Nothing says summer like my best way to cook corn on the cob recipe. My way of making corn on the cob will give you bright yellow, deliciously sweet mouth-popping kernels infused with butter flavor. We cook the whole cobs in milk, butter, and sugar.

Once you try this method, there will be no other way to cook corn on the cob! This recipe will give you corn so sweet and buttery, there is no need for added butter.

In our house, we’re crazy for corn. If you’re looking for more recipes with corn playing a starring role, I hope you’ll check out Paula Deen corn casserole, our sweet corn casserole, corn pudding, and scalloped corn, soon!

How to Pick the Best Corn

When selecting your corn cobs, make sure the cobs have an intact husk (tight and green) and the silk is fresh. Pull back the husk a little and check to see if the kernels are plump and firm.

When ready to cook, fully shuck each corn cob, removing both husk and silk.

The Best Way To Cook Corn On The Cob Ingredients

Corn on the Cob: fresh and in season is best
Water: filtered or tap
Milk: I use whole milk
Butter: Salted or unsalted
Sugar: White granulated sugar

Tips:

Sugar: Adding sugar is optional. If you think your corn is perfectly in season and will be sweet already, then you can omit the sugar. The sugar will bring out the sweetness of the corn. I like my corn sweet to I generally use 1/2 cup.
Butter + Salt: If you use salted butter, additional salt is not necessary. Please salt to taste.
Elote Style: for Mexican corn, slather the cooked corn with mayonnaise or crema, top with cotija cheese, chili powder, and lime juice. The purist – just as the recipe instructs. A little fancy – top with additional butter and chopped parsley

Storing + Freezing + Make-ahead

How Long Can You Keep This in The Fridge? Remove the kernels from the cob. The kernels will last up to two days in the fridge.
Can You Freeze This? I do not recommend freezing. You will want this dish fresh and warm.
Make-Ahead: I recommend cooking your corn on the cob right before serving for best results.
Food Safety: If you’d like more info on food safety check out this link.

Serving Recommendations

This corn on the cob goes with darn near everything!

We love it with grilled flank steak, shish kabob, buttermilk roasted chicken, grilled cilantro lime chicken, pollo asado, Greek chicken, grilled chicken with our grilled chicken marinade, beer brats, air fryer turkey burgers, chicken meatloaf, Huli Huli chicken, Campbells chicken and rice, and air fryer chicken!

Really it goes with so, so much more!

How to Make Boiled Corn On A Cob

While boiling water in to the pot, measure all the ingredients.
Add the milk, butter, and sugar to the boiling water.
Add the corn and simmer.
Remove corn to a serving platter.

***See the full instructions below.

More Corn Recipes

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