Corn timer: how long to boil corn on the cob

Boil fresh corn on the cob for 3 to 5 minutes once the water is back at a boil. Frozen ears take 5 to 8 minutes.

Boiling

Bring a large pot of water to a rolling boil. Husk the corn, pull off the silk, and drop the ears in. Start the timer when the water comes back to the boil.

The corn is ready when the kernels are bright yellow and pop when you press one with a fingernail. Fresh, sweet corn needs very little time; longer boiling makes it chewy, not more tender. Skip the salt in the water; salt it at the table.

Grilling

Husk off: heat the grill to medium-high, brush the ears with oil, and grill 10-15 minutes, giving them a quarter turn every 3 minutes until they have brown spots all round. Start 12 min, buzzes at each turn

In the husk: soak the ears in cold water for 10 minutes, then grill 15-20 minutes, turning now and then. The husks char and the corn steams inside. Start 18 min

Microwave

Put one ear, still in its husk, straight on the turntable and cook on high for 3-4 minutes. Add about 2 minutes for each extra ear. Let it cool for a minute; the husk and silk then slip off easily. Start 4 min

Making a whole dinner?

Corn is quick, so put it in last, while the burgers or chicken rest. Give each part of the meal its own named timer and watch them all on one screen. Run several timers at once

Add "Corn on the cob" to Kitchen Timer

Questions

More: Burger timer · Potato timer · Ribs timer · All cooking timers
Run several timers at once