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Home Recipe Index Sides & Salads Vegetables

Microwave Corn on the Cob

★★★★★ 5 /5
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Rachel Tiemeyer
By: Rachel TiemeyerPosted: 4/19/23Updated: 2/26/23

This post may contain affiliate or sponsored links. Please read our disclosure policy.

Did you know that cooking corn on the cob doesn’t require dirtying up a pot, heating up the kitchen, or waiting for a gallon of water to boil? Use this quick trick on how to microwave corn on the cob!

Microwaved corn on the cob on a gray plate with butter
Contents hide
How to Cook Corn on the Cob in the Microwave
Can I Microwave the Corn with the Husk?
How Long Do You Microwave Corn on the Cob Without a Husk?
Grilled Corn on the Cob
What to Serve with Corn on the Cob
Microwave Corn on the Cob

How to Cook Corn on the Cob in the Microwave

Here’s the foolproof and ridiculously easy trick that I like to call my “3-Minute No Boil” Corn on the Cob Method.

Shuck the Corn

This recipe is specifically for corn without the husk. You can purchase it this way or simply remove the husk of the corn. Here is an easy way to husk corn if you’re curious.

Raw corn without husk wrapped in a damp paper towel

Wrap the Shucked Corn in a Paper Towel

Take your shucked ear of corn and wrap it in a moist paper towel so that it is entirely wrapped. This will keep it from drying out. We also use this in our Grilled Corn on the Cob recipe.

corn on the cob prepared to cook

Microwave the Corn

Place it in your microwave and nuke for 3 minutes. Test to see if it’s soft enough by pricking it with a fork. If not, microwave 1 more minute. Note: I usually do two ears at the same time and they turn out fine.

Corn on the cob without husk in the microwave

Let It Cool

Using a potholder, tongs, or dish towel, remove the hot ears of corn.

They will continue to cook a bit if you leave them in the paper towel after you remove them.

overhead shot of Corn on the cob on a plate with butter, salt, and pepper on top

Enjoy!

Time to enjoy some perfectly done corn on the cob! Butter it up and add a little salt and pepper, if you’d like.

Microwaved corn on the cob with butter

Can I Microwave the Corn with the Husk?

If your corn came with the husk on, you can microwave it this way as well!

First, pull back the husk and remove the silk (the stringy pieces) as much as you can. Pull the husk back up over the corn cob.

Then, place up to 4 ears of corn, un-shucked, in the microwave in a single layer.

Microwave for 3 to 5 minutes. For just 1 or 2 ears of corn, microwave on high for 3 minutes. For 3 or 4 ears, microwave for 4 minutes. If you like softer corn or if your ears are particularly large, microwave for an additional minute.

How Long Do You Microwave Corn on the Cob Without a Husk?

Bottom line: Wrap each shucked ear of corn on the cob in a damp paper towel and microwave for 3-4 minutes, depending on your microwave oven.

Grilling great corn on the cob with this method will change your life!

Grilled Corn on the Cob

We also have an easy method for grilling corn. This works well for cooking a lot of ears at once, while also grilling your main dish alongside.

How to Grill Corn on the Cob

What to Serve with Corn on the Cob

We love corn on the cob with these main dishes and side dishes.

Baked BBQ Chicken Drumsticks

Crock Pot Pulled Pork

5-Ingredient Coleslaw

cheeseburger on a whole wheat bun with oven fries on the side

Cheesy Chive Burgers

See More

I sure hope you enjoy this simple method for cooking corn!

Did you make this? Snap a photo and tag us on Instagram at @thrivinghome so we can see your creations and cheer you on!

★★★★★ 5 from 24 reviews

Microwave Corn on the Cob

Don’t have time to wait for water to boil? Not enough daylight left to turn on your grill? Then try this 3-minute, no boil microwave method for corn on the cob. It’s a winner!

Yield: 2 ears of corn 1x
Prep: 1 minuteCook: 3 minutesTotal: 4 minutes
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Scale:

Ingredients

  • 2 ears of corn, shucked
  • 2 paper towels
  • Optional for serving: butter, salt, and pepper (to taste)

Before You Begin! If you make this, please leave a review and rating letting us know how you liked this recipe! This helps our business thrive & continue providing free recipes.

Instructions

  1. Wrap shucked ears of corn in moist paper towels, so that they are entirely wrapped.
  2. Place 1 or 2 ears in your microwave at a time and cook for 3 minutes. Check to make sure it’s soft enough to your liking by pricking with a fork. If not, cook for 1 more minute.
  3. Using a pot holder or towel, remove the hot ears of corn. They will continue to cook a bit if you leave it in the paper towel after you remove it.
  4. Add butter, salt, and pepper to your preference and enjoy some perfectly done corn on the cob!

Equipment

Silicone Tip Tongs

Tongs

Buy Now →

Notes/Tips

  • Can You Microwave Corn with a Husk? Yes. Remove the silk, replace the husk, and microwave for 3-5 minutes. See the article above for more details.
  • How to Grill Corn on the Cob: When cooking a lot of corn at once, try our easy Grilled Corn on the Cob method.
© Author: Rachel Tiemeyer
Cuisine: American Method: Microwave

Did you make this?

Snap a photo and tag us on Instagram at @thrivinghome so we can see your creations and cheer you on!

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Tag Us on Instagram

If you do have time to grill, make sure to check out our Simple Trick on How to Grill Corn on the Cob.

grilled balsamic herb chicken on the grill with zucchini and peaches

You also might like our 15+ Grilling Recipes!

See the Recipes

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Rachel Tiemeyer

Rachel Tiemeyer

As co-founder of Thriving Home, Rachel dreams about creating recipes (literally) and uses her husband, her 3 kids, and even the neighbors as guinea pigs several nights a week. She believes that good food has the power to bring families and friends closer together and continues to wake up excited about her job each day, even after 10+ years!

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  1. AvatarMary says

    Posted on 6/1/23 at 11:36 pm

    Cooked it this way tonight using fresh white corn (on sale-5 ears for $2). Crisp and delicious!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Carla from Thriving HomeCarla from Thriving Home says

      Posted on 6/2/23 at 9:34 am

      Awesome! Thanks for leaving a review Mary.

      Reply
  2. AvatarKathy says

    Posted on 5/24/23 at 6:43 pm

    Yummy😋

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Carla from Thriving HomeCarla from Thriving Home says

      Posted on 5/25/23 at 10:51 am

      Indeed! Thanks for leaving a review Kathy.

      Reply
  3. AvatarDuff says

    Posted on 5/12/23 at 5:35 pm

    Great way to do corn on the cob. Simple, fast and always successful.

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Carla from Thriving HomeCarla from Thriving Home says

      Posted on 5/14/23 at 2:19 pm

      Glad you gave it a try! Thanks for leaving a review.

      Reply
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