The answer depends on whether the corn is fresh or older, but for most fresh sweet corn, it cooks much faster than many people think.
How long to boil corn on the cob
- Very fresh sweet corn: 3–5 minutes
- Fresh corn (most grocery store corn): 5–7 minutes
- Older or larger ears: 8–10 minutes
How to do it
- Bring a large pot of water to a rolling boil.
- Remove the husks and silk from the corn.
- Carefully add the ears to the boiling water.
- Once the water returns to a boil, start timing.
- When the kernels are bright yellow and tender-crisp, remove the corn and serve.
Tips
- Avoid overcooking. Boiling for too long can make the kernels less sweet and more chewy.
- Serve with butter, salt, pepper, herbs, or a squeeze of lime if you like.
So, for most fresh corn, 5–7 minutes is the sweet spot for perfectly cooked, tender kernels.
