CORN ON THE COB WITH LEMON BUTTER

Fresh corn on the cob is one of the best things about August. If you can get it fresh from a farm, all the better. Many years ago I came across this recipe that was featured in Canadian Living magazine and it has been my go-to corn-on-the-cob recipe ever since. Butter on corn is just a must-have but the addition of lemon not only enhances the overall taste but adds a refreshing and tangy twist to the succulent corn kernels. This delightful combination of sweet corn and citrusy butter creates a harmonious balance of flavors, making it a crowd-pleaser that captures the essence of summer dining.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• It’s extremely quick and easy to make.
• It’s inexpensive to make.
• It makes a great side dish for your summer BBQ or meal.
• It’s very versatile – you can adjust the amount of lemon butter to suit the amount of corn you have. It’s easily halved or doubled.

What Ingredients Do I Need

Three simple ingredients are all you need to make this delicious side dish.

• Corn on the cob – As fresh as possible
• Butter – I use unsalted but if you use salted omit the salt at the end.
• Lemon – Both freshly squeezed juice and zest.
• Fresh chives -Chopped.
• Salt and pepper

How To Make Corn On The Cob With Lemon Butter

This recipe is so simple it only has a few steps.

• Zest and juice the lemon
• Melt the butter – Heat for about 30 seconds in the microwave until melted

• Combine the lemon juice, zest, butter, some chives, and salt and pepper
• Chop chives – finely

• Clean corn -remove husks and fine silks
• Boil corn for 4-5 minutes

• Baste corn with lemon butter
• Sprinkle with chopped chives

Recipe Tips And Tricks For Success

• Make sure not to overcook the corn or it could become tough and chewy. For crisp and juicy corn, the optimum cooking time is about 4-5 minutes.
• Use freshly squeezed lemon juice for the best flavor.

Recipe Variations

Feel free to adjust the amount of lemon you use to suit your taste. You can also use other herbs in place of the chives. Parsley, Rosemary, thyme, and even basil would be lovely.

You can also grill the corn instead of boiling it. This will add a deep smoky flavor. To grill without the husks, place corn on a greased grill over medium heat. Grill for about 20 minutes, turning a few times until it’s lightly browned. To grill the corn in the husks, trim the silks off and add the husks to a grill set at high heat. Cook for about 15 minutes, rotating often.

Storage Tips For Corn On The Cob With Lemon Butter

This is one of those dishes that is best served fresh and hot but if you happen to have any leftovers they can be stored in a sealed container in the refrigerator for a few days. To reheat warm the corn in the microwave for up to a minute each and re-baste.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS;

How long to boil corn? This is one of the most frequently asked questions. Most people boil it for too long causing it to become tough and chewy. If you have fresh corn it only needs to be cooked for about 4-5 minutes.

How do you clean corn before boiling? Remove the husk by splitting the outer leaves with your thumb. Grab a handful of the husk and pull it down towards the root of the cob. Continue until all the husk is removed. To clean off the fine silk threads that can be left over, gently scrub the corn with a soft vegetable brush under running water.    

Do you put corn on the cob in boiling water or before it boils? To avoid over cooking the corn it's best to bring the water to a boil first and then add the corn. 

Should you salt the water when boiling corn on the cob? No. It's better not to. Adding salt could make the corn tough.

Can you cut corn cob before boiling? Sure. Breaking them in half won't affect the taste or texture of the corn so feel free to adjust the size to the size of your pot.

Corn On The Cob With Lemon Butter

A delicious way to serve corn with a tangy lemony butter topping.

www.comfortandpeasant.com

5 from 5 votes

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Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 5 minutes mins

Total Time 15 minutes mins

Course Dinner, Lunch, Side Dish

Cuisine American

Servings 5

Ingredients

  

• 5 corn on the cob
• 30g (2 tbsp) butter
• 10ml (2 tsp) lemon juice (freshly squeezed)
• 2g (2 tsp) lemon zest
• 3g (1 tbsp) fresh chives, chopped
• 1.5g (1/4 tsp) salt
• 1.5g (1/4 tsp) pepper

Instructions

 

• Put a large pot of water on to boil
• Meanwhile, zest and juice lemon.
  
• Chop chives finely.
  
• Melt butter in the microwave for 30 seconds or until fully melted.
  
• Combine melted butter with lemon juice, zest, 1/2 of chopped chives and S & P.
  
• When water is boiling add corn on the cob and cook for 4-5 minutes until the corn is bright yellow and tender.
  
• Remove corn from the water and drain. Baste with lemon butter mixture and sprinkle with the rest of the chives.
  

Notes

See the “How To Make This” & “Tips For Success” sections above the recipe for more detailed information on the process. 

Keyword butter, chives, corn on the cob, Easy, lemons, quick, stock pot

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And if you’re looking for more easy and quick side dishes check out my perfect Roasted Asparagus and my easy Mango Salsa.