There is nothing better than fresh corn with sweet kernels that pop in your mouth with every bite. Unfortunately, these veggies only keep their perfect texture and flavor for so long before they shrivel and are no longer tasty. This brings us to the popular questions, how long is corn good for, and does it go bad?
Corn on the cob is what summer dreams are made of, along with backyard grilling and long, lazy days. You wait with anticipation throughout the winter for the beginning of corn harvesting and often bring home more ears of corn than are possible to eat before they go bad.
Shucking the last few corn cobs only to discover they are past their prime leaves the garbage can full of wasted food and a disappointed belly. This leaves you wondering, when exactly did the corn go bad, how long does corn last, and where is the best place to store it to keep it fresh?
How Long is Corn Good for and Where to Store it
Does corn go bad? How long does bread last? We all wonder about the shelf life of the foods we grow or buy and want to make the most of them before they spoil.
Unfortunately, like all other vegetables, corn has a limited shelf life. It takes time for corn to fully grow to delicious sweetness. However, over time, the corn kernels’ sugars begin to convert to starch, and they lose their juiciness through a process called respiration.
It’s essential to take the right steps to slow the activity. So, when does corn go bad? There are a few different answers to this question, and it depends on where and how you store it.
It takes a little while to harvest if you grow your own corn. How long does sweet corn take to grow? Since it can take two to three months or more for corn to be ready to pick, sometimes buying it is your best option.
While the best way to enjoy your sweet corn is to shuck it and cook it right away, there are ways to prolong its freshness for later enjoyment.
Does Corn Go Bad in the Refrigerator?
If you plan on eating your fresh corn right away, it’s safe to keep it at room temperature for a couple of hours.
Does corn go bad on the kitchen counter, or is there a better place to store it? The fridge is the place to store fresh corn, and keeping it cool helps it last up to five days.
To store fresh corn on the cob, do not wash the corn. Instead, keep them inside their husks and place each ear of corn into a plastic bag to help them retain freshness. The corn begins to go bad in five days to a week.
However, the corn tastes best if you cook them within three days. If you have cooked corn kernels that require storage, pour them into an airtight container and place it on the refrigerator shelf.
For cooked cobs, wrap them in plastic wrap or aluminum foil and refrigerate them for three to five days.
When Does Corn Go Bad in the Freezer?
Who says this sweet vegetable is only a summer-time delight? The freezer is an excellent place to keep your corn cobs and kernels to eat in the winter months. But, when does corn go bad in the freezer? Frozen corn lasts up to one year under the right conditions.
Shuck the corn and place them into a pot of boiling water to blanch for about four minutes. Transfer the cobs to a large bowl of cold water and ice cubes to stop the cooking process for an additional four minutes.
Take the corn out of the water bath, pat them dry with paper toweling, and lay them on a baking sheet. Set them in the freezer to flash-freeze for a couple of hours before wrapping the corn in plastic wrap and placing them in a freezer-safe bag.
If you prefer to freeze corn kernels, shuck the cobs and cut off the kernels into a large bowl. The simplest way to preserve your corn is to freeze fresh corn without blanching. Pour the corn into a freezer bag, label it with the date and contents, and set them on the freezer shelf.
How Long is Corn Good for at Room Temperature?
While the fridge is ideal for storing fresh corn and the freezer keeps it tasty even longer, the pantry is another alternative for corn-storage. We’ll show you how to can corn to last for up to two years and how to tell when corn is gone bad.
There are many canning corn recipes. This is one of the easiest.
Prepare the corn cobs by shucking and washing them and slicing off the kernels. Pour the corn into the jars, leaving one inch of headspace. Boil a pot of water and pour the boiling water over the corn while still leaving the space at the top.
Add a half teaspoon of canning salt to each jar, wipe the rims, and screw the lids in place. Follow the pressure canning operation for your model, and process the jars for 55 minutes. Turn off the heat and allow the gauge to reach zero before opening the canner.
Remove the pint jars and let them cool completely before testing the seals. If the lid pops, they are not sealed. This means the canned corn is not suitable for pantry storage, and you must eat them right away.
If you have canned corn in your pantry and are unsure if the corn is bad, the best way to find out is with your senses. If the kernels have an off-color or odor or mold, it is spoiled and needs disposing of.
Fresh corn on the cob, lightly salted and dripping with melted butter, is a favorite, whether you grill corn or boil corn.
This midwest crop makes its way to the farmers’ market and grocery store throughout the summer, and knowing the best ways to store it to keep its flavor and texture is key to eating tasty corn year round.
Corn-lovers often question how long is corn good for, so why not share our answers for how long corn lasts with your family and friends on Pinterest and Facebook?