Boiling Corn on The Cob (One Pot)

Boiling corn on the cob in butter and milk is quick, easy and the best! Learn how to cook corn on the cob in one pot with simple ingredients and 30 minutes on stovetop.

My family loves corn and and boiling corn on the cob is our absolute favorite way to enjoy it! Part of the reason is because it is quick, easy, and cooks perfectly. Typically, it's boiled in water but that's so bland and flavorless. This method infuses a rich butter flavor into the kernels. This side is just as good as some of our sides like One Pan Quick Oven Roasted Tomatoes or these One Pot Creamy Mashed Potatoes.

Key ingredients

• Water- As a base for boiling the corn.
• Milk- Use whole milk for added flavor.
• Butter- You can actually use unsalted or salted.
• Corn- Make sure it is whole fresh corn with husks removed.
• Salt and pepper- Adjust according to your preference.

Variations

• Grill it- Keep the corn in the husk or cover in tin foil. Be sure the grill is at about 500 degrees F and you flip the corn every 5 minutes or so. Obviously this will change the flavor since you can't cook it in milk and butter, but you can try marinating it in the mixture before grilling.
• Mexican flavor- Add some chili powder and cilantro or try this Mexican Corn On The Cob (One Pan).
• Add seasonings- Add your favorite spices and seasonings to the milk and water mixture to get it to soak up more flavors, such as Italian Seasoning, rosemary, chili powder, and more. Or add it after it is cooked for a more powerful flavor.
• Coat- Once the corn is fully cooked, coat it with a variety of toppings such as cheddar cheese, bacon crumbles, or thinly sliced green onions.
• Cut the corn off the cob- And use it in salads, including this Mexican Corn Salad Recipe (One Bowl), dips, like this Corn Salsa (One Bowl), or soups, such as my Chicken Corn Soup (One Pot).

How do you cook fresh corn on the cob?

1. Heat water- In a large pot and bring to a boil.
2. Mix in- Milk and butter.
3. Add corn- And let it simmer until kernels are soft to your liking.
4. Remove corn- From pot and serve with a sprinkle of salt and pepper.

What to serve with boiled corn on the cob?

Because this is typically served as a side dish, you will want a main meal to go alongside it, such as the following:

• Potatoes- Such as Microwaved Baked Potatoes (One Pot), Creamy Mashed Potatoes Recipe (One Pot),
• Meat- Like pork chops, grilled steaks, Thanksgiving Turkey (One Pan), or a Slow Cooker Mississippi Roast.
• Casseroles- So many options, but some of my favorites that pair well are Cheesy Hashbrown Casserole (One Pan) or Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole (One Pot).
• Soups- Including this Instant Pot Potato Soup (Creamy) and Instant Pot Pumpkin Soup.

Tips and techniques

• Freeze or refrigerate leftover butter/milk liquid mixture- And use it in soups and mashed potatoes.
• Salted or unsalted butter can be used- If you use salted butter, you may not need to sprinkle any additional salt at the end.
• You don't need to brush any additional butter on the corn at the end- Because it already has a very "buttery" flavor but you can still do it, if you love butter as much as me.
• Sprinkle this cob- With any seasonings you like at the end.
• Use whole milk- For maximum flavor and richness.
• You can add 1-2 tablespoon sugar or honey- In the milk mixture to sweeten the corn, if you like.

Recipe FAQs

Storage

• Make ahead- You can make this up to 2 days in advance if kept in the fridge in a sealed container. Reheat before serving.
• Refrigerate- Store it in a sealed container in the fridge for up to 2 days.
• Freeze- I don't recommend freezing when cooked this way, because it becomes soft and "mushy," when thawed. However, you can typically freeze corn in sealed, vacuumed freezer bags after blanching.
• Reheat- You can easily reheat it in the microwave for 1 minute.

More Vegetable Side Dishes

• Sauteed Green Beans (One Pot)
• Oven Roasted Broccoli (One Pan)
• Cauliflower Fried Rice (One Pot)
• Quick Pickled Vegetables (One Pot)
• Oven Roasted Green Beans (One Pan)

Recipe