Whether it is fresh, frozen, on the cob or in the husk, corn is a food staple that can be used in many different recipes. Boiling, baking and grilling aren’t the only was to cook corn, the microwave corn for the easiest way to serve corn quickly.
How do you microwave corn? Microwave corn on the cob with or without the husk for about 4 minutes, if there is no husk then wrap the corncob in a damp paper towel to protect the kernels. Microwave cut, canned or frozen corn for 2 minutes in a microwave safe dish with a loose lid on top.
The information provided in this write-up will help you to microwave corn perfectly. This article covers helpful microwave tips along with easy to follow instructions for the best way to microwave corn.
Can you cook corn in the microwave?
Yes, you can cook corn in a microwave. Cook corn in on a microwave safe plate with a cover for 2 to 4 minutes depending on the type of corn.
No need to light the grill or boil a pot of water when you can use a microwave to cook corn quickly. Whether you want to warm or cook corn on the cob or fish cut kernels, a microwave can be the quickest and easiest way to do it in a mess-free manner.
A microwave can also be used for cooking raw, canned, or frozen corn. On the cob or in the husk, easily microwave corn without much problem.
Is microwaving corn bad?
No, it is not bad to microwave corn. Some believe that microwaving can destroy the nutritional elements of corn, but actually it does not damage the nutrients in corn any more than other cooking methods.
Microwaving corn can completely cook it and transform the starches into sweet sugars that make it taste more delicious. Actually, various types of nutrients are easily damaged to some extent while cooking food like thiamine, vitamin C, folate and pantothenic acid, etc.
Heat does not damage nutritional value as severely as thought by many people. However, some vitamins and minerals are severely degraded when temperature exceed the boiling point of water, 212 degrees Fahrenheit.
Keep the cook time to a minimum and you should not worry about the damage of nutrients in corn by microwaving it. Moreover, some nutrients become more digestible when they are heated, such as fats, proteins, carbs, minerals, and fiber, etc.
In fact, cooking can increase the amount of nutrition accessible to you by burst opening the cell walls. Your body can easily absorb the nutrients when food is cooked.
Similarly, when you cook any food in the microwave, instead of damaging the food it actually preserves its nutrients in place. The need for cooking further exemplifies the reasons that it is not bad to microwave corn.
How long do you heat corn in the microwave?
It takes between 1 to 4 minutes to heat corn in the microwave. The time taken to heat corn in a microwave depends upon the type of corn you are heating.
If you are reheating corn on the cob, it may take 2-3 minutes, but if you are heating canned or frozen corn then it may take 1-2 minutes to complete the process.
To reheat corn on the cob in the microwave, place the ears of corn on a microwave-safe plate and wrap them with a damp towel or cover with a lid to trap the steam for even cooking. Nuke for 2 minutes to warm up the corn cob without splitting open the kernels.
To microwave canned corn, transfer a cup of kernels to a microwave safe dish and nuke for 90 seconds on high or until it reaches the desired temperature.
Adjust the reheating time based upon the number of ears, weight, volume and the wattage of the appliance. Additionally, it is helpful to stir the kernels or rotate the cob every 30 seconds for even distribution of heat.
Tips to cook corn in the microwave
Corn can be cooked in a microwave by following the helpful tips listed below:
- Microwave corn on the cob in the husk, or remove the husk and silk from the corncobs and discard them.
- Take a large microwave-safe plate and put 2 tablespoons of water onto it.
- Place 2 corn cobs on the plate.
- Cover the cobs with another microwave-safe dish or microwave cover.
- Microwave the corn cobs for 4 minutes or until the kernels are tender, the color becomes deep yellow and smells like fresh cooked corn.
- When the corn cobs are ready to eat, carefully drain the water from the plate, spread some butter on the corn and sprinkle salt, pepper or any other seasons. Enjoy!
- Corn kernels can also be freshly cut off the cob, frozen or canned. Cook time will be about 2 minutes without the cob.
Best way cook corn in a microwave?
Cook corn in the microwave in different forms including fresh corn on the cob, frozen corn kernels and canned corn as well. Doesn’t matter how the corn was prepared, it can be cooked by following a few basic microwave tips.
Whether you are microwaving cream of corn, corn on the cob or frozen corn kernels you must use a microwave-safe bowl and cover it with a loose lid or damp paper towel. Leave the corners of the lid open to avoid excessive steam buildup.
Corn on the cob
Corn on the cob can be cooked in the microwave on high for 3-4 minutes depending on the number as well as the size of the ears you are cooking. Cooking 4 ears takes 2 minutes longer than when cooking an ear or two.
It is better to microwave corn on the cob in the husk as the moisture in its husk and silk can add more flavor to the cooked corn cob.
When microwaving corn on the cob without the husk, wrap the ear with a damp paper towel to protect the kernels from drying out by creating a barrier for steam to build up.
Frozen Corn
Since frozen corn is already par cooked or blanched, then they can be cooked in a microwave easily just by reheating them since they are already cooked.
Use a microwave safe dish with a lid or damp paper towel over the top to help trap the steam. Plastic wrap is convenient, but it is not recommended for use in the microwave as it can leach harmful chemicals into your food.
A cup of frozen corn is ready to eat in just 2 minutes simply by microwaving on high. depending upon the quantity of frozen kernels you are going to defrost and reheat, it may take an extra 30 seconds or so to achieve an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
Canned
Transfer the contents to a microwave safe dish with microwaving canned food. The original metal can is not safe to use in the appliance.
A cup of canned corn has to be microwaved on high for 90 seconds or until it reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit. Use a microwave safe dish with a loose lid on top, or a damp paper towel can also be used to prevent microwave splatter on the inside of the appliance.
To reheat the canned corn evenly, give it a good stir every 30 seconds during the microwaving process. Stirring equalizes the temperature throughout the dish and eliminate any hotspots that may be developing.
Microwaving Corn: Final Thoughts
The best way to microwave corn is by nuking a whole corn on the cob without removing the husk and silk. Cut corn kernels can also be microwaved in a microwave safe dish with a loose lid over the top.
To microwave corn on the cobs in the husk, you will have to place them on a microwave safe plate and microwave them for 4 minutes on high. The time can vary by 1-2 minutes depending upon the type of microwave, wattage level, number of ears and weight of corn as all are not factors are always equal.
Remove the corn cobs from the microwave by using a potholder or kitchen towel. Cut off the stem end and bottom of the cob to slip off the silk and husk from the top.
If there is no husk, then wrap the corncobs with a damp paper towel to preserve the moisture and trap steam around the kernels.
For kernels that have been cut off the cob, canned or frozen, put them in a microwave safe dish with a tablespoon of water and lid over the top. Nuke for 2 minutes on high for soft and tender microwaved corn.
As you can see, microwaving corn is simple when you follow these helpful tips. Time and temperature are the key, as you don’t want to overcook the corn and turn the kernels into mush.