My Mom’s Secret for the Juiciest Corn on the Cob

When eating dinner at my mother’s house in the summertime, I can always expect my main course to come with a side of corn on the cob. This simple vegetable is nearly foolproof to make, whether it’s boiled, microwaved, or steamed.

After trying many methods over the years, my mom has landed on the best way to make the juiciest corn on the cob: roasting them in the oven, husks and all.

How to Roast Corn on the Cob

The method happened by accident. It all started one evening when my mom had too many pans on top of her stove. Steak was searing on one burner and asparagus was sautéeing on the next, so there wasn’t enough room to add a big pot of water to boil the corn.

Rather than using any of the other standard methods, she decided to try something new—that’s when she stuck unshucked cobs in the oven to see what would happen. Not only was this method less hassle, but the corn came out sweeter than she had ever tasted. She hasn’t cooked her corn any other way since.

To try her method, set the oven to 350°F. Once heated, place each corn directly on the oven rack and let them roast for 20 to 30 minutes. The ends of the husks will crisp, but the kernels will be far from burnt. You’ll know when they’re done when you start to notice a caramelized smell.

Why You Should Keep Husks on Corn When Roasting

• Do it for the flavor: While it’s common practice to shuck corn before cooking it, keeping the husks on is the ultimate trick for ensuring corn comes out tender every time. As it turns out, the natural covering locks in the moisture, allowing the corn to retain more of its natural flavors and gain extra sweetness. 
• It’s less prep mess: Another reason why my mom loves this trick is because there is no prep mess. Say goodbye to husks and silk all over your kitchen floor! The husks and silks slip off easily once cooked.
• Multitasking is possible: When there’s more than one component to a dish (which is almost always the case), it involves monitoring different pots, pans, and timers. Given the hands-off nature of this cooking method, you can use the time you would spend checking on your corn to tending to other dishes.