How to Make Popcorn on the Stove (Perfect Every Time)

Popcorn from the microwave is full of chemicals, and it never tastes as good as stovetop popcorn. I used to burn my stovetop popcorn every time until I figured out this simple method. Now I make perfect, fluffy popcorn every single time. In this guide, I'll show you exactly how to do it.

What You'll Need

A heavy-bottomed pot with a lid
2 tablespoons of vegetable oil or coconut oil
1/2 cup of popcorn kernels
Salt (or other seasonings)

Step-by-Step Guide

Put the oil and 3 popcorn kernels in the pot.
Cover the pot and heat it over medium-high heat.
Wait for the 3 kernels to pop. This tells you that the oil is at the right temperature.
Once the 3 kernels have popped, remove the pot from the heat and add the rest of the popcorn kernels.
Cover the pot and wait 30 seconds. This brings all the kernels to the same temperature, so they all pop at the same time.
Put the pot back on the heat.
Once the popping starts, gently shake the pot back and forth over the heat.
When the popping slows down to 1 pop every 2-3 seconds, remove the pot from the heat.
Pour the popcorn into a large bowl and season with salt or your favorite seasonings.

Pro Tips

Don't lift the lid while the popcorn is popping. It will let the heat escape and cause the popcorn to stop popping.
Leave the lid slightly ajar to let steam escape. This will keep the popcorn crispy instead of chewy.
Try different seasonings: nutritional yeast, garlic powder, paprika, or parmesan cheese.

Related Kitchen Hacks

Stovetop popcorn is so much better than microwave popcorn, and it's really easy once you know the trick! For more easy kitchen hacks, check out our Kitchen & Life Hacks section or return to home.