The magic of summer corn meets the ease of hands-off cooking in this Slow Cooker Corn on the Cob recipe. Infused with melted butter, aromatic garlic, and fresh herbs, this dish brings out the best in sweet, tender corn without requiring a moment over a hot stove. The slow-cooking process allows every bite to soak up the savory richness of the butter mixture, resulting in a comfort food side dish that’s nothing short of irresistible.
Perfect for BBQs, family dinners, and potluck gatherings, this crockpot corn is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. The foil-wrapping technique locks in moisture and flavor, while the slow cooker does all the heavy lifting. Whether you’re preparing a summer feast or a cozy winter meal, this simple yet flavorful corn will always find its place at your table.
Full Recipe:
Ingredients:
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6 ears of fresh corn, husked and cleaned
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½ cup unsalted butter, melted
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2 cloves garlic, minced
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1 teaspoon salt
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½ teaspoon black pepper
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1 teaspoon smoked paprika (optional)
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2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
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½ cup water
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Aluminum foil
Directions:
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Tear 6 sheets of aluminum foil large enough to wrap each ear of corn.
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In a small bowl, mix melted butter, minced garlic, salt, pepper, and smoked paprika (if using).
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Brush each ear of corn generously with the butter mixture.
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Sprinkle chopped parsley over the buttered corn.
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Wrap each ear of corn tightly in foil.
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Pour ½ cup water into the bottom of your slow cooker.
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Place the wrapped corn in the crockpot, stacking if necessary.
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Cover and cook on HIGH for 2½ to 3 hours or on LOW for 4 to 5 hours, until corn is tender.
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Carefully unwrap and serve hot with additional butter and parsley if desired.
Prep Time: 10 minutes | Cooking Time: 3 hours (on High) | Total Time: 3 hours 10 minutes
Kcal: 190 kcal | Servings: 6 servings
Slow Cooker Corn on the Cob: A Foolproof Side Dish for Every Occasion
Corn on the cob is one of those iconic dishes that instantly transports you to memories of summer barbecues, county fairs, or cozy family dinners. Its natural sweetness, juicy crunch, and golden hue make it not only visually appealing but also universally loved. But what if we told you there’s a way to elevate your corn-on-the-cob experience without boiling water or firing up the grill?
That’s where the slow cooker comes in your secret weapon for buttery, tender, flavor-infused corn that practically cooks itself. This version, wrapped in foil and drenched in a garlicky butter mixture, turns the humble ear of corn into a luxurious, melt-in-your-mouth side dish with minimal effort.
Whether you’re preparing a weeknight family dinner or planning a large cookout, slow cooker corn on the cob fits the bill. It’s flexible, unfussy, and deeply satisfying. Once you try this cooking method, you’ll wonder why you ever did it any other way.
Why Use a Slow Cooker for Corn?
Using a slow cooker might not be the first method that comes to mind for making corn on the cob, but it offers several unique benefits:
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Hands-off cooking: Set it and forget it! Unlike boiling or grilling, there’s no need to monitor or flip anything. The slow cooker does all the work.
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Flavor infusion: When you wrap corn in foil with seasoned butter, it acts like a mini steam chamber, allowing every kernel to absorb the flavors.
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Perfect texture: The gentle, consistent heat of a slow cooker ensures your corn remains juicy, plump, and never overcooked.
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Easy cleanup: No boiling pots or messy grills just a few foil wrappers to discard and a quick rinse of the slow cooker insert.
In short, slow-cooking corn is the most convenient way to produce consistent, restaurant-worthy results at home.
The Magic of Garlic Butter
One of the defining features of this recipe is its rich garlic butter blend. Butter is an obvious partner to corn, a classic combination dating back generations but when you amplify it with minced garlic, sea salt, black pepper, and optional herbs like parsley or smoked paprika, it transcends its humble roots.
Garlic offers a punchy aroma and savory bite that cuts through the sweetness of corn, creating balance. Fresh herbs like parsley brighten the flavor profile, and paprika (especially smoked) adds a subtle depth and color. These additions turn ordinary corn into something indulgent and crave-worthy.
Feel free to personalize your butter mixture add a sprinkle of Parmesan for richness, a squirt of lime juice for tang, or a touch of chili powder if you like heat. This recipe is endlessly adaptable.
Seasonal Freshness Makes a Difference
When making corn on the cob, especially a recipe that highlights the natural sweetness of the corn, fresh, in-season ears are the best choice. Late spring through early fall is corn’s peak growing season in many parts of the U.S., with July and August being prime time for sweet corn.
Look for ears with bright green, tightly wrapped husks and moist, slightly sticky tassels. The kernels should be plump and packed closely together. If you’re lucky enough to buy directly from a farm stand or local market, do it, the flavor difference is huge.
Don’t worry if you’re cooking out of season, though. Supermarkets often carry decent-quality corn year-round, and the slow cooking process can breathe life into even average ears.
Great for Meal Prepping and Entertaining
Slow cooker corn on the cob is ideal when you need a reliable side dish that doesn’t take up oven or stovetop space. It’s especially useful during:
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Holiday meals (like Thanksgiving or Easter)
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Summer BBQs and potlucks
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Large family dinners
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Batch cooking and meal prepping
You can prep everything the night before wrap the corn in foil and store it in the fridge. The next day, just pop them into the slow cooker a few hours before mealtime. They’ll be ready to serve right when your guests sit down.
Plus, it keeps warm beautifully. If you’re juggling multiple dishes, just turn your slow cooker to the “Keep Warm” setting after the corn is cooked, and you’re good to go for hours.
Pairing Suggestions for Your Garlic Butter Corn
This side dish is incredibly versatile and pairs well with a wide range of main courses. Here are a few favorites:
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Grilled meats: Think BBQ ribs, steaks, or chicken thighs.
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Burgers and sandwiches: From classic cheeseburgers to pulled pork sliders.
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Seafood: Garlic corn pairs beautifully with grilled shrimp, crab legs, or salmon.
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Vegetarian mains: Try it with veggie burgers, portobello mushrooms, or a hearty bean chili.
You can also serve this as a part of a picnic spread alongside potato salad, coleslaw, and fresh lemonade. It truly shines in any context.
Make It a Meal
If you’re looking to stretch this dish beyond a side, here are a few creative ways to transform your corn on the cob into the star of the show:
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Corn salad: Cut the kernels off the cob and mix them with cherry tomatoes, red onions, feta, avocado, and a tangy vinaigrette.
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Street corn: Brush the cooked ears with mayo, cotija cheese, chili powder, and lime juice for a take on Mexican-style elote.
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Corn soup: Blend the corn with some broth, cream, and seasoning for a velvety corn chowder.
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Corn and black bean tacos: Slice off the kernels and use them as a taco filling with black beans and spicy aioli.
With a little imagination, this humble side dish can do it all.
Conclusion
Slow Cooker Corn on the Cob is the ultimate fusion of ease and flavor. By using a crockpot, you eliminate the guesswork and labor of traditional methods while still achieving a delicious, restaurant-quality result. The combination of sweet, tender corn with garlicky butter and fresh herbs makes this a go-to recipe you’ll return to again and again.
Whether you’re hosting a summer barbecue, feeding a hungry family, or simply craving a comforting side dish that practically cooks itself, this slow cooker recipe delivers every single time. It’s rustic, flavorful, adaptable, and foolproof, everything a great recipe should be.
Try it once, and we guarantee it will become a staple in your seasonal (and even year-round) meal rotation.