Here's How You'll Know Your Corn On The Cob Has Gone Bad

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Here's How You'll Know Your Corn On The Cob Has Gone Bad By Kat Olvera Oct. 18, 2025 10:20 pm EST

Corn is a United States icon; the U.S. is both the largest producer and consumer of corn in the entire world. Now that we've established that corn is good, you should also know how to tell when corn is bad — specifically, corn on the cob. Unshucked corn often stays hidden away behind its green leaves for days after purchase, and by the time you get around to cooking it, you might wonder if it's safe. Even if you picked out the best corn possible with the silk test at the store, it doesn't last forever. Another test you should try before cooking it is a sniff test.

If your corn has a rancid odor, don't take any chances. It's best to toss it in the compost. Other