Boiling corn typically takes between 2 to 10 minutes, depending on factors such as freshness, whether the corn is husked or unhusked, and if it is fresh or frozen.
- For fresh corn on the cob:
- Unhusked fresh corn usually takes about 10 minutes to boil.
- Husked fresh corn cooks faster, generally in 2 to 5 minutes, with the freshest and sweetest corn needing closer to 2 minutes.
- Frozen corn on the cob takes longer, about 5 to 8 minutes.
- Frozen shucked corn kernels cook quickly, in about 2 to 3 minutes.
The boiling time can also depend on the quantity of corn being cooked; larger batches may require longer boiling or cooking in batches
. In practice, many cooks find that boiling husked fresh corn for about 3 to 5 minutes yields tender, bright yellow kernels, which is sufficient for most tastes
. To summarize:
Corn Type| Boiling Time
---|---
Unhusked fresh corn| ~10 minutes
Husked fresh corn| 2–5 minutes
Frozen corn on the cob| 5–8 minutes
Frozen corn kernels| 2–3 minutes
The corn is done when the kernels turn bright yellow and are tender but still crisp
