How to Steam Corn on the Cob

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Steaming corn on the cob is a quick and easy way to prepare the vegetable. Question is: how long to steam it? You really only need 7 minutes once your water is boiling. Be sure to have your corn and steamer pot prepped and ready to go. Just follow these simple steps below.

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1. Prep the corn

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Husk the corn just before you're ready to steam it to keep it fresh. Remove any silky threads that remain after husking. You don't need to rinse the corn cobs, though you can for added reassurance. If you have a small steamer basket, break the cobs in half so that they will fit in the pot.

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2. Steam the corn

Add water to a large pot—just up to the bottom of the steamer basket—and bring it to a rolling boil. Once the water is boiling, add the corn cobs to the steamer basket and place the lid on the pot. Don't use salt in the water, as this can make the corn taste tough.

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Steam the corn for about 7 minutes. Use caution when removing the corn from the basket and enjoy. You can also use an electric steamer for steamed corn, following the same preparation, though you'll need to let the corn steam for about 25 minutes.

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