How To Freeze Fresh Corn

Fact checked by Khara Scheppmann

Eating fresh sweet corn is one of the many joys of summertime in the South. Maybe you enjoy it boiled or grilled, slathered in melted butter and topped with herbs and seasonings, or you may like to stir fresh corn kernels into a pan of succotash or old-fashioned creamed corn .

Once you get fresh corn home from the market, it is important to refrigerate it immediately and use it as soon as possible. The longer an ear of corn sits, the more its natural sugars turn to starch, which means you lose a lot of that sweet, fresh taste. If you don't cook your fresh-picked corn within a day or so, consider freezing corn, either on the cob or cut. That way, you can enjoy the taste of summer even during the winter months. Ahead, learn how to freeze fresh corn as well as how long to blanch corn on the cob before freezing.

How To Choose The Freshest Corn For Freezing

If you want to save the summer crop for later in the year, start with fresh corn that exemplifies the best of the season. Look for cobs with bright green husks that are tight to the ear and not dried out. A good sign that the corn is fresh is if the silk at the top is moist. If you squeeze the ear, the cob should also feel solid and be covered with firm kernels from top to bottom.

Try not to pull back the husk and expose the kernels, though, as this only speeds up the corn drying out and converting its natural sugars to starch. Refrigerating corn for a day or two until you are ready to cook or freeze it will help preserve its freshness.

Why You Should Blanch Corn On The Cob Before Freezing It

Blanching is the preferred method for freezing corn because it preserves the color and flavor of your produce by inactivating natural enzymes. (Blanching is also used to loosen the peel of tomatoes and peaches for easy removal.)

In the blanching process , fruits and vegetables are cooked in boiling water briefly, then plunged into an ice-cold water bath to stop the cooking process. Here's how to blanch your corn and prepare it for the freezer.

How To Blanch Corn On The Cob

Follow this step-by-step guide for blanching corn and getting it ready to freeze:

1. Bring a pot filled with water to a rolling boil and add ears of corn, taking care not to crowd the pot.

2. Blanch for about five to six minutes, depending on the diameter of the corn. Blanching starts as soon as you drop the corn in the pot; you do not need to wait for the water to reach the boiling stage again.

3. Remove the cobs with tongs, and immediately transfer them into a bowl or sink filled with ice water.

4. Once cooled, set the corn on paper towels, a cutting board, or a cooling rack and let dry.

How To Freeze Blanched Corn

Blanching also works to heighten and set the color and flavor when freezing produce , and will help the corn maintain its texture. Once the corn is blanched, you can set to the work of freezing either whole ears or kernels, following one of the methods below.

Freezing Whole Ears Of Corn

1. After blanching, make sure the cooled ears of corn are completely free of water droplets.

2. Package them in a freezer-safe bag, remove excess air, and store them in the freezer.

3. Be sure to date the bag so you eat the oldest corn first.

Freezing Corn Kernels

It isn't as easy to cut kernels from icy ears of corn, so if you want to put up blanched corn to use in skillet corn or corn pudding , cut the kernels off the cob before freezing:

1. Stand the corn upright on a large cutting board or on the center of a Bundt pan. Using a sharp knife, cut straight down across the base of the kernels. Go back over the cob with the back side of the knife to extract the sweet corn "milk."

2. Get cup measurements as you package the kernels, noting the amount and the date you froze the corn in the freezer-safe bag.

3. Place bags in the freezer in single layers to allow the corn to freeze completely. Once frozen, you can stack the bags to make the most of freezer storage space.

Waste Not

Don't throw away those corncobs—there is still delicious flavor to be found, even once the corn kernels are gone. Make a pot of corn broth and use it in place of chicken or vegetable stock. If you don't have enough cobs to make a batch, just freeze them until you have more cobs.

How To Freeze Fresh, Unblanched Corn

If you're in a rush, fresh corn will readily freeze right on the cob or in kernels. This method is easier but best used if you plan to cook your corn in bread, pudding, or casseroles , where the texture is less important.

Freezing Raw Ears Of Corn

Many home cooks like the ease of simply shucking, silking, and packaging whole ears of corn for the freezer, as this is the easiest and quickest method to preserve your summer corn. Add shucked ears to appropriately sized freezer bags, remove air, label, and freeze. Even frozen fresh ears taste better than store-bought frozen ears.

Freezing Raw Kernels Of Corn

If you want to freeze unblanched corn kernels, follow the cutting and freezing directions from above. Just skip blanching your corn before you cut it off the cob.

Recipes To Make With Frozen Corn

The best way to use frozen corn is in applications where it will be recooked and jazzed up a bit (it has been sitting in the freezer, after all). Here are a few of our favorite recipes for using frozen corn in:

• Southern Fried Corn : Two humble ingredients, corn and bacon grease, combine their powers to make an irresistible side dish in this old-school recipe.

• Creamed Corn Pasta : Corn forms the base of a silky pasta sauce in this weeknight dinner recipe.

• Honey-Butter Skillet Corn : This simple supper side dish takes corn to the next level with tangy cream cheese, salted butter, and honey.
  

• Tee's Corn Pudding : Save summer's best corn to use in this classic Thanksgiving side dish.

Frequently asked Questions

Why is my frozen corn mushy?

Frozen corn can be mushy due to improper blanching or overcooking it. Additionally, it can be become mushy due to freezer damage, which can happen when ice crystals form within the kernels.

How long should you boil frozen corn?

Frozen corn should be boiled for five to seven minutes. Once the kernels are tender and bright yellow, you'll know they're done. Do not thaw before boiling.

Related: 33 Fast And Fresh Corn Recipes For Your Summer Haul

Read the original article on Southern Living