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How to Microwave Corn on the Cob Without Husks

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While there is no doubt that corn makes a wonderful and nutritious accompaniment to any meal, cooking it certainly presents its own challenges. boiling a large pot of water to cook an ear or two of corn seems wasteful.

If you are seeking an alternative cooking method, then microwaving corn on the cob without a husk could certainly speed things up. Not only do you reduce the mess, but the cook time is quick and efficient.

How do you microwave corn on the cob without husks? Wrap the corn on the cob in a slightly damp piece of paper towel, since there is no husk this will protect the kernels and keep the steam trapped inside for even cooking. Place on a microwave safe plate and nuke for four minutes or until fully cooked.

It is very much possible to microwave corn on the cob, but removing the inedible husks can be a bit messy. So get rid of the hull and let’s cook some corn.

This article explains the best way to microwave corn on the bob without a husk. We include helpful tips, simple ways to reduce the mess and how to microwave tender and delicious corn on the cob after you peel away the fibrous shell.

Is it Safe to Microwave Corn on the Cob Without Husk?

Yes, it is safe to microwave corn on the cob without a husk. Exercise caution, use a cover and don’t over cook the kernels.

Many people are also wary about the safety aspects of microwaving corn on the cob without the hull casing. There is no reason to fear because it is quite safe if you follow the prescribed methods.

There is fear that the cob may catch fire, or the quality of the corn will get damaged and the corn could taste unsatisfactory. This is not actually the case because of some obvious reasons. 

The husk could lead to fire hazards if it is too dry and brittle, and sometimes it has been removed when processed of received at the market. Since the outer shell is inedible and a bite messy, it is quite convenient to have the husk removed before you bring home the corn.

Microwaves are made specially to transfer heat energy inside of cooked items, unlike a stove top when heats directly from the bottom of a pan. Therefore, it should not take more than a few minutes for the corn to become crisp, hot and ready for eating. 

Another word of caution, only use things that are microwave safe. Stick with dishes that are made of glass or ceramic to reduce exposure to chemicals found in plastic.

Without the husk, the cob will need to be wrapped with a damp paper towel or microwave safe plastic wrap to protect the kernels and trap the steam for efficient cooking. The corn may dry out quickly without fully cooking if the natural external layer is not used.

The corn cob should be microwaved for around 4 minutes and set to high temperature. However, the timing could be different because microwaves have various wattages which alter the cooking time. 

As always, it is recommended to stop the microwave at the half way point, around two minutes, to check the doneness of the ear of corn. Use your best judgement to determine whether or not the full cooking time is needed before proceeding forward.

How Long Does It Take To Microwave Corn on the Cob without Husk?

It takes between 4 to 5 minutes to microwave corn on the cob without a husk. Wrap the corn with a wet paper towel to trap in steam for even cooking and protect the kernels from drying.

An extra dry, brittle just should be removed from the corn cob before it is put in the microwave. This is because the dried up corn husk is flammable and you could run the risk of catching fire inside the microwave oven.

Once you have removed the husk, you can place the corn in the microwave. As mentioned above, the timing could vary based on the wattage of the appliance. 

If you are not sure about the timing, it would be better to set the timer on the shorter side so that you can check on the doneness. This will certainly come in handy for the first few times until you are familiar with the timing for the corn to be cooked in a microwave without the husk.

How do you know when corn on the cob without husks is done in the microwave?

Microwave corn on the cob is fully cooked when the kernels turn a bright, radiant and intense yellow color. You also will notice that the kernels swell in size, become plumper and are tender to touch. 

You can easily find out if the corn has cooked or not by tasting one kernel. Since there is no husk to worry bout, it is easy to carefully remove one of the kernels from the outside edge of the cob.

Furthermore, prick a kernel using the tip of a sharp knife. If the point easily penetrates the corn you can be sure that it is well cooked and ready to eat.

When grilling, baking or boiling corn, then you can easily make out whether it is fully cooked or not. However, this could be a problem as far as microwaves are concerned. 

However, it is quite easy to find out if the corn has been done in a microwave. Prick the tip of a sharp knife, or carefully remove one of the kernels to taste test the level of doneness.

Can you microwave corn on the cob without husks?

Tips to microwave corn on the cob without husks

It is common for an ear of corn to have the husk already removed. When you purchase them at the market, sometimes the inedible hull has already been removed for you. 

Here are some simple, proven and efficient tips that could help in preparation of corn on the cob in the microwave without the husks:

  • Always remember to remove the husks and fibrous hairs from the corn. 
  • Wrap the cob in a wet paper towel. 
  • The cob can additionally be wrapped in microwave safe plastic wrap for more intense heat transfer, however the paper towel is sufficient and keeps the use of plastic away from your food.
  • Place the prepared corn cob on a microwave friendly dish or container. 
  • Heat it for around 2 to 3 minutes, then check the doneness. In some cases, you may have to make sure that it is heated for around 5 minutes in total, but this will depend if the microwave has a low wattage level. 
  • The first time it could be a matter of trial and error, but onwards you will be able to do it quite well.

It is not too difficult to microwave corn on the cob without husks provided you follow some proven simple and easy tips. The first or second attempts could need a bit of adjustment, but otherwise you have all reasons to enjoy an easy, tasty and nutritious side dish.

How to microwave corn on the cob without husks
Yield: 1 corn on the cob

microwave corn on the cob without husks

Prep Time: 1 minute
Cook Time: 4 minutes
Total Time: 5 minutes

The cob is needed to keep the kernels in place will the corn is cooked inside the microwave. Additionally, the cob add flavor and moisture to prevent the individual kernels from drying.

There are some simple and easy ways by which you can microwave corn without husks while it is on the cob. Here is the best way by which this can be done.

Ingredients

  • 1 corn on the cob without a husk

Instructions

  1. Always make sure that you have chosen a tender corn that is not overripe or spoiled. 
  2. Wash it thoroughly after completely removing the husk and the fibrous strings. 
  3. Once the husk has been completely removed, wrap the corn cob with a paper towel that is slightly wet. 
  4. Place it in the microwave on a container that is compatible with microwave ovens. 
  5. Set the temperature to high and nuke for two to three minutes. 
  6. Check the doneness and adjust the timing if necessary, in total it may take between four to five minutes for a 1000 watt microwave.
  7. Take it out, carefully remove the paper towel and pluck a single kernel from the edge using your hand to verify if its cooked. If the kernels are tender and sweet, then they are ready to serve.
  8. Rub it with a pad of butter and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Enjoy!

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

1

Serving Size:

1

Amount Per Serving: Calories: 99Total Fat: 2gSaturated Fat: 0gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 1gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 261mgCarbohydrates: 22gFiber: 2gSugar: 5gProtein: 4g

Joanne

Wednesday 6th of October 2021

Going to try. Have always done in husk with plastic wrap but this makes sense.

erere

Monday 15th of August 2022

@Joshua, after i nuked the corn for 4 minutes, it was delicious. Thank you

Joshua

Wednesday 6th of October 2021

That's great! Please let us know how it works out for you!

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