Easy Cooler Corn for a Crowd

Want to know the easiest way to serve corn on the cob to 50 or 100 or even 300 plus?

Just cook it in a cooler.

Cooler Corn is the simplest method I’ve found to cook corn for a crowd. I’ve used it at Girls Camp, serving over 250, Youth Conference, serving 230 and anytime I need corn on the cob for a large group – this is my ‘go to’ recipe of choice. It will become yours too!

It’s Incredibly Easy.

Here’s Everything you need to Know:

The Corn

You can use this approach with any amount of corn up to 400 half ears or 200 full ears. Just make sure you don’t fill the cooler more than 3/4 full with corn – otherwise there isn’t enough room left over to add sufficient water to effectively cook it. I generally break or cut the corn in half after shucking it so that 1 ear serves 2 guests (actually, I generally have someone ELSE break or cut the corn in half after THEY get done shucking it). You’ll find a half ear is more than enough with your additional menu items.

The Coolers

You can fit up to 350 half ears of corn or 175 full ears in two 150 quart coolers. 400 half ears or 200 full ears will easily fit into two 165 quart coolers.

The Process

Husk the corn, then if desired, break the ears in half. NOTE: This is a great job for the youth in the group. (Just sayin’) Alternatively if you’re working with smaller batches, America’s Test Kitchen published a suggestion that works beautifully. Simply cut off the stalk end of the corn a couple inches from the bottom, leaving the husk intact. Microwave 1 ear for 2-3 minutes (2 ears for 4-5 minutes). Remove the corn from the microwave, all you need to do is hold the top of the husk (the un-cut end) and shake. The corn will slide right out. (If not, give it another 30 seconds.
Up to 3 hours before serving, and at least 1 hour, start water boiling.
You’ll need about 100 quarts of water (50 quarts per cooler) for two 150 quart coolers.
Divide the cobs evenly between your coolers.
Pour the boiling water into coolers with corn.
Close cooler lid and don’t open it for at least 30 minutes, or until time to serve.

Your corn will take about 30 minutes to cook. It will stay warm in cooler for up to 3 hours as long as you don’t open the lid.

Serving Suggestions

You can serve directly out of the cooler(s) or place the corn in a large disposable aluminum pan, covered with aluminum foil. Ether plan to have bowls of melted butter with brushes on the serving table, or pick up individual butter pats and serve with the corn.

Pin for Later

Or Make Now

Here’s another delicious Corn Dish you’ll enjoy:

Mexican Street Corn Casserole

This fabulous casserole combines all the flavor of Mexican Street Corn without all the mess. It’s a real treat around our home.

1 Comment

Shawn on March 10, 2019 at 12:48 pm

What a great idea! Tried this from our youth camping trip and it worked.
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Here’s some other great Large Group recipes.

Dutch Oven Peach Cobbler

This lovely summer dessert combines sweet juicy peaches with a crunchy, buttery, golden brown cobbler. I served this at our Young Men and Young Women Church Camp, but it’s just as perfect for your family’s summer dinner cooked in the oven!

Marvelous Meatball Sandwiches

Want a wonderful ooey-gooey, saucy, savory Freezer Meal Sandwich Recipe? These little meatballs are baked in the oven, heated with a great time-saving spaghetti sauce, and place on a crunchy hoagie roll slathered with garlic butter and melty Provolone cheese! And you have a Fan-‘freakin’-tastic sandwich (to quote Jeff).

Easy Oven Rice for a Crowd

Don’t miss this one! Now you can make perfect rice EVERY TIME in just 30 minutes with this easy and proven recipe to cook rice in the oven. You’ll want to add this to your recipe box for sure.

Butter Pecan French Toast Breakfast Casserole

Looking for an over-the-top delicious breakfast for your family this holiday season? This wonderful overnight Butter Pecan French Toast Casserole won’t fail to delight. Nestled in between the velvety pieces of cream-soaked bread are bits of buttery, suger-y crunchy pecans. Heaven!

Tater Tot Breakfast Casserole for a Crowd

You’ll love this Delicious Easy Make Ahead Breakfast Casserole. They don’t get any quicker or easier than this! The great thing about this dish is that it comes together easily in 20 minutes night before and is simply the best Breakfast Casserole I’ve ever had. It’s the perfect Breakfast Casserole for your Crowd this holiday season. I’ve also included a smaller version which serves 12.

Asian Lettuce Wrap for a Crowd

If you’re looking for a healthy recipe for your family but are tired of salad, these Pork & Ginger Lettuce Wraps are for you. They are really easy and really fast, on the table within 30 minutes from start to finish. But the best part of all is they are REALLY good! Whip up a batch for your family this week, they’ll LOVE them.

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