Buzz
Image: Aleksandr Zubkov/Getty ImagesFresh corn on the cob is a delightful find at the farmer's market or supermarket, offering sweetness, health benefits, and a perfect accompaniment to barbecue or grilling. To get the best corn, look for ears that are still in their husk. The husk should appear green, with light brown silky threads, and should not feel dry. Ensure the husk is tightly wrapped around the ear, and that the corn feels firm rather than soft. Avoid pulling back the husk to peek at the kernels, as this can speed up the aging process and make your corn less fresh.
Once you've selected the perfect ear of corn, the key to keeping it fresh and sweet is proper storage. Read on for our expert tips on storing corn on the cob so you can savor it all year long.
How to Keep Fresh Corn on the Cob Fresh
If you’ve just bought some fresh corn on the cob from your local farmer's market or grocery store and plan to eat it within 24 hours, you can simply store it (still in the husk) at room temperature, away from direct sunlight. However, if you're not eating the corn immediately, the first step when you get home is to put it in the refrigerator. Once harvested, corn's natural sugars start to convert to starch, and the corn begins to dry out. By storing it in the fridge, you can help keep it fresh for a bit longer. To do this, keep the corn in the husk (which helps maintain moisture), place it in a loose plastic produce bag to allow air circulation, and store it in the crisper drawer. This method will keep corn fresh for up to five days, but for the best flavor and texture, aim to eat it within two to three days.
How to Preserve Corn on the Cob by Freezing
Corn is typically in season across the United States from May to September, but if you'd like to enjoy it beyond this window or ensure your recently bought fresh corn stays good for more than three days, freezing is the solution. The ideal method for freezing corn on the cob involves shucking it, removing all silk, and placing the whole ears in a freezer-safe bag with excess air squeezed out. To prevent the ears from sticking together, you can flash-freeze them by laying them on a rimmed baking sheet for about two hours (or until they’re fully frozen), then transfer them to the freezer. Corn stored this way will remain fresh for around a year. When you're ready to cook it, just drop the frozen ears into a pot of boiling water as you would fresh corn, but expect it to take a few more minutes to cook through. Alternatively, you can thaw frozen corn in the fridge overnight.
How to Freeze Corn Kernels
If you prefer to freeze corn kernels for use in dishes like corn chowder or corn cobbler, it's certainly possible. To maintain the corn’s taste and texture, it’s best to blanch the kernels first. Blanching involves briefly immersing fruits or vegetables in boiling water and then placing them in cold water to halt the cooking process. Here’s how you can blanch and freeze corn kernels:
- Shuck the corn and remove all the silk.
- Bring a pot of water to a rolling boil, and carefully add the corn ears without overcrowding the pot.
- Once the corn has been in the boiling water for 3 to 6 minutes (depending on ear size), carefully remove each ear with tongs and place it in a bowl of ice water.
- Let the corn cool completely, then dry it thoroughly by setting it on paper towels or a cutting board.
- Next, slice the kernels off the cob by holding the corn upright and running a knife down each side.
- Spread the kernels on a rimmed baking sheet and flash-freeze for about two hours.
- Once the kernels are fully frozen, transfer them to a freezer-safe plastic bag, removing excess air before sealing. Frozen corn kernels will remain fresh for about a year and can be added straight into soups, stir-fries, and more.
