Name: Microwave Corn on the Cob
Prep time: 2 min
Cook time: 3 min
Total time: 5 min
Yield: 1
Ingredients: 1 ear fresh corn

Cook Time: 3 minutes

Did you know you can microwave corn on the cob, creating a perfectly cooked side dish in just minutes? Well, you can! Learn how to cook corn on the cob in the microwave today.

Can You Microwave Corn on the Cob?

Yes! Microwaving corn on the cob is an incredibly easy way to prepare corn more quickly than traditional versions, such as on the stove or on the grill. With just an ear of corn, a wet paper towel, and a microwave, you can have a great vegetable side dish ready in just a couple of minutes.

How to Microwave Corn on the Cob

You'll find the full, step-by-step recipe below but here's a brief overview of what you can expect when you make corn on the cob in the microwave:

Remove the husk and silk.
Wrap a moist paper towel around the corn and place it on a microwave-safe plate.
Microwave until the kernels are tender, but still crisp (three to five minutes).

How Long to Cook Corn on the Cob in the Microwave

The cook time varies depending on the size of the ear of the corn and the power of your microwave. If you follow this recipe, a medium ear of fresh corn should be perfectly cooked in two to five minutes.

Should You Microwave Corn with or Without the Husk?

You can microwave corn on the cob with or without the husk. If you'd like to microwave before shucking, simply let it cool for a few minutes after cooking. When it's safe to touch, cut off the ends and remove the husk and silk.

What to Serve with Microwave Corn on the Cob

When it comes to serving corn on the cob, the sky's the limit. In need of some delicious inspiration? Explore these recipe collections for meal ideas:

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Allrecipes Community Tips and Praise

"Great when it's so hot you don't want to use the stove," says Wildfire41. "The corn is so much sweeter when you're not boiling all the goodness out of it. I microwave a half dozen and keep the ones I don't eat wrapped in a paper towel and placed in a [zip-top] bag in the fridge."

"Had to adjust for microwave power, but otherwise perfect," raves Loree. "This is a life hack I wish I had learned 30 years ago!!!"

"Very impressive," according to v1234. "I followed the directions exactly, and the corn turned out great. Thanks for such a quick and easy way to make corn!!"

Ingredients

This recipe was developed at its original yield. Ingredient amounts are automatically adjusted, but cooking times and steps remain unchanged. Note that not all recipes scale perfectly.

1 ear fresh corn

Directions

Gather all ingredients.
Remove husk and silk from the ear of corn.
Wet a paper towel, then wring it out so it's still moist.
Wrap the moist towel around the ear of corn and place it on a microwave-safe plate.
Cook in the microwave until kernels are tender but still crisp when poked with a knife, 2 to 5 minutes.
Carefully remove and discard the paper towel before serving.

Recipe Tip

If cooking two ears at a time, wrap each ear in its own moist paper towel and increase the cook time by 1 to 2 minutes.

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

Nutrition	Amount
Calories	123
Total Fat	2g
Saturated Fat	0g
Sodium	22mg
Total Carbohydrate	27g
Dietary Fiber	4g
Total Sugars	5g
Protein	5g
Vitamin C	10mg
Calcium	3mg
Iron	1mg
Potassium	386mg

Note: Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

Microwave Corn on the Cob Recipe

Comments

Christopher King

09/25/2025 04:20:12 AM

We used to always boil our corn on the cob, but after reading the reviews here, I convinced my wife to let me try microwaving them this time. She was initially hesitant, but we both agree that microwaving actually enhanced the flavor of the corn. Instead of wrapping them in a wet paper towel, we simply peeled back the husk to expose about three-quarters of the cob, cleaned out the tassel, rinsed the cob thoroughly inside and out, and then folded the husk back around the cob. We microwaved two cobs at a time for 2 minutes and 15 seconds, flipped them over, and microwaved them for another 2 minutes and 15 seconds. For larger quantities, we recommend leaving them to steam in their husks until all are cooked, then removing the husks before serving.

Rebecca Clark

09/27/2025 10:26:56 PM

I have been cooking corn on the cob in the microwave for more than 20 years, and I always keep it in the husk. I set the timer for 1 1/2 minutes to cook one side, then flip the corn and cook for another 1 1/2 minutes. It comes out very hot! After cooking, I cut off the bottom of the corn with a knife to reveal the kernels inside. Then, using my hands, I squeeze the other side so the corn slips right out while keeping the husk intact. Finally, I butter and season it, and Voila! A delicious corn on the cob is ready to enjoy.

Matthew Garcia

09/28/2025 05:29:59 AM

Here is the rewritten review: "Break the ears in half and place them in salted water in a microwave-safe bowl (without a towel)."

Jessica Miller

09/27/2025 12:42:13 PM

Wrapping the food in a damp paper towel works well. The cooking time varies depending on the microwave's power. I recommend 3 minutes for an 800-watt microwave, 2.5 minutes for a 1000-watt one, and 2 minutes for a 1200-watt machine.

Donald Hernandez

09/25/2025 07:18:06 PM

We used to wrap our corn in wax paper and microwave it. Now, we cook it in the husks whenever possible. During the summer, when corn is abundant and inexpensive, we buy it in bulk and freeze it still in the husks. This way, we can enjoy "fresh" corn throughout the year. It's so delicious that we don't even bother defrosting it before popping it in the microwave. A true treat!

Ryan Diaz

09/27/2025 01:38:01 PM

This method for cooking corn is incredibly convenient! No need to shuck or wrap the corn. Simply cut off a half-inch of the end of the husk and cob, put the ears on a plate, and microwave for 2 minutes on high. Remember to use an oven mitt to take the hot ears off the plate. Squeeze each ear from the top, and the corn will slide right out of the husk along with the silk, ready to enjoy. It's a quick and easy way to prepare delicious corn!

Matthew Hill

09/25/2025 02:54:48 PM

Here is a revised version of your review: "Keeping the corn in the husk, I microwaved it for 4 minutes. After removing it from the microwave, I placed it on a cutting board and cut off the stem end and one row of corn. The husk and silk came off easily. For each extra corn cob, I added 2 more minutes of cooking time."

David Brown

09/27/2025 10:10:21 PM

Revising the review: One of the best uses of a microwave is to reheat coffee and cook corn on the cob. A simple method is to cook the corn in its husk. Trim the stem end and silk end, peel off some outer husk layers, then soak the ears in water for 15-20 minutes. Place the ears on a plate, and depending on size, microwave for 1 to 1 1/2 minutes per ear, flipping them over once during cooking. This will result in steamed, juicy corn. Moreover, removing silk from cooked corn is much easier compared to doing it with raw corn.