Microwave Corn on the Cob
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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!
Ingredients
All you need for this recipe are two simple things…
How to Cook Corn on the Cob in the Microwave
Now, 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.
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 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.
Let It Cool & Enjoy!
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. Butter it up and add a little salt and pepper, if you’d like. Enjoy!
Recipe FAQs
Yes, you can microwave it this way as well!
1) 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.
2) Place up to 4 ears of corn, un-shucked, in the microwave in a single layer.
3) 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.
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.
It’s not necessary to add water when microwaving corn on the cob. The natural moisture in the corn and the moist paper towel helps steam it during the microwaving process.
Yes, I’ve tested this multiple times. As long as there is a little space between them, it’s fine to microwave multiple ears at one time.
Pierce the corn kernels with a fork or knife to check for tenderness. If it’s easily pierced, the corn is done. Be cautious of steam when unwrapping or removing the husk.
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.
What to Serve with Corn on the Cob
We love corn on the cob with these main dishes and side dishes.
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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!
Ingredients
- 2 ears of corn, shucked
- 2 paper towels
- Optional for serving: butter, salt, and pepper (to taste)
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Instructions
- Wrap shucked ears of corn in moist paper towels, so that they are entirely wrapped.
- 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.
- 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.
- Add butter, salt, and pepper to your preference and enjoy some perfectly done corn on the cob!
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.
- You can microwave several ears at a time. Just make sure they each have a little space around them.
- How to Grill Corn on the Cob: When cooking a lot of corn at once, try our easy Grilled Corn on the Cob method.
Fantastic. The corn was perfectly cooked and there was absolutely no mess!!
Great! Thanks for taking the time to leave a review.
So easy and delicious
Thanks for the review, Karen. Glad it worked well for you!
Perfect corn in about 5 minutes. I wrapped 2 ears at a time and put them on a plate for 3 minutes in the microwave. Fast, easy and delicious!
Glad it worked well for you!
excellent
Very easy and very yummy.
Thanks for taking the time to leave a review, Pat!
Two ears of corn took 4 minutes 30 seconds…….so sweet, no utter needed. Thank you.
You’re welcome and thanks for the feedback. Yep, each microwave will be different.
Thank you!
You’re welcome!
This turned out so well; it was moist and tender, and sweet; and it didn’t heat up the kitchen. I’ll never boil all that water again! I think I’ll try this with wet dish towels so I don’t have to use paper towels. Thanks!
Glad it worked so well for you!
The corn was fresh from the farm and was delicious. Fast and easy and great tasting results, who could ask for more.
Awesome to hear that this recipe worked well for you! Looking forward to farm fresh corn here in mid-Missouri this summer.
Super easy and fast!
Thanks for the review and feedback!
What is your microwave wattage??
I’m not sure, but this has been tested in multiple types of microwaves. You may want to start with just 2 minutes and increase until it’s tender to your liking.
Thx!
Loved the corn on the cob in the microwave!
Thanks for letting us know, Desty. So glad it was helpful!
Thank you!! First Time!! 🌽🌽🌽
I’m so glad it worked for you. Thanks for sharing!
I prefer the ‘nuke in husks’ method. Cook for 2-3 minutes as is (may want to trim off the stem if it’s really long), cut across the bottom of the ear with a chefs knife, and then squeeze the ear of corn out from the top towards the (now open) bottom. Much easier (and cleaner!) than having to husk them!
Love that idea, Beth. Thanks for sharing. We can’t always find them in the husks in our grocery store, but definitely makes less trash and probably healthier too. This paper towel method was the way my MIL taught me, so that’s what I’ve always done.
We’ve done this for years, though for a long time, we cooked them in the husks. The steam makes it easy to peel, but now we do the wet paper towel method…just a little less messy. My hubby once did a whole bushel of corn in the microwave and cut it off the cob while I was working! He loves that method so much because the corn is so tasty. (Yes I do know – he’s a real keeper!=) Thanks for all the great things you share here! I’m a big fan.
What a great idea to do this in the husks, too. Thanks for sharing. And, yes, it does sound like your man is a keeper. 🙂