How to Cook Corn On The Cob in The Oven

With summers just around the corner, it is time to start searching for easy recipes that don't confine you to the kitchen for three hours. And what better place to start from than the much-loved corn on the cob.

Corn on the cob is something that makes even the most elite people get their hands dirty. You can eat it on its own as a snack, serve it as a side dish, or put it in a salad – the options are endless! Similarly, there are various ways to cook corn on the cob. You can go basic and boil it or opt for newer cooking techniques like grilling and microwaving. But the one method we vouch for is roasting corn on the cob in the oven.

While everyone loves an ear of decent roast corn straight from the oven, not everyone does justice to the magnificent vegetable. So, we have taken things into our hands and composed this post to guide people regarding how to cook corn on the cob in the oven. So, let's get started, shall we?

History Of Corn On The Cob

To fully appreciate the scrumptiousness of corn, we must first learn its history and evolution. Corn on the cob has been around for centuries, but how many centuries? Fresh sweet corn has been used to feed ancient civilizations for thousands of years. Scientists discovered 10,000 to 6,000 years old maize fossils in Mexico, indicating that corn was a staple in people's diets.

Corn cobs were much smaller back in the day, approximately 2cm long. After people from various cultures utilized them in multiple recipes, they became a delicacy. However, I'm guessing these corn recipes weren't served in fine dining establishments with a variety of spiced butter and garlic salt concoctions!

While ancient civilizations consumed the corn as a food supplement, we treat it more like a treat! And the capacity to domesticate and grow massive acreages of corn has also drastically increased. In 2010, the US farmers produced 12.4 billion bushels of corn; the production capacity increased to 15.1 billion bushels in 2021. Being the leading corn consumer globally and consuming 12.03 billion bushels of the crop in 2020-2021, it is an obligation for US citizens to learn how to cook delicious corn on the cob.

How To Cook Corn On The Cob In The Oven?

Cooking corn on the cob in the oven is a hands-off approach to releasing its underlying sweetness and earthy flavor. Whether you cook it inside the husk or without, you will get a crispy, charred layer that will add a depth of flavor to the already-scrumptious delight.

But let me warn you: once you use this "set it and forget it" technique to cook corn on the cob, there's no going back! So, let's dive in!

Chef Knife 8'' | Hammered Design | imarku

Tools You Will Need To Cook Corn On The Cob

You can't cook corn on the cob, or anything for that matter, without the right supplies. So, here's a pro tip (and you will find some more tips in this article!): always gather your tools first, before even taking the ingredients out.

So, here are the supplies that will help you cook delicious corn on the cob in the oven.

• Apron: We will be working with a lot of butter in this recipe. So, unless you want hot butter all over your clothes, you will need a reliable apron on hand. We suggest investing in a good quality leather apron as it is durable and wouldn't make you sweat like crazy.
• Knife: Unless you plan on chopping stuff with your hands as they do in TikTok videos, you will need a sturdy knife. You can use a paring knife for peeling and mincing garlic for the recipe, but we recommend taking out a good old chef's knife to get a professional feel.
• Cutting Board: Don't you think about skipping the chopping board thinking, "I'm not an amateur cook." If Gordon Ramsay can use one, so can you! You need the perfect-sized cutting board to mince the garlic and slice butter to season your corn on the cob.
• A Small Bowl: You can't mix the butter, herbs, and spices in a cup. So, you will also need to take a small bowl out of the kitchen cabinet.
• Baking Tray/Sheet: Since we will be roasting the corn on the cob in the oven, you will also need a baking dish.
• Aluminum Foil: Unless you want your corn on the cob to burn in the oven, you will need some large aluminum foil sheets to cover it.

Ingredients

Once you have assembled your supplies, it is time to take your ingredients out of the pantry. This recipe serves four, but hey, you can always double or triple it if you are planning to serve it at a party.

• Husk less corn on the cob: 4 ears
• Minced or diced garlic: 2 cloves
• Softened butter: 1/4th cup
• Fresh thyme: 1 teaspoon
• Parsley: 1 teaspoon
• Salt: to taste
• Pepper: to taste

The Ultimate Recipe For Corn On The Cob In The Oven

There are many different recipes for cook corn on the cob. But the one we have listed below is the easiest, least complicated. And the best part is that it requires little to no spices, so you know you will be tasting the natural flavors of the corn:

Prep time	10 minutes
Cook time	25 to 30 minutes
Serving size	4 persons

 

Steps To Follow

Step 1: Preheat The Oven

If you are into baking, you must know the first step in every recipe is to preheat your oven. Pro-tip #2: treat corn on the cob like lamb shanks – the longer you cook it, the more flavor you extract!

So, we suggest leaving it in for a tad bit longer at a lower temperature. Preheat your oven to 350 Fahrenheit for 15 minutes to pop your corns in as soon as you are done prepping them.

Step 2: Remove Your Corn Husk And Silk

Although you may find a recipe for keeping the corn husks on while roasting, we find removing them before cooking far less messy.

Now, peel the corn husk and remove the silk. Give the corn a quick rinse once you are done.

Step 3: Prep Your Garlic Butter Mixture

Some ingredients contain subtitles like "you can replace it for XYZ" or "you can skip this step." This step is not one of those; neither can you replace the garlic butter for something else.

This corn on the cob in the oven recipe is already too basic, and the garlic butter is practically all the jazz in it. So, here is how you prepare a creamy, tasty concoction for your corn:

• Take 1/4 cup of room temperature butter and microwave it for 20 seconds. You want it to be soft but not fully melted.
• Chop some fresh parsley and thyme. You can also add any other herb like oregano and rosemary to add aroma to your butter.
• Now, flavor your butter with salt and pepper. But keep a light hand on the salt if you use salted butter. You can also add some smoked paprika for a hint of spice.
• You didn't forget about the garlic, did you? Add your cloves of minced garlic and mix everything up in a bowl.

Step 4: Slather Your Corn In The Garlic Butter Compound

Apply a generous amount of garlic butter to each piece of corn, ensuring not a single kernel goes uncoated.

Step 5: Time To Take That Baking Sheet Out!

Wrap aluminum foil around each corn ear. Now place it on a baking tray or sheet.

Step 6: Pop It In The Oven For 25 To 30 Minutes

Preheat the gas or electric oven to 350℉ and set the timer for 25 minutes. If the corn appears to be thoroughly roasted after 25 minutes, you can remove it. Or, if you like a char on yours, remove the foil after 25 minutes and toss it back in the oven for another 5-10 minutes to crisp it up.

Seasoning Ideas

If you are hosting a fancy dinner, you might find this garlic butter recipe too simple. In this case, you can elevate the corn on the cob with some extra seasonings. Ideally, you want something that complements the other items on your menu.

Here are some seasoning ideas that work well with almost every protein and continental dishes like tacos:

• Black/red/white pepper
• Fresh or powdered garlic
• Smoked paprika
• Parmesan/feta/cotija cheese
• Sour cream
• Herbs: rosemary, thyme, oregano, cilantro, basil
• Butter/clarified butter
• Fresh lemon juice

How To Store Corn On The Cob

If you have any leftover corn on the cob, you would want to keep it fresh to savor it later, although the chances are pretty low. In this case, the best way to store corn on the cob is to place it in an airtight container or ziplock bag. You can keep it outside if you plan to feast on it the same day, but in an alternating scenario, toss the airtight container in the refrigerator.

Is Corn On The Cob Healthy?

Considering that corn is an excellent source of vitamin C and is perfect for weight loss, we would say that it is pretty healthy. Additionally, the vegetable is rich in antioxidants that protect cells from injury and help prevent cancer and heart disease.

Here are some nutritional benefits of corn on the cob in the oven:

Carbohydrates	42 g
Protein	7g
Fat	9g
Saturated fat	2g
Sodium	100mg
Potassium	6128mg
Fiber	5g
Sugar	14g
Vitamin A	879IU
Vitamin C	16mg
Calcium	5mg
Iron	1mg

 

The Bottom Line

While you can't go wrong with corn, you can go right with it. This recipe for oven-roasted corn is simple to prepare and adjust. Use it similar to how you would use any other recipe: as a starting point for creating your oven-roasted corn on the cob that makes your guests drool!