Husk and Cook Corn on the Cob in the Microwave in 5 Minutes!

Easy Microwave Corn & Husking Hack

yield: 2 SERVINGS

prep time: 2 MINUTES

cook time: 4 MINUTES

total time: 6 MINUTES

Ingredients

Directions

1

Cut ends off of corn making sure to cut inside where the husk would be attached.

2

Then place them inside the microwave wrapped in a damp paper towel.

3

Microwave for 3-4 minutes (cooking times will vary).

Estimate on microwave times:

1 ear - 2 minutes
2 ears - 3 to 4 minutes
3 ears - 5 to 6 minutes
4 ears - 7 to 8 minutes

4

Let cool a bit and easily peel off the husk. If you want to rinse it off and clean, you can do that at this point as well. Serve with salt and butter. Enjoy!

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Who knew husking corn in the microwave could be this quick and EASY?! Here’s how. 

woman pulling back corn husk

Love fresh corn on the cob but hate the prep work?

Warm buttery corn is one of my very favorite side dishes to make at home, especially in the summer when it’s so sweet and super inexpensive. There are so many ways to prepare it and serving corn is great for just my family, or any outdoor gathering with friends.

woman holding fresh corn on the cob

Sometimes removing the husk and silk from corn can be a messy task, right?

All the little annoying hairs go everywhere around the trash can or sink, and it’s kind of a pain to clean up afterward. I used to find myself even spending more money on the packs of corn that already came without the husk at the store just for the added convenience. Not anymore…

Watch the video below to check out the simple method I use to husk and cook corn on the cob in under 5 minutes –


fresh corn with husk on

Fresh corn is no longer a hassle!

Make preparing and cooking fresh summer corn on the cob a breeze with this easy and super fast trick of cooking/husking that takes just a few minutes using the microwave.

cutting ends of corn for microwaving

Try cutting off the top and bottom portions of the husk and then cook the corn in the microwave!

Our first instinct when coming home with fresh corn is to start ripping the corn husk open and peeling from the top, leaving remnants of silk everywhere. Instead, try cutting the ends of the corn off first, and then cook the corn. Once cooked, the husk will slide off so much easier and cleaner.

corn with bottom and top husk cut off

placing ears of corn in microwave

husking corn in microwave


Print

Easy Microwave Corn & Husking Hack

yield: 2 SERVINGS

prep time: 2 MINUTES

cook time: 4 MINUTES

total time: 6 MINUTES

Learn how to microwave ears of corn and husk with ease!

Ingredients

Directions

1

Cut ends off of corn making sure to cut inside where the husk would be attached.

2

Then place them inside the microwave wrapped in a damp paper towel.

3

Microwave for 3-4 minutes (cooking times will vary).

Estimate on microwave times:

1 ear - 2 minutes
2 ears - 3 to 4 minutes
3 ears - 5 to 6 minutes
4 ears - 7 to 8 minutes

4

Let cool a bit and easily peel off the husk. If you want to rinse it off and clean, you can do that at this point as well. Serve with salt and butter. Enjoy!

Brought to you by Hip2Save.

melting butter on corn

This method is so easy and works great!

This is a great tip if you need a quick side dish at dinnertime, and you really can’t go wrong with a buttery ear of corn. 😋

instant pot corn

You can also easily cook corn on the cob using the Instant Pot!

I enjoy this method too, as it comes out tasty and it’s so easy to do! Place the corn on the trivet and pour in a cup of water. Seal lid and set cook time for 3 minutes on high (manual). Do a quick release afterward, peel off the husk, and enjoy!

eating corn in the kitchen

Do you have any kitchen tips for cooking corn that work for you? Share with us your favorite way to prepare fresh corn on the cob in the comments! 


You have to try grilling this Mexican corn recipe!


About the writer:

Lina has a Bachelor's Degree from Northern Arizona University with 11 years of blogging and photography experience having work featured in Today.com, Martha Stewart, Country Living, Fox News, Buzzfeed, and HGTV.


Join The Discussion

Comments 28

  1. Heidy

    Delicious and so easy to make yum!

  2. LauraG

    We’ve been doing this for years. Really easy and delicious. Because it’s so hot, I use a silicone glove to hold it when removing husks. Another easy veg to cook in the microwave is squash. I cut the ends off summer squash and wrap them in plastic wrap. Place them on a dish or bowl to catch the liquid and microwave for about 5-7 min, or until they’re soft when you press them. Unwrap, split down the middle and serve with butter, salt and pepper, plus sour cream and/or grated Parmesan cheese. SO good!

    • Lina D (Hip2Save Sidekick)

      Yum thanks for the helpful tips!

  3. samfs

    Also try Air fryer for corn.It will turn out like Grilled corn.

    • Lina D (Hip2Save Sidekick)

      Yes love that also! I love all ways of making corn lol 😝

  4. Roro

    I’ve heard instapot/crockpot is the best for corn, have never microwaved it, will try.

    • Lina D (Hip2Save Sidekick)

      Yes I like both methods 😍 Cooking it really does make it easier to remove husk 👍

      • betsyrockwell

        I agree. Best tip ever. Makes removing the silk a breeze.

  5. Donna

    Have you tried cabbage in the microwave? I cut it up, put it in pampered chef steamer, add some butter, sea salt, pepper and a little bit of water. Cook on high for 10 minutes. It is great.

    • Lina D (Hip2Save Sidekick)

      No but yum! Great idea thanks Donna!

  6. Juliee

    Yes, this is THE BEST! This is hands down the easiest way to have corn on the cob. Beware: other people will think you are totally weird for doing it. We made the corn this way at my father-in-law’s house for a Father’s Day bbq, I’m pretty sure my brother-in-law had decided that I am not to be trusted alone in the kitchen. I had to throw out some street cred and explain that they do it that way on Food Network 😂

    • Lina D (Hip2Save Sidekick)

      Haha that’s a funny story! Street cred! 👏😂

  7. Erin Rank

    I only cook corn in the microwave now. I don’t actually cut the ends at all beforehand. It goes in just like you got it from the store and put on a plate. When it comes out it’s hot so you need an oven mitt or hot pad but you cut the thicker end off. Next squeeze the skinny end like the corn is giving birth. It will pop right out with no mess or strings. If it does not come out easily it means you didn’t cut enough off the end. That’s the best way I can explain it.

    • Erin Rank

      If you buy corn at Aldi, you can do this too but wrap it in a paper towel since it’s already out of the husk.

    • Lina D (Hip2Save Sidekick)

      Thanks for sharing Erin!

  8. CTM71

    My wife started cooking corn (in the husk) in the oven this summer since she can fit a lot more ears. The family love it.

    • Lina D (Hip2Save Sidekick)

      Oh I haven’t it tried it like that! Thanks for sharing 👏👍

      • Rhonda

        That’s what I do too. Just throw them on a pan and cook on high heat to get that roasted taste. It will even get the brown marks so turn it to get more. And all the silk comes right off with the husk.

  9. Evie

    Instead of peeling garlic, I throw it in the pot and cook it with meat or veggies. I peel after. Very tasty and moist.

    • Lina D (Hip2Save Sidekick)

      Oh I love that idea! Makes sense like corn 👍

  10. bali

    Nope nope nopity nope! Ever since I bought some corn at the farmer’s market and discovered a bunch of caterpillars inside the husks, I clean my corn VERY slowly and methodically! No microwave for me!

  11. Kim Gonzales

    Seems easy I’m gonna try today thanks for the tip

    • Lina D (Hip2Save Sidekick)

      Yes! Thanks Kim!

  12. Jill

    This is how my mom has been making corn on the cobb since I was a child and I’m 44 LOL. And how I make it as an adult!! Super easy and taste great!!!!

  13. Savingspree

    After all this discussion I am hungry for some buttered corn….I even add some lime, salt and chilli powder to the butter to get that extra kick….

  14. everest716

    Corn is not inexpensive anymore ):

  15. V

    Can’t wait to try this. A storm came through last night, but I am hopeful that our corn will bounce back.

  16. Marcella

    Thank you for sharing this tip! We will definitely try this at home! We love corn on the cob.

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