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Frozen corn can come in handy at any moment, whether you need an extra side dish or want to incorporate it into a dish you are already cooking. There are many ways to heat and cook frozen corn, from roasting to steaming, that can provide a variety of textures and flavors.

Best Ways to Steam Frozen Corn

Season the corn however you’d like and microwave it on HIGH in 30-second intervals, stirring between each interval, until the corn is hot. To steam the corn on your stove, bring 1 inch of water to a boil, then put the corn in a steaming basket or sieve with any spices you’d like. Heat the corn for 3-5 minutes.

Method 1
Method 1 of 5:

Boiling Corn on a Stove

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  1. Take a saucepan and fill it at least half way full with water. You will need a large amount of water in order to be sure that the corn is fully submerged. Place the pan on high heat until boiling, then reduce the heat until the water is simmering.
    • Be sure to season your water with a little salt, especially if this is the only method you will be using to cook the corn.
  2. Watermark wikiHow to Cook Frozen Corn
    Once the water is simmering, place the corn in the saucepan. Stir with a wooden spoon to make sure the corn does not stick together and will cook evenly.
    • Remove a kernel or two from the water with the spoon after 2 to 4 minutes to check that the corn is tender.
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  3. Watermark wikiHow to Cook Frozen Corn
    Take a sieve and place or hold it over your sink. Pour all of the contents of your saucepan through the sieve, letting the boiling water drain and the cooked corn remain in the sieve. Once strained, season as you desire.
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Method 2
Method 2 of 5:

Steaming Corn on a Stove

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  1. Watermark wikiHow to Cook Frozen Corn
    You will need at least 1 inch of water in the bottom of the steamer so that you do not risk burning or damaging your pan. However, you want to make sure that the water is low enough so that no liquid, only steam, will be cooking the corn. Place the steamer over high heat until boiling, then reduce to a simmer.
  2. Watermark wikiHow to Cook Frozen Corn
    Place the frozen corn in a steaming basket or sieve before placing the sieve into the steamer. Add any seasoning you would like, this could be fresh herbs, spices, or simply salt and pepper.
    • You may need to run the frozen corn, while still in the bag, under warm water to reduce clumping.
  3. Watermark wikiHow to Cook Frozen Corn
    Place the sieve or steaming basket into the steamer, place the lid on top of it, and steam the corn until it is tender, which should approximately 3-5 minutes. Check the corn after the initial cooking time to make sure that it is properly cooked. [1]
    • Check to see if your steamer has enough water left, no less than 1 inch, before steaming your corn.
  4. Once tender, remove the steamer or sieve and gently shake over the sink. You can pour out the contents of the steamers into a bowl or onto a plate and continue seasoning.
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Method 3
Method 3 of 5:

Sauteeing Frozen Corn

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  1. Watermark wikiHow to Cook Frozen Corn
    Place a skillet on a stove on medium high heat to warm the cooking fat before placing the corn in skillet. The hot fat will make sure that your corn cooks in the fat rather than absorbing it. [2]
  2. Watermark wikiHow to Cook Frozen Corn
    Add the corn once the fat is hot and begin to stir with a wooden spoon. This method of cooking frozen corn will require you to stir frequently to avoid burning the corn. [3]
  3. Watermark wikiHow to Cook Frozen Corn
    Stir the corn in the skillet until tender or until the corn has achieved the desired color. Frozen corn should become tender in a skillet in only a few minutes, however, you may need to continue cooking the corn, for about 10-12 minutes, if you would like to brown, or caramelize, the corn. [4]
  4. Place a paper towel on a plate or cutting board. Pour the cooked corn onto the paper towel to further remove any of the excess butter or oil. Draining the corn should only take 1-2 minutes.
    • This is a good point to add more seasoning, like salt and pepper.
    • In addition to eating it as is, corn sauteed in butter can be used for making succotash and a variety of other dishes.
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Method 4
Method 4 of 5:

Steaming Corn in a Microwave

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  1. Watermark wikiHow to Cook Frozen Corn
    Cut a hole in the bag the frozen corn is packaged in and begin to pour the corn out into a microwave safe container or bowl.
  2. Watermark wikiHow to Cook Frozen Corn
    Add any seasoning you would like to your corn before placing it in the microwave. Try using at least salt and pepper.
  3. Watermark wikiHow to Cook Frozen Corn
    Microwaves vary in strength and consistency, some heat items quickly while others take much longer. Instead of trying to microwave the frozen corn all at once use a handful of shorter times and stir the corn in between.
    • The overall microwave time of corn should be around 2-3 minutes on a high setting.
  4. Watermark wikiHow to Cook Frozen Corn
    Continue heating and stirring the frozen corn until it has been heated to your desired temperature. Once heated properly, remove from the microwave and enjoy!
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Method 5
Method 5 of 5:

Roasting Corn in the Oven

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  1. Preheating your oven will make sure that it is at a stable temperature and will cook the frozen corn evenly. Most ovens will take around 30-45 minutes to properly heat. [5]
  2. Watermark wikiHow to Cook Frozen Corn
    Spread the frozen corn on an ovenproof tray and season. Season the corn with herbs and spices, or whatever you desire. You may need to break up frozen lumps of corn. Simply place a tea towel over the lumps and apply pressure with a small skillet or plate.
  3. Watermark wikiHow to Cook Frozen Corn
    Once the oven is heated and the corn seasoned, you can place the tray in the oven. Roasting times can vary depending on how cooked you would like the corn to be. The corn should be tender after 5 minutes, but you may need to cook it for about 15-20 minutes if you would like to see any color. [6]
  4. Once the corn is cooked, remove the tray from the oven and allow the corn to cool slightly. Season the corn with any additional spices and leave it to cool for about 2-3 minutes. Once the corn has cooled, place the corn in a bowl or on a plate for serving.
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Community Q&A

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  • Question
    Can I cook frozen corn with rice. If so, then how?
    Community Answer
    Putting your corn and rice in a rice cooker together with some flour and baking soda is a quick and easy way to accomplish this. The baking soda and flour does not affect the taste but ensures the corn does not overcook.
  • Question
    How long do you have to keep it in the saucepan for?
    Community Answer
    On average about 5 minutes, but it depends on how much sweet corn you are cooking.
  • Question
    Will doing this cause the corn to start popping?
    Community Answer
    No, only a few certain kinds of corn pop and the kind of corn used for freezing is not of that variety
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      Things You'll Need

      • Pot or small saucepan
      • Skillet
      • Oven and Microwave proof dishes.
      • Cooking facilities
      • Basic utensils (spoons, fork, a bowl or plate, etc.)

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      For a quick and easy way to cook frozen corn, fill a saucepan halfway full of water and bring it to a boil. Once the water is boiling, reduce the heat until the water is simmering, and season the water with a little salt. Place the corn into the simmering water for 2-3 minutes, stirring to make sure the corn doesn’t stick together. When the corn is tender, strain it through a colander, then season it however you like and serve! To learn how to steam frozen corn in the microwave, keep reading!

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      • Oso Danilo

        Mar 30, 2016

        "Thanks for posting! I've never cooked with frozen corn, but I'm having a few guests for Easter that are ..." more
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