protein
×
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: