The Secret to Making the Most Flavorful Corn Is Already in Your Fridge

Summer is an exciting time in the produce world for several reasons, but especially because of one universally loved veggie: corn. 

Best of all, there are so many simple, easy ways to prepare it, from boiling, to roasting, to smoking. No matter if you’re grilling steaks or burgers, eating clam chowder or baked potatoes, corn on the cob makes the perfect side dish. 

You might think you’ve tried every corn-cooking technique in the book, but we want to add one more to your repertoire that we believe will top them all. It only takes one extra step, but it’s all you need to make your most flavorful corn yet. 

Allrecipes community members say even if you’re a skeptic, after one bite of this cooked corn, you’ll be converted.

Just take it from Allrecipes user Ret_Vets, who wrote: “YES YES YES!!!! So much flavor was added to the corn. I was born and raised in the south and grew up on corn on the cob. I have never tasted corn so good as when I boiled my corn in this mixture.”

This method has even taken off on social media, with internet chefs sharing their "chef tip" for users to try at home.

So, what’s the secret to corn so good, it’ll have you swearing off every other recipe? We bet it's already in your fridge.

Why You Should Cook Corn in Milk

It all comes from our recipe for Daddy K's Milk Boiled Corn on the Cob. 

As you can gather from the name, the corn cobs are cooked in milk, as well as cream, butter, and sugar. After simmering for a few minutes, “some miraculous happens” to both the flavor and texture, said user Jessica Ramsey Eckhoff.

So, if you think your corn on the cob recipe can't get any better, just humor us and give this trick a try. Trust us, you'll end up with corn so rich, buttery, and flavorful, you won’t even think about adding that extra slab of butter on top.

How to Cook Corn in Milk

Don’t worry, you don’t actually need to fully submerge the corn in milk—that would be a huge waste of milk! All you’ll need is a cup to cook eight ears of corn. 

Bring water to a boil in a large stock pot, stir in 1 cup of milk, 1/3 cup sugar, 1/4 cup heavy whipping cream, and 1/4 cup butter until smooth. Toss in the corn and simmer on low for 7 to 8 minutes. And there you have it, sweet, soft, and delectable corn, on the table in no time. 

“Puts the flavor right into the corn! I didn't need to slather butter on the individual pieces,” shared Allrecipes user Seth Kolloen. “Great if you're cooking for a crowd.”

Although it might seem like fall is already here (hello, Dunkin’s PSL), there’s still plenty of time to try out this tasty corn trick for your end-of-summer cooking. After all, you're now officially in on the secret.

Get the Recipe: Daddy K's Milk Boiled Corn on the Cob