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How to Cook Corn on the Cob in the Microwave

★★★★★ 4.9 /5 Updated: 6/1/22
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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? I sure didn’t. Use this quick trick on how to microwave corn on the cob!

Microwaved corn on a gray plate with butter

Get this. You can cook your corn on the cob to perfection in the microwave. It’s especially helpful when you only need to cook a few ears at a time.

Video Tutorial: How to Microwave Cook Corn on the Cob

Directions to Microwave Corn on the Cob (Without Husk)

Here’s the foolproof and ridiculously easy trick that I like to call the 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 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.

Microwave the Corn

Place it in your microwave and nuke for 3-4 minutes.

3 minutes works for my microwave, but yours may take a smidgen longer. Note: I usually do two ears at the same time and they turn out fine.

Corn 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.

Corn on the cob after being cooked in the microwave

Enjoy!

Butter it up (Can you freeze butter? Yes! Here’s how.) and salt and enjoy some perfectly done corn on the cob!

Can I Microwave the Corn with the Husk?

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

Simply 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.

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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.

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!

★★★★★ 4.9 from 18 reviews

How to Cook Corn in the Microwave

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: 4 ears 1x
Prep: 2 minutesCook: 4 minutesTotal: 6 minutes
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Scale:

Ingredients

  • 4 ears of corn, shucked
  • paper towels
  • 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. Take your shucked ear of corn and wrap it in a moist paper towel so that it is entirely wrapped.
  2. Place it in your microwave and nuke for 3-4 minutes. *3 minutes works for my microwave, but yours may take a smidgen longer. Note: I usually do two ears at the same time and they turn out fine.
  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. Butter and salt and enjoy some perfectly done corn on the cob!
© Author: Thriving Home
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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Microwaved corn on the cob with butter

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. AvatarMichael says

    Posted on 1/31/23 at 9:11 am

    Fine easy recipes

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Carla from Thriving HomeCarla from Thriving Home says

      Posted on 1/31/23 at 10:19 am

      Thanks Michael!

      Reply
  2. AvatarDayle says

    Posted on 10/31/22 at 8:03 pm

    It looks like it turned out ok.. this is the 3rd time but I always seem to leave it in the fridge to long after I buy it.. one I believe is ok.. the other I’m not to sure about yet,

    ★★★★

    Reply
    • Carla from Thriving HomeCarla from Thriving Home says

      Posted on 11/1/22 at 8:59 am

      Hi Dayle. I hope it all turned out good. Thank you for taking the time to leave a review.

      Reply
  3. AvatarDebbie says

    Posted on 9/17/22 at 3:02 pm

    Thank you…sometimes you just want a quick cob 😁

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Rachel TiemeyerRachel Tiemeyer says

      Posted on 9/18/22 at 3:47 pm

      Totally, you get it. 😉

      Reply
  4. AvatarSusan Kay says

    Posted on 9/12/22 at 4:56 pm

    It worked great!!

    Reply
    • Carla FletcherCarla Fletcher says

      Posted on 9/13/22 at 9:12 am

      Glad you tried it and liked it!

      Reply
  5. AvatarCollene Poret says

    Posted on 9/8/22 at 8:41 pm

    Our corn was perfect. Recipe was easy to do and works. Would of never thought of microwave corn.

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Carla FletcherCarla Fletcher says

      Posted on 9/9/22 at 10:11 am

      I am in love with this easy way to cook corn without the big pot of water, too! Thank you for leaving a review.

      Reply
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