How to Steam Corn

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The most common way to steam corn is using a steamer basket, but what if you don't have one? Luckily, there are lots of other ways to steam corn; you can even use an oven or a microwave! There are a few tricks to doing it just right, however. If you steam corn the wrong way, you will end up with tough, chewy corn instead.

Ingredients

Steaming Corn in a Steamer Basket

  • Corn
  • Water

Steaming Corn without a Steamer Basket

  • Corn
  • Water

Steaming Corn in the Oven [1]

  • 6 ears of corn, cut in half
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (optional)
  • 2 tablespoons butter, melted
  • ¼ teaspoon seasoned salt
  • Water

Steaming Corn in the Microwave [2]

  • 2 to 3 ears of corn
  • 2 tablespoons of water
Method 1
Method 1 of 4:

Steaming Corn in a Steamer Basket

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  1. Watermark wikiHow to Steam Corn
    You will need 2 inches (5.08 centimeters) of water. You can cook quite a large amount of corn using this method, especially if you stand the corn upright.
  2. Watermark wikiHow to Steam Corn
    The water should not touch the bottom of the steamer basket. If it does, pour some water out, but try to keep it as close to 2 inches (5.08 centimeters) as possible. Keep in mind that you may have to refill the water as the corn steams.
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  3. Watermark wikiHow to Steam Corn
    If you are inserting the corn vertically, make sure that the stems are pointing downwards. If the corn is too big for the pot, cut the corn in half. [3]
  4. [4] Once the water is boiling, reduce the heat to low, and cook the corn for 7 to 10 minutes. If you like your corn more crisp, check it after about 4 minutes. The corn is ready when the kernels turn bright yellow.
    • Keep an eye on the water; don't let it fall below 1 inch (2.54 centimeters). You will be more likely to scorch your pot this way.
  5. Watermark wikiHow to Steam Corn
    Be careful when taking the lid off the pot.; the steam will be very hot.
  6. Watermark wikiHow to Steam Corn
    At this point, you can garnish the corn with some salt, pepper, and butter.
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Method 2
Method 2 of 4:

Steaming Corn without a Steamer Basket

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  1. Husk the corn first, then pull off any threads or strings. Rinse the corn in cool water, then use a knife to cut away any bad spots. If you'd like smaller portions, cut the cobs in half.
  2. Watermark wikiHow to Steam Corn
    You will need about 1 to 2 inches (2.54 to 5.08 centimeters) of water. [5]
  3. Do not add any salt to the water, or your corn will turn out too tough. [6]
  4. Watermark wikiHow to Steam Corn
    If you need to, you can cut some of the ears of corn in half to get them to fit.
  5. Watermark wikiHow to Steam Corn
    [7] Use a pair of tongs to turn the corn every minute or so that it cooks evenly. [8] The corn is ready when the kernels turn bright yellow.
  6. Watermark wikiHow to Steam Corn
    Be careful when opening the lid. The steam rushing upwards will be very hot. Do not lean over the pot.
  7. At this point, you can season the corn with some salt and/or butter.
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Method 3
Method 3 of 4:

Steaming Corn in the Oven

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  2. If you have not yet done so, husk the corn and pull away any threads or strings. Rinse the corn, then chop off any bad spots. Cut the corn in half when you are done.
  3. Watermark wikiHow to Steam Corn
    Do not grease the baking dish.
  4. Do not add any salt to the water, or it will make the corn tough.
  5. Watermark wikiHow to Steam Corn
    As the water heats up, it will steam the corn. [9]
  6. Watermark wikiHow to Steam Corn
    Cut the butter into cubes first, then melt it in the microwave or in a small saucepan over the stove. Stir in the parsley and salt, then set it aside.
    • The parsley is optional, but it will give the corn more flavor.
  7. Watermark wikiHow to Steam Corn
    You can also use a pair of tongs to transfer the corn from the baking dish to your serving platter.
  8. Use a pair of tongs to turn the corn cobs around in the baking dish. This will help the butter coat them evenly. [10]
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Method 4
Method 4 of 4:

Steaming Corn in the Microwave

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  1. Pull the husks off of the corn as well as any remaining threads or strings. Rinse the corn, then chop off any bad spots, if needed. If you want smaller portions, cut the cobs in half.
  2. The dish needs to be big enough to fit your corn. Note that this method is only good for 2 or 3 ears of corn. If you need to make more, you'll have to do them in separate batches—or try another steaming method.
  3. Watermark wikiHow to Steam Corn
    If you need to, cut the corn in half so that it fits. It should lay firmly against the bottom of the dish. You don't want the ends hanging over the edge of the dish.
  4. Watermark wikiHow to Steam Corn
    This will allow the steam from the cooking water to escape.
  5. The exact cooking time will vary, depending on the strength of your microwave. [11] The corn is done when the kernels turn bright yellow.
  6. Once the corn is done steaming, use a pair of potholders to remove the dish from the microwave. Carefully pull the plastic wrap from the dish, then use a pair of tongs to serve the corn.
    • Do not lean over the dish when removing the plastic wrap. The steam will be very, very hot. Consider using a pair of tongs to remove the plastic wrap. [12]
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How Do You Cook Corn On The Cob?


Expert Q&A

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  • Question
    Is it better to steam or boil corn?
    Marrow Private Chefs
    Culinary Experts
    Marrow Private Chefs are based in Santa Rosa Beach, Florida. It is a chefs’ collective comprised of an ever-growing number of chefs and culinary professionals. Though regionally influenced primarily by coastal, traditional southern, cajun, and creole styles and flavors, the chefs at Marrow have a solid background in all types of cuisine with over 75 years of combined cooking experience.
    Marrow Private Chefs
    Culinary Experts
    Expert Answer
    Well, you can boil it to get the same effect as steaming. Put a large pot of water on high heat, add in your salt and seasonings, throw in a little butter or oil and wait for it to come to a rolling boil. Then, shuck and drop in your corn. It usually takes about 10-15 minutes to boil fully, and you can usually tell it’s done by the bright yellow color.
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  • Question
    How long does it take for corn to steam?
    wikiHow Staff Editor
    Staff Answer
    This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.
    wikiHow Staff Editor
    Staff Answer
    It depends on which method you use. Corn steamed in a basket can take between 7 to 15 minutes; steaming in a skillet takes about 5 minutes; steaming in the oven takes about 1/2 an hour; cooking in the microwave takes about 4-6 minutes. Instructions for each cooking method are provided in the article above.
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  • Question
    How do you know when steamed corn is ready?
    wikiHow Staff Editor
    Staff Answer
    This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.
    wikiHow Staff Editor
    Staff Answer
    Steamed corn is usually ready when the time specified for steaming it (usually around 5-10 minutes, depending on the method chosen) is up. Also, if it steam dries within seconds after removing it from the steaming medium, it is ready.
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      Tips

      • If you'd like to make the corn more flavorful after you cook it, season it with some olive oil, lemon, salt, and pepper. [13]
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      • Blend some melted butter with basil, garlic, salt, and pepper. Pour this over your cooked corn. [14]
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      • If you made the corn ahead of time, cover it with aluminum foil until you are ready to serve it. The foil will keep it moist and warm until serving time.
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      Show More Tips

      Tips from our Readers

      The advice in this section is based on the lived experiences of wikiHow readers like you. If you have a helpful tip you’d like to share on wikiHow, please submit it in the field below.
      • Leave the husks on the corn. Then, cut a little off the bottom and microwave it for 4 minutes. The husk and silk can be removed easily.
      • If you aren't lucky enough to have sweet corn in your area, add a little sugar to it to bring out the sweetness of the corn
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      Warnings

      • Be careful when taking the lid off of the pot. The steam rushing up will be very, very hot.
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      Things You'll Need

      Steaming Corn in a Steamer Basket

      • Deep pot
      • Lid
      • Steamer basket
      • Tongs

      Steaming Corn without a Steamer Basket

      • Deep pot
      • Lid
      • Tongs

      Steaming Corn in the Oven

      • 3-quart (3 liters) baking dish
      • Aluminum foil
      • Tongs

      Steaming Corn in the Microwave [15]

      • Microwave-safe dish
      • Plastic wrap
      • Tongs

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      References

      1. ↑ https://www.bettycrocker.com/recipes/oven-steamed-herbed-corn/bb5addf1-c225-4b17-9631-6421cff4b51a
      2. ↑ http://startcooking.com/how-to-cook-corn-on-the-cob
      3. ↑ http://www.food.com/recipe/shirleys-perfect-steamed-corn-on-the-cob-every-time-249731
      4. ↑ http://www.healwithfood.org/chart/vegetable-steaming-times.php
      5. ↑ http://asweetandsavorylife.com/how-to-buy-steam-and-grill-corn-and-how-not-to/
      6. ↑ http://asweetandsavorylife.com/how-to-buy-steam-and-grill-corn-and-how-not-to/
      7. ↑ http://www.loveandlemons.com/skillet-steamed-corn-on-the-cob/
      8. ↑ http://asweetandsavorylife.com/how-to-buy-steam-and-grill-corn-and-how-not-to/
      9. ↑ https://www.bettycrocker.com/recipes/oven-steamed-herbed-corn/bb5addf1-c225-4b17-9631-6421cff4b51a
      1. ↑ https://www.bettycrocker.com/recipes/oven-steamed-herbed-corn/bb5addf1-c225-4b17-9631-6421cff4b51a
      2. ↑ http://startcooking.com/how-to-cook-corn-on-the-cob
      3. ↑ http://startcooking.com/how-to-cook-corn-on-the-cob
      4. ↑ http://www.loveandlemons.com/skillet-steamed-corn-on-the-cob/
      5. ↑ http://www.loveandlemons.com/skillet-steamed-corn-on-the-cob/
      6. ↑ http://startcooking.com/how-to-cook-corn-on-the-cob

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      To steam corn without a steamer basket, start by husking the corn and filling a skillet with 1-2 inches of water. Then, bring the water to a boil, and add the corn to the skillet in a single layer. Next, reduce the heat once the water returns to a boil, and let the corn cook for 3-4 minutes covered. Finally, remove the corn from the skillet with tongs and dig in. To learn how to steam corn in an oven or microwave, scroll down!

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      Reader Success Stories

      • B. C.

        Oct 28, 2016

        "Leaving out the salt and shorter cooking time to keep corn on the cob tender - thank you for these tips."
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