Sweet freezer corn is a way to enjoy everything you love about hot buttered corn all year long! Freezing corn is so much easier than you think! We love serving it as a side dish, or adding it to soups, stews, casseroles, salads, etc!
Sweet corn is also called corn on the cob, or corn off the cob. If you want to preserve all the yummy flavors of fresh corn on the cob, freezing sweet corn for later is the answer!
I have childhood memories of freezing corn. We lived in a place where it was too cold to grow. Friends from warmer climates used to share their bumper corn crops with us.
My brothers and I would husk the corn. My mom would boil the corn on the cob. Then she would cut it off the cob, put it in bags, and freeze it.
The most memorable part of the experience happened when my mom would turn around. We would grab pieces of corn that were in a big chunk, run and hide behind the couch, and savor it! I’m surprised that she actually had any corn left to freeze.
How many ears of corn does it take to make one cup of corn? About 3/4 a cup of corn kernels on each ear. It will take about 20 ears of corn for this recipe.
Ingredients in freezer corn
Justin’s great aunt shared this recipe with me many years ago and it’s the BEST freezer corn in the world! There are a few little things about this recipe that make it extra yummy!
- Corn: Pick fresh corn ears that don’t have any brown spots on them. I like white and yellow corn varieties like Honey and Pearl or Peaches and Cream.
- Sugar: Granulated. Yes, this recipe has sugar added to it! Some people think sweet freezer corn is sweet enough on its own. That might be true, but once you try it this way those extra calories will be worth it! I also think it helps the corn freeze a little better.
- Salt: Regular iodized table salt. Use the exact amount or it will affect the freezing point. It adds extra flavor to the corn. We don’t need to salt when serving this recipe.
- Butter: Use real butter. Adding a little butter to the mixture obviously makes the freezer corn richer and gives it amazing flavor!
How to freeze sweet corn – step-by-step instructions
Freezing corn off the cob is actually really easy! With this recipe, you don’t even need to know how to blanch corn because thank goodness that isn’t one of the steps!
Step 1: Husk corn. Clean the cobs to remove any silk that’s stuck on them.
Step 2: Cut fresh kernels off the cob. See my tips below for the easiest way to do this.
Step 3: Add raw corn kernels, water, sugar, salt, and butter to a large pot.
Step 4: Bring to a gentle boil. Simmer for 10 minutes.
Step 5: Let cool until about room temperature.
Step 6: Ladle corn and some juice in freezer containers or freezer bags.
Step 7: Lay bags flat and freeze.
Tips on how to freeze corn off the cob
It seems like no matter how careful I think I’m being, I always make a huge mess when I freeze corn. Part of freezing corn is mopping the floor and cleaning up the sticky mess afterward! Here are a few little hacks that seem to help minimize it though!
- Place the cutting board inside a large cookie sheet. The cookie sheet helps catch some of the flies away from corn kernels.
- Some people place a corn cob in the hole of a bundt pan and slice it from there. The kernels are supposed to fall in the pan. I don’t have super great success with this method, but others do.
- For this recipe cut the kernels from the cobs before cooking the corn. This is so much easier than cooking the corn cobs first. It’s easier to handle before it gets hot. More corn fits in the pan after it’s cut off too.
- My boys do all the husking outside. At least that mess isn’t in the house!
- Freezing corn really is easier with two people. It helps to have someone hold the bags while you add corn to them.
FAQs about freezing sweet corn
In an airtight freezer container, or in a sealable freezer bag. Lay the bags flat, freeze them, then stack them to conserve freezer space.
Up to one year in a deep freeze.
Up to three days.
I plant peaches and cream, and white and yellow corn. Check out these other sweet corn seed varieties.
How to cook frozen corn on the cob?
Corn can either be thawed in the fridge before cooking, or it can be cooked frozen. Here are three different ways to cook it!
- Microwave – Microwave thawed or frozen corn on high until warmed through. Time will vary depending on how much corn you’re cooking.
- Pressure Cooker– Add frozen corn and 1/2 a cup of water to the Instant Pot. Close seal. Cook on High Pressure for 4-5 minutes. It will take longer for bigger pieces of corn.
- Stove Top- Add thawed or frozen corn to a saucepan. Start cooking on medium heat. As it heats the juices will melt and you can start stirring occasionally. Cook until warmed through.
Freezer Corn Recipes
Now that you know how to freeze fresh corn you’ll also want to know what to do with it! We love adding corn to soup, chili, warm dips, and salads, and eating as a side dish. Here are a few of our favorite recipes!
- Cheesy Corn Dip with Cream Cheese– serve with crackers or chips
- Creamy Taco Soup – the BEST taco soup ever
- Mexican Bean Dip – slow cooker appetizer
- Slow Cooker Creamed Corn – easiest side dish
- CrockPot Chicken Nachos – we love topping these with corn
- Classic Slow Cooker Roast – serve with mashed potatoes and corn
- Chicken Taco Pizza – with Doritos on top
- Poolside Dip – skinny version
Grab my Sweet Freezer Corn Recipe
Now that you know how to freeze fresh corn you need to head to the farmer’s market and grab some fresh sweet corn! Trust me, you’ll be so glad to have it in the freezer! It knocks the socks off of canned or store-bought corn! And
Sweet Freezer Corn Recipe
Ingredients
- 15 cups corn kernels
- 1/8 cup salt
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 4 cups hot water
- 1/4 cup butter
Instructions
- Husk corn. Clean the cobs to remove any silk that’s stuck on.
- Cut fresh kernels off the cob.
- Add raw corn kernels, water, sugar, salt, and butter to a large pot.
- Bring to a gentle boil. Simmer 10 minutes.
- Let cool until about room temperature.
- Ladle corn and some juice in freezer containers or freezer bags.
- Lay bags flat and freeze.
Rayette York says
After you thaw the corn out, how long do you cook it for before serving?
Amy Engberson says
I cook it in the microwave until it’s warmed through, or I cook it in a saucepan on the stove until it’s boiling. Since it’s already been cooked through it just needs to be warmed. Enjoy!
Sandra R Godsey says
Oh my word! The best!
Amy Engberson says
It really is delicious!
Sandra R Godsey says
Roughly how many eats to equal 15 cups? I found this AFTER I blanched the cons for freezing whole….but would love to try this too..
Amy Engberson says
I usually plan on about 3/4 of cup per ear. When I freeze corn I do several batches at once so I don’t really count the ears, just measure the kernels! Good luck!
Judy says
I cut the corn and scrape the cob to get all that deliscous milk. Then I put it in the pot with enough water to just cover the corn and once it starts to boil , I time it for 3 minutes. Turn off and let it cool.
I put Corn and water in freezer bags
We like smothered corn. So whenever I want to cook it , I let it thaw and drain water. Put a couple of tablespoonful of Corn oil and a few pieces of salt meat or ham to slightly brown. Add Corn and a couple of fresh tomatoes from the garden and a minced onion . Cook on medium heat stirring as to not let it burn.You do want to let your corn to slightly brown . You may add a little water to make sure get all that goodness on the bottom of the pot.
Shelby says
When putting corn in bags to freeze. Is the corn still hot. Also how long is it good in freezer. Thanks
Amy Engberson says
I let it cool for a bit before I put it in the bags. It makes it easier to handle that way. I also make suer it’s completely cooled before I put it in the freezer! I usually make enough to last for a whole year, so we keep it in the freezer for up to 12 months! So yummy!
Jason says
So, I’m cooking the corn now and serving it tomorrow at Easter dinner. Do I still need to freeze it over night?
Amy Engberson says
Happy Easter! I wouldn’t freeze the corn if I was going to serve it tomorrow. I’d just keep it in the refrigerator. Boil it just before serving. Should be a yummy addition to your Easter dinner!
Jason says
Thanks! Happy Easter you you as well!
Barb M. says
I agree that fresh frozen corn is the best ever! We either eat it with salt and butter like you do–but I freeze it plain and add salt and butter while cooking, and no sugar. Or, sometimes I do the Southern thing and fry up a few slices of chopped bacon, drain excess grease, then add corn and a little milk and simmer till done. Milk amount would be just enough to cover about the bottom 1/4 of the corn in the fry pan, not all covered! Not like creamed corn from a can, ugh–just delicious!
It IS a mess to cut the corn off the cob, but I use a wooden board with a corn cutter blade (and a pair of only used for this purpose vinyl coated gardening gloves to protect my hands). Also, it cuts off much easier if you blanch on the cobs first for 3 minutes after water’s back to a boil then drop into a sink full of cold water to stop the cooking action so it doesn’t get too cooked before freezing–that might be causing one person’s soggy frozen corn. The blanching stops the aging of the corn’s enzymes and flavor (or any veggie) so it comes out of the freezer fresh tasting. Cut corn off cobs in between batches and it goes pretty quickly. I’ve done up to four crates of corn at a time and have been canning and preserving since the 1970’s!
Patty Pederson says
Thank you Amy and your family for the sweet corn freezer recipe. My husband and I live in Vietnam and corn is a favorite of mine but hard to come by the USA quality. Japan has some wonderful corn on the cob and using your recipe will help me enjoy it throughout the year. Thank you, nice looking family. Patty
Amy Engberson says
Thanks for your kind words Patty! Sounds like you are living a fun adventure! There is nothing quite like getting corn that tastes just like it came off the cob during the long winter months!
Randa says
Hi Amy, I am so excited to find this recipe for whole kernel corn. I always make cream style freezer corn, which is also absolutely delicious, but sometimes I want whole kernel. I can’t wait for the corn crop this summer. Thank you so much!
Mary says
What would you say is the length that corn can stay frozen, shelf life, per say?
Amy Engberson says
Hi Mary! When I’m deciding how much corn to freeze I always figure about how many bags we will eat per week/month. For my family it’s about 2 bags per month. So I try and freeze 24 bags each fall. By the next fall they are almost always gone. I have had a few that I’ve carried over from at the previous year and they are still fine. So I would say 15-18 months if they are in a deep freezer. It would probably be less if they were in a refrigerator freezer.
Sharon says
I am ready to freeze some corn. I found your recipe very interesting. I only have 1 question, are you using regular salt or canning salt? I would appreciate a response ASAP since I need to get at it soon. Thank you, Sharon.
Amy Engberson says
Hi Sharon! Hopefully I’m getting back to you soon enough. I use regualar table salt! You are going to love this corn!
Sharon says
Thank you for your response. I decided to do no salt. My husband helped me & I decided to try an electric knife as 1 reader did. Found it worked great. My husband said he liked doing the corn using your recipe rather than blanching the corn first. He said your way was much quicker. Thank you for sharing the recipe.
Rich says
I posted last year that we used this recipe. We put up so much it lasted us until June of this year. We just put up three more batches tonight, on to of the two last weekend. We and guests Love it! Thank You.
Cheri says
Awesome way to keep fresh corn from the summer in order to enjoy over the cold dreary winter. However..you need to make sure the corn has cooled before putting into freezer. I ladle into bags, and leave bag opened to allow steam/heat to leave. Then once it’s to room temp, lay bags flat and put into freezer. The hot bags are not good for your freezer and can cause excessive condensation which can cause freezer to actually freeze coils (even frost free) plus it’s not good for the corn.
Amy Engberson says
Hi Cheri! Thanks for pointing that out. You are absolutely right. I let the corn cool on the countertop before sticking it in the freezer too. Another reason for doing so is that if I set hot corn on top of frozen foods in my freezer it will start to thaw them out and I don’t want that either! Thanks for commenting!
Maureen says
Do you freeze the little bit of water right in the bag or do you drain it?
Amy Engberson says
I add a little bit of the water I cooked the corn in to each bag before freezing it. Later on when I’m ready to enjoy the corn I warm the corn and the juice up together! Happy Fall!
JUDY says
I made this Sweet Freezer Corn for the first time and it is so good this way! Tastes like fresh corn on the cob! Will make this again!!
Amy Engberson says
There is nothing like fresh corn on the cob! Glad you enjoyed it!
Cindy Bass says
I didn’t see this til I already had my corn in the pot cooking. Can you still do the sugar , salt and butter?
Amy Engberson says
I think it would be just fine to add it after you start cooking it. You’ll just want to make sure you have enough cooking time to allow the sugar and salt to dissolve!
Diana says
I just finished putting up just over 4 bushels of Olathe Sweet Sweet Corn (we had another bushel for dinners with family and friends). I take the bottom of my tube pan (for angel food cake) and put it in my roasting pan. Put an ear of corn on the top of the tube and use an electric knife to cut the corn off the cob. It doesn’t make much of a mess that way. Plus the corn is already in my roasting pan that I add a pound of butter and 2 cups of half and half in too. Cover the roasting pan and roast at 325 degrees for about an hour, stirring occassionally. Let the corn cool and put in freezer bags. No Salt. No Sugar. But it tastes like it does. I just hope I have enough to get through the year. Now on to roasted green chile’s.
Amy Engberson says
Oh my goodness Diana! Adding half and half sounds like such a great idea! I LOVE it! I need to try this method soon!
Jen says
Still my favorite recipe for freezing corn. Thanks so much for sharing!
PS. Your photo in the apron is just too cute
Amy Engberson says
Thanks Jen! Everyone who tries it falls in love with it! And thanks for commenting on my photo! My mother is an apron lover and she passed it on to me!
Glada St. Clair says
This is the second year that I have used your recipe for freezing corn. It is so delicious and no freezer burn on even one bag. Thank you, Thank you, Thank you.
becky says
Dont u have fo cool the corn in the bags before placing in freezer otherwise they will spoil.
Amy Engberson says
Yes. I let the corn set on the counter for a little while until it cools down to about room temperature. It is best for the corn to let it cool. It’s also a good idea to let it cool so the hot corn doesn’t increase the overall temperature in the freezer which could cause your other frozen foods to thaw a little bit.
Barb says
My husband and I tried the freezer corn made your way! It is the best! It will be hard going back to canned corn! Keep the posts coming!
Amy Engberson says
Thanks Barb! We love this recipe! I’m so happy you are enjoying it…and will be enjoying that corn all winter long too!
Selma Howell says
I am so excited to have these stocked up. I am a new stay at home mom and trying to stay ahead is all about preparing ahead I’ve noticed. I live in Ohio and bought some locally grown corn from a kids stand and this is the first recipe I thought of. By the smell of it boiling, it smells like it’s going to taste really yummy. Thanks so much!
Amy Engberson says
Congratulations! I’ve loved staying at home and making memories with my kids through the years! Moms are super busy and you are right, it’s always a bonus to be prepared because you never know what life is going to throw at you!