Follow these easy instructions for freezing corn. By learning how to freeze fresh corn you can enjoy summer sweet corn all year long. Freezing sweet corn is one of our August family traditions.
What does it mean to 'put up corn'?
For those of you who are not in south central Pennsylvania 'putting up corn' is a 'Dutchy' way of saying freezing or canning corn. When I refer to 'Dutchy' I am referring to the abbreviated term to describe the heritage of the Pennsylvania Dutch. Which did not originate from Holland but from Germany. Confused yet? Welcome to my world. In short we are going to freeze corn, people.
Check out my other Pennsylvania recipes:
- Ham pot pie
- Fastnachts (potato donuts)
How to make freezer corn off the cob
- Find the freshest sweet corn available.
- Husk the fresh corn on the cob by removing the outer green leaves and the inner corn silk. I do this by splitting the husk at the tassel, grabbing the silk and removing both in one motion.
- Bring a large pot of water to boil.
- Blanch the raw corn.
- With firm, controlled pressure, use a corn stripper to cut the corn from the cob from the thick stalk end to the thin tassel end.
- Make sure the pressure is not forcing the corn stripper into the cob of the corn.
- Potion into freezer bags or containers, removing as much air as possible.
- Label with date and portion size.
- Lay flat to freeze.
- Enjoy within a year.
How to remove corn on the cob for freezing
- Husk fresh corn of the outer green leave and inner silk.
- Use a vegetable brush to remove any excess corn silk.
- Blanch the corn cobs. (see below)
- With firm, controlled pressure, use a corn stripper to cut off cob from the thick stalk end to the thin tassel end.
- Make sure the pressure is not forcing the corn stripper into the cob of the corn.
You can use your freezer corn in any of my corn recipes. Mexican corn dip, crockpot Mexican corn soup, black bean salsa recipe, Chipotle Copycat Roasted Chili-Corn Salsa, Super Simple Home Made Corn Chowder With Bacon, Pimento Cheese Spread with Roasted Corn and Crockpot Chicken Corn Soup.
Recipes that use corn:
- Mexican corn dip,
- crockpot Mexican corn soup
- black bean salsa recipe
- Chipotle Copycat Roasted Chili-Corn Salsa
- Super Simple Home Made Corn Chowder With Bacon
- Pimento Cheese Spread with Roasted Corn
- Crockpot Chicken Corn Soup.
How long to blanch corn for freezing.
- Bring a large pot of water to a rolling boil.
- Plunge husked corn cobs into the water. Don't over crowd the pot.
- Bring back to a boil.
- Boil for 4 minutes.
- Plunge into ice water to cool completely.
How to use a Vacum sealer for freezing corn.
- Measure the bag to accommodate your portion size. I use the rule of one white cutting guide mark per cup of corn plus one for sealing. Ex.: 3 cups of corn = 4 guide marks. Adjust as needed.
- Seal the bottom edge of the vacum bag.
- Fill the bag with your portioned sweet corn kernels. My family of 5 eats approximately 3 cups of corn per meal when I serve it.
- Making sure there is no excess corn in the sealing area, insert the bag into the vacum sealer.
- Close the lid, lock and start the vacum.
- When all the air has been removed from the bag and the liquid starts to be squeezed out of the corn, press the seal button again.
- Label and freeze.
How do you store frozen corn?
- Lay corn flat to freeze.Layers of cookie sheets with corn will stack nicely
- Once frozen, stand upright for optimal freezer storage.
How do you cook frozen corn?
- Place your corn in a large pot and cover with cold water.
- Set the stove to high heat and cook until the water comes to a boil.
- Cover the pot, reduce heat to medium low and cook for 5 to 8 minutes.
- Strain, top with butter and seasonings. Serve immediately.
How do you thaw frozen corn?
Remove frozen corn from the package. Place in a colander or strainer, run cool water in a thin stream over vegetables until thawed. Another way to thaw frozen corn is to place the frozen corn in a resealable plastic bag, and submerge in cold water until thawed. Thawing frozen corn in the microwave in the microwave in 30 second intervals at 50% power, stirring until thawed.
- Husk the corn. Remove all the green leaves and yellow 'hairs' or the silk from all the corn. The husks, but not the cobs, are great for the compost. Go green and add them to your compost and give back to the earth what it gave you.
- Remove the kernels from the cob.
- Measure out 4 quarts of fresh cut corn.
- Add 3 cups of water, 1 cup sugar and 2 teaspoons salt. The sugar and salt just enhance the natural taste of the corn. If you like your corn straight of the cob either cut back to leave the sugar out completely.
- Boil the corn for 15 minutes.
- Cool the corn completely in an ice bath.
- Fill freezer bags with 2 generous cup portions of extra sweet corn.
- Remove the air from the bag before laying flat to freeze.
Why is it important to chill freezer corn before freezing?
- It stops the cooking process of the corn and will help preserve the crispness of your fresh corn.
- It is good food handling practices to cool a hot item before freezing.
What's a side cob recipe can I make when I freeze corn off the cob?
For a side dish, try making a frozen corn off the cob recipe by incorporating fresh sweet corn.
Start by simmering the delicious sweet corn and then add corn to create a flavorful and easy-to-make dish. Whether you choose to sauté it with herbs or mix it into a succulent casserole, this frozen corn off the cob recipe is sure to taste good.
Ingredients
- 12 corn
Instructions
How to freeze corn off the cob
- Find the freshest sweet corn available.
- Husk the corn by removing the outer green leaves and the inner corn silk. I do this by splitting the husk at the tassel, grabbing the silk and removing both in one motion.
- Bring a large pot of water to boil.
- Blanch the corn.
- With firm, controlled pressure, use a corn stripper to cut the corn from the cob from the thick stalk end to the thin tassel end.
- Make sure the pressure is not forcing the corn stripper into the cob of the corn.
- Potion into freezer bags or containers, removing as much air as possible.
- Label with date and portion size.
- Lay flat to freeze.
- Enjoy within a year.
How to get corn off the cob for freezing
- Husk fresh corn of the outer green leave and inner silk.
- Use a vegetable brush to remove any excess corn silk.
- Blanch the corn cobs. (see below)
- With firm, controlled pressure, use a corn stripper to cut the corn from the cob from the thick stalk end to the thin tassel end.
- Make sure the pressure is not forcing the corn stripper into the cob of the corn.
How long to blanch corn for freezing.
- Bring a large pot of water to a rolling boil.
- Plunge husked corn cobs into the water. Don't over crowd the pot.
- Bring back to a boil.
- Boil for 4 minutes.
- Plunge into ice water to cool completely.
Nutrition
This is the post that was originally posted August 8, 2011.
I am Sarah Mock. Welcome!
Sarah Mock is a classically trained Chef and graduate of Johnson & Wales University. A culinary blogger for 16 years Sarah helps the home cook prepare her recipes with professional results.
Jess Ensminger says
thanks Sarah! :D
Just a note...our family likes stuff SWEET! your family might like the corn a little less sweet, so just reduce the sugar a bit. It can always be added back in when you're heating it up for Christmas dinner! <3