Learn how to cook frozen corn on the cob and enjoy this seasonal vegetable any time of the year. Nothing beats biting into a ear of sweet corn with a little butter, a dash of salt, and a sprinkle of pepper. Corn on the cob is a beloved family favorite, and now you can make it a regular feature on your menu even in winter time. By freezing corn on the cob during its peak season, typically spanning the summer months here in the Midwest, you’ll have it available all year. We will show you the best way to turn frozen corn into tender kernels in a few simple steps.
Continue reading to acquire the know-how for freezing, thawing, boiling, how to reheat corn on the cob, serving, and more, ensuring a corn on the cob experience that can be enjoyed at any time.
For more vegetable tutorials, check out our How To Freeze Carrots, How To Freeze Broccoli, How To Freeze Cauliflower and How to Freeze Asparagus.
Table of Contents
Ingredients
- 12 small ears frozen Green Giant corn on the cob
Gluten-Free Guide: If you’re new to eating gluten-free we understand it’s overwhelming trying to figure out which foods may contain gluten and which ones don’t. All of our gluten-free recipes marked with this symbol ✅ represent foods that need to be checked for gluten.
How To Freeze Corn on the Cob
You can freeze your own corn on the cob in a few easy steps.
- Select corn with a bright green husk. Remove the husk. Break the corn halves if you want smaller pieces.
- Prepare an ice bath by placing ice into a large bowl then fill with water
- Bring a large pot of water to a roiling boil. Use tongs to place corn into the boiling water. Cook for about 4 minutes to blanch the corn.
- Place the cooked corn immediately into the bowl of ice water to shock the corn and stop the cooking process.
- Once cooled, use a paper towel to dry then place into a freezer-safe bag or wrap in plastic wrap then place into a freezer bag. Freeze for later use.
Different Ways to Cook Frozen Corn on the Cob
There are many different ways to cook frozen corn on the cob. You can boil the corn, cook it in the oven, microwave corn, or use your instant pot.
How To Boil Frozen Corn on the Cob
Start by filling a large stockpot with cold water about 3/4 full. Cover and bring to a roiling boil. Using tongs, add the frozen corn to the boiling water. Cook for 5-8 minutes or until the corn is bright yellow and cooked through. Remove with tongs and serve hot with a pat of butter, salt, and pepper.
How To Cook Frozen Corn on the Cob in the Microwave
To cook corn in the microwave, add the corn to a microwave-safe bowl or in a Ziploc bag and microwave for 3-5 minutes or until the kernels turn bright yellow. Use oven mitts when removing corn from the microwave and be cautious of steam when opening the Ziploc bag.
How To Cook Frozen Corn on the Cob in the Oven
To cook corn on the cob in the oven we like to wrap it in aluminum foil to keep the corn tender. Preheat the oven to 400°F and then cook for 30 minutes. You can add a butter sauce prior to wrapping in foil or drizzle with olive oil for extra flavor.
How To Cook Frozen Corn on the Cob in the Instant Pot
Using high pressure to cook frozen corn is another way to get delicious corn served in no time at all. Start by placing the frozen corn into the bottom of the instant pot in a single layer. Add a cup of liquid. Cover, turn the valve to sealing. Cook on high pressure for 5 minutes. Serve instant pot corn hot with your favorite toppings.
How to Cook Frozen Corn on the Cob in the Air Fryer
Cooking frozen corn on the cob in your air fryer is another simple way of prepping fresh corn or frozen. I use my ninja foodi to make the best corn. Simply place the corn on the baking tray or bottom of the air fryer. Preheat the air fryer to 360°F for about 12 minutes or until you have tender kernels that are bright yellow.
How To Cook Frozen Corn on the Cob in the Slow Cooker
We love using the slow cooker to make corn on the cob especially when we want to hold it hot for a party. You can cook it then turn it to the warm setting to keep the corn hot for any occasion. Start by placing frozen corn into the bottom of the crockpot. You can also use fresh corn, just remove the husks first. Add 2-3 cups of water along with a stick of butter. Add seasonings like salt and pepper if desired. Cover and cook on low for 3-4 hours or high for 2-3 hours. Turn to warm to hold for later use if needed.
How to serve corn on the cob
First of all, you can top corn on the cob with so many options. We love the basic pat of butter and salt, but you can sprinkle with parmesan cheese for extra flavor. You can sprinkle with seasonings including chili powder, garlic powder, or seasoning salt to change things up. If you’re feeding a large group go for a festival feel and serve with a butter sauce that is made by filling a large canister 3/4 full of hot water along with 1/4 full of melted butter. Dip the corn into the sauce, when you pull it out it’s coated with the butter that stays on the top of the water.
Corn can be paired with almost any main entree as a healthy side dish. It goes perfectly with broiled chicken breasts, sirloin steak in the oven, crockpot ranch pork chops, pasta salad, and sandwiches. You can enjoy it right on the cob or easily slice off the corn kernels for your little ones or teens with braces. Use the leftovers in this delicious corn salad or use the corn kernels in our gluten-free corn casserole. Frozen corn on the cob can also be thawed and used in recipes such as salsas, dips, enchiladas, tacos, burritos or pasta salads.
Serving Suggestions & Tips
- Season with garlic and herb butter.
- Top with parmesan cheese, nutritional yeast or seasoning salt.
- Sprinkle with red pepper flakes, cayenne pepper.
- Spread with mayonnaise or sour cream.
- Top with fresh herbs such as Italian seasoning, parsley or chives.
- Make dairy-free by using vegan butter or omitting the butter completely.
- Don’t overcrowd corn cobs in the stockpot.
Frequently Asked Questions
Fill a large stockpot with water about 3/4 full then heat until the water is at a rapid boil. It is important to use a large pot to prevent the water from spilling over the sides and to fit all the corn cobs.
Frozen corn will take 5-8 minutes to cook. You will know corn is done cooking when the kernels turn bright yellow in color.
If thawing is desired, place the corn in the fridge overnight to defrost. However, remember that you can add corn straight from the freezer into boiling water.
If mushy, the corn has likely been overcooked. Make sure to use the tongs to check the corn after 5 minutes of boiling. Only continue to cook if the kernels have not turned a bright yellow.
If you need to save on space, slice the kernels off the corn then spread out on a sheet pan to flash freeze for about 20 minutes. Then, pour the kernels into a Ziploc bag, remove any air and store for up to 6 months.
Kids In The Kitchen
Cooking tips and suggestions for kids making this recipe.
Kids In The Kitchen
Cooking tips and suggestions for kids making this recipe.
- Use a pair of tongs to place corn into the pot of water and to remove from the water once cooked.
- Leave room in the stockpot. The ears of corn should be able to float around and be easily moved.
- Frozen corn can be cooked in the stockpot, oven, grill, or microwave.
Storing and Reheating Instructions
In the fridge: Store leftovers in a covered container or in a Ziploc bag once cooled up to 5 days.
In the freezer: Place cooled corn back into a freezer safe Ziploc or container for up to 3 months. Be mindful that refreezing can cause corn to be mushy once reheated.
Corn in the microwave: Reheat corn on the cob in the microwave in 20-second increments on a microwave safe plate until hot.
Corn in the oven: Place corn cobs in a preheated oven and heat for 3-5 minutes or until hot. For roasted corn, place until the broiler and rotate until each side is roasted.
More Recipes with Corn
- Gluten Free Cornbread Muffins
- Caramel Puff Corn
- Homemade Microwave Popcorn
- Homemade Gluten Free Corn Tortillas
- Gluten Free Cornbread Dressing
CKC Features both Gluten-Free Guidance and Kids Cooking Instructions: If you’re new to eating gluten-free we understand it’s overwhelming trying to figure out which foods may contain gluten and which ones don’t. All of our gluten-free recipes marked with this symbol ✅ represent foods that need to be checked for gluten or cross-contamination.
The ⭐️ symbol in the recipe below denotes the steps in which kid cooks may need a helper (depending on age). If there is no ⭐️ symbol, that step (or recipe) doesn’t require a helper.
How To Cook Frozen Corn on the Cob
Equipment
Ingredients
- 12 small ears frozen corn on the cob
Instructions
- ⭐️Bring water to a boil. Fill a large stockpot with water about 3/4 full. Cover and bring to a boil.12 small ears frozen corn on the cob
- ⭐️Cook the frozen corn. Using a tongs, add the frozen corn to the boiling water. Cook for 5-8 minutes or until the corn is bright yellow and cooked through.
- Serve. Serve hot with butter, salt, and pepper.
Notes
- Season with garlic and herb butter.
- Top with cheese, nutritional yeast or seasoning salt.
- Sprinkle with red pepper flakes, cayenne pepper.
- Spread with mayonnaise or sour cream.
- Top with fresh herbs such as Italian seasoning, parsley or chives.
- Make dairy free by using a vegan butter or omitting the butter completely.
- Don’t overcrowd corn cobs in the stockpot.
Nutrition
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