The most important thing is to use the freshest corn possible! When you bring the corn into your kitchen from the farmers market, grocery store, or your own garden, decide right then if it’s going to be eaten fresh (we love it on the grill!) or go straight to the freezer. The older the corn is, the more it loses its optimal flavor and texture, and that’s what you’ll taste later if you freeze it past its peak.
Can I Freeze Uncooked Corn or Do I Need to Blanch It?
From a safety perspective, you don’t have to blanch corn that you plan to cook later before freezing it. From a quality perspective, though, it’s highly recommended. This is because the process of blanching destroys enzymes that can change the flavor, texture, and even the color of vegetables, including corn, during their time in the freezer. Corn that has not been blanched before freezing can become chewy (and sometimes downright mushy) once it’s thawed. This may be okay if you plan to puree it in something like a cream-based soup. It’s better to have options for how you can use your frozen corn, though. That’s why blanching to help preserve the flavor and texture is an important step when freezing your corn.
Can I Freeze Whole Cobs of Corn?
You can freeze corn that’s still on the cob but give some thought to what you plan to do with it when you get it out of the freezer. The only reason to freeze it on the cob is if you will eat it on the cob later. Otherwise, it’s worth it to put in the effort and remove it from the cob now, freezing only the kernels. This makes it much easier to add the corn straight from the bag to soups, chowders, and sautés or steam it to eat alone, just like you would frozen corn from the supermarket. You’ll have already invested time in removing it from the cob and the extra work won’t delay you from getting dinner on the table.
Should I Wrap Corn in Plastic Wrap Before Freezing?
You can, but you don’t have to. I try to avoid using excess plastic wrap so I freeze corn on the cob in a bag without the extra wrapping. If you are using high-quality freezer bags they should be well equipped at preserving your corn. If you prefer to wrap the cobs before putting them in a bag do so after you chill the corn in the freezer.
How Long Can I Keep Corn in the Freezer?
While commercial corn from the supermarket can last in the freezer up to 12 months, corn frozen in your own kitchen is better to consume within 6 months. Commercial corn undergoes industrial processes to freeze it that we can’t imitate at home. The benefit of freezing your own fresh corn is that you are likely starting with a much fresher, higher quality product. If this is your first time freezing corn, be sure to check it along the way. Freezer burn occurs due to moisture loss in a frozen food, and while the steps here will help you reduce the chance of corn developing it, it can be helpful to use up your corn over the 6-month time frame. This helps you become familiar with how it tastes as it freezes for longer periods of time.
Does Frozen Corn Need to Be Thawed Before Using?
Frozen corn, whether on the cob or kernels, does not need to be thawed before cooking, unless a recipe specifically instructs you to do that. You can add it straight to the recipe you are preparing or to the boiling water or sauté pan if you are enjoying it alone as a side dish. This makes it easy to add into a vegetable soup, corn chowder, or a burrito filling.
Recipes That Use Frozen Corn
Texas Stacked Enchiladas with Corn and Black Beans Creamed Corn Mexican Street Corn Nachos Corn Chowder Spicy Corn Fritters
