Freeze your summer corn with these easy steps
Fresh corn brings memories of cookouts, summer evenings and family gatherings. And while it is a warm-weather crop, you can easily preserve your harvest and enjoy corn on the cob throughout the winter months. Grab a few ears of corn, freezer bags and follow these simple steps to keep a supply on hand.
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Things to consider before you freeze corn
Should you blanch the corn?
If you’re going to take the time to freeze corn, blanching it is worth the effort, as it will help preserve the flavor and quality while frozen. If you skip this step, your corn will likely be mushy or chewy once defrosted.
Should you freeze it as ears of corn or kernels?
Neither form is better than the other, but it does make a difference depending on how you plan to eat your frozen corn. Want to grill it and serve it up alongside chicken or steak? Freeze some ears. Want to use it in soups or salads? Strip it before you freeze it. Another factor to consider is the freezer space you have available; kernels take up less space than ears.
How to freeze fresh corn on the cob
Freezing fresh corn means you’ll have plenty on hand when winter arrives. gives us the lowdown on exactly how to freeze corn, whether whole or in kernels.
Prepare the corn
Shuck the corn, getting rid of the leaves and silk. Then, cut up to 1 inch off the end of each ear; this will help it cook evenly when you’re ready to eat it.
Blanch the corn
Boil water in a pot that’s big enough for all the ears of corn you want to freeze. If you plan to freeze the ears whole, blanch them for seven minutes. If you plan to strip the ears and freeze the kernels, boil them for four minutes. When your timer goes off, drop the corn in a bowl of ice water, let it soak for five minutes, then take it out and dry on a towel.
Chill the corn
Before you put the corn in plastic bags, chill it for an hour in the freezer on a baking sheet. If you plan to freeze the kernels, remove them before flash-freezing them.
Freeze the corn
Put the corn in freezer bags and remove as much air as possible. Mark the date on the bags, and store them in the freezer for up to six months. When ready, pull it out, cook and enjoy!
Products for prepping and freezing corn
These stainless steel tongs are durable and heat-resistant. They come in handy throughout the process of freezing corn, as you’ll want to use them to transfer corn from boiling water to the ice bath.
Say goodbye to freezer burn! Ziploc freezer bags are known for their ability to keep frozen foods fresh and their Power Shield Technology that prevents punctures and tears.
Investing in a top-quality chef’s knife is essential. It makes not only trimming ears of corn, but also stripping kernels super easy.
If you’d rather not use a knife to get the kernels off the cob, opt for this corn peeler. The ergonomic, serrated blade can strip up to five rows of corn at once.
Prices listed reflect time and date of publication and are subject to change.
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