The general consensus for boiling corn on the cob is:
- Boil the corn for about 2 to 5 minutes once the water is boiling, depending on your preference for tenderness and the freshness of the corn. Some sources recommend 2-4 minutes, others 3-5 minutes, or about 5 minutes until the kernels look plumper and brighter yellow.
- Another effective method is to boil the water, add the corn, cover the pot, then turn off the heat and let the corn sit in the hot water for 10 to 30 minutes. This method keeps the corn tender, sweet, and crisp while freeing you to prepare other parts of your meal.
- A good indicator that the corn is done is when the kernels are bright yellow and tender. Some cooks also note the kitchen smelling like corn as a sign of doneness.
So, boiling for 2-5 minutes for quick cooking or placing corn in boiling water then turning off heat and letting it steep for 10-30 minutes are both popular and successful methods for perfectly boiled corn on the cob.
