Did you know how easy it is to make popcorn on your stovetop? I was pretty blown away at how quick it is! In pretty much the same amount of time as it takes me to make bagged microwave popcorn, I can make this easy stovetop popcorn. AND… it tastes so much better!
Ready in 5 minutes
So simple
Looks & tastes like movie theatre popcorn!
What You Need To Make Popcorn On Your Stovetop
All you will need to make popcorn on your stovetop is:
- A large, deep pot with a lid
- Oil with a high smoke point (canola, sunflower, corn, or coconut)
- Popcorn kernels
And two additional ingredients to make “movie theatre” popcorn are:
- Salt
- And my secret ingredient… ground turmeric!
I have tried to make this easy stovetop popcorn oil-free BUT… in order for the kernels to pop and not burn, oil is essential. For an oil-free option, you can make the popcorn in your microwave very easily:
- Add ⅛ cup to ¼ popcorn kernels to a large microwave safe bowl.
- Cover the bowl with a plate or other microwave safe lid of some kind.
- Heat the popcorn on high for 4-5 minutes until the popping slows to 2 seconds between pops.
- Be careful removing the bowl from the microwave because it will be hot!
How To Make Easy Stovetop Popcorn
Your stovetop popcorn will be ready in just 5 minutes!
- Add the oil to a large and deep pot with a lid
- Heat the oil over medium high heat until it is visually rippling but not smoking!
- Get some oven mitts handy to protect your hands.
- Add salt, turmeric, and popcorn kernels to the pot and shake them around to coat the kernels and distribute them evenly.
- Put the lid on the pot, lower the heat just slightly, and wait for the popping to begin!
- In about 3 minutes the popping will slow to 2 seconds between pops and you can remove your popcorn from the heat.
- Pour it into a serving bowl, add any other seasonings or butter as desired, and enjoy!
I love eating popcorn without any salt or other seasonings. If you do want to make it look and taste like movie theatre popcorn, adding the salt and turmeric is perfect!
Feel free to melt butter and drizzle it over the popcorn for that buttery taste.
And… if you want to have some fun with seasonings… take a look at my blogpost with 4 Easy Vegan Popcorn Seasonings!
Is It Thrifty
This easy stovetop popcorn makes 10 cups of popcorn and costs us approximately: CAD $0.64!
One sleeve of store-bought bagged microwave popcorn, costs us roughly: $0.66 – $1.10. So, this recipe fulfills all of our tasty, thrifty, timely criteria!
Let me know in the comments below if you try this easy stovetop popcorn and what movie you enjoy it with!
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Stovetop Popcorn – Better Than Movie Theatre
- Total Time: 5 minutes
- Yield: 10 cups 1x
- Diet: Vegan
Description
This easy stovetop popcorn is ready in minutes! A dash of turmeric is my secret to getting that yellow, buttery “movie theatre popcorn” look!
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp canola oil (see notes for oil-free option)
- ¼ – ½ teaspoon sea salt (see notes)
- ½ tsp turmeric, optional (for yellow colour)
- ½ cup popcorn kernels*
*Ingredients you need that are not part of our pantry and freezer tips.
Instructions
- In a large and deep pot with a lid, heat 2 tablespoon canola oil or another oil with a high smoke point like sunflower, corn, or coconut oil. (I have tried using less oil but it is essential that the oil fully cover the bottom of the pot in order for the popcorn kernels to pop and not burn). Heat the oil over medium high heat until the oil is visually rippling but not smoking.
- With a pair of oven mitts nearby and moving quickly; add the salt (use ½ teaspoon for a saltier movie theatre popcorn taste, ¼ teaspoon will have a noticeably lighter saltiness), turmeric, and popcorn kernels. Quickly put your oven mitts on and shake the pot to distribute the kernels and coat them in the seasonings.
- Turn the heat down just slightly to medium. Put the pot lid on and hold the lid down until the popping slows to 2 seconds between pops. Remove the pot from the heat and quickly pour the popcorn into a serving bowl so the popcorn on the bottom doesn’t burn.
- Add melted butter if desired and enjoy! Make sure to take a look at my 4 Easy Vegan Popcorn Seasonings!
Notes
Approximate Cost: CAD $0.64 vs. $0.66 – $1.10 for one sleeve of store bought microwave popcorn.
For an oil-free method, you can pop kernels in your microwave without a bag. Add ⅛ cup to ¼ cup popcorn kernels to a large microwave safe bowl. Cover with a microwave safe plate or lid of some kind. Heat on high for 4-5 minutes until the popping slows to 2 seconds between pops.
Adding salt to the kernels before they pop can prevent the popcorn from being as fluffy as possible. I prefer the taste of adding the salt before the popcorn pops but you can omit the salt at the popping stage and instead, salt the popcorn after it has popped and while it is still warm.
- Prep Time: 2 minutes
- Cook Time: 3 minutes
- Category: Thrifty How-Tos
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Gabriel
Thank you for this very easy, perfectly popped popcorn recipe! I’ve never been able to make popcorn successfully until now.
Kathryn Alexandre
Yay I’m so glad it worked for you! Enjoy!