This is How Many Cups Of Corn in A Can! (Read This First)
Last updated on October 26th, 2022 at 05:19 pm
When it comes to homemade dishes, you can hardly go wrong with corn. You can cook, sauté, or roast it for various side dishes.
You can substitute fresh corn with canned or frozen corn if unavailable. However, it’s confusing to know how much-canned corn to purchase in place of fresh ears of corn when the recipe calls for it.
So, how do you tell how many cups of fresh corn are in a can or vice versa?
There are 1½ Cups of corn in a standard can measuring 15 ounces. However, this value depends on the can size because bigger canned products would have a different conversion rate. This article will examine everything you need to know about measuring and converting ears of fresh corn, canned corn, and frozen corn.
How Much Corn Makes a Cup?
A cup of corn contains kernels from two medium ears of corn. However, this depends on the size of the cob, as bigger cobs would have more corn kernels.
Nevertheless, a general way to calculate and convert where necessary is to note that one medium ear of corn would fill three-quarters of a cup. And two ears would give a full cup.
Below is a table containing further detail.
| Corns | Cups |
|---|---|
| Two medium ears of corn | 1 cup |
| One 15oz can of corn | 1½ cups or three servings |
| One pound of frozen corn | 3 cups |
Let’s also look at some of the terms in this article. What is the difference between an ear and a cob of corn?
The cob is the central portion of the ear where the corn kernels grow.
In contrast, an ear of corn comprises the inedible cob and the edible kernels or seeds. It is also a common unit of measuring fresh corn.
Corn (maize) is one of the most widely grown crops in the world. Some of the popular varieties are sweet corn and popcorn.
Sweet corn or sugar corn is known for its slightly higher sugar content.
It is also commonly sold in its preserved or canned form for use in salads and other sweet corn recipes.
Corn is also very nutritious as it has a high quantity of carbohydrates and fibers and a minimal quantity of protein.
Its mineral and vitamin quantity is dependent on the variety. Sweet corn, for instance, is notably higher in vitamins.
Below is a summary of the nutritional value of a cup of corn. A cup of corn contains
- 177 calories
- 4 5g of Fiber
- 40g of Carbohydrate
- 5.5g of Protein
How Many Servings are in One Can of Corn?
You have decided on the corn recipe to try out, but the next question is, how do you know how many people a can would serve? And how many cans of corn do you need to feed a specific number of guests?
Knowing the right amount to cook for each person is not just key to preparing a stellar meal.
It saves from the trouble of undercooking or overcooking. A standard 15 ounces can of corn serves three people.
As earlier stated, each can contains one and a half cups, so you can estimate it as half a cup per person.
Half a cup is equivalent to 125g or 4.5 oz per serving. Furthermore, this estimate works for smaller groups and crowds and does not depend on the corn you buy.
Canning is a common way of preserving corn to keep the taste, color, and nutritional benefits intact.
It’s also one of the oldest and most widely used methods of storing corn.
You may decide to can your fresh corn yourself by slicing the kernels off the cob and storing them in well-sterilized jars in a liquid known as brine.
There are two common canning methods: the raw and hot pack methods. Canned corn can last for months and even years if kept properly.
Brine is mainly composed of water, salt, and sometimes preservatives to further increase the corn’s shelf life.
Today, canning is a preferred way of having corn meals all year round, not just because it is an effective method.
But because it is a way to enjoy corn in different flavors. For instance, creamed corn is made by mixing corn kernels in a milky liquid.
Regular plain canned corn kernels usually have no extra flavors and are the most common.
How Many Cups are in Five Ears of Corn?
Five medium ears of corn would give two and a half cups of corn.
As stated earlier, one ear of corn is three-quarters of a cup, and two ears of corn are equal to one cup. Five ears of corn can thus serve five people.
Now that we have established this, you can always use these simple metrics to estimate the amount of fresh corn you would need and the amount of canned corn.
Furthermore, a valuable kitchen tool you should get is a corn stripper instead of manually removing the corn kernels.
Another alternative to using canned or fresh corn is buying frozen corn.
Like other frozen fruits, veggies, and seeds, frozen corn is handier and cheaper than regular fresh corn.
They are packed in bags of individually frozen corn kernels already separated from the cob.
All you have to do is to defrost them when you are ready and reheat them; then, you’re good to go.
Of course, fresh corn is more healthy than frozen corn. However, frozen corn has fewer calories which is a big yes for some people keen on managing their weight.
Frozen corn is also cheaper and faster to prepare than fresh corn because it was first blanched and then frozen during processing.
Some other things to compare are summarized below.
| Particulars | Fresh Corn | Frozen Corn |
|---|---|---|
| Nutritional Value | 72 calories | 60 Calories |
| Cooking time | 15 minutes | 7 minutes |
| Cost (per serving) | $0.53 | $0.24 |
How Much Frozen Corn Makes a Can?
Frozen corn is sold in packaged bags of different weights. Typically, there are 3 cups in a pound of frozen corn.
Using the standard that one 15 ounces can of corn contains 1½ cups, half a pound of frozen corn makes a can.
And a pound of frozen corn equals three cups or two cans. Frozen corn can typically last eight months to a year in the freezer.
You can defrost them by cooking on the stovetop, heating them in the microwave, or even running tap water on them.
You don’t always have to cook them; ensure that they are at least at room temperature before you add them to your food.
Below are a couple of tips to help you enjoy your frozen corn.
Tips for Cooking Frozen Corn
- Avoid adding salt until you are ready to serve it.
- Do not boil the frozen kernels. It kills the flavor and nutrients in the corn. Hence, skip this particular instruction you might find on the package of some brands.
- Saute or stir-fry frozen corn instead to keep it crisp and flavourful.
Conclusion
You can enjoy corn dishes all year round by exploring the two alternatives to fresh corn- canned corn and frozen corn.
While individual preferences and needs would determine which you will readily go for among frozen and canned corn, both are tasty when prepared correctly.
Finally, memorize the standard measurements to know how many cups of corn are in a can. There are 1½ cups of corn in a can and 3 cups in a pound of frozen corn.
