How to Cook Canned Corn

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It is so easy to learn how to cook canned corn so it tastes better! With just a few simple tips and tricks you can cook canned corn on the stovetop or in the microwave easily with delicious results!

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I’m a huge fan of fresh corn when it is available but I always have canned corn on hand as well. Like frozen corn, it is very convenient and fast and its a side dish I’m always certain the entire family will love.

Canned corn can taste bland by itself though, but don’t worry, with a few simple tricks you’ll be cooking canned corn with fabulous results!

Cooking canned corn in the microwave

The fastest and simplest way to cook canned corn is simply to heat it in the microwave.

Drain the corn and add it to a microwave-safe bowl.
Add 2 tablespoons of butter to the top of the corn and microwave for 1 minute 30 seconds.
Stir and season to taste with salt and pepper.

Cooking canned corn on the stovetop

Whenever I have time I prefer to cook canned corn on the stovetop because it gives you a chance to add more flavor.

Pour the corn, liquid and all, into a small saucepan.
Add 2 tablespoons of butter, 1/4 cup milk, and 1/4 teaspoon of salt to the corn and stir.
Heat to a boil over medium high heat.
Remove from heat and season to taste with salt and pepper.

Tips for best results

Adjust the salt to taste-no sodium added cans of corn will need more salt. The more of the salty liquid you leave in the corn, the less additional salt you will need.
Canned corn is already cooked so bring just to a boil and remove from heat so you don’t overcook it and end up with tough, chewy corn.
There are different varieties of corn to choose from at the store, I usually buy a sweet corn but you can try them all and pick your favorite!

How to make canned corn taste better

There are so many ways you can experiment with flavor when cooking canned corn!

spice it up with chopped jalapeño pepper, red pepper flakes, or cayenne pepper
add a dollop of cream cheese and stir until melted or top with Parmesan cheese
add a little sugar to the corn as it heats to enhance the sweetness
experiment with adding seasonings like thyme, oregano, Mrs. Dash, seasoning salt, or Italian seasoning

FAQs

Is canned corn already cooked?

Yes, canned corn is already cooked and only needs to be heated. You can eat it straight out of the can without reheating but I highly recommend trying to cook it as we instructed above!

What is the liquid in canned corn?

The liquid in canned corn is a mixture of water, salt for preservation, and starch from the corn itself.

Do I need to drain canned corn before cooking?

It is not necessary to drain the corn before cooking although doing so can reduce the sodium content of the corn.

Why do you add milk to corn when cooking it?

Cooking corn in milk helps to enhance the natural sweetness of the corn. The milk is entirely optional so feel free to leave it out if you prefer or don’t have any on hand.

Storage

While unopened cans of corn can last a very long time on the shelf, once you have opened and cooked the corn you should store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

If you try this recipe please comment and rate it below, I love hearing from you!