01 -
Warm up the oil in a sturdy, medium-sized pot over medium-high heat until fully liquefied.
02 -
Toss 3 or 4 kernels into the heated oil and wait for them to pop.
03 -
Spread out the rest of the popcorn evenly across the pot's bottom.
04 -
Take the pot off the burner, cover it, and wait exactly 30 seconds.
05 -
Put the covered pot back over the heat and let the popping start.
06 -
Move the pot gently back and forth on the stovetop while the kernels are popping.
07 -
Leave the lid slightly off to release steam for a crunchier texture.
08 -
Wait until the popping slows down to just a few seconds between pops.
09 -
Take the pot off the stove right when the popping significantly slows.
10 -
Dump the popcorn into a big wide bowl immediately after cooking.
11 -
If you want, melt the butter in the still-hot pot until it's golden brown.
12 -
Pour the melted butter over the popcorn and give it a good stir so it spreads evenly.
13 -
Sprinkle salt and any extras you like over the popcorn for flavor.
14 -
Mix everything thoroughly so it's well blended, then serve while it's warm and crispy.