Whether you’re grilling or boiling, you can cook frozen corn on the cobb very easily.
It was a sad day in my home recently — my oldest daughter got the braces she’s been wanting for years. Why is that sad? Well, she loves corn on the cob. I don’t mean to brag, but I raised her right, and this girl knows a good thing when she sees (or tastes) it.
We’re right in the heart of corn season here, so it’s especially heartbreaking for her. Yeah, we can cut the corn off for her, but it’s just not the same.
While my daughter powers through these dark times, the other kids and I are indulging in our favorite method of enjoying corn. But it’s not always in season, and freezing it or buying it frozen is always an option. This leaves the only problem (other than braces) — how to cook frozen corn on the cob.
I’ll walk you through it!
How to Cook Frozen Corn on the Cob
Other than flavor, my favorite thing about frozen corn on the cob is you don’t have to remember to thaw it.
I know that seems like a weird favorite thing, but as a busy mom with more than one job and more than one place to be at a time, it’s highly likely that I am going to forget SOMETHING. And sometimes, that something is dinner. That is, up until the second I have to start preparing it, which is the worst possible time to realize that I forgot to thaw my food.
Enter frozen corn on the cob. I can sense my kids cringing when I reach into the freezer for a last-minute veggie, largely because if I didn’t plan ahead, we’re stuck with whatever is left — and that can be pretty grim for them. I had a serious cauliflower stage for a while there, and it was a polarizing time for our family.
We’ve since recovered, thank goodness.
To cook frozen corn on the cob, you’ll need:
- A large pot of boiling water that holds enough water to submerge all the cobs.
- Frozen corn on the cob.
- Butter (optional for you, mandatory for me)
That’s it! All you need to do is place the frozen corn in the pot of boiling water, cover the pot, reduce the heat to low, and cook for 8-10 minutes — only a few minutes longer than it takes to boil corn on the cob from scratch. This is the best way to enjoy delicious corn long beyond the summer months — and with very few steps and minimal cook time.
How much easier can it get?
You could technically microwave corn too, but we don’t recommend it, as results will be uneven. You can grill frozen ears of corn, though — see below for details.
How to Season Frozen Corn
Frozen corn can taste dull compared to fresh corn, which is one of the natural consequences of this storage method.
To bring your bright, crisp, sweet corn back to life, you can season it in ways that make it even more flavorful and delicious!
To revive your frozen, raw corn in less than 10 minutes, try these simple steps:
- Place 1 lb frozen corn in a colander and rinse with cold water until ice disappears. Shake off excess water over the sink.
- Place corn kernels and 4 Tbsp butter in a medium-sized skillet on the stove top over medium-high heat.
- Sprinkle 1 Tbsp white sugar over corn and stir until butter is melted and corn is hot, or for about 5 minutes. Do not overcook!
- Season with salt and pepper if desired, and serve immediately!
Optional: Add Cajun seasoning for a zestier corn! Or, mix it up and try corn esquites or Mexican corn in a cup — similar to Mexican street corn.
How to Grill Frozen Corn on the Cob
Grilled corn on the cob has a wonderful charred, smoky flavor that will make it more rich and flavorful than your usual corn dish! As far as I’m concerned, it’s an essential part of any backyard barbecue.
You’ll love the tender but crunchy texture, and the beautiful bright yellow with speckled black char will catch your eye. (You can also grill corn in aluminum foil if you prefer to keep the char to a minimum.)
Here’s a step-by-step guide for grilling your frozen ears of corn!
- Start with a clean grill for a truly perfect experience.
- Preheat the grill on high heat.
- Remove corn cobs from the freezer. Don’t thaw!
- Coat each cob in olive oil and place corn cobs directly on the hot grill grates.
- Close the lid and allow the corn to cook, turning it regularly every few minutes.
- Allow to cook for 10-15 minutes, or until the corn is the desired tenderness. Use a fork to test readiness.
- Remove from the grill and season with your favorite toppings.
This easy recipe barely takes any more cooking time than boiling from frozen, and if you’re already using the grill to make burgers or other food this time of year, it’s the easiest way to prepare the best corn possible!
Topping Suggestions
There are different ways to season your little taste of sunshine depending on what kind of flavor of the corn you want. Here are our top suggestions:
- A little butter, salt, and black pepper (the classics)
- Grated parmesan cheese or cotija cheese
- Garlic salt, chili powder, Cajun seasoning, or lemon pepper
- Fresh lime juice
- Fresh herbs like chopped basil, cilantro, or parsley
You could also consider garlic powder, elote seasoning, and other items from your spice cabinet.
Frozen Corn vs Canned Corn
Freezing and canning are two excellent ways to save food for future use.
Both methods drastically slow the growth of bacteria, so long as the product is not compromised with pathogens or air.
Frozen corn and canned corn are both convenient and healthy ways to enjoy corn, and both are highly affordable.
Frozen corn contains fewer calories than canned corn, if that’s something you count. If you’re purchasing canned corn, opt for a low- to no-sodium choice to reduce adverse health concerns.
Frozen corn can be stored for up to a year, and canned corn has an impressively long shelf life of 2-5 years, making this a likely contender for your post-apocalyptic pantry. (Sorry, I’ve been reading too many fiction novels lately.)
Do you have creamed corn on your brain? We get it — it’s one of our favorite side dishes. Try our slow cooker creamed corn recipe to make it from scratch without much hassle.
Enjoy your frozen corn on the cob with dinner tonight, and have an extra one for my daughter!