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Learn how to freeze corn on the cob IN THE HUSK, without blanching it first. It's the easiest way to enjoy delicious, fresh corn once summer has ended!
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I was inspired to test this freezing method after several readers commented on the process to microwave corn on the cob in the husk and said they'd always done it this way! Really?!
To Blanch or Not to Blanch before Freezing Corn
Conventional guidance is that you must blanch vegetables before you freeze them. Blanching slows the action of enzymes that naturally occur in vegetables and degrades the quality (color, texture, and flavor) of the vegetables. Freezing slows down the action a little, but it does not stop it. This article on the Science of Freezing Food from the University of Minnesota Extension does an excellent job of explaining the nitty-gritty details.
While blanching is definitely the most common way to prepare corn for freezing, you don't have to take this step.
When it comes to corn on the cob, I've been pretty happy with the result when I freeze corn on the cob in the husk without cooking it first. It literally takes a few minutes to freeze corn this way and there is no mess at all. The husk may even reduce the opportunity for freezer burn.
This method is ideal for shorter periods of storage...up to about 4 months. The biggest difference that I noted was that the corn starts to get a little softer as time goes on, which may not be a problem at all depending on how you are going to use it. It's perfect when you'd like to buy a little extra fresh corn at the farmer's market or when it goes on sale!
Ways to Freeze Fresh Corn
There are many options for freezing corn. You can:
- Remove the husks, blanch the corn on the cob and then freeze the whole cobs of corn.
- Shuck the cobs, blanch them, remove the corn kernels and freeze only the kernels.
- Cook corn, allow it to cool, remove the husks and freeze the cooked cobs or the kernels that have been cut off the cob.
- Freeze uncooked corn on the cob in the husk. This is the EASIEST method by far.
Note: To blanch corn on the cob with husks removed, submerge the corn in boiling for water according to the guidelines below and then remove the corn to a bowl of ice water to stop the cooking process.
Blanching guidelines for corn on the cob are as follows:
- Small ears: 7 minutes
- Medium ears: 9 minutes
- Large ears: 11 minutes
How to Freeze Corn on the Cob in the Husk without Blanching
- Start with the freshest corn possible. If you start with corn that has been sitting on the counter for a few days instead of ones stored in the refrigerator, then you're already one step behind when it comes to quality!
- Don't peel or remove anything. If the husk is snug against the corn then it will help prevent freezer burn.
- Wrap corn in plastic wrap and/or place it in a plastic bag, removing as much air as possible. Use a FoodSaver to vacuum pack it if your have one.
- Store corn in the cob in the freezer until you're ready to cook it.
How to Cook Frozen Corn on the Cob in the Husk
The magic continues when you're ready to cook frozen corn on the cob. Simply follow the directions to microwave corn on the cob in the husk.
- Remove it from the freezer. Many people find it best to allow the corn to defrost first.
- Place corn on a microwave-safe plate.
- Microwave on high using the guidelines for fresh corn. I don't find it necessary to add any additional time. But, the time frame for cooking will vary depending upon the microwave.
- 1 ear – 2 minutes
- 2 ears – 4 minutes
- 3 ears – 5 minutes
- 4 ears – 6 minutes
- Cut about an inch off the end of the corn that does not have the silk exposed.
- Grab hold of the end of the corn with the silk and pull off the husk and the silk.
- Enjoy on the cob or remove the kernels to use in recipes like Mexican Street Corn in a Cup, Shrimp Tortilla Soup and Fresh Corn and Black Bean Salsa!
Be sure to check out these quick dinner ideas with corn on the cob, too!
If you try this method, drop us a comment with your result or tag @DinnerMom or #DinnerMom on social media. We love to see what you are cooking up!
How to Freeze Corn on the Cob in the Husk
Equipment
- Plastic Freezer Bag
- Permanent Marker
- Freezer
Ingredients
- 4 each Corn on the Cob Do NOT remove the husk
Instructions
- Place fresh corn on the cob with the husk in place in a plastic freezer bag.
- Seal bag, removing excess air.
- Use a marker to place a label and date on the bag. Store in freezer for up to 4 months.
- When ready to enjoy, remove from freezer and prepare using favorite cooking method for frozen corn.
KD says
Why can't you blank corn before shucking. The husks on many newer varieties are tough enough to deter starlings they would surely protect from freezer burn. I rarely clean my salmon (depending on size) before freezing to prevent freezer burn and that works best
Offherockerbettycrocker says
Blanching has never done anything but make a huge mess for me! Why would I even waste my time when it’s not necessary?
Anne says
When freezing uncooked corn on the cob still in the husk, is it necessary to wrap the corn in plastic wrap before putting it in freezer bags?
Marjory Pilley says
Hi! It provides a little extra protection, but is not absolutely necesssry.
Marilyn Brookes says
Deep South question here. I make corn pudding and "fried" corn, both of which use the milk scraped from the cob. Will the frozen in the shuck corn have this milk?
Marjory Pilley says
Yes it does! I think it would be perfect in those recipes!
Rebecca J McCray says
Hello Marjory;
Question? After wrapping my corn up without blanching it first. Do I "Have" to vacuum close it in a plastic bag? Or may I just put my ears of corn with husks on in a freezer ziplock bag and be content? lol
Marjory Pilley says
Hi. After wrapping, put it in a ziplock bag and remove as much excess air by mostly closing the bag and pressing as much air as possible out the corner then finally sealing the corner!
Lynn M says
I followed your method exactly for 4 cobs of corn (fresh, frozen in husk, wrapped tightly, put in 1200 W microwave right from freezer for 6 minutes on HIGH for all 4 cobs. They were still ICE COLD! So 5 more minutes ON HIGH, then 4 more minutes ON HIGH, moved corn around, 3 more minutes ON HIGH, then ANOTHER 3 minutes! Ridiculous! 21 minutes to cook the corn! Next time I will try defrosting it before cooking because I sure can’t figure out what I could POSSIBLY have done wrong! 🤷♀️
Marjory Pilley says
Thanks so much for sharing your comment and experience. It definitely does not hurt to partially defrost first, especially when cooking 4 at once! The timing varies with the size of the cobs too. I'm cooking some more frozen corn as I write this and will update the tips section!
Kim says
Thanks for posting this, I plan to do the same and I figured 6 minutes would be way too short from frozen
John Britt says
If l freeze the corn this way, can i pull the husk off and sous vide it ? Or do you suggest pulling husk off vacuum seal then sous vide right from the freezer ?
Marjory Pilley says
I've never used a sous vide, but I understand that you would want to remove the husk before cooking. It will not come off too easily from frozen, so you would need to defrost the corn first. Just put the bag in the refrigerator for a few hours and remove the husk as you normally would.
Dave Noble says
i STRIPPED THE FRESH CORN AND WRAPPED IT IN SERAN WRAP THEN IN TIN FOIL
IT HAAS BEEN IN THE FREEZER FOR 4 WEEK NOW, HOW MUCH LONGER CAN I KEEP IT FROZEN WITH THIS METHOD, AND WILL IT BE OK APPROX 3-4 WEEKS FROM NOW TO DO ON THE BBQ
Marjory Pilley says
Hi! It sounds like you removed the husk and with this method you leave the husk in place. If it's wrapped tightly you may be ok. We recommend storing corn no longer than 4 months using this method. The longer it is stored, the softer the kernels become. So, freezing unblanched corn is recommended for shorter storage periods (less than 2 months) IF you want to enjoy it as corn on the cob in the traditional way. Longer storage periods are perfect for soups, casseroles, etc. I hope that helps!
Marilyn says
I freeze my fresh corn on the cob with the musk all of the time…. It turns out great, I just microwave it with the husk on it ,and it turns out just like it was fresh out of the garden!!!
Denise says
Hi Marilyn - do you mean you microwave it with the husks on it for blanching purposes, or are you talking about when you take it out of the freezer to eat? Thanks for helping me learn!
alicia says
if i am going to microwave 4 frozen ears in the shuck. how long do i microwave it for ? it says on here 6 minutes , but i'm assuming that is for fresh corn. how long if its frozen?
Marjory Pilley says
Add 2 minutes and check to see if that does it. Just pull a little of the husk back on one of the ears. I haven't had to add much time when I cook from frozen.
Sharon Farr says
Started doing this last year and it's a great way to put up corn on the cob.
Jeanette says
So I tried your method and now I have a dozen ears of mushy corn. What can I do with mushy corn now??
Marjory Pilley says
I'm so sorry you did not have a good experience. I'm not sure if any of these apply, but it's best for very fresh corn, wrapped well, for shorter storage periods. That being said, you can still use the corn in soups and casseroles.
LeeAnn Ross says
We are starting to homestead this year and have grown our own corn. So very happy to hear that we can freeze without shucking the corn. We love having corn on the grill.
Thanks bunches,
Marjory Pilley says
That's very exciting! Enjoy!!!
Sandy says
Do you remove the plastic wrap before microwaving? Thank you so much for the information. I have been microwaving fresh corn wrapped in a paper towel for years and love it, but I would love to try this.
Marjory Pilley says
Remove the plastic wrap before microwaving and enjoy!
K.B.Roadsend says
I am sure tickled to hear of this I have nave never been one much for microwaving but just one of me left so it seems a pity to heat the house up for just one meal so I have began putting up my own frozen dinners .Most every package says machines are different and times may vary Past couple of years I have been taking corn shuck and all wrap it with a wet cotton sock then put that in a plastic grocery bag ,put it in th machine 5 minutes then turn it 90 degrees and hit it another 5 minutes turns out the best texture and sweetness I have ever had Stumbled my way onto this page wondering about easy frezing Im sure gonna give this a try as ,as much as I like corn having it 3 meals a day plus desert does get a little long And I have never had good luck blanching it and then getting it to have much quality when cooked again Thanks a million for the suggestion
Susan Dottino says
I have been cooking my corn on the cob this way for a long time.
I am so happy to know I can freeze it fresh. Thank you so much for that information
Titan says
We have a 100 acre farm with a grower that plants 30 acres of corn. We don't clean it, shuck it, just put it in a double paper bag, 20 to 30 ears, pull it out as we want it. Never had a problem. Most grocery stores have paper bags, Kroger, HEB does, just as for them if you don't see them
Kim says
I love this - how long in a double paper bag does it last?
Marsha says
When putting the corn in double paper bags do you then put them in the freezer in the bags?
Marjory Pilley says
Hi! Use plastic freezer bags. And yes put those in the freezer!