Written by: Food52
Popular on Food52
48 Comments
Joslyn
August 8, 2013
I use a bundt pan - just place the stalk end in the center hole and run a knife top to bottom around the ear and all the corn ends up contained in the bundt pan - so fast and so easy.
JSCooks
August 29, 2012
I learned this trick from Joey Altman when we were writing his cookbook, Without Reservations. I've used it ever since then, and when I do cooking demos that involve corn I always show it, almost always eliciting the response: "why didn't I think of that!" (And with the utmost respect, I do concur with others re: "hi guys" -- not only is it a throw-away, but most of us aren't guys. Otherwise, love your great site!)
wcl
August 29, 2012
this kernel cutting technique sure seems to reduce the corn flying all over the kitchen. however the problem i have (that is more disconcerting) is when i scrape the cob to get all that juicy goodness that is left after the cut. the juice flys all over (predominantly on my glasses) and is really a pain to get off of things due to its sugar/starch content. any ideas for that ?
JanetFL
July 26, 2012
Many thanks to Kristen and Merrill for an easy and great tip that I never would have thought up myself. This is now my technique for stripping corn.
pepperoncini
June 28, 2012
Also another note, I to had terrible lagging when trying to view this video, that was disappointing.
pepperoncini
June 28, 2012
Great idea!
I always blanch my corn first then cut it off the cob. I've tried corn shredders but they seem to mush up the corn to much so I went back to cutting it with a knife.
I always blanch my corn first then cut it off the cob. I've tried corn shredders but they seem to mush up the corn to much so I went back to cutting it with a knife.
Rosemary M.
June 27, 2012
I use the CORN ZIPPER from PRINCESS HOUSE.
Please visit my website at www.princesshouse.com/rmartinez109
•Use the brush side of the Corn Zipper to quickly brush silk off your corn on the cob.
•Use the sharp blades on the other side to easily remove the kernels from the cob a few rows at a time.
•Features a soft-grip, BPA-free nylon handle and scalloped, serrated stainless steel blade that’s positioned away from your hand for safety.
•Includes blade protector for safe storage.
Please visit my website at www.princesshouse.com/rmartinez109
•Use the brush side of the Corn Zipper to quickly brush silk off your corn on the cob.
•Use the sharp blades on the other side to easily remove the kernels from the cob a few rows at a time.
•Features a soft-grip, BPA-free nylon handle and scalloped, serrated stainless steel blade that’s positioned away from your hand for safety.
•Includes blade protector for safe storage.
forget I.
June 27, 2012
Lose the "hi guys" please. I'm so tired of hearing that said to us that I reduce the amount of the tip after the 3rd time I hear it. Hi is plenty. It' way overdone in about all the food service business.
Merrill S.
June 29, 2012
If you have feedback, there's a more constructive way to offer it. Just as you "reduce the amount of the tip after the 3rd time I hear it," I'm less likely to take your recommendation seriously because of its tone.
forget I.
June 27, 2012
Lose the "hi guys" please. I'm so tired of hearing that said to us that I reduce the amount of the tip after the 3rd time I hear it. Hi is plenty. It' way overdone in about all the food service business.
meetsaucygirl
August 5, 2011
I use a microplane! It works perfectly and is super quick.
meetsaucygirl
August 5, 2011
Oops, I meant so say a mandolin. It works perfectly. Just put in on a 1/2 or less setting. Amazing!
jay-j
July 13, 2011
The best way to de-kernel corn is to use your fingers. It's the best and safest method. With the knife, you leave the germ behind. With your finger, you get the whole kernel, germ and all. Try it.
Sodium G.
July 5, 2011
um...wow, I can't believe that this technique never crossed any of our minds before! Ingenious! One of the many many many reasons I LOVE THIS SITE! Thanks ladies.
chez_mere
July 3, 2011
So glad I watched this. I work at a summer camp and there is always leftover corn from our Sunday night grill out. Finally an effective way to get it off the cob and into the salad bar!
thecrabbycook
July 3, 2011
Love this. Using the old method, I end up with half the corn on the floor, which makes my dog ecstatic, but makes me very irritable. I'm changing methods! (The dog will have to cope.)
AntoniaJames
July 3, 2011
I have always used the more conventional method of cutting down, into a large bowl. I tried it this way last night, to make my corn relish (recipe posted last week), using a nice, sharp 10" chef's knife. It's a far superior technique. The kernels are nice and clean + there's one less bowl to wash! Thank you so much for posting this. I will think of the food52 team with gratitude every time I cut corn, from now on. ;o)
cookie74
July 2, 2011
Use an angel food cake pan and put the corn in the center tube which holds it steady and the kernels fall into the pan as you slice....works GREAT!
ChefHef
July 2, 2011
first cut is awkward, but after that, I see this beats holding a whole cob vertically. HOWEVER, here's my method: Break the cob in half so you have more control- shorter pieces and flat ends. Hold the half-cob vertically, and use a SERRATED bread knife. The teeth grab in nicely at the top and you can get in close to the cob without slicing the kernels in half and losing a lot of juices.
Wini M.
July 2, 2011
My Midwestern grandmother is somewhere in the great beyond going, "In all my 101 years on this earth, why didn't I think of that?"
skittle
July 1, 2011
Complete ah-ha moment! Why on earth have I been standing it on end all these years?
cyndin
July 1, 2011
Corn stripers cost next to nothing and do this in 1/5 the time, with less waste. I might use a knife for one or two cobs, but for prepping a large box of them for the freezer, a knife is insanity. I can do 2 dozen cobs of corn in a couple of minutes, once they are shucked and washed. Yes, I have scraped my knuckles on the striper now and then but that video was scary, watching her cut a round slippery object without any stabilization of cob or hands. I have decent knife skills but still.
Merrill S.
July 11, 2011
Actually, the corn becomes totally stabilized once you make the first cut. Corn strippers are great, but not everyone has one.
carol_tanenbaum
July 1, 2011
I think this must qualify as the DUH moment of the day in the kitchen! Something soooo simple, and who'd have thunk it? THANKS!
tanager
July 1, 2011
With two kids in braces, I can't serve fresh corn without stripping the kernels. This looks like a much better method!
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