How To Freeze Fresh and Cooked Corn On The Cob

Not all cooked food items are considered healthy. There are many foods and grains which can be eaten raw. Fresh corn is one among them. Both fresh and cooked corn are rich in nutritional value. 

Fresh Corn

These fresh corns are very delicious and are available in different sizes and colors. People harvest corn on the cob as they can be grown almost everywhere. They are easily cultivated. These corns can be cooked in different ways such as grilling, and steaming, and can even be baked in the oven. Fresh corn is available in most of the households during summer.

People love to have this corn as breakfast, as a snack, or at dinner. But these fresh corn on the cob are the seasonal grains that cannot be stored in the freezer for long. The canned and the cooked corn may have more flavor than these corn.

If you think from the cost perspective then the fresh corns are more cheap. However, a lot of waste is attached to them as they have leaves and silk on the cob which just increases the weight and may not give the right value to the product. 

Cooked Corn 

It is often said that the raw corns are healthier than the cooked corns. But not everyone enjoys the raw corn. This popular cereal grain can be cooked in different ways such as boiling, grilling, steaming, and roasting. Different methods of cooking preserve different nutritional benefits in the corn cob.

The steamed method of cooking is the most preferred one as this is time-saving and easier than others. Steaming also preserves the nutrients better than the other methods. So, the cooked corn on the cob can also be stored for a long time in the freezer. They need to be stored more carefully than the fresh ones.

Yes, you can freeze corn on the cob. Freezing the corn on the cob is possible but both the fresh and cooked corn are to be frozen in different ways. The outer shell of the corn for fresh ones should be removed.

Make sure to remove the hairy part. This will prevent the freezer from being dirty. If stored properly, the frozen corn on the cob can last for about six to nine months.

The tender and milky corn should be selected which are most tasty and can be stored for a long time. They need to be packed in plastic bags or put in an airtight container to preserve them for a long time. 

Why Freeze Corn on the Cob 

The corn on the cob when frozen can be stored for a long time. Freezing is the easiest way to enjoy the summer staple throughout the year. Both the fresh and the cooked corn can be frozen for a few months. Here are the details of why you need to freeze the corn on the cob. 

• Long-term purpose: Both the cooked and the fresh corn on the cob can be stored in the freezer. They can be served for a long time. The fresh ones freeze very well. However, it is not always recommended to freeze fresh corn as boiled and blanched corn are considered to be the better options to freeze in the long run. 
• To preserve the color: When the corns are frozen on the cob then there are more chances of them retaining the color. Other methods of storing the cooked and fresh corn may not sustain the natural color of the corn. The color may fade away due to extreme heat or due to other external factors. 
• Avoid expiration: The frozen corn on the cobs can be stored for a long time which will increase the expiry date. They need to be labeled properly to see the packaged and stored date. 
• Avoid damage: There is a high chance of the corn on the cob to be damaged and attacked by various insects. They might get different blemishes or even holes if stored outside without maintaining the temperature. So, freezing them does not allow any external factors to affect them. This will maintain the overall consistency of the food item. 
• Versatility: Corns go well with many of the dishes. They can perfectly complement different side dishes. These corns on the cobs are versatile as they can be used as a perfect seasoning. They can be used as salads, snacks, vegetables, and as a side dish. Both the fresh and the cooked corn on the cob are versatile in nature.

The optimal taste of the corn can be achieved even after freezing the. They need to be frozen in such a way that the natural taste and the flavor shouldn't be affected.

There are different methods of freezing the fresh corn on the cob. Those step-by-step guidelines to freeze them have been enlisted here. 

Method 1: Freezing Corn on the Cob

This is the first method of freezing the fresh corn on the cob. It comes with other different stages of freezing fresh corn on the cob. The steps are mentioned here. 

Step 1: Shuck the Corn

The first step is to shuck the corn. Here, you have to remove the outer layer of the corn. The green and white husk that surrounds the fresh corn should be removed. If the corn hairs are there then they should also be removed. 

Step 2: Blanch the Corn 

In this step, you need to blanch the corn. Put the corn in the boiling water. Add some salt to the water and cook for a few minutes. Remove the corn from the boiling water and now submerge them in ice water. This process deactivates the natural enzymes and protects the natural color of the corn. 

It is important for the color and the texture to remain the same through the freezing time. This process ensures the flavor in the long run.

Step 3: Drain

In this step, the corn on the cob should be removed from the water. They need to be cool down for a few minutes. The water should be drained and the corn should be pat dry. You can use the kitchen towel for this purpose. After that warp each corn in a plastic bag or parchment paper.

This will avoid the freezer burn. Freezing them separately will help to prevent the corn cobs from drying and help to retain the freshness. 

Method 2: Freezing Corn Kernels 

Freezing the uncooked and fresh corn might sound easy. However, it is not recommended to store the fresh corn cob for a long time. This method of freeing the corn kernels also follows different steps. 

Step 1: Remove Corn from the Cobs

For the blanched corn kernels, you have to remove the corn from the cobs. Place them in the bowl and cut in a downward motion. This will help the corn to fall into the bowl while separating them from the cobs.

To freeze the fresh corn without blanching, you need to add them to the plastic bag as soon as possible after removing them from the cob. 

Step 2: Blanching 

After removing the corn from the cob, the next step is to blanch the corn kernels in the water for 2 to 3 minutes. Remove them and strain them properly. After this pat the corn and store them in the freezer. Make sure to use the labels and dates on the packaging. The unblanched corn will also last for a very long time. 

The method of freezing the fresh corn on the cob and the cooked corn is quite similar. However, the cooked corn on the cob is recommended to freeze following different guidelines. Cooked corn are also equally very tasty and they provide delicious flavor.

The cooked cor can be frozen on the cob as well as they can be frozen as kernels. Here are the step-by-step guidelines for freezing the cooked corn. 

1. Boil the water  

The primary step of freezing the cooked corn is to boil the water. The water needs to be boiled at the right temperature and at the right time. If you overcook the corn then you might lose the natural taste of the corn. Use the large bowl which will help to check the doneness. Now, fill a bowl with ice water and keep it aside. 

2. Blanch

Here you can peel the corn and cook them until the color of the corn brightens. It is very necessary to maintain consistency in the color throughout the cooking process as well as while freezing them. This might take few time considering the quantity of the corn to be cooked. 

3. Cool Down

The next step would be to cool down the boiled water. So, here you will transfer the corn to the ice water and let it cool for a few minutes. The cooling effect will reduce the chance of corn cobs being damaged. After cooling them you can remove the corn from the water and pat dry them. 

4. Remove the Kernels 

It is better suggested to remove the kernels from the cob after cooking as this will manage the space in the freezer. Also, this process will allow the corn to be stored in the can. The kernels can make it easy to eat food when in a hurry. They can go well with many food items including salads and other snacks. 

5. Freeze

The final stage of the freezing process is definitely to freeze the corn. Here, you have to remove the kernels then you can freeze them in the can which can be stored for a long time. If you are using the cooked corn on the cob then freeze them in the airtight plastic bags. 

Make sure to have proper labeling and time in the packages. The corn can be thawed later on while you consume them. The cooking methods may vary as per the preference of the people. Boiled, grilled, and baked corn on the cobs are the most common methods of cooking corn.

These methods of cooking are widely applicable all over the world. The freezing process might also differ based on the cooking methods.

No one wants to store the food that gets damaged in a short time. Especially while freezing, people want to store the best possible options. Food items such as corn can be stored in the freezer for a long time. So, they are the first choice for many people. When kept nicely in plastic bags or cans they can be stored for a very long time. 

While freezing the corn on the whole or storing it with and without blanching, you need to be very aware of the freezing methods. Corns are mainly grown and harvested in the summer. But you can enjoy the delicious corn throughout the year. The proper freezing will ensure the long-term use of the corn. The corn on the cob can last for 6 to 9 months in the freezer.

Adding levels and packaging-expiry dates will allow people to know about the right time to consume the food. If frozen for more than a year then they may contain tiny germs or may start to lose their natural fragrance. The frozen corns however have very little chance of degrading but they may lose the real essence of it. To use the frozen corn after a long time, you can boil them in water for a few minutes. 

Different varieties of frozen corn on the cobs should be treated differently. Reheating them is not very difficult as they can be cooked in a short time. There might be a misconception that the corn will lose its natural flavor after being frozen and heated for a long.

But, this is not the case. They can be consumed similarly to the fresh corn. 

Whole Frozen Corn on the Cob

This is a simple way of reheating as it doesn't require much time and effort. You can unfreeze the corn just by taking them out of the freezer. After that, you need to boil them in the hot water for some time.

Cooking them in hot water with little salt and other seasonings such as black pepper, fresh fruits, and vegetables will add extra taste and flavor to the dish. 

Blanched  and Unblanched Frozen Corn Kernels 

You can use the microwave method to reheat the corn. This serves as the best method for the frozen corn that was previously cooked in the cob. You can reheat them in the oven on high heat. Baking has also become very popular among people as it provides a delicious taste to the dish. 

The unblanched frozen corn remains fresh for the longest time when frozen. So, they need to be cooked in the water after taking out from the freezer. They can be cooked alongside the vegetable soups and other cooked items. 

Both the fresh and the frozen corn can be used in different food recipes. They go well with most of the side dishes and even with main courses. Frozen corn works as the quickest and easiest serving suggestion for many people.

These corns are not just tasty but healthy at the same time. Even health-conscious people prefer to freeze the corn and enjoy it throughout the year. 

There are no major side effects of frozen corn. So, people are found enjoying this food not just in summer but throughout the year. Here are some of the serving suggestions for frozen corn. 

Smoked Corn on the Cob

You can use the frozen corn on the cob to prepare the delicious smoked corn recipe. This will complement the sweetness of the corn with an amazing smoky flavor.

Add butter to enhance the taste and tenderness of the food. Other seasonings such as coriander, paprika, pepper, and salt will add extra taste and flavor to the dish. 

Grilled Corn 

You can use the frozen corn on the cob for grilling as this will reduce the craving of having roasted meat. Vegetarians love this recipe for grilling corn on the cob. The freezer corn might take some time to grill so be prepared to preheat them in the beginning if needed.

 You can add various seasonings and flavors of your interest. Make sure to drizzle the corn with butter and olive oil to prevent the corn from sticking.