Clicky

How to Microwave Corn on the Cob

5 from 5 votes
Jump to RecipePinSave to Favorites

Site Index Corn Corn on the cob Side dish Vegetable side dish

This post may contain affiliate links. See my privacy policy for details.

This no-fuss recipe for microwave corn on the cob is a must for those summer picnics and BBQs! It always disappears when I serve it with my BBQ Five-Spice Rotisserie Chicken!

Microwaved Corn on the Cob with butter in a casserole dish
How to Microwave Corn on the Cob

Corn on the Cob in the Microwave

Have you ever felt that everyone is doing things the hard way? That’s how I feel about the “husk on” method of cooking corn on the cob in the microwave. Let’s be real:  peeling and picking the corn silks off a hot cooked corn of cob is a royal PITA. It is NOT easy, it’s not fast other than the cooking time and when I cook corn I actually want it hot on the table. Cooking it WITHOUT the husk is the only way I cook it anymore!

My secret? A wet paper towel.

Taa-daa! Clean corn, ready and hot to go straight to your table and no dry kernels in sight!

When corn is cooked in the microwave it really retains its sweetness and stays nice and crisp. It’s also the perfect solution when you run out of space on the stove or grill! This has been my go-to way for cooking corn ever since I discovered it unless I already have the grill on the go – in which case it’s just as easy to grill it instead. This is a super-fast of making one of my favorite side dishes without sacrificing any of the taste!

Step by step method on How to Microwave Corn on the Cob

How to Make Microwave Corn On The Cob

Microwaving Corn On The Cob takes no time at all!

  1. You’ll need to use a large microwaveable dish and make sure it has a lid (if you’re anything like me, your dish lids tend to go MIA quite often!).
  2. Place the corn in a single layer in the dish and pour hot water over the top.
  3. Then cover the corn completely with a wet paper towel.
  4. Pop on the lid and place the dish in the microwave for around 5 minutes. It might take more or less time depending on how fresh your corn is and what size it is. Fresh corn cooks much quicker but the larger it is the longer it’ll take.
  5. When your corn is ready, just remove the paper towel and serve! I like to serve mine with butter and sea salt but it’s entirely up to your own preference.

close up Microwaved Corn on the Cob with butter in a casserole dish

Tips And Tricks For Microwave Corn On The Cob

  • It might take a few goes to get this cooked “just right” because microwave power can vary quite a bit, so don’t get disheartened if it comes out a bit over or under cooked on your first go! Just try changing up the cooking time next time around until you get to the perfect setting.
  • Make sure you’re using fresh corn.
  • Flavored butter is a great option if you want to add a bit of extra flavor to this recipe.
  • Store the corn in the husk or in the refrigerator (preferably) or a cool place until you’re ready to use it. You can even keep it in the freezer so it lasts a bit longer.
  • If you want a lighter meal, try serving it up with a nice chicken, radish and cucumber swiss chard chopped salad instead of with a meat main.

picking a Microwaved Corn on the Cob using kitchen tongs

More Corn Recipes

Tex Mex Corn on the Cob

Instant Pot Corn on the Cob

Roasted Corn & Chickpea Salad

Curry & Honey Roasted Corn on the Cob With Husks

Hope you love and use this fun hack when it comes to cooking corn! Enjoy!

Love,

Karlynn

PIN THIS RECIPE to your SIDE DISH RECIPES Board and Remember to FOLLOW ME ON PINTEREST!

 

Making perfectly cooked corn on the cob in the microwave has never been easier, cleaner OR faster! You do not leave the corn in the husks for this recipe! #corn #sidedish #recipe

EMAIL YOURSELF THIS RECIPE!
Enter your email to get this recipe emailed to you, so you don’t lose it and get new recipes daily!

Microwave Corn on the Cob

Making perfectly cooked microwave corn on the cob has never been easier, cleaner OR faster! You do not leave the corn in the husks for this recipe!
5 from 5 votes
picking a Microwaved Corn on the Cob using kitchen tongs
Prep Time
2 minutes
Cook Time
4 minutes
Course
Side Dish
Cuisine
American
Servings
4
Calories
62
Author
Karlynn Johnston

Ingredients
 

  • 4 ears of fresh corn husked and cleaned completely
  • 1/4 cup hot water
  • 1 paper towel soaked

Instructions
 

  • In a large microwaveable casserole dish with a lid, place the corn in one layer.
  • Pout the hot water over top.
  • Place the wet paper towel on top of the corn, covering them completely.
  • Place the lid onto the dish and microwave on high for 3-5 minutes. The amount of time will depend on how fresh your corn is ( fresh good quality corn on the cob needs very little cooking!) and how large they are.
  • When done, remove the paper towel carefully and serve hot and fresh with butter and sea salt if desired.

Recipe Notes

Calories are ONLY for the corn and not what you put on it! 

Nutrition Information

Calories: 62kcal, Carbohydrates: 13g, Protein: 2g, Fat: 1g, Saturated Fat: 1g, Sodium: 11mg, Potassium: 194mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 5g, Vitamin A: 135IU, Vitamin C: 5mg, Iron: 1mg

All calories and info are based on a third party calculator and are only an estimate. Actual nutritional info will vary with brands used, your measuring methods, portion sizes and more.

Made this recipe?

Share a photo of what you made on Instagram or Facebook and tag me @thekitchenmagpie or hashtag it #thekitchenmagpie.

Please rate this recipe in the comments below to help out your fellow cooks!

Learn to cook like the Kitchen Magpie

A Very Prairie Christmas Bakebook

Cookies, Candies, Cakes & More: Vintage Baking to Celebrate the Festive Season!

Learn More

a copy of Flapper Pie cook book

Flapper Pie and a Blue Prairie Sky

A Modern Baker’s Guide to Old-Fashioned Desserts

Learn More

The Prairie Table

Suppers, Potlucks & Socials: Crowd-Pleasing Recipes to Bring People Together

Learn More

Karlynn Johnston

I’m a busy mom of two, wife & cookbook author who loves creating fast, fresh meals for my little family on the Canadian prairies. Karlynn Facts: I'm allergic to broccoli. I've never met a cocktail that I didn't like. I would rather burn down my house than clean it. Most of all, I love helping YOU get dinner ready because there's nothing more important than connecting with our loved ones around the dinner table!

Learn more about me

Site Index Corn Corn on the cob Side dish Vegetable side dish

Reader Interactions

Comments & Recipe Tips Share a tip or comment!

  1. Lyn Walraven says

    Excellent method for MicroCoC. I cook husk on, then cut off ‘butt’ end about 1/2 inch up. Then squeeze corn out from ‘tip’ end. Comes out clean(no silk) and hot..use hot mitt!.
    Lyn

  2. Janice says

    I just realized that you can microwave corn & what a game-changer! I do actually find husking the corn way easier and cleaner if cooked in the microwave “husk on” (I cut off the bottom and the silk after cooking and before shucking, which makes removal much faster (but still hot!). Still, I appreciate your preference to serve hot corn & also to take care of the prep ahead of time – especially with guests, or just so you can savor your meal as soon as it’s cooked! Thanks for the tip on this casserole method – I had been microwaving cobs individually and like the idea of doing multiple cobs at once! Saves energy & makes like easier 🙂

  3. Jillian says

    I’m an extremely beginner cook, and I didn’t know I could cook corn on the cob in the microwave. Now that I do it has made my life so much easier and it doesn’t sacrifice any of the taste. Thanks Karlynn.5 stars

Leave a Comment or Recipe Tip

Recipe Rating