There’s nothing worse than having to bring a large pot of water to the boil before you can cook your favorite corn on the cob.
This is a tasty vegetable that complements a variety of other foods, but sometimes you don’t want to have to wait more than half an hour before you can get tucking into your corn.
Microwaves are a great way of cooking other vegetables such as asparagus and broccoli, but what about when it comes to your corn?
Can you use your microwave to cook your corn?
The great news is that yes, you can use your microwave to cook your corn! You can also do this without having to worry about leaving the inedible husk on the corn itself.
Today, we’re going to extensively cover how you can use your handy microwave to cook your favorite corn on the cob. We’re also going to give you a few tips and tricks to make the process even smoother for you. So as long as you follow our tried and trusted method below, you will be able to make the most of your tasty corn.
So let’s take a look at how you can use your microwave oven to cook your corn!
Can You Safely Cook your Corn without its Husk in the Microwave?
Yes, it is perfectly safe to use your microwave appliance to cook your corn without its husk on! The husk is an inedible part of the corn plant, so you will need to remove this before you can start eating your corn. So it makes sense to remove this before you even start cooking your corn!
If you don’t remove the husk from your corn before you cook it in the microwave, there is the risk that this could burst into flames. So you should always ensure that you remove this before you start cooking your corn.
The only caveat to bear in mind is that you will need to cover your corn in the microwave to prevent it from drying out. However, you can use damp paper towels to do this so that it will be safe.
You can also use microwave safe plastic wrap if you would prefer this instead of damp paper towels. These will work to trap any moisture as it evaporates, which will effectively steam your corn as the microwave heats it.
If you don’t use this extra layer, your corn can start to dry out during the cooking process. This might not seem like a big deal, however, you will certainly be able to taste the difference when you bite into your corn. It will taste much better if you make sure to wrap it first.
When it comes to using your microwave to cook corn, you should make sure to use a microwave safe plate or dish, too. The best types of microwave safe dishes to use are made from ceramic and glass. If in doubt, you should look for the microwave safe label on the bottom of your dish.
To get the best results out of microwaving your corn, you will need to wrap it in damp towels, then place it in a microwave safe dish.
Place it in your microwave, then set the timer for around 4 minutes on full heat. This should give your corn enough time to cook thoroughly, and will take you a lot less time than boiling a large saucepan just for a single ear of corn.
Remember that your corn may need less or more time to cook, depending on its wattage. This is because not every microwave has the same wattage.
The more wattage your microwave has, the less time it will take for your corn to cook. If in doubt, you should use your microwave’s manual to help you with timings.
No matter what wattage your microwave has, you should pause the cooking process halfway through. This is so that you can turn over your corn and check that it has cooked properly.
You can also then adjust the cooking time as necessary. Your corn may need less or more time to cook depending on the wattage of your microwave, so this gives you an excellent way to check how much cooking time it will need to properly cook your corn.
How Long Will It Take To Cook your Corn in the Microwave?
It will take a lot less time to cook your corn in the microwave than it will by boiling a saucepan on your stovetop. Compared to the half an hour or more that it can take by using the boiling method, it will take a mere 4 to 5 minutes to cook your corn using the microwave method.
All you will need to do is remove the inedible husk to prevent this from catching fire in the microwave, wrap your corn in a couple of damp towels, then cook it on maximum heat for around 4 minutes. Make sure to pause the cooking process halfway through and check your corn, turning it over so that it can cook evenly.
You will need to remove this husk as this is naturally much drier than the tasty corn it covers. Even though you will only need to cook your corn for a short period of time, you will still need to remove the inedible husk to prevent it from catching fire.
Remember that the exact cooking time will vary depending on your appliance. The 4 minutes is a rough estimate for microwaves that have an average wattage of around 1,000W.
So you will need to bear this in mind when using your microwave to cook your corn. If in doubt, you can always set your corn for 2 minutes, then check it before continuing for the rest of the cooking process.
When Will you Know that your Corn has Finished Cooking?
It should be fairly easy to tell when your corn has finished cooking. This is because those tasty kernels will turn a beautiful shade of yellow, signaling that they are fully cooked.
These kernels should also have swelled up a lot, be tender to your touch, and be much plumper than when you first put them in the microwave.
If you’re in doubt as to whether your corn has properly finished cooking, you can try eating a single kernel.
This should give you a much better idea of whether it has finished cooking. It should be fairly easy to remove one of the kernels around the edge of the corn by using a knife or a fork.
Another method is to use a sharp knife to skewer a single kernel on your corn. If the kernel is still too hard for the knife to easily slide into, then you will need to cook it for longer. If the knife slides in easily to the kernel, then you can rest assured that your corn is ready for you to eat.
So it should be fairly easy to tell when your corn has finished cooking in the microwave. Simply wrap back that damp paper towel and look for that lovely yellow hue. You can also use the taste test to see whether the corn is ready for you to eat.
Top Tips for Cooking your Corn in the Microwave
When it comes to using your microwave to cook your corn, there are a few things that you will need to bear in mind. Below are our top tips for helping you to cook your corn to perfection using your microwave oven.
Remove the inedible husks – always make sure to remove this before you place your corn in the microwave. This is because the husk is naturally drier, and could catch fire when exposed to the heat of your microwave oven.
It is also inedible, and can be a pain to remove from your corn once it has been cooked. It will be much easier to take this off before you start cooking your corn.
Use a microwave safe dish – the golden rule when it comes to cooking food in your microwave is to of course use a microwave safe dish. These are mostly made from ceramic or glass.
There are plastics that are microwave safe, however, you will be better off using ceramic or glass just to be on the safe side. If in doubt, you should always look for the microwave safe label on the bottom of your dish.
Cover your corn with damp paper towels – this will ensure that your corn is lovely and moist. If you were to cook your corn without covering it, this will allow all of the moisture to escape, so it will be drier than you would like. By covering your corn with damp paper towels, this works to steam the corn as the water evaporates, leaving you with beautifully cooked corn.
If you don’t want to use damp paper towels, you can use microwave safe plastic wrap. But you should ensure that the plastic wrap is safe to use in the microwave first before you use it.
Adjust the cooking time for the wattage of your microwave – this will ensure that you have beautifully cooked corn every time. The general rule of thumb is that your corn will need between 4 to 5 minutes of cooking time.
So it will be best to cook your corn for around 2 to 3 minutes, then check how cooked it is. If your corn is mostly cooked, you won’t need to cook it for as long to finish it. If it’s still not quite cooked, you can adjust the cooking time accordingly.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you cook corn in the microwave?
It is super easy to cook your corn in the microwave. Make sure that you remove the inedible husk, wrap it in damp paper towels, place them on a microwave safe dish, then blitz your corn for around 4 to 5 minutes.
Ensure that you check the corn partway through the cooking process so that you can ensure that it is cooking properly. You should be able to tell when your corn has finished cooking once it changes color to a deep rich yellow.
Can you microwave corn without its husk?
Yes, you can microwave corn without its husk! In fact, this is the best recommended way to cook your corn. This is because if you were to cook your corn with its husk still on, it could catch fire inside your microwave oven.
It is also inedible, and very messy to remove from your corn once it is cooked. So you should always remove this before you cook your corn, then wrap your corn in damp paper towels instead.
Is it better to boil or microwave corn?
This will mostly come down to personal preference, as there are benefits and drawbacks to each method. Using your microwave will cook the corn much quicker, however, using the boiling method will be much more efficient for cooking corn in large batches.
In Summary
So there you have it! It will be super easy to cook your corn in your microwave. First, you will need to remove the inedible husk. Next, you will need to wrap your corn in paper towels that are still slightly wet. This is to ensure that your corn steams properly.
Make sure to place your corn on a microwave safe dish – either ceramic or glass – then blitz it on full heat for around 4 to 5 minutes. You should check your corn halfway through this cooking process to ensure that it is cooking properly and evenly.
And voila! You should have beautifully cooked corn that will take a fraction of the time that it will on the stovetop.
Through this blog I hope to help others learn the basics and more intricate details of cooking. I know from personal experience how frustrating it can be to cook a meal, only to realize you are missing one ingredient from your list. This is why I love to write articles chatting readers through some great substitutes that can be used in an emergency.
I hope you will find this blog useful, and that it will help you to develop your culinary skills, to help you cook up a storm!
- Top Main Differences Between Tagliatelle And Fettuccine Pasta - March 10, 2023
- The Main Differences Between Red And Green Jalapeno Peppers - March 10, 2023
- Perfect Griddle Cakes To Make Simply Delicious Recipes For The Meal - March 9, 2023