The Raw Truth: Can You Eat Raw Corn On the Cob?

Is it really safe to eat raw corn? It’s often served grilled or boiled, drenched in butter and salt — here’s why you should consider not cooking it.

You aren’t alone if you’ve never even thought of eating raw corn. This sweet, bright yellow summer vegetable is usually boiled or grilled on the barbecue before getting slathered with butter and seasonings. While those are delicious methods of preparing corn, they aren’t the only way!

Eating raw corn on the cob allows the full flavor of the corn to shine. If you have good corn, why cook it at all? Can you eat raw corn on the cob? We’ll look at some things to keep in mind and the best ways to eat it.

Also interesting: Raw Vegan Diet: Risks, Benefits, and Easy Recipes

Pros and Cons of Eating Raw Corn

So: Can you eat raw corn on the cob? Absolutely. However, whether you eat your raw corn on the cob or otherwise, there are some important pros and cons.

Pros

Vegetables are part of a balanced diet. They’re filled with vitamins, minerals, and nutrients. However, sometimes those good things disappear or diminish when the vegetables are cooked. Corn is no different — it retains more nutrients when eaten raw. So if you want to get the most out of a cob of corn, skip the grill or pot. By eating raw corn, you’ll get the highest amount of:

• Vitamin B
• Plant protein 
• Folate
• Vitamin C
• Potassium
• Digestive fibers

Corn has a bad reputation for being difficult to digest. This is due to its high cellulose levels. The trick here is to chew the corn well, which helps break down those hard-to-digest fibers.

Cons

Corn is a delicious part of many diets, but like everything else, it is best consumed in moderation. Overeating corn can lead to:

• increased sugar levels in the body
• risk of pellagra, a vitamin deficiency
• weight gain due to the high sugar and carbohydrate content
• bloating and flatulence due to high starch content

How to Prepare Raw Corn

There are a few things you need to take into consideration before you bite into those juicy yellow kernels. You’ll want to:

• go to a farmers’ market or directly to a farm to get organic corn
• select ears that feel dense and heavy for their size
• shuck the corn and remove all the silk
• rinse to remove any bugs, dirt, or debris
• consume within a few hours of purchasing

We recommend purchasing directly from a farmer because you can ask them when your corn was picked. The fresher, the better! The cobs you find at grocery stores are typically picked before they’re ripe, meaning they won’t be as tasty.

Another thing to be very mindful of is whether or not the farm uses chemical pesticides or herbicides. When eating raw corn, choosing organic varieties is a must. To select the most flavorful ears of corn, peel back the husk to see if the kernels are plump and juicy.

After you’ve shucked it and rinsed off any dirt and debris, you can eat raw corn by just biting directly into it. If you want to enhance the flavor even more, rub a bit of olive oil or salt directly onto it.

1. Sweet Corn & Peach Bruschetta

Classic bruschetta is made using tomatoes, but by using fresh peaches and raw corn, you can enjoy a sweeter twist.

Ingredients

• 3 ears of fresh sweet corn, cut off the cob
• 2 peaches, diced
• ½ block feta, or vegan feta cheese, crumbled
• 2 tbsp. freshly chopped basil
• 2 tbsp. white balsamic vinegar
• 2 tbsp. olive oil
• 1 tsp. honey, or vegan honey alternative
• salt & pepper, to taste
• 1 baguette, sliced and toasted

Instructions

1. Combine corn, peaches, feta, and basil in a medium-sized bowl and toss gently to mix.
2. Add the balsamic vinegar, olive oil, honey, salt & pepper to a small bowl, and whisk to combine.
3. Pour the liquid mixture into the bowl with the corn and peaches and toss to coat.
4. Finally, spoon the topping onto your toasted bread and enjoy!

2. Black Bean & Raw Corn Salad

Ingredients

• 1 can black beans, rinsed and drained
• ¾ cup fresh corn kernels
• ¼ cup finely diced red onion
• ½ red pepper, diced
• ½ avocado, diced
• ¼ jalapeño, deseeded and diced
• 2½ tbsp. olive oil
• 2 tbsp. lime juice
• 1 tsp. honey, or vegan honey alternative 
• ½ tsp. chili powder
• ½ tsp. cumin
• salt & pepper, to taste

Instructions

1. Place the beans, raw corn kernels, onion, red pepper, avocado, and jalapeño into a medium-sized mixing bowl.
2. In a smaller bowl, add the olive oil, lime juice, honey, and spices. Whisk to combine.
3. Pour the dressing on top of the salad and toss gently to coat.

Tip: You can also turn this into a salsa by chopping the vegetables into smaller pieces.

So – can you eat raw corn? The answer is yes, and we hope these delicious recipes encourage you to get the full benefits of this nutritious choice!

Read more:

• Vegan Elote Recipe: Off the Cob
• Should Tomatoes be Refrigerated? Tips and Tricks for Proper Storage
• Balanced Meal Tips: 10 Rules for a Healthy Diet

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Tags: Cooking Guide Recipes Vegan Vegetarian