Emilie Meyer
Corn on the cob is a delicious treat, often grilled or boiled and served with butter and salt. But can you cook it in a pan? The answer is yes! You can cook corn in a pan in a variety of ways, including sautéing, roasting, or searing. If you're looking for a simple and fuss-free way to cook corn, then pan-cooking is a great option. All you need is a skillet or non-stick pan, some butter or oil, and your chosen seasonings. You can even cook the corn kernels off the cob first, allowing for more even cooking and making it easier to eat. So, if you're looking for a tasty and versatile way to cook corn, give pan-cooking a try!
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Cooking methods | Grilling, boiling, microwaving, sautéing, roasting/searing |
| Corn type | Fresh, frozen |
| Corn preparation | Whole, shucked, sliced off the cob |
| Flavor | Salty, sweet, buttery, charred, toasted, popcorn-like |
| Ease of preparation | Easy, simple, fuss-free |
| Texture | Plump, juicy, crunchy-yet-tender, dry, tough, undercooked, hard |
| Nutritional value | Higher retention of vitamins, minerals, and nutrients when raw |
| Digestibility | Difficult due to high cellulose levels; made easier by chewing well |
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What You'll Learn
Cooking corn in its husk
There are several ways to cook raw corn in a pan, and cooking corn in its husk is one of the most popular methods. This technique helps steam the corn, keeping it moist and preventing it from drying out. The husks also char, giving the corn a bold, smoky flavour. Here is a step-by-step guide to cooking corn in its husk:
Preparation:
First, decide whether you want to grill, roast, or boil your corn in its husk. If you choose to grill or roast it, you will need to prepare the corn by soaking it in water for at least 10-15 minutes. This step is not necessary for boiling.
Cooking:
If you are grilling the corn, place it on the grill over indirect heat for 15 minutes, turning it a few times during cooking. Then, move the corn onto direct heat for another 3-5 minutes, rotating once or twice. Remove the corn from the grill and let it cool before removing the husks and serving.
For roasting, preheat your oven to 200 degrees Celsius. Place the corn directly on the oven rack and roast for 40-45 minutes. Allow the corn to cool before removing the husks and serving.
If you prefer to boil your corn in its husk, bring a pot of water to a boil and carefully place the corn in the water. Boil for 30 minutes, then remove the corn from the water and let it cool before handling.
Seasoning:
Once the corn is cooked and husked, you can season it to your liking. Butter, salt, pepper, chilli powder, fresh herbs, and cheese are all popular choices.
Tips:
- If you are grilling or roasting the corn, remember to pull off the protruding silk from the top before soaking and cooking.
- When boiling corn in its husk, some people choose to add milk, butter, and salt to the water for additional flavour.
- If you want to avoid the mess of eating corn on the cob, you can slice the kernels off the cob before seasoning and serving.
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Boiling corn in salted water
To boil corn in salted water, start by removing the husks from the corn and discarding them along with the silks—the thin strands that cling to each ear of corn. While you're doing this, bring a large pot of water to a boil. You'll want to make sure your pot is large enough to fully submerge all the corn you plan to cook. Once the water is boiling and your corn is husked, add the corn to the pot and cook until the kernels are tender and golden. The boiling time will vary depending on how much corn you're cooking and your personal preference for how cooked you like your corn. In general, boiling for 3-5 minutes should be enough. If your corn is done before the rest of your meal, you can turn off the stove and leave the corn in the hot water to keep it warm until you're ready to serve.
When your corn is boiled, you can brush it with adobo sauce from a can of chipotles and top it with crumbled Cotija cheese for a Mexican-style corn on the cob. You can also serve it with butter, salt, and pepper, or pesto. If you want to get creative, you can season your corn with salt, pepper, chilli powder, fresh herbs, citrus zest, or cheese.
It's worth noting that corn retains more nutrients when eaten raw, so if you're looking to get the most nutritional value from your corn, you may want to skip boiling it altogether. However, if you're looking for a simple and tasty way to cook corn, boiling in salted water is a great option.
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Microwaving corn
Corn on the cob can be cooked in the microwave in just a few minutes. This method is quick, easy, and efficient, keeping the corn's taste and texture intact.
To cook corn in the microwave, start by giving the corn a good rinse. This will remove any dirt or bugs that may be on the outside of the husks and will also add a bit of dampness, which helps create steam in the microwave. Place the corn in the microwave and set the timer. The cooking time will vary depending on the wattage of your microwave, the size of the corn, and the number of corn cobs being cooked. As a general rule of thumb, start with 3 minutes for one cob, 5 to 6 minutes for two cobs, and add 2 minutes of cooking time for each additional cob.
It is important to note that you should not remove the husk before microwaving as it helps to steam the corn, keeping it moist and preventing it from drying out. The husk also adds flavour to the corn. After microwaving, use a kitchen towel or oven mitt to handle the hot corn. Cut off the bottom of the corn, about one row of corn in from the stem, and then slip off the husk and silk.
You can further enhance the flavour of your microwaved corn by seasoning it with butter, salt, pepper, paprika, or other herbs and spices. Microwaving corn is a convenient and quick way to enjoy delicious, juicy corn on the cob.
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Grilling corn
If you want to grill corn on the cob, it's best to keep the husks on. The husks will help steam the corn, keeping it moist and preventing it from drying out. They will also give the corn a smoky flavour as they char. Place the corn, with the husks still on, directly on the grill.
Alternatively, you can grill corn kernels in a pan. Use either a cast iron or non-stick skillet for this method. First, shuck and strip the corn cobs, then slice the kernels off. Melt butter and olive oil in the pan over medium-high heat. Add the corn and a pinch of salt, then toss to coat the corn in the fat. Let the corn saute for four minutes, then toss the corn again—it should be browning in spots. Finally, saute for another four minutes. You can season the grilled corn with salt, pepper, and fresh basil, or any other herbs you like.
If you want to grill corn but don't have access to a grill, you can also try boiling the corn in salted water. Bring a large pot of water to a boil, then add the corn and cook for three to five minutes, or until the corn is tender and golden. You can also place the corn in cold water, bring it to a boil, and cook for one to two minutes.
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Sautéing corn in a skillet
To start, you will need to slice the kernels off the cob. This can be done by positioning the thinner end of the corn upright in the centre of a bundt pan, which will provide stability while you slice. Then, hold the other end of the cob with your non-dominant hand and slice the kernels off using a sharp chef's knife.
Next, heat a 12-inch skillet over medium-high heat. You can use either a cast iron skillet or a non-stick skillet. A cast-iron skillet will give you a little more char, while a non-stick skillet is easier to work with. Make sure the skillet is large enough and gets hot enough to ensure the corn caramelizes.
Once the skillet is hot, add butter and oil, and then the corn kernels. If you are using frozen corn, get the pan super hot before adding the corn. You can also add aromatics like onions and garlic at this stage. Stir the corn occasionally to ensure even cooking. If you are using frozen corn, the cooking time will be approximately 10 minutes, and the kernels should be soft with deep brown spots.
Finally, season the corn to taste. You can add salt, pepper, thyme, chile powder, fresh herbs, citrus zest, or even cheese. If you are using fresh corn, it requires very little cooking, so make sure not to overdo it. Enjoy your sautéed skillet corn!
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, you can cook raw corn in a pan. You can sauté the corn kernels in a hot skillet with butter and herbs or spices.
First, shuck and strip the corn cobs. Then, melt butter and olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the corn and a pinch of salt, then toss to coat the corn in the fat. Sauté for 4 minutes, then toss the corn and sauté for another 4 minutes.
It takes 8 minutes in total to cook corn in a pan.
Use a non-stick pan to prevent the corn from sticking. You can also use a cast-iron skillet, which will give the corn a little more char.
