How To Tell When Corn on the Cob Is Done?

Although cooking corn is not a difficult task. It does, however, require some ability to create properly cooked corn.

It makes no difference whether you boil corn in a big pot on the stove, roast it in the oven, or grill it on your portable pellet grill.

To produce those juicy, soft kernels that are bursting with flavor, the corn must be cooked exactly properly.

Knowing how to identify whether corn is done is an important part of perfecting corn cooking. However, before we get into how to tell whether corn is done, let’s talk about overcooking corn.

Can You Overcook Corn on the Cob?

Corn seems to be the only meal that cannot be overdone. Isn’t it true that you can boil corn for an hour and it will still be juicy? Wrong.

Corn, like any other meal, may be overdone. Overcooking corn results in brittle, hard kernels rather than luscious, buttery kernels.

How Long Are You Supposed To Cook Corn on the Cob

The cooking technique determines how long corn should be cooked. For example, boiling corn takes just 4 to 5 minutes. Grilling corn on the cob, on the other hand, takes around 15-20 minutes.

How To Tell When Corn On The Cob Is Done 

If you want perfectly buttered, juicy corn on the cob, take it from the fire at the appropriate moment. Use these four techniques to determine whether your cooked corn on the cob is done.

Cooking Time

It’s easy to get sidetracked when frying corn on the cob. You may set a timer depending on the cooking technique.

It’s a subtle reminder that your corn on the cob has finished cooking.

If the water is already boiling when you add the corn, it will just take 3-5 minutes to boil.

If you add the corn to the water before it boils, it will take 10 minutes to cook. Grilling corn on your portable pellet grill, on the other hand, will take around 15-20 minutes.

Paring Knife Test 

The paring knife test may also be used to verify whether your corn is done. Simply use the point of a paring knife to pierce the corn kernels.

The corn kernels should be soft enough that a paring knife may easily glide through them.

However, mushy or tough corn kernels indicate that the corn has been either overdone or undercooked.

Taste Test

The corn is also detectable. The corn is done when it is delicate, somewhat soft, and crunchy.

Keep in mind that everyone likes their corn on the cob cooked differently. You may choose between a softer and a tougher texture. So, if desired, boil your corn for a shorter or longer amount of time.

Moisture Levels

The moister approach is a bit more difficult than the other two. Remove the corn on the cob from the boiling water.

If the corn on the cob immediately dries, it is done. If the corn on the cob stays moist, it must be cooked for a longer period of time.

The idea behind the moisture technique is that when heat penetrates the inside of the maize, it gets hot enough to swiftly evaporate moisture.

Moisture cannot evaporate fast from uncooked corn on the cob.

How To Tell If Roasted Corn On The Cob Is Done 

Roasted corn on the cob is not the same as roasted corn on the cob. The color of roasted corn on the cob becomes golden brown.

This does not indicate that the corn has been overdone.Browning will bring out the sweetness of the corn.

The paring knife test may also be used to assess if corn on the cob is cooked.

The kernels of corn should be delicate and burst. The corn on the cob is overdone if the kernels are firm.

How To Boil Corn on the Cob

All of this corn on the cob discussion is certainly making you need those delicious kernels right now. Fortunately, cooking corn is a breeze. All you need is fresh corn and a kettle of boiling water.

Depending on the size of your family, a big pot should be able to serve a significant number of people. The idea is to keep the corn ears immersed in water.

Remove the husk and silk from each ear of corn before cooking. Ensure that all of the silk has been removed from the corn; the thin small threads might adhere to the maize.

Remove the husks and silk. While you’re removing the husk and silk, fill your pot halfway with water and place it over medium-high heat.

When the water begins to boil, gently lower the corn into it. Cook the corn for 3-5 minutes on the cob, or until the kernels are soft and slightly yellow.

If your corn is done before the rest of your dinner, turn off the heat and place it in a bowl of hot water.

The hot water will keep the corn warm until it’s time to serve.

The only thing left to do is eat the corn. Remove it from the water, set it on a tray, and top with butter, salt, and pepper.

Final Thoughts

Cooking corn is more complicated than just putting it in a saucepan of hot water. If you overcook corn on the cob, the kernels will turn tough and chewy. Worse, the maize will lose its wonderful, sweet taste.

Undercooked corn, on the other hand, will be too crispy. Furthermore, the corn will not be thoroughly roasted, and no one like unevenly cooked corn.

This is why understanding how to identify whether corn is ready is critical. It’s the only way to get properly roasted, sweet, and juicy corn.