The boiling time for corn on the cob depends on whether it is fresh, husked, or frozen, as well as its freshness and sweetness:
- Fresh, husked corn: Boil for about 2 to 5 minutes until tender and bright yellow. The freshest and sweetest corn may only need around 2 minutes
- Fresh, unhusked corn: Boil for about 10 minutes. Alternatively, you can bring water to a boil, add the unhusked corn, cover, turn off the heat, and let it sit for 10 minutes
- Frozen corn on the cob: Boil for 5 to 8 minutes until tender
- Frozen shucked kernels: Boil for 2 to 3 minutes
Avoid over-boiling to prevent mushy texture. Also, it is recommended not to salt the boiling water as it can harden the kernels
. In summary, boiling corn typically takes between 2 and 10 minutes depending on type and preparation, with 3 to 5 minutes being common for fresh husked corn and about 10 minutes for unhusked corn
