How to Store Corn on the Cob So It Stays Sweet and Fresh

Fresh corn is one of the pure joys of the warmer weather. Depending on where you live, you can find it at its best between May and September. When you buy corn on the cob, buy it with the husk still on if you can.

It helps protect the kernels and keep them moist. Many stores forbid you from shucking the corn before you buy it.

But don’t worry, there are tips on how to pick the sweetest corn even if you can’t see it. When the husk is bright green and snugly wrapped around the cob, that’s a good indication that you’ve found a good one. You should also know how to store corn on the cob when you get it home so it stays fresh.

Corn is at its sweetest the day it is picked, but it can stay fresh for a few days if stored properly. After that, it starts to lose moisture.

And with so many ways to make corn on the cob, why would you want to wait anyway? But you should still know the best way to store corn and when to shuck it.

The Best Way to Store Corn on the Cob

Fresh corn likes to be kept cold, so pop it in the refrigerator as soon as you get home. And resist the urge to shuck it!

The husk helps keep the kernels from drying out, while the cold temperature slows down the process that turns corn’s natural sugars into starch. (In other words, it helps keep that sweet corn nice and sweet.) Leave the ears in their husks, tuck them into a loosely closed or perforated plastic bag, and store them in the crisper drawer until you’re ready to cook.

How to Store Corn on the Cob Without the Husk

If you buy corn without the husk or remove the husk and decide to hold off on cooking it, wrap each ear tightly in a damp paper towel and place it in a zip-top plastic bag to help retain moisture. You can store them in your refrigerator's crisper drawer for one to three days.

Should you leave corn in the husk until you’re ready to cook it? Yes, leave the husk on and shuck corn only when you’re ready to cook it or freeze it.

This will help keep your corn as fresh and sweet as possible. And if you grill corn or make it like they do at a state fair, you don’t have to remove the husks until after you’ve cooked it!