“Butter Bath Corn” Is the Only Way to Cook Corn This Summer

Written by

Lauren MiyashiroExecutive Editor at The Kitchn
Lauren MiyashiroExecutive Editor at The Kitchn
I've been in digital food media for 13+ years, although I’ve also dabbled in magazines and cookbooks. I was previously at Food Network and Delish (where I once made a 10-pound bagel ... YouTube it!). My focus started in recipes, but now I obsess over everything possibly related to home cooking.
published Jul 24, 2024
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Credit: Joe Lingeman/Kitchn; Food Stylist: CC Buckley/Kitchn

It’s impossible to read “butter bath corn” and not immediately want to make it. The first time I read about the Midwestern technique, long before I worked at The Kitchn, I ran out to the store and made it the same night, totally abandoning whatever else I had planned. It just sounds so ridiculously delicious, you can almost imagine how luxe it tastes.  

Grilled corn is wonderful. If you’re already on grill duty outside, of course, throw some cobs on too. But if you have 15 spare minutes, consider boiling your corn with milk and butter. The brilliantly simple method leads to outrageously good corn on the cob and requires practically no effort. 

Get the recipe: Butter Bath Corn

What Makes Butter Bath Corn So Good

Luckily, butter bath corn lives up to its name. The first time I made it, I was a little skeptical of the 8-minute boiling time. Wouldn’t the corn overcook? The answer is a simple no. Reducing the heat to medium and boiling the corn gently will give you perfectly tender results with juicy corn kernels that pop with each bite. More importantly, adding milk and a whole stick of butter infuses the corn with the most amazing sweet and buttery flavor. 

Credit: Joe Lingeman/Kitchn; Food Stylist: CC Buckley/Kitchn

Other Ways to Make Butter Bath Corn

Butter bath corn is ultra-flavorful and creamy as it is. In addition to the milk and butter, you really just need a pinch of salt. But you can have even more fun by infusing the butter bath with different flavors. Our hot honey butter bath corn is a summertime favorite, but I’ve been wanting to try it Buffalo-style for a while now. There aren’t real rules — if it sounds tasty to you, it more than likely will be.  

Get the recipe: Butter Bath Corn

Have you tried butter bath corn? Let me know what other ingredients would be good to throw in the pot! 

This post originally appeared on The Kitchn. See it there: “Butter Bath Corn” Is the Only Way to Cook Corn This Summer