Herb Buttered Corn on the Cob

Sweet corn in the Midwest…. the golden child. It’s truly something special, and that’s not just a ploy to get you to move here.

Between our rich soil, sun bathed days, and cool nights lies the sweetest, most tender crisp corn you’ll ever eat.

Growing up in the Corn Belt, some of my fondest summer memories include stopping at farmers’ stands along rural highways to buy fresh sweet corn picked that morning, with droplets of dew still hanging onto the papery husk. We’d cook it that night, and slather it with butter, eating with our hands (never those plastic holders). And that would be the meal, just buttered corn.

There were no complaints – just a fight for who got the last cob.

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I know grilled corn gets a lot of attention, but in my humble opinion, boiling is the quickest, easiest, and best way to prepare fresh corn. The kernels stay sweet and juicy (instead of a little dried out, which can happen on the grill), letting go of the biggest crunch. 

You’ll go from husking to eating in less than 10 minutes, and that includes the time to make the herby, garlic butter.

After years of quick boiling corn on the cob, here are my tips for success:

1. For maximum freshness, keep the corn in the refrigerator and husk just before cooking. Warmth/heat lets the sugars convert to starches, which you want to avoid because it is what makes corn tough/mealy.
2. Husking Tip: to remove the hairs stuck in the rows, wet a paper towel and wipe down the ears.
3. Once the water is boiling, add the corn, wait for it return to a boil, and then it’s ready! This means the corn cooks for 3-4 minutes, while the temperature is coming back up. And that’s it. Don’t listen to recipes that say boil for 8 minutes. ☺️ If overcooked, it will dry out quickly and lose it’s milky quality.
4. Drain the corn immediately. Letting it sit in the water, even if the heat is turned off, will continue cooking it.

Enjoy those fresh ears, one nibble at a time. Full recipe is below.

More Sweet Corn Recipes:

• Skillet White Chicken Chili Dip
• Peaches & Sweet Corn Ice Cream
• Sweet Corn Risotto Stuffed Poblanos

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Herb Buttered Corn on the Cob

A buttered corn on the cob recipe with garlic and basil.

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Prep Time :10 minutes minutes

Cook Time :5 minutes minutes

Total Time :15 minutes minutes

Author: Amanda Paa

Ingredients

• Fresh sweet corn husked and rinsed
• Water + 1/4 teaspoon salt
• For Butter:
• 2 cloves garlic peeled and smashed
• 1/4 cup basil cut chiffonade style
• 1 stick softened grassfed unsalted butter
• 1/4 teaspoon salt + more to taste

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Instructions 

• Fill a large pot or dutch oven with lots of water, so that you corn will fully submerge. Add 1/4 teaspoon salt and bring water to a boil.
• While water is coming to a boil, coarsely chop garlic and chiffonade the basil. Add to mixing bowl, then add butter and 1/4 teaspoon salt. Blend with a hand mixer for 1 minute, until well whipped. Taste and adjust salt as needed.
• Once water is boiling, add corn. Push down with a tongs to fully submerge. Keeping the heat on high, let it come back to a boil, (usually takes about 3 minutes) then drain and rinse with cool water. Plate, and spread with butter, finish with salt.