Secret to Making the Perfect Corn on The Cob

Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

I’m not sure who shared this tip with me but I’ve been making the perfect sweet corn on the cob for over 40 years.

The secret is to not boil the corn to death and add sugar to your water. That’s right sugar not salt brings out the sweet taste of the corn.

A close-up of a hamburger with pickles on a bun sits invitingly next to glistening corn on the cob, perfectly buttered and salted, all elegantly arranged on a white plate.

The Right Pot

You need to fill a pot that is large enough for all of your corn to be submerged in water.

I use my pasta pot because I can put the corn in the basket, submerge it and then lift it right out.

Four ears of corn boiling in a pot of water on a stove. The pot has a metal colander insert, and steam rises from the water as bubbles form around the corn.

The Secret Ingredient for the Best Corn on the Cob

To the water I add 2-3 tablespoons of sugar and stir with a wooden spoon. Most people add salt but I’ve found that the sugar brings out the sweetness of the corn. You can add salt after you put on your butter.

Four ears of corn on the cob are neatly arranged on a white plate with a small blue bowl of sugar beside them. The bright yellow kernels contrast beautifully with the pale blue bowl and crisp white background.

How Long to Boil Corn on the Cob

You only put the corn into the boiling water for 3 minutes. This heats the corn and keeps the fresh crisp taste intact.

Just like most vegetables, boiling or steaming them too long causes them to be mushy and lose their delicious flavor.

A decorative horizontal line with symmetrical blue floral patterns and a steaming coffee cup icon in the center, evoking the warmth and simplicity of a cozy meal like ricotta and lemon pasta.
Four ears of corn boiling in a pot of water on a stove. The pot has a metal colander insert, and steam rises from the water as bubbles form around the corn.
Print Recipe Yum

Perfect Sweet Corn on the Cob

Make the perfect corn on the cob everytime with this quick and easy recipe
Prep Time20 minutes
Cook Time3 minutes
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: American
Keyword: bbq, corn on the cob, picnic food, sweet corn
Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 101kcal

Equipment

Ingredients

  • 12 cups water
  • 2 tbsp sugar
  • 4 ears sweet corn

Instructions

  • Shuck the corn (remove the husk and the silk from the corn)
    Four ears of corn on the cob are placed neatly on a white plate against a light background. The corn is bright yellow, showcasing its fresh and vibrant kernels.
  • Add water to your pot and stir in the sugar
    A stainless steel pot with water and a perforated steamer basket inside is placed on a stovetop burner.
  • Bring water to a boil
    A pot of water at a rolling boil on a stovetop. The pot has a perforated metal insert, indicating it might be used for steaming or draining. Steam is visible rising from the surface of the bubbling water.
  • Submerge your corn in the water for 3 minutes
    Four ears of corn boiling in a pot of water on a stove. The pot has a metal colander insert, and steam rises from the water as bubbles form around the corn.

Nutrition

Calories: 101kcal | Carbohydrates: 23g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 0.3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.4g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0.4g | Trans Fat: 0.01g | Sodium: 49mg | Potassium: 243mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 12g | Vitamin A: 168IU | Vitamin C: 6mg | Calcium: 23mg | Iron: 0.5mg
Yum
A decorative horizontal line with symmetrical blue floral patterns and a steaming coffee cup icon in the center, evoking the warmth and simplicity of a cozy meal like ricotta and lemon pasta.

Corn on the Cob

Living in the Midwest, we get the freshest corn from our local farmers market from late July until the fall. We even have local corn in our grocery stores.

There is a saying about corn in the Midwest. “Knee high by the 4th of July”. That’s a predictor of a successful crop for local farmers. When I was driving to Texas last year on June 6th the corn was about 12 inches high. On the way home on June 16th it was knee high. A few weeks ahead of schedule. We are unseasonable warm again this year so we might be on the same track.

A Cookout Tradition

At this small house we love to cook outside and in our opinion, no cookout is complete without corn on the cob. Sweet corn is the perfect side with many summer meals.

Here are some main dish ideas that would be perfect with an ear of corn on the side:

  • Hamburgers
  • Brats
  • Ribs
  • Fried Chicken
  • Skewers
  • Hotdogs
  • Italian Sausage
  • BBQ Chicken
  • Pulled Pork
  • Brisket
A close-up of a buttery corn on the cob sprinkled with salt, resting alongside half of a sandwich bun adorned with visible pickles. A small pat of butter is placed invitingly beside the corn on the cob.

Other Cookout Side Dishes

Summer Fun

Somehow eating outside just makes the food taste better. When you live in a small house like we do, the summertime is a great time to entertain more people as we can use our outdoor living space.

A partially eaten corn on the cob rests on a white surface, with scattered yellow kernels and some husk still clinging to it.

Lots of memories are made outside in the summer!

Enjoy,

A blue background with hand-drawn elements sets the stage. A heart symbol flanked by two lines adds charm, while the text "Lynn xoxo" in cursive whispers a promise to make food prep easier and more delightful.
A decorative horizontal line with symmetrical blue floral patterns and a steaming coffee cup icon in the center, evoking the warmth and simplicity of a cozy meal like ricotta and lemon pasta.
A decorative horizontal line with symmetrical blue floral patterns and a steaming coffee cup icon in the center, evoking the warmth and simplicity of a cozy meal like ricotta and lemon pasta.

A great way to save this recipe is to add it to one of your Pinterest boards. You can find the pin button on the top left of the photo when you click on it. Also, don’t forget to follow me on Pinterest.

A sandwich and delicious corn on the cob with butter are shown on a white plate. Text above reads, "The Best Corn on the Cob in Minutes." Website URL is at the bottom.
A decorative horizontal line with symmetrical blue floral patterns and a steaming coffee cup icon in the center, evoking the warmth and simplicity of a cozy meal like ricotta and lemon pasta.
Two white wooden Adirondack chairs sit in a green outdoor area, with a small table in between them. Text over the image reads, "What's in my cart this week at Living Large in a Small House.
A decorative horizontal line with symmetrical blue floral patterns and a steaming coffee cup icon in the center, evoking the warmth and simplicity of a cozy meal like ricotta and lemon pasta.

Behind the scenes

Hi, I’m Lynn

After years in corporate America, I’ve channeled my interior design degree and passionate creativity into transforming our 1,300 square foot house into a cozy, inviting haven that proves beautiful living doesn’t require massive square footage.

My slightly OCD tendencies fuel my love for organizing while my “Handy” husband helps bring my vintage-inspired decorating visions to life in our empty nest, where we entertain, garden, and cook from scratch.

Join me as I share practical wisdom, a little humor, and professional insights for making the most of every square inch—because I’ve discovered that living large isn’t about the size of your home but how you fill it with style, function, and heart.

More about me
About six people, including a baby, stand close together and smile in a warmly lit living room. The adults surround the baby, held by a woman in the center. A colorful painting hangs on the wall behind them.
A decorative horizontal line with symmetrical blue floral patterns and a steaming coffee cup icon in the center, evoking the warmth and simplicity of a cozy meal like ricotta and lemon pasta.

Featured

  • Logo for "the spruce" featuring a simple outline of a house in light blue with an open door and neutral Halloween decor elements, followed by the text "the spruce" in a stylized gray font.
  • The image features the word "WANDER" in large, bold letters, evoking a sense of recollection. Below it, in smaller text, are the phrases: "LIVE WELL | EAT WELL | TRAVEL WELL." The entire text is set against a plain, light background.

Web Story

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

2 Comments

  1. Wendy McMonigle says:

    5 stars
    Corn on the cob is my favorite, I am going to try this. I have a great idea, lets take a road trip through Iowa and get some corn!

    Reply

    1. It’s just about ready for pickin’ in Iowa.

      Reply