How to Pick the Best Sweet Corn
Picking the freshest corn at a grocery store or farmer's stand might be even easier than you'd think.
No barbecue is complete without fresh corn on the cob, slathered in butter and sweet as can be! Whether it’s grilled, boiled or wrapped in bacon, corn is everyone’s favorite side dish. Of course, before the actual cooking begins, you have to pick which ears of corn to bring home from the grocery store.
Here are a few quick tips on how to pick corn and make sure you grab the very best cobs:
1. Check the husk
First, take a look at the outside of the corn, the husk. You want the corn husk to be bright green, wrapped tightly against the corn and slightly damp. These are the freshest cobs! Don’t choose any husks that are starting to yellow or feel dry. You’ll want to check the husk for small brown holes, which mean insects and should be avoided. Take a peek at the bottom of the corn where the ear was broken off the stalk in the field. If this area is brown, the corn is probably a couple days old and not the freshest choice.
Pro Tip: As tempting as it might be, don’t peel back the husk! This shortens the shelf life of the corn, causing it to dry out. Need to use your corn up quick? Try these fresh corn recipes.
Pesto Corn Salad with Shrimp
This recipe showcases the beautiful bounty of summer with its fresh corn, tomatoes and delicious basil. Prevent browning by spritzing the salad with lemon juice. —Deena Bowen, Chico, CaliforniaSlow-Cooker Sriracha Corn
A restaurant here advertised Sriracha corn on the cob, but I knew I could make my own. The golden ears cooked up a little sweet, a little smoky and a little hot—perfect if you ask my three teenage boys! —Julie Peterson, Crofton, MarylandCorn Quesadillas
My cheesy corn quesadillas take only minutes going from skillet to table. They make craveable leftovers for brown bag lunches, so pack the salsa, too. —Darlene Brenden, Salem, OregonTomato and Corn Cheesy Pastry Bites
Local veggies and herbs have a magical knack for inspiring me to cook. After my CSA box arrived, I used the fresh ingredients to create this adorable appetizer. —Kristen Heigl, Staten Island, New YorkGrilled Chicken and Mango Skewers
The inspiration for this recipe came from the charbroiled chicken skewers I used to enjoy while strolling along Calle Ocho in Miami on Sunday afternoons. Feel free to garnish with sesame seeds or spritz with fresh lime juice. —Wolfgang Hanau, West Palm Beach, FloridaRicotta, Tomato & Corn Pasta
I love to make healthy meals with produce from my latest farmers market trip. This pasta takes just 30 minutes from pantry to dinner table. You can easily make it a meat entree by adding cooked, shredded chicken. —Jerilyn Korver, Bellflower, CaliforniaGrilled Corn Relish
This colorful relish is a great way to get kids to eat their veggies. It's an instant upgrade for hot dogs! —Ellen Riley, Murfreesboro, TennesseeTomato-Herb Grilled Tilapia
This super tilapia with ginger and lemon takes dinner over the top with minimal prep. Grilling the fish in foil is about as easy as it gets. —Trisha Kruse, Eagle, IdahoJalapeno Popper Mexican Street Corn
One of the best things about summer is fresh sweet corn, and this recipe is a definite standout. We love its creamy dressing, crunchy panko coating and spicy jalapeno kick. If you're really feeling wild, sprinkle these with a bit of cooked and crumbled bacon! —Crystal Schlueter, Northglenn, ColoradoCheesy Ham & Corn Chowder
When the day calls for a warm bowl of chunky soup, we make a big pot of the goods—potatoes, corn, ham and cheese. —Andrea Laidlaw, Shady Side, MarylandFresh Corn and Tomato Fettuccine
This recipe combines delicious whole wheat pasta with the best of fresh garden produce. It's tossed with heart-healthy olive oil, and a little feta cheese gives it bite. —Angela Spengler, Tampa, FloridaSouthern Cornbread Salad
To feed a crowd, especially when I want to make a good impression, I make this eye-popping cornbread salad. It’s beautiful in a trifle bowl. I love it in summer, when we can make it with our own garden produce. —Debbie Johnson, Centertown, MissouriFresh from the Garden Wraps
We moved into a house with a garden that needed tending. Using the herbs we found, we made these fresh-tastic wraps for our first dinner there. —Chris Bugher, Asheville, North CarolinaGerman Brat Seafood Boil
The grilled bratwurst and onion add a smoky flavor to corn, potatoes and fish for a hearty meal that's always a hit with my family. —Trisha Kruse, Eagle, IdahoBaked Sweet Corn Croquettes
These delicious corn croquettes are baked like muffins instead of fried. They can be served with butter, but my family prefers salsa as an accompaniment. —Karen Kuebler, Dallas, TexasSummertime Tomato Salad
My crazy good salad has cherry tomatoes, squash and blueberries together in one bowl. Then I layer on the flavor with fresh corn, red onion and mint. —Thomas Faglon, Somerset, New JerseyPesto-Corn Grilled Peppers
We grill almost daily and enjoy using fresh produce from our garden. These pepper halves filled with a basil-seasoned corn mixture is my husband's favorite recipe. —Rachael Marrier, Star Prairie, WisconsinChip-Crusted Grilled Corn
For my version of Mexican street corn, I roll the ears in crushed chips. For extra pizazz, try different chip flavors like ranch dressing and jalapeno. —Crystal Schlueter, Northglenn, ColoradoGrilled Corn Medley
Who knew a store-bought dressing could add so much flavor? This medley tastes delightful with garden-fresh veggies. Feel free to sub in your favorites and let the grill and the dressing do the rest! —Taste of Home Test KitchenZucchini & Sweet Corn Souffle
As novice gardeners, my husband and I sowed zucchini seeds—15 hills' worth! Happily, my family requests this side dish often, so it's a keeper. —Carol Ellerbroek, Gladstone, IllinoisSummer Orzo
I’m always looking for fun ways to use the fresh veggies that come in my Community Supported Agriculture box, and this salad is one of my favorite creations. I like to improvise with whatever I have on hand, feel free to do the same here! —Shayna Marmar, Philadelphia, PennsylvaniaSummer Garden Fish Tacos
I like to serve fish tacos with quinoa and black beans for a complete and satisfying meal. If you’ve got them, add colorful summer toppings like bright peppers, green onions or purple carrots. —Camille Parker, Chicago, IllinoisSlow-Cooked Cajun Corn
My husband loves corn on the cob, and I love this slow cooker recipe because I don't have to stand at a hot stove. We like a little spice, so the Cajun seasoning works well for us, but any spice blend works. —Audra Rorick, Scott City, KansasBasil Corn & Tomato Bake
I think this is the ultimate dish to make when sweet Jersey corn is in season. Combined with tomatoes, zucchini and basil, it makes for a spectacular side for brunch, lunch or dinner. —Erin Chilcoat, Central Islip, New YorkChorizo Burrito Bowls
I'm always on the hunt for fast and filling meals. Chicken sausage makes an awesome one-dish dinner by itself or served with brown rice in a burrito. —Elisabeth Larsen, Pleasant Grove, UtahMaryland Corn Pops
Fresh-picked sweet corn is a big thing in Maryland. Here’s my homespun version of Mexican street corn. —Kristie Schley, Severna Park, MarylandGrilled Southwestern Potato Salad
This salad is great with a grilled steak for a Tex-Mex meal, and most of it can even be prepared out in the backyard. Poblanos and cayenne make it pop. —Johnna Johnson, Scottsdale, ArizonaJalapeno Buttermilk Cornbread
If you’re from the South, you have to have a good cornbread recipe. Here’s a healthier version of my mom’s skillet cornbread. —Debi Mitchell, Flower Mound, TexasGrilled Spicy Corn on the Cob
During a family picnic, we added jalapenos and hot pepper sauce to our homegrown corn. Now we spice up the ears every chance we get. —Bernadette Walker, Waco, TexasGrilled Tomato with Fresh Corn
Grilling the tomatoes and corn makes this side dish feel special and it's so simple to do. I like to serve it with French bread, but it's "killer" dished up on its own. —Roxanne Chan, Albany, CaliforniaSmokin' Spiced Corn
My dad, the family gardener, grew corn in abundance, so it graced our table A LOT. This is one of the ways my grandmother spiced it up on the grill. —Shirley Hodge, Bangor, PennsylvaniaShrimp & Corn Stir-Fry
I make this seafood stir-fry at summer’s end when my garden is producing plenty of tomatoes, squash, garlic and corn. For a quick supper, we serve it over rice. —Lindsay Honn, Huntingdon, PennsylvaniaFreezer Sweet Corn
People ask me how to freeze corn on the cob because my frozen corn tastes as good as fresh! This way it stays crisp-tender and now I can have "fresh" corn any time of the year. —Judy Oudekerk, St. Michael, MinnesotaCorn Fritter Waffles with Spicy Maple Syrup
My family used to vacation at a resort in Vermont that served corn fritters with maple syrup. Now when I serve these waffles for breakfast or supper, I'm transported back to those simple days of childhood. —Jennifer Beckman, Falls Church, VirginiaFrogmore Stew
This picnic-style medley of shrimp, smoked kielbasa, corn and spuds is a specialty of South Carolina cuisine. It's commonly dubbed Frogmore stew or Beaufort stew in recognition of the two low country communities that lay claim to its origin. No matter what you call it, this one-pot wonder won't disappoint! —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, WisconsinSummertime Tomato Salad
My crazy good salad has cherry tomatoes, squash and blueberries together in one bowl. Then I layer on the flavor with fresh corn, red onion and mint. —Thomas Faglon, Somerset, New JerseySweet Corn and Potato Gratin
This tasty potato gratin side dish combines great garlic and onion flavor, and kids love the nice crispy topping, too! —Jennifer Olson, Pleasanton, CaliforniaZippy Chicken and Corn Chowder
Gently spiced corn chowder is always a good option for kids, but feel free to rev up yours with hot pepper sauce. This chowder’s a lifesaver on busy weeknights. —Andrea Early, Harrisonburg, VirginiaCorn with Cilantro-Lime Butter
I like to use fresh cilantro from my garden in this lime butter I created especially for grilled corn. —Andrea Reynolds, Westlake, OhioLayered Grilled Corn Salad
This has been a go-to dish for me throughout the years. It's great as a side or can be served for a light lunch in lettuce cups, with warm crusty bread. —Angela Smith, Bluffton, South CarolinaKathy's Herbed Corn
My husband and I agreed that the original recipe for this corn needed a little jazzing up, so I added the thyme and cayenne pepper to suit our tastes. Now fresh summer corn makes a regular appearance on our grill. —Kathy VonKorff, North College Hill, OhioFarmer's Market Corn Salad
I love fresh corn on the cob, especially grilled, so I am always looking for innovative ways to serve it. This recipe takes the corn right off the cob and combines it with fresh basil. —Haras Cindie, Jupiter, FloridaSauteed Corn with Cheddar
My husband only likes this kind of corn, so I make this about once a week. Plus, it's so easy that anyone can make this in a jiffy! —Sarah Cope, Dundee, New YorkFresh Spinach Tamale Pie
I got this recipe from my mother, who loved quick and easy meals for dinner. I made a few variations by adding spinach, bell peppers and fresh corn. The changes were well worth it––my family and friends love this dish!—Nancy Heishman, Las Vegas, NevadaSmoky Grilled Corn on the Cob
We love corn and are always looking for new ways to enjoy it. This tastes great right off the grill but leftovers are delicious in salads and tacos. I like to let the corn cool, cut it off the cob, then top it with butter and fresh cracked pepper. —Rachel Smith, Vicksburg, MichiganFresh Corn Fettuccine
I really love corn so it wasn't much of a leap to figure out that with the help of a food processor, I could turn fresh corn kernels into an end-of-the-season sweet sauce that's ideal over pasta. —Lily Julow, Lawrenceville, GeorgiaGrilled Corn Hummus Tostadas
This recipe is a combo of Mediterranean and Mexican cuisines, giving it a unique taste. Avocado and hummus may sound like a weird mix, but they really go well together. —Lauren Knoelke, Milwaukee, WisconsinMexican Street Corn Bake
We discovered Mexican street corn at a festival. This easy one-pan version saves on prep and cleanup. Every August, I freeze a lot of our own fresh sweet corn, and I use that in this recipe, but store-bought corn works just as well. —Erin Wright, Wallace, KansasSpicy Corn Kabobs
Corn transforms from so-so kernels to tangy sensation when grilled, dotted with sour cream and cheese and zinged with a splash of lime. —Leah Lenz, Los Angeles, California2. Pay attention to the tassel
The cute little fluff of stuff at the top of the corn is pretty important. It’s actually the corn silks sticking out of the husk, and it’s called the tassel. When choosing your corn, keep in mind that the tassel should be light brown or gold, and slightly sticky to the touch. Take a good whiff of the tassel—it should smell sweet with no signs of decay. Avoid corn that has a dry or black tassel, or a tassel that feels mushy. These are all signs the corn is old.
3. Give the corn a squeeze
Instead of peeling back the husk to peek at the corn kernels, give it a squeeze instead. By gently squeezing the ear of corn, you can feel the kernels through the husk. Start from the bottom and squeeze the whole cob, working your way to the top. The ear of corn should feel nice and firm, and the individual kernels should feel plump. You shouldn’t be able to feel any voids where kernels are missing. Be sure to pass on any cobs that have soft spots.
4. Keep it fresh at home
Once you get home, it’s fine to store your corn at room temperature if you’re going to cook it within the next few hours. (You can also cook ASAP and freeze for later.) If you don’t plan on eating it for another day or so, it’s best to refrigerate the corn in the crisper with the husks on, tightly wrapped in a plastic bag.
Then, bring out the butter and salt—it’s time to eat! Here’s our quick guide on how to boil corn, plus our best homemade herb butters.