Don’t Toss Those Corncobs: Make Corncob Jelly – Only 3 Ingredients!
When summer gives you corn, use the corncobs to make jelly! It may sound strange, but it's honey-sweet and delicious! Try this easy recipe.
As you probably know, Farmers’ Almanac has many “waste-not, want-not” recipes, and here’s another: after you’re done with those ears of sweet corn, don’t toss those cobs, make corncob jelly! Corncobs transform into a sweet, golden-colored jelly that’s delicious on your morning toast, waffles, or with savory dishes such as pork chops or steak. While it may sound like a strange idea, this jelly dates back to the 1880s and is another wonderfully inventive way our ancestors used up scraps that would normally be discarded.
The jelly also makes a delicious substitute for honey or sugar, which is why it’s also known as “corncob honey” or “mock honey” because of its sweetness and honey-like flavor. So go ahead and add it to your tea!
You don’t have to use cobs that have been eaten clean, you can simply remove kernels with a knife and use them in other recipes (like this corn and black bean salad, for example); although the recipe’s boiling stage will make them safe to use.
3-Ingredient Corncob Jelly Recipe
Ingredients
- 12 corncobs (kernels removed)*
- 1 package fruit pectin (1¾ ounces)
- 4 cups granulated sugar
- Water
Instructions
- Directions:In a large stockpot add empty corncobs to 6-8 cups of water. Bring to a boil and boil for 10-15 minutes.Remove corncobs and strain the liquid through a fine-mesh strainer into another container. Measure out 3½ cups of the reserved liquid back into the pot and stir in the powdered fruit pectin. Bring to boil.
Stir in sugar and bring back to a boil. Boil hard for 5 minutes, stirring constantly. Skim and discard any foam that forms at the top. You can add a drop or two of yellow food coloring if you wish to give your jelly a more yellow appearance.
Ladle the liquid into 5 to 6 pint-sized clean canning jars or jelly jars.
You can use the jelly right away, in which case simply let the jelly cool and store jars in the fridge for up to 2 weeks (give some to friends and family). If you plan on canning in a hot water bath, follow these canning instructions here. Properly canned jars of corncob jelly will keep in the pantry for up to 2 years.
*Note: If you don’t have 12 corncobs all at once, you can freeze what you have until you have a sufficient number for making jelly.
Have you ever made corncob jelly? Tell us in the comments below!
Natalie LaVolpe
Natalie LaVolpe is a freelance writer and former special education teacher. She is dedicated to healthy living through body and mind. She currently resides on Long Island, New York, with her husband, children, and dog.
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Natalie LaVolpe#molongui-disabled-link
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Natalie LaVolpe#molongui-disabled-link
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Natalie LaVolpe#molongui-disabled-link
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Natalie LaVolpe#molongui-disabled-link
Recipe worked great but I had to add an additional pack of liquid pectin to get it to a correct consistency. Has a great taste and can’t wait to share as gifts this Christmas.
This jelly is amazing. I was thinking it wails make a great glaze for a fresh strawberry pie or to use it as a simple syrup for cakes. Thanks for the recipe!
We’re happy to hear that you enjoyed it. We love your ideas – they sound delicious!
Sounds like stone soup from Aesop’s fables to me!
What a great book! However, this is more about not wasting something that can be turned into a yummy snack!
I was a little disappointed the recipe said 5 to 6 pint jars
But I believe it meant half pint jars. following the recipe mine made 5 and 3/4ths half pint jars. Waiting on them to set up now so I can try it
I made corn cob jelly in Home Ec. class in high school. Really good.
The “printed” instructions are not complete (they end with “bring to a boil”) the rest of the recipe does not print out compared to what is seen online. The following instructions are missing from the “printed” version:
Stir in sugar and bring back to a boil. Boil hard for 5 minutes, stirring constantly. Skim and discard any foam that forms at the top. You can add a drop or two of yellow food coloring if you wish to give your jelly a more yellow appearance.
Ladle the liquid into 5 to 6 pint-sized clean canning jars or jelly jars.
You can use the jelly right away, in which case simply let the jelly cool and store jars in the fridge for up to 2 weeks (give some to friends and family). If you plan on canning in a hot water bath, follow these canning instructions here. Properly canned jars of corncob jelly will keep in the pantry for up to 2 years. *Note: If you don’t have 12 corncobs all at once, you can freeze what you have until you have a sufficient number for making jelly.
Hi do you think you could use liquid pectin instead of powdered pectin?
Yes, Cindy, you can use liquid pectin.
I was a little hesitant at first but decided to give it a try and it was wonderful. Matter of fact it was so good that I decided to makee a second batch too share with friends family.
We had never heard of Corn Cob Jelly until this year. We made some today. I followed the directions but only have 2 pint jars. I am wondering if I messed something up. It says 5 to 6 pint or jelly jars. This is good and does taste a bit like honey. We do have bees so we have honey as well.
I think its meant to be half pints instead of pints. A pint is only 2 cups so would make sense to only get 2 pints with everything combined
Use a sugar substitute like monkfish or stevia?
Hi Mikey, I would think either would work.
How long in the water bath?
Hi Cheryl,
We do share this link that should answer your question – https://www.ballmasonjars.com/water-bath-canning.html
This link only showd how to water bath can. It doesnt state what process time we should use. Each recipe is different
10min with 1/4” headspace
10 minutes, 1/4” headspace.
In elementary school, I think like the third or fourth grade went went to pioneer day at the stair museum here in nebraska. We like like a pioneer for a day. Made our own meal. Butter and corn cob jelly and stew and bread.
My grandma made this every fall…..we would gather the dried “red” cobs from the field after the silage corn was harvested and the cobs had dried. The we would wash them well and follow the instructions given…..red cobs make a pink jelly and are a little tartar (kinda similar to choke cherry)
Sound delicious, fun and thriftful, but how do I save/print/copy recipe for corn season?
Hi Debbie, you can email it to yourself or pin it to a Pinterest board via the icons under the title of the story. You can also “bookmark” the page right from your browser so it will always be there, or copy and paste the article into a “notepad” or word document. We don’t offer the print icon because printing internet pieces end up wasting a lot of paper.