How to Make Easy Stovetop Popcorn

Popcorn is hands down my favorite snack food. I always have to have it at the movies with my Diet Coke. It also is a staple for movie nights at home. But what I find with the microwave bags of popcorn is that either they don’t fully pop or they burn. There is nothing worse than a bag of burnt popcorn…that smell! So, in an effort to reduce my spending on microwaveable popcorn, I taught myself how to make popcorn on the stovetop! Trust me, after you have stovetop popcorn you won’t even miss the bagged microwave stuff! Here is how to make easy stovetop popcorn!

How to Make Easy Stovetop Popcorn

Before we get into the recipe, I do have a few tips to help you get the best results with your stovetop popcorn!

1. Fresh Kernels are best. If you have kernels that have sat in your pantry for more than a year I recommend getting a new package. Stale kernels don’t pop as well, they are kind of tough to eat and sometimes you can taste the staleness. When in doubt get a new package!
2. Vegetable oil or Canola oil are my preferred oils for stovetop popcorn. They have a high smoke point which is exactly what you want for making popcorn. Also, and maybe it’s just me, when you add salt after the kernels are done popping, you get a buttery flavor without having to add butter!
3. You don’t need a special pot for making popcorn. My favorite pot to use is either my largest soup pot or my stock pot. As long as it has a lid you are good to go!
4. Less is more when it comes to salt. I start with a small amount and add little by little until I like the taste. I can confirm that eating popcorn that is over-salted is so disappointing!
5. DO NOT leave the stove during this process, it takes no time at all to make popcorn but it also doesn’t take any time at all to make burnt popcorn.
6. Get creative with the toppings! I love a plain bowl of just salted popcorn but there are so many delicious toppings to mix things up! One of my favorite toppings is white truffle oil. We got the idea from this Wine Bar we went to that offered truffle popcorn on their menu…it is to DIE for! Another yummy topping is parmesan cheese or take one of those ranch seasoning packets and sprinkle that over…yum! If you have a sweet tooth try cinnamon and sugar or drizzle chocolate! Pinterest has limitless ideas for your popcorn toppings!

What You’ll Need:

• A large pot with a lid
• 1/2 cup popcorn kernels
• 2 TBSP Vegetable or Canola Oil (I hardly every measure this but just make sure it is enough to cover the bottom of your pot and coat the kernels)
• Salt to Taste
• Topping of your choice (Optional)

Instructions:

1. In your pot add the oil and 3 popcorn kernels. Cover with the lid and heat on high.
2. When all three kernels have popped your oil is ready. Carefully remove the lid and add the rest of the kernels replacing the lid immediately. Shake the pot gently to move the kernels around so they all get covered in oil and are coving the bottom of your pot.
3. When the kernels start popping be sure to shake the pot frequently to keep everything moving around to prevent burning. Don’t remove from the heat the entire time as you don’t want to oil to lose it’s temperature.
4. When the popping starts to slow and the popcorn has filled your pot, remove it from the heat and add the popcorn to a large bowl. Don’t keep it in the pot for too long as it can still burn from the heat of the pot.
5. Sprinkle salt over to taste. I like to start with just a little and then stir and taste before I decide to add more.
6. At this point, you can enjoy the popcorn as is or add toppings of your choice.
7. ENJOY!