How to Butter Corn on the Cob for a Party
Everyone loves corn on the cob in the summer and it’s a great addition to a party, picnic or BBQ. But one of the biggest struggles is how to butter it! I learned a nifty trick for How to Butter Corn on the Cob for a Party from my Grandmother many years ago. Butter isn’t cheap and there’s no need to be wasteful with butter or money! This trick avoids messy butter getting everywhere or people taking more butter than they need.
My Grandmother had a small catering business and I helped her from a very young age. I learned many cooking and entertaining tips from her, but this (and my love of butter) are perhaps my favorite things she taught me!
Dipping corn in melted butter is great and all, but you need lots of butter in a deep container, right? What a waste of perfectly good butter!
So, so very very WRONG.
Just as oil and water don’t mix, neither does butter and water. So, by allowing melted butter to float (naturally) on top of warm water, when corn is dipped in the butter fully coats the entire cob on it’s way out!
Let’s face it, butter isn’t cheap and there’s no need to be wasteful with butter or money. This trick avoids messy butter getting everywhere or people taking more butter than they need.
Supplies you need:
- 1/2 gallon wide mouth canning jar
- Water, preferably filtered
- Butter
- Slow Cooker
- Stainless Steel Kitchen Tongs
The Easiest Way to Butter Corn on the Cob for a Party
#1: Fill a wide-mouth half-gallon jar with 5 cups of hot water
#2: Add 1 pound of melted butter.
Yes. you heard me correctly BUTTER… not faux butter are margarine. For your health (and the best taste) it’s butter or don’t bother!
#3: Let’s your guests dip their own ears of cob into the jar.
#4: Your corn on the cob is fully buttered and ready to eat!
When serving corn on the cob picnic style, create a water bath in your crock pot.
Now isn’t that easy??? And a lot less fuss. You can thank my Grandma for this tip 🙂
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use dairy-free butter?
Generally speaking most types of diary free butter SHOULD stay separated from the water however that depends on which brand you prefer. I would try melting a little bit of the dairy free butter in water first to make sure it stays separate before using a full pound for a party!
Can I use a smaller Jar?
The jar size is determined by the size of the ear of corn. So for all full-sized ears of corn, they need full submerged which means the best size option is the 1/2 gallon that I recommend.
Why do I need a slow cooker?
The slow cooker or crock pot, keeps the water HOT and the butter melted throughout your event.
Can I add seasonings to the butter/water mixture?
You can use herbs and spices to flavor the butter but be cautions because many will just sink to the bottom – like chunks of garlic or garlic powder. However using fresh garlic will infuse the butter with a garlic flavor and can be wonderful.
How to set up a Corn Buttering Station
Here’s a photo I snapped at a party I helped with, showing how to setup your corn buttering station:
And here are the cards that I use to instruct how to use the corn buttering station, if you can’t save this image just reach out and I can send it to you!
Looking for more BBQ & Party friendly recipes?? Try these:
- Copycat Creamy Coleslaw
- Creamy Bacon Pea Salad
- Confetti Egg Salad
- Easy Keto BBQ Sauce Recipe
- EASY Keto Broccoli Salad Recipe
Yours in Health,
How to Butter Corn on the Cob for a Party
Equipment
- Slow Cooker/Crock Pot
Ingredients
- 5 cups Water, filtered boiling or very hot
- 1 pound Butter (or ghee)
Instructions
- Combine hot water and melted butter in half gallon canning jar. Initially it will get mixed up but will separate into distinct layers quickly.
- Use for parties, picnics and BBQs to butter corn on the cob.
Great idea! I heard another good idea that I would use if serving corn on the cob to a smaller group – and that is to use a roll to butter the corn. A split roll with a generous pat of soft butter contours the corn and makes it easy to butter without drips or mess. Just hold the roll (or even a slice of bread) in the palm of one hand, and run the cob over it. Then, you get to eat the buttered roll, too!
We like to flavor our butter with fresh lime juice and tarragon. Do you think we can add this on top of the butter, or in the water?
Sure! Sounds delicious!
I’m trying this for our food pantry cookout, cross your fingers!!
Sounds genius! I am trying this today for 4th if July cookout!! Thank you 🙏🏻
we used to do this at block parties, in fact are doing it again this weekend! Cook your corn IN THE HUSKS, on the grill. Fill a large coffee can with the water and butter and keep it on the grill. Partiers can peel back the husks and dip and go. I always keep a container of salt and butter nearby if they would like to take a pinch to sprinkle on. SOOO yum.
I mean container of salt and pepper. Hubby likes ot have a container of hot pepper flakes too. 🙂
We tried this for a picnic and it worked fantastic,thank you. Can I save the leftover in the fridge and just heat it back up to use again?
Yes!
wE ARE HAVING POEPLE OVER THIS FRIDAY FOR A BBQ . WILL DEFINITELY TRY THIS AND WITH THE CROCK POT BATH AS IT WILL BE BUFFET STYLE Will let you know hoe it turned out.
do you use salted or unsalted. will it affect the way the butter sits on top of the water?
it does not matter, I always use salted butter.
Great Idea I love it. We are going to use it at our wedding and I was wondering if you have an estimate of approximately how many corn on the cob will that coat?
Lots! I don’t think there’s any way to calculate how much per person.
i assume one must keep the jar warm, what kind of warmer is that? a crock pot?
yes, crock pot.
Why can’t you just fill up the crockpot 3/4 water and put a a pound or 2 of butter so it’s sits on top .. does it work the same way? Thank you
You are welcome to try! Let us know if it works well for you! I’ve used this as-written at countless parties and celebrations, it works amazingly with minimal mess and uses supplies we have on hand.
what about individuals rotating the corn on the top of a long quarter of butter?
You are welcome to use any method that works for your group. I’ve found it’s extremely wasteful, time consuming and messy.
Awesome having BBq Shower. Was wondering about the Butter.
Thank You
Can you clarify your question?
A very cool way to coat corn on the cob….
What an effective, mess-free way to butter corn on the cob. I’ll try this method out once we grab some! 🙂
I like this idea. It can get so messy putting butter on corn on the cob. Thanks!