How to Microwave Corn on the Cob

It couldn’t be easier.

By
Elise Bauer
Elise Bauer
Elise Bauer
Elise founded Simply Recipes in 2003 and led the site until 2019. She has an MA in Food Research from Stanford University.
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Updated October 20, 2023
Elise Bauer

A video came my way on Facebook the other day for a drop dead easy way of cooking corn on the cob. Like my favorite grilling method for cooking corn, you don't shuck the corn first, but cook it directly in its husk.

How to Cook Corn on the Cob in the Microwave

After a few minutes on high, you remove the corn from the microwave, cut off the bottom, and cleanly slip off the husk and silk. Perfectly cooked corn with no mess!

This I had to see for myself.

You know what? It works!

It is probably not the most efficient way to cook corn if you are cooking more than a couple of ears. In that case, it's faster and easier to steam or boil.

But since I'm often cooking for one, and I have the patience of a hummingbird, I like the idea of quickly cooking one ear of corn in the microwave. Watch how here.

A plate of microwave corn on the cob set on a cutting board and topped with butter.
Eliezer Martinez

Why You Should Cook Corn on the Cob in the Husks

I also like cooking the corn in its husk. Cooked this way, the corn steams in its own juices and absorbs flavor from the husks, resulting in a wonderful, undiluted corn taste. If your corn is farm fresh, you don't even need butter. (But don't let me stop you!)

Microwave corn topped with butter.
Eliezer Martinez

Corn Time Is the Best Time

How to Microwave Corn on the Cob

Prep Time 2 mins
Cook Time 4 mins
Total Time 6 mins
Serving 1 ear of corn

These instructions are for 1 ear of corn. If you want to microwave more than 1 ear at a time, increase the cooking time by 2 minutes for every additional ear of corn, depending on the power of your microwave and the size of your ears of corn. You may need to experiment to find the right time for your microwave.

Ingredients

  • 1 medium ear corn, husk on

Method

  1. Put the corn in the microwave:

    Place the corn in the microwave, do not remove the husk. Microwave the corn on the high setting for 4 minutes.

    Note that every microwave is different. If this timing over-cooks the corn in your microwave, reduce it to 2 to 3 minutes the next time.

    An ear of corn in a microwave to show how to cook corn on the cob.
    Eliezer Martinez
  2. Cut the bottom off the stem end:

    Use a kitchen towel or pot holder to remove corn from the microwave (it's hot!) Cut off the bottom of the corn, stem end, about one row of corn in from the stem.

    Using pot holders to remove a corn on the cob from a microwave.
    Eliezer Martinez
    An ear of corn on a cutting board to show how to make corn on the cob.
    Eliezer Martinez
    Slicing the end of the corn off on a cutting board to show how to make corn on the cob.
    Eliezer Martinez
  3. Remove the husk:

    Slip off the husk and silk.

    That's it!

    How did this trick work for you? Tell us about it in the comments and leave us a rating or review!

    Simple Tip!

    Refrigerate leftover corn on the cob for up to 3 days.

    Sliding the corn out of the husk to show how to make corn on the cob.
    Eliezer Martinez
    Stacked microwave corn on a cutting board.
    Eliezer Martinez
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
76 Calories
1g Fat
17g Carbs
3g Protein
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 1
Amount per serving
Calories 76
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 1g 2%
Saturated Fat 0g 1%
Cholesterol 0mg 0%
Sodium 200mg 9%
Total Carbohydrate 17g 6%
Dietary Fiber 2g 7%
Total Sugars 4g
Protein 3g
Vitamin C 4mg 22%
Calcium 2mg 0%
Iron 0mg 2%
Potassium 172mg 4%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate. In cases where multiple ingredient alternatives are given, the first listed is calculated for nutrition. Garnishes and optional ingredients are not included.