How Long Does Corn on the Cob Last?
Fresh corn on the cob lasts 1–3 days in the fridge and tastes best the day you buy it. Cooked corn keeps 3–4 days, and blanched corn freezes for 8–12 months.
Corn on the Cob — raw
shelf life- Cooked: 3–4 days in the fridge
Fridge at 40°F (4°C) or below · freezer at 0°F (−18°C). Freezer times are for best quality; frozen food stays safe longer.
Fresh sweet corn starts converting its sugar to starch the moment it is picked, and the conversion runs much faster at room temperature than in the fridge. That is why corn is about flavor as much as safety: an ear that is several days old is still edible but tastes starchy and bland compared with one eaten the day it was bought.
How to store corn on the cob
- Refrigerate corn as soon as you get home, with the husks left on. The husk keeps the kernels from drying out, and cold slows the loss of sweetness.
- If the corn is already shucked or sold on a tray, wrap the ears in plastic wrap or a sealed bag so the kernels do not dent and dry.
- Do not leave corn in a hot car or on the counter for the afternoon; at warm temperatures it loses a large share of its sugar within a day.
- For the freezer, blanch ears, chill them in ice water for as long as they were blanched, and cut the kernels off before bagging.
- Cool leftover cooked corn and refrigerate it within 2 hours, off the cob if you want to save space.
How to tell if corn on the cob has gone bad
- Slimy, moldy or dark, wet silk and husk tips, often with a musty smell.
- Kernels that are slimy, mushy or have gray, black or pink mold growing among them.
- A sour or fermented smell from the ear.
- Shrunken, dented, dry kernels and a brown, dried-out husk; the corn is old and starchy, though not necessarily unsafe.
Bacteria that cause food poisoning usually do not change the look, smell or taste of food. Go by the time limits first, and the signs above second.
Corn on the Cob shelf life chart
| State | Fridge | Freezer | Pantry |
|---|---|---|---|
| Raw | 1–3 days | 8–12 months | Not recommended |
| In the husk. Blanch before freezing: 7–11 minutes for whole ears by size, 4 minutes for cut kernels. | |||
| Cooked | 3–4 days | 8–12 months | Not safe |
| On the cob or cut off; kernels take less freezer space and keep better texture. | |||
Not safe = perishable: no more than 2 hours at room temperature (1 hour above 90°F / 32°C). Not recommended = possible, but quality suffers or it serves no purpose.
Frequently asked questions
Should corn on the cob be refrigerated?
Yes, always, and as soon as possible. At room temperature sweet corn turns starchy quickly and the husks mold. In the fridge, in its husk, it holds for 1–3 days. Newer supersweet varieties hold their sugar somewhat longer, but no corn improves with waiting.
Should I leave the husk on corn until I cook it?
Yes, keep the husk on until just before cooking. It acts as natural packaging and keeps the kernels plump and moist. If you peel back the tip to check an ear at the store, that exposed end will dry out first, so use that ear soonest.
How long does cooked corn on the cob last?
Cooked corn on the cob lasts 3–4 days in the fridge, wrapped or in a covered container. Corn left out at a cookout for more than 2 hours, or more than 1 hour in heat above 90°F (32°C), should be thrown away, including buttered ears.
Can you freeze corn on the cob without blanching?
You can, but plan to use it within a couple of months. Unblanched corn develops a cobby, off flavor and chewy texture in the freezer because its enzymes stay active. Blanched corn keeps good quality for 8–12 months at 0°F (−18°C).
Related foods
| Food | Fridge | Freezer | Pantry |
|---|---|---|---|
| Canned Corn Unopened |
Not recommended | Not recommended | 2–5 years |
| Frozen Vegetables Unopened |
1–2 days | 8–12 months | Not safe |
| Green Beans Fresh |
3–5 days | 8–12 months | Not recommended |
| Peas Fresh |
3–5 days | 8–12 months | Not recommended |
| Cooked Vegetables Cooked |
3–4 days | 2–3 months | Not safe |
| Tomatoes Ripe |
5–7 days | 2 months | 3–5 days |
Reviewed 2026-09-20. Times follow published USDA FoodKeeper / FSIS, FDA and CDC storage guidance; where sources differ we use the shorter time. How we compile this data.