27 Sweet Corn Recipes to Make this Season
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Sweet corn is a hallmark of summer, and fresh sweet corn recipes show it at its best. From salads to mains, bread, puddings, kabobs, chowders — and even pizza, you’ll find delicious ideas to make this season.
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From July through September, the cornfields near our home became my regular drive route. I love to see corn ripening in the fields, anticipating the incredible sweet flavors that come from fresh ears.
Like a checkmark on the calendar, ripening corn reminds me to savor every last bit of summer.
Whether growing your own or finding it at farmers’ markets or the grocery store, every summer needs fresh, sweet corn. These recipes will perhaps inspire you to try corn in a few new ways.
Essential Sweet Corn Recipes
I’m not sure it can be summer without corn on the cob. How do you like it best? We’ve gathered delicious recipes for grilling and even steaming it.
Cornbread, while made all year, is especially wonderful with fresh ears and corn salads are an essential summer side.
27 Corn Recipes to Make this Season
Sweet corn is a hallmark of summer, and fresh sweet corn recipes show it at its best. From salads to mains, bread, puddings, kabobs, chowders -- and even pizza, you'll find delicious ideas to make this season.
How to Steam Corn on the Cob
"Learn how to cook corn on the cob with this easy recipe! Hot, sweet, and juicy, it's the best summer side dish. Seasoning variations included!"
Grilled Corn on the Cob Foil Packets
Grilled Corn on the Cob in Foil Packets is a favorite 3 ingredient summer side dish that is sweet and juicy and smoky with herbs and spices.
Southwestern Sauteed Corn
"Everyone who tries it absolutely loves it!"
Mustardy Grilled Corn and Sausage Kabobs
"With just 5 ingredients and ready in less than 30 minutes, this colorful, family-friendly meal is sure to earn a spot in your summer weeknight dinner rotation."
Bacon Corn Pudding
This Bacon Corn Pudding is an adaptation of a Southern favorite originating from early Native American cooking. It's an easy side dish, perfect for Thanksgiving or the holidays.
Beef Stir-Fry with Green Beans and Tomatoes
"Olive oil works great in stir-fry recipes; its sharp grassy notes complement flavors like lemongrass and basil."
The Best Sweet Cornbread
"Soft, tender moist cornbread recipe that’s sweet just like I like it. Reminds me of Marie Calendar’s cornbread. If you need a sweet cornbread to pair with chilis or soups, this is the recipe you need."
Grilled Ribeye Steaks with Chimichurri Sauce and Grilled Corn
Summer is about grilling, delicious food, and gathering with family and friends. These Grilled Ribeye Steaks with Chimichurri Sauce and grilled corn on the cob are everything we love about the season.
Grilled Corn Salad with Feta
This easy Grilled Corn Salad is a delicious salad recipe, perfect for summer BBQs and picnics. A simple lime vinaigrette enhances the bright, sweet, and refreshing flavors of this chilled salad.
No-Grill Elote
"We love charred, mayo-slathered corn too much to have it only when the grill's fired up. This indoor-friendly stovetop method gets you those blackened, juicy-yet-crisp kernels without the charcoal."
Creamy Sweet Corn
"Use cream to dress up fresh or frozen corn. The simple side dish tastes rich and takes just minutes to simmer together."
Easy Mexican Corn Salad
"A quick and easy Mexican Corn Salad will be a favorite side all summer. It’s healthy, a simplified version of elotes, robust with the warm and spicy flavors of cumin and red pepper. Serve warm or cold, it’s simply delicious."
Potato Salad with Sweet Corn, Bacon, and Red Onion Recipe
"Smoky bacon and fresh, sweet summer corn are two easy-to-get ingredients that really wake up a classic potato salad."
Grilled Corn Tacos
These grilled corn tacos are a super fresh, easy summer dinner! Lots of lime, cilantro & tomatillo salsa accent a crisp veggie medley in the yummy filling.
Iron Skillet Cornbread
"Rustically simple but incredibly delicious. Iron Skillet Cornbread is a treat when the steaming and moist bread comes to the table in the cast iron skillet."
Corn-and-Ham Risotto
"Risotto makes for not-too-leftover-y leftovers because you can serve it in patty form the next go-round. Fry in oil or butter for a few minutes for a delicious turn of events."
Roasted Street Corn Pizza with Pancetta
Roasted Street Corn Pizza with Pancetta and Tomatoes is an easy game day party food or Friday night classic that's as easy as it is delicious!
Instant Pot Zucchini Corn Chowder with Bacon
Zucchini Corn Chowder is like a taste of summer in every bite. Filled with sweet corn, fresh zucchini, tender potatoes, and smoky bacon, it's a bowl of goodness you'll love.
Farmers' Market Corn Chowder
"Farmers’ Market Corn Chowder. It’s not summer without it. Loaded with corn, thick with chunks of potato, celery, and carrots, flavored with smoked bacon, corn chowder is summer cooking at its best."
Instant Pot Chicken Corn Chowder
Instant Pot Chicken Corn Chowder, a hearty pressure cooker soup that’s creamy and smooth, sweet with corn, tender with chunks of potato, and smoky with bits of bacon. Easy to make at a moment’s notice. Any time of the year.
Creamy Corn Soup
In the French style, this creamy corn soup is a simple and delicious corn soup with a velvety texture!
Corn, Avocado and Tomato Salad
"Bursting with summer produce, this simple salad shows off the fresh flavors of corn, avocado and tomato."
Instant Pot Mexican Rice with Corn and Black Beans
If you love Mexican food, likely Mexican Rice is a staple. Along with beans, corn, tortillas, and guacamole! This Mexican Rice is a standby favorite, with easy ingredients, convenient and simple in the Instant Pot -- and hands down, one of my favorite Mexican Rice recipes... ever!
Corn Fritters Recipe
"These corn fritters are crispy cakes filled with corn kernels, cheddar cheese and seasonings, all cooked together to golden brown perfection. An easy side dish that is the perfect way to showcase summer corn!"
Jalapeno Popper Corn Muffins with Bacon and Cheddar
Corn muffins are a fall staple in our house. But these Jalapeno Popper Corn Muffins with Bacon and Cheddar take corn muffins to a whole new level.
Pickled Corn
"You can mix pickled corn into salads, pasta salads, potato salads, salsas, or as a taco topping."
How to Pick the Best Sweet Corn
Here’s what to look for in choosing fresh ears of corn for those sweet corn recipes you can’t wait to make!
Corn Silk
“Look at the silk first. If the silk is brown or black, dried out or matted, that corn is older than corn which is paler in color, moist or even sticky. The better looking the silk is the fresher the corn, and freshness is where the sweetness lies.”
Corn Husk
“Then look at the husk. It should be bright green and not dried out or brown and should not be limp or overly damaged or bruised looking.”
Corn Weight
“When choosing corn on the cob, what you are looking for is the weight. Take a cob and heft it in your hand. It should feel very heavy for its size, which indicates that it is full of juice, and that the cob itself is still full of sap. A light-feeling cob has started to go starchy, and the sap in the cob has stopped feeding the kernels.”