Exactly How To Reheat Corn On The Cob – I Test 5 Methods

Got some leftover corn on the cob in the fridge, but can’t stand the thought of eating it cold?

You’ve come to the right place.

I’ve experimented with five different methods of reheating corn on the cob to find out which one best preserved the corn’s sweet flavor and moist texture.

Here’s what I did.

A note on my experiment

The five different methods I tested:

• In the oven (great for a large quantity)
• On the stove (quick but will wash off any flavorings)
• In the microwave (perfect for one or two cobs)
• In an air fryer
• Under the broiler

I have also mentioned reheating your corn on the grill but didn’t test it this time because I’ve done it many times before and know it’s delicious.

The oven, stove, and microwave all produced tasty corn that retained its texture without becoming mushy.

If you like a slightly charred flavor, go with the broiler or the grill.

Reheating corn on the cob in the oven

Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C). Lay the corn cob on a sheet of foil and add some butter and a drizzle of water. Sprinkle on any other seasonings you like, and then wrap the foil around the cob. Twist the ends of the foil tightly shut and heat the corn for 5-7 minutes.

How to reheat corn on the cob in the oven:

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C).
2. De-husk the corn (if needed) and lay it on a sheet of foil.
3. Add some butter and a drizzle of water onto the cob. Sprinkle on any other seasonings you want to use.
4. Wrap the foil around the cob, making sure to twist the ends tight like a Christmas cracker.
5. Heat in the oven for 5-7 minutes.

To prevent the corn from drying out, it’s important that you wrap the foil tightly enough to seal the water inside, which creates steam as it heats up.

You can open the foil packet to check on the temperature, but be sure to close it up again before putting the corn back in the oven.

My verdict

The oven is a great way to reheat your corn on the cob because you can easily add lots of additional flavors to the dish.

If you have a big crowd, being able to reheat lots of corn at once is a real time saver.

However, if you’re only preparing a small meal, the oven is a little slow.

Reheating corn on the cob on the stove

To reheat corn on the cob on the stove, fill a pot with enough water to submerge the corn. Bring the water to a boil and place the cobs in the pot. Heat them for 1-2 minutes in the boiling water. Remove the cobs from the water and pat dry before serving.

How to reheat corn on the cob on the stove:

1. Fill a pot with enough water to cover your corn.
2. Bring the water to a boil and place the cobs into the pot.
3. Heat them for 1-2 minutes.
4. Remove the cobs from the water and pat dry before serving.

The corn will reheat quickly in the boiling water – don’t leave it for too long, or the corn will start to cook again.

My verdict

If you’re in a rush, this is a fairly quick method as you can do a few cobs at a time, so long as your pot is big enough.

This method works best if you have plain corn. 

If you have grilled the corn or added lots of seasoning, this method isn’t the best because most of the flavor will wash off in the water. 

Reheating corn on the cob in the microwave

Place 1 or 2 corn cobs on a microwave-safe plate and cover with a damp paper towel. Heat the corn in 15-second intervals. Check to see how hot they are after each interval before repeating the process. When done, season with salt and pepper and rub butter all over them before serving.

How to reheat corn on the cob in the microwave:

1. Place 1 or 2 corn cobs on a microwave-safe plate and cover them with a damp paper towel.
2. Heat the corn in 15-second intervals, checking on their progress during each break.
3. When hot, season the corn and serve.

The short time intervals help ensure you don’t overheat the corn, which could cause the kernels to split open.

The damp paper towel keeps the corn cobs moist by creating a little steam as the corn heats up. You may also like to brush a little butter onto the corn before heating it to enhance the flavor.

My verdict

The microwave works great if you’re only heating the corn for yourself.

It’s super quick and easy, and the corn is tasty.

Reheating corn on the cob in an air fryer

Preheat the air fryer to 350°F (175°C). Place each corn cob in some foil and brush a little butter over each one. Wrap the foil tightly around the cobs. Put your corn in the air fryer and cook for 3 to 4 minutes.

If you prefer a crispier texture for your corn, skip the foil.

The air fryer is very similar to the oven – just much quicker!

Reheating corn on the cob under the broiler

To reheat corn on the cob under the broiler, brush the cobs with butter or oil and place them under the broiler, positioning them as far away from the heat source as possible. Broil them for 30-60 seconds on each side, turning frequently.

You’ll get a nice flavor on your corn using the broiler method, but it’s a bit of a hassle because of how often you need to turn the corn.

Reheating corn on the cob on the grill

While the grill heats up, brush your corn with a little butter or oil. Place the corn on the hot grill and rotate it every 30-60 seconds until all sides are warm. The grill will add a charred flavor to your corn, but you have to be careful not to overdo it and burn the corn.

How to store corn on the cob

To store cooked corn on the cob, allow it to cool to room temperature. Then place it in a Ziploc bag or wrap it in plastic wrap or foil and put it in the fridge for up to 5 days. You can also remove the kernels from the cob before storing them and keep them in an airtight container.

To store fresh corn, it’s best to keep it in its husks until you are ready to cook it. Place the corn in a loose-fitting bag (like a grocery store bag) and place it in the fridge. If the bag is too tight, it can trap too much moisture and encourage mold. Aim to eat the corn within 3 days.

Can you freeze corn on the cob?

Fully cooked or blanched corn on the cob freezes well and will last for up to 6 months in the freezer. Unless you know you want to eat the corn from the cob later, I suggest removing the kernels before you freeze the corn. It’s much easier to thaw individual kernels.

How to freeze corn on the cob:

1. Cook or blanch your corn before letting it cool to room temperature.
2. Wrap an ear of whole corn on the cob in plastic wrap followed by a layer of aluminum foil.
3. Or shred the kernels and place them in a freezer bag and remove as much air as possible*. 
4. Label and date the corn.
5. Place the corn in the freezer. If freezing kernels, give the bag a shake after around half an hour to prevent the kernels from sticking together.

Always let the corn cool to room temperature before freezing it.

Warm corn will produce condensation, which will turn to ice crystals in the freezer and ruin the texture of the corn.

*To remove the air from the freezer bag, suck it out with a straw, or drunk the freezer bag in some water to force the air out.

How to thaw and reheat corn on the cob

There’s no need to thaw corn before you reheat it. Corn will cook very quickly from frozen in either boiling water, the microwave, or the oven.

If you do want to thaw it, remove the frozen corn cob from its bag or container. Place the corn in a strainer or colander and run cool water over it in the basin until it is thawed. Once thawed, drain all the water from the corn.

How To Reheat Corn On The Cob

In this short recipe, I show you the best way to revive and reheat your leftover corn on the cob.

5 from 2 votes

Print Pin Rate

Course: Side Dish

Cuisine: American

Keyword: corn on the cob, reheat corn on the cob

Prep Time: 0 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 7 minutes minutes

Total Time: 7 minutes minutes

Servings: 1 person

Calories: 106kcal

Ingredients

• 1 portion corn on the cob
• 1 portion butter
• 1 sprinkle water

Instructions

• Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C).
• De-husk the corn (if needed) and lay it on a sheet of foil.
• Add some butter and a drizzle of water onto the cob. Sprinkle on any other seasonings you want to use.
• Wrap the foil around the cob, making sure to twist the ends tight like a Christmas cracker.
• Heat in the oven for 5-7 minutes.

Notes

To prevent the corn from drying out, it’s important that you wrap the foil tightly enough to seal the water inside, which creates steam as it heats up.

You can open the foil packet to check on the temperature, but be sure to close it up again before putting the corn back in the oven.

Nutrition

Serving: 100g | Calories: 106kcal