The Simplest Way to Make Corn Taste Even Better

While many fruits and vegetables are available year-round, there's something special about their peak season. Whether you're harvesting from your own garden, shopping at the farmers' market, or picking out the best at the grocery store, you know that choosing the freshest produce is key. But the true flavor of these foods comes alive only when prepared just right.

We love casseroles and fritters, but when it comes to ingredients like corn, nothing beats the freshness of kernels straight off the cob. Whether it's served with herb-infused butter or featured in a tasty bowl of elote dip, the first step is cooking the corn to keep its fresh, sweet flavor intact.

Cooking corn is simple enough, but to keep that perfect tender-crisp bite, you need to be careful not to overcook it. While methods like using an Instant Pot or air fryer are convenient, they don’t always bring out the full potential of the corn. For an easy, hands-on approach, cooking corn on the stovetop is the way to go, and with one clever tip from an Instagrammer, you can wow your guests effortlessly.

How to Make Corn on the Cob Perfectly Tender and Crisp

Recently, Instagram user @Telloandrose shared a clever tip for cooking corn on the stovetop that caught our attention. 'My family thinks I’m a corn-picking pro, but it’s really all about the timing and sugar water,' the caption read.

This foolproof technique requires just a few simple ingredients, is dairy-free (unlike the milk-boiling method), and brings out the corn's natural sweetness, letting you taste summer in every bite.

• Gather equipment and ingredients. You need a large pot of water and 2 tablespoons of white sugar. And don’t forget the star ingredient–corn. Just be sure to remove the husks and silk before cooking.
• Prepare the water. Fill the pot 3/4 full with water; bring to a boil over high heat and stir in sugar. It’s tempting to add salt at this step, but adding salt to corn while cooking toughens the skin, so save your salt until just before serving.
• Boil the corn. Add corn to the boiling water. The water will briefly stop boiling when you add the corn, but allow it to return to a boil, then cook for two minutes. After two minutes, carefully remove the corn from the boiling water. The corn is done when the kernels are bright yellow and tender.
• Serve. Place corn on a platter. Sprinkle with salt, if desired, top with a pat of butter, and dig in.

Fresh Corn Serving Ideas

Corn on the cob is a reliable side dish, but sometimes you end up with more than needed, or you just want to try something new. Luckily, corn is versatile enough to shine in different dishes, keeping your meals exciting. Plus, you can always freeze corn for easy future recipes.

In dips: Make it the star ingredient of a cheesy hot dip, or create a refreshing cold dip that you can prep in advance. For those who like a little spice, try a jalapeño corn dip—perfect for dipping into with warm tortilla chips.

In a salad: Corn brings a naturally sweet flavor to any salad or bowl meal. Toss it into your favorite grain bowl, mix it into cowboy caviar, or combine it with a tangy lime vinaigrette for a refreshing side.

In salsa: Create a batch of corn salsa to pair with your make-ahead burritos for the week. Keep it simple with a classic corn salsa, add black beans for extra protein, or make a creamy version with avocado.

In soup: While corn chowder is a classic, you don’t need much corn to elevate your soups and stews. Add ½ cup of cooked corn to your favorite soup recipes, like vegetable soup or taco soup, to give your leftovers a delicious twist.