The clunky shape and size of corn on the cob can make it awkward to reheat. A misstep could leave you with an unpleasant surprise of cold or dry kernels sprinkled throughout your meal.
What is the best way to reheat corn on the cob?
We prefer to reheat ears the same way they were first cooked. This helps keep the original flavor and texture subtleties intact. Corn can turn from perfectly reheated to dry and mealy in only a few seconds, so it’s important to check it regularly while you reheat it. Keep the corn’s moisture intact by only adding salt right before eating it.
In this article, you’ll learn the best ways to reheat corn on the cob depending on the time you have and the style you prefer.
Can You Reheat Corn On The Cob?
Today, we’re going to tell you about five great ways to reheat your corn on the cob to perfection. There are a few tricks to heat it thoroughly and evenly, but once you get the hang of it, it’s pretty straightforward.
If you want to preserve its texture and taste, you’ll need to keep a close eye on it. Overheated corn on the cob can dry up and lose a lot of its zest. Depending on the method you use, it can take only a few minutes or even seconds to make the difference between corn that tastes meh and corn that tastes a-maize-ing.
The reheating methods we talk about will work for:
- Boiled corn on the cob
- Grilled corn on the cob
- Baked corn on the cob
How Long To Microwave Corn On The Cob
Perfectionists may scorn microwaving corn, but in its defense, microwaving is the quickest way to reheat it. Microwave reheating corn is a knife’s edge, as it can overcook in seconds. This can turn the corn’s sugars into starches and ruin the flavor and feel.
Here’s how long it will take to reheat corn on the cob using our favorite methods:
- Reheating in the microwave – 2 minutes on a medium power setting
- Reheating in the oven – 7 minutes at 350F
- Reheating in boiling water – 2 minutes once the water boils
- Reheating on the grill – 2 minutes once the grill is warm
- Reheating frozen corn on the cob – about 8 minutes in simmering water
The best way to reheat it depends a lot on how you cooked it in the first place. If you’re reheating boiled corn on the cob, re-boiling it will keep the flavor consistent. Grilling corn that was originally boiled will change the taste a little, but not in a bad way.
If you’re reheating grilled corn on the cob, firing up the grill again to reheat it will help it keep its crunch. We don’t recommend boiling corn on the cob that was first grilled.
Reheating it by boiling or grilling is easiest to check on and gives you more control than the other methods.
If you plan on using boiling water, don’t salt the water. Adding salt beforehand will rob a bit of the kernels’ moisture and sweetness. It’s best to add salt directly to the corn seconds before chowing down.
If you use the microwave, heating it up in short increments will let you check on it as often as possible. It will also make sure individual kernels don’t dry up or split open.
Including preheating time, the oven takes the longest to reheat corn on the cob, but it will come out tasting as fresh as the day you made it. During wintertime, using the oven is also a good excuse to have a nice warm oven to hang out by.
Related | How Long Does It Take An Oven To Preheat?
How To Reheat Corn On The Cob In The Microwave
Reheating corn on the cob in the microwave is quick and painless if you follow these steps. Don’t worry about it popcorn-ifying. Pre-cooked corn kernels won’t pop in the microwave.
What You Need
- 1 Microwave-safe dish
- 1 Plate or damp towel
- 2 Tablespoons of water
- 1 Pastry brush (optional)
- Butter (optional)
Reheating Directions
- Use a microwave-safe dish big enough to hold the whole cob lying on its side.
- Spoon a couple of tablespoons of water into the dish. The water will help your corn steep in moisture rather than lose it.
- Cover the dish with a plate to keep the steam in. If you want more moisture, you can cover it with a damp towel instead.
- Set your microwave to a medium power setting.
- Microwave your corn on the cob for 20 seconds at a time to warm it up without splitting the kernels open or drying them out.
- For a little extra mouth-watering love, use the pastry brush to adorn your corn with butter at every 20-second interval.
- Your corn should be ready in about two minutes total.
- Stand back from the dish when you open the lid to avoid getting steamed.
How To Reheat Corn On The Cob In The Oven
If you have a bit of time and you want to reheat your corn on the cob without risking it getting soggy or dry, follow these steps.
What You Need
- Aluminum foil
- 1 Oven mitt
- 1 teaspoon of milk or water
- 1 Pastry brush (optional)
- Butter (optional)
- Seasonings (optional)
Reheating Directions
- Start by warming up your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Tear off enough aluminum foil to wrap all the way around your corn on the cob. Place the ear in the middle of the foil.
- Adding extra flavor is optional. Use the pastry brush to coat the ear with butter, and then sprinkle your favorite seasonings on top.
- Toss a teaspoon of milk or water on top to keep it extra juicy.
- Wrap the foil completely around the ear. Twist the ends so the juice can’t escape.
- Put the package in your 350-degree oven, and set your timer for five minutes.
- At five minutes, peek inside the foil to check if the corn is ready. If it’s not hot enough for you, put it back in for two more minutes.
- Use the oven mitt to remove the wrapped ear from the oven.
How To Reheat Corn On The Cob In Boiling Water
If you want juicy corn on the cob without firing up your oven, follow these steps to reheat it in boiling water.
What You Need
- 1 Deep pot full of water
- 1 Pair of tongs
Reheating Directions
- Place the pot full of water on your lit stove at high heat, and wait till it boils. Don’t watch it, or it is scientifically proven to take longer. Okay, enough corny jokes.
- Once the water is boiling, use the tongs to slowly lower the corn on the cob in.
- Let it boil for about two minutes.
- Turn off the stove, and remove the ear from the water with the tongs.
How To Reheat Corn On The Cob On The Grill
Reheating corn on the cob on the grill will give it a smoky, charred taste and a crisp outer surface.
What You Need
- 1 Pastry brush
- 1 Pair of tongs
- Butter or oil
Reheating Directions
- Fire up your grill.
- While you wait for it to get hot, coat the corn in butter or oil using the pastry brush.
- Use the tongs to place the buttery ear on the hot grill.
- Turn it over with the tongs about every 30 seconds to keep the heat as consistent as possible.
- It should only take about two minutes, or two full rotations, to heat up each ear.
- Use the tongs to remove the reheated ear from the grill.
How To Defrost Corn on the Cob
If you froze your leftover corn on the cob, you can defrost it quickly and evenly in hot water.
What You Need
- 1 Large pot with a lid
- 1 Pair of tongs
Reheating Directions
- Put your frozen ear of corn into a large pot. Pour water over it until the corn is covered.
- Place your pot on the stove with the flame on high.
- Once the water is boiling, turn the heat down low, and put the lid on the pot.
- Let it simmer for about eight minutes total. Check on it at the five-minute mark to make sure everything is going swimmingly.
- Once the ear is hot enough, turn off the stove, and use the tongs to take the corn out of the water.
Final Thoughts
The best way to reheat corn on the cob is the same way you originally cooked it.
Microwaving is quickest but can also suck out moisture quickly. Use short time increments to make sure you get it right. We prefer boiling or grilling it, because neither of these methods take too long and both end up tasting much better.
