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Microwave Corn on the Cob in the husk. It's the easiest way to enjoy fresh corn in minutes and you won't have to deal with messy silk strands!
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Previously, I'd pat myself on the back when I shucked the corn in the grocery store, instead of at my house, thereby reducing the amount of mess I'd have later. Then, I'd boil the corn for use in dishes like Fresh Corn and Black Bean Salsa or Mexican Street Corn in a Cup.
Important lessons learned:
1) It's best to store corn in the husk in a cool place or the refrigerator until you are ready to cook it. You can even store it in the freezer! Check out our tips on How to Freeze Corn on the Cob in the Husk.
2) After microwaving corn in the husk, the husk and silk will slide right off the corn. The corn cooks in its own juices and it is tender crisp. And, it only takes a few minutes to cook.
I never knew I'd been cooking corn on the cob the hard way until I toured Long & Scott Farms. (They have a great corn maze to explore if you are ever in the area.) That's where I learned this easy trick.
See...no silk, except for a little teeny, tiny piece. It really works!
How to Microwave Corn on the Cob in the Husk
Follow these step-by-step directions to microwave an ear of corn or hop down to a quick video and the recipe card.
1. Leave the husks on the corn. You can trim the fuzzy end a little though.
2. Place the corn on a microwave-safe plate and microwave according to the following guidelines:
How Long To Cook:
- 1 ear - 2 minutes
- 2 ears - 4 minutes
- 3 ears - 5 minutes
- 4 ears - 6 minutes
Note that the times may vary slightly depending upon microwave wattage. Start with these times and add an additional minute as necessary.
3. Allow the corn to cool after cooking for about 5 minutes. Note: The corn will be very hot when the corn finishes cooking. Use a hand towel to hold the corn if necessary.
4. Cut about 1 inch off of the end of the corn that has a stub. Don't cut the end with the silk showing.
5. Grab the end of the corn with the silk and pull it away. Sometimes it takes a few tries to get things moving. If you are having difficulty, peel back the husk at the top a little or try holding the end with the silk in one hand and using the other hand to rock the corn a bit.
Enjoy corn in a favorite recipe on or off the cob, with a pat of butter...or fresh and hot. It's hard to beat fresh, sweet corn!
Please rate this recipe if you make it and tag @DinnerMom or #DinnerMom on social media. We love to see what you are cooking up!
📋 Recipe
Microwave Corn on the Cob in Husk
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Ingredients
- 4 each corn on the cob
Instructions
- Place the corn on a microwave-safe plate and microwave on high as follows:1 ear – 2 minutes2 ears – 4 minutes3 ears – 5 minutes4 ears – 6 minutes
- Allow the corn to cool untouched after cooking for about 5 minutes.
- Cut about 1 inch off of the end of the corn that has a stub. Don’t cut the end with the silk showing.
- Grab the end of the corn with the silk and pull it away, rocking gently if needed to begin the process.
Notes
- Store corn in the husk in a cool place or the refrigerator until you're ready to cook it.
- You can also freeze corn on the cob in the husk.
- Timing will vary based upon microwave wattage. Start with suggestion and add additional time as necessary.
- Corn will be very hot. Hold one end with a hand towel.
- If you're having trouble pulling off the husk, peel the top back a little to help get it started.
Nutrition
Marilyn Widman says
I can't believe that in all my years of cooking corn on the cob that I never heard of this... It is WONDERFUL and I will never cook it any other way .....
Marjory Pilley says
Yay! It's magical!
Bryan says
Thanks!!! I’ve been cooking my corn a few years like this now. Who would have known after all of these years? Magical - love it!!! Mmmmmm ?
Marjory says
Thanks for your comment! I'm a convert too and will never boil or shuck it again!
habitat says
Really great! I shared it with my friends and they enjoyed it. Thanks for your sharing, please do it more
Marjory says
Thanks so much for sharing! I'm glad you enjoyed it.
eatfrysmith says
I followed your instructions. indeed very delicious, sweet and fragrant
Marjory says
I'm so glad you enjoyed it!
Robert Derby says
Just cook it and enjoy it
sanchez says
I was a bit surprised about this method, I have not actually done this method ever. It is very strange and unique!!
Great idea. Thank you!
Marjory says
It really does work!:)
sanchez says
I hope you have more tips, you are wonderful!
Darlene Quinn says
I have tried this method many, many times and never has the husk slid off the cob like in all of the posts and videos I have seen.
Marjory says
Hi! I'm sorry it didn't work out. Did you adjust the cook time slightly? Or, peel back the husk a little and rock to get it started?
Laura says
I’ve tried this several times. Seems to depend on how well done the corn is. When I cook my corn on the grill I know exactly how long to do it so it’s done perfectly. It slides off relatively easy every time. The other night I did it in my instant pot. It wasn’t quite done and was impossible to use this method plus the silks were all still stuck to the corn.
Chris says
This is really a nice method for camping with a RV. Less mess and doesn't heat up the RV. That's where I first heard of it. Funny when I served it to my uncle that said it wouldn't work. He now loves it this way.
Marjory says
Thanks for your comment! A new believer!!! 🙂
Terri says
Just trying the husk in the corn for the first time. Can you freeze it in the husk after cooking?
Marjory says
Hi! I have not done this, but readers have told me you can. I'm not sure if it will be quite as easy to pull off the husk and strands once it is defrosted though. Once it it has been removed from the husk, the corn can definitely be frozen on the cob or off the cob.
Dawn says
OMG! I was so glad I found your recipe! Delicious, quick AND NO SHUCKING! Yes ?
Marjory says
Yay! Thanks for your comment!
Jack Voorvaart says
I can't seem to get the corn to slide out of the husks.. I wind up shucking it just loke I did before when I boiled it. Any sugestions?
Marjory says
Hi! A couple of suggestions if the corn is not sliding out easily. 1) Try adding a minute to the cook time since it can vary depending upon the microwave. 2) Pull the husk back at the top to get it started. Not much just a little at the top 3) Hold the bottom and grab the peeled clean top with a towel and then rock the bottom a little and then pull. I hope that helps.
Carl in Boston says
Microwave cooking saves energy and water that would be wasted with traditional boiling. I'm not a microwave fan for cooking a lot of things, but corn is a winner. I especially like your method for stripping off the husks and silks.
Marjory says
Thanks so much for your comment! It's a big time-saver so I end up adding fresh kernels into so many more dishes.
Laura says
I’ve been doing this with corn for some years but on the grill. The BEST corn ever! I soak the corn in the husk in salted water for about an hour. Then wrap in foil and place on hot grill with indirect heat. 15 min, then flip and about 10-15 more min. Holy cow! The best corn! ‘Course you have to butter it before eating! And silicone gloves allow for handling. I’m trying your mic version tonight! Thank you!
Marjory says
Definitely trying this on the grill next time! Thanks for recipe!
Ruth Vowell says
We put up 72 ears of corn using the microwave method to shuck it and then sealed it and froze it. It didn't even last a year. This year we are buying 2 bags.
Marjory says
I need to stock my freezer too! 🙂
Joyce says
Do you mean it didn’t last because it was so good you used it up…..or do you mean it didn’t lastin that it didn’t freeze well? I’m thinking of freezing two dozen ears like this.
Karen says
Yes...a friend of mine will buy corn in the husk during the season and place it in the freezer. When you are ready for corn, take it out of the freezer let it thaw, then in the microwave it goes. Works great!
Marjory says
Fantastic! I can't wait to try it!