How to Cook Frozen Corn

Last Updated: November 24, 2022 References Approved

Frozen corn can come in handy at any moment, whether you need an extra side dish or want to incorporate it into a dish you are already cooking. There are many ways to heat and cook frozen corn, from roasting to steaming, that can provide a variety of textures and flavors.

Method 1

Method 1 of 5:

Boiling Corn on a Stove

1
Bring a saucepan filled with water to the boil. Take a saucepan and fill it at least half way full with water. You will need a large amount of water in order to be sure that the corn is fully submerged. Place the pan on high heat until boiling, then reduce the heat until the water is simmering.
- Be sure to season your water with a little salt, especially if this is the only method you will be using to cook the corn.
2
Place the corn in the water for 2-3 minutes. Once the water is simmering, place the corn in the saucepan. Stir with a wooden spoon to make sure the corn does not stick together and will cook evenly.^{[1]
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- Remove a kernel or two from the water with the spoon after 2 to 4 minutes to check that the corn is tender.
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3
Strain the corn over the sink. Take a sieve and place or hold it over your sink. Pour all of the contents of your saucepan through the sieve, letting the boiling water drain and the cooked corn remain in the sieve. Once strained, season as you desire.

Method 2

Method 2 of 5:

Steaming Corn on a Stove

1
Bring at least 1 inch of water in the bottom of the steamer to boil. You will need at least 1 inch of water in the bottom of the steamer so that you do not risk burning or damaging your pan. However, you want to make sure that the water is low enough so that no liquid, only steam, will be cooking the corn. Place the steamer over high heat until boiling, then reduce to a simmer.
2
Put the corn in a steaming basket or sieve. Place the frozen corn in a steaming basket or sieve before placing the sieve into the steamer. Add any seasoning you would like, this could be fresh herbs, spices, or simply salt and pepper.
- You may need to run the frozen corn, while still in the bag, under warm water to reduce clumping.
3
Steam the corn until it is tender. Place the sieve or steaming basket into the steamer, place the lid on top of it, and steam the corn until it is tender, which should approximately 3-5 minutes. Check the corn after the initial cooking time to make sure that it is properly cooked.^{[2]
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- Check to see if your steamer has enough water left, no less than 1 inch, before steaming your corn.
4
Remove the steamer or sieve. Once tender, remove the steamer or sieve and gently shake over the sink. You can pour out the contents of the steamers into a bowl or onto a plate and continue seasoning.

Method 3

Method 3 of 5:

Sauteeing Frozen Corn

1
Heat a skillet with oil or butter of medium high heat. Place a skillet on a stove on medium high heat to warm the cooking fat before placing the corn in skillet. The hot fat will make sure that your corn cooks in the fat rather than absorbing it.^{[3]
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2
Add the corn once the oil or butter is hot. Add the corn once the fat is hot and begin to stir with a wooden spoon. This method of cooking frozen corn will require you to stir frequently to avoid burning the corn.^{[4]
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3
Stir the corn until tender. Stir the corn in the skillet until tender or until the corn has achieved the desired color. Frozen corn should become tender in a skillet in only a few minutes, however, you may need to continue cooking the corn, for about 10-12 minutes, if you would like to brown, or caramelize, the corn.^{[5]
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4
Drain the corn on a paper towel. Place a paper towel on a plate or cutting board. Pour the cooked corn onto the paper towel to further remove any of the excess butter or oil. Draining the corn should only take 1-2 minutes.
- This is a good point to add more seasoning, like salt and pepper.
- In addition to eating it as is, corn sauteed in butter can be used for making succotash and a variety of other dishes.

Method 4

Method 4 of 5:

Steaming Corn in a Microwave

1
Place the frozen corn into a microwave safe container. Cut a hole in the bag the frozen corn is packaged in and begin to pour the corn out into a microwave safe container or bowl.^{[6]
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2
Add seasoning. Add any seasoning you would like to your corn before placing it in the microwave. Try using at least salt and pepper.^{[7]
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3
Place the bowl in the microwave and set the timer. Microwaves vary in strength and consistency, some heat items quickly while others take much longer. Instead of trying to microwave the frozen corn all at once use a handful of shorter times and stir the corn in between.^{[8]
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- The overall microwave time of corn should be around 2-3 minutes on a high setting.
4
Continue heating the corn in increments until its hot. Continue heating and stirring the frozen corn until it has been heated to your desired temperature. Once heated properly, remove from the microwave and enjoy!^{[9]
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Method 5

Method 5 of 5:

Roasting Corn in the Oven

1
Preheat your oven to 350F. Preheating your oven will make sure that it is at a stable temperature and will cook the frozen corn evenly. Most ovens will take around 30-45 minutes to properly heat.^{[10]
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2
Place your corn on a ovenproof tray. Spread the frozen corn on an ovenproof tray and season. Season the corn with herbs and spices, or whatever you desire. You may need to break up frozen lumps of corn. Simply place a tea towel over the lumps and apply pressure with a small skillet or plate.
3
Place the tray in the oven. Once the oven is heated and the corn seasoned, you can place the tray in the oven. Roasting times can vary depending on how cooked you would like the corn to be. The corn should be tender after 5 minutes, but you may need to cook it for about 15-20 minutes if you would like to see any color.^{[11]
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4
Remove the corn from the oven. Once the corn is cooked, remove the tray from the oven and allow the corn to cool slightly. Season the corn with any additional spices and leave it to cool for about 2-3 minutes. Once the corn has cooled, place the corn in a bowl or on a plate for serving.

Community Q&A

Question

Can I cook frozen corn with rice. If so, then how?

Community Answer

Putting your corn and rice in a rice cooker together with some flour and baking soda is a quick and easy way to accomplish this. The baking soda and flour does not affect the taste but ensures the corn does not overcook.
Question

How long do you have to keep it in the saucepan for?

Community Answer

On average about 5 minutes, but it depends on how much sweet corn you are cooking.
Question

Will doing this cause the corn to start popping?

Community Answer

No, only a few certain kinds of corn pop and the kind of corn used for freezing is not of that variety