36 Amazing Sweet Corn Recipes That Go Way Beyond The Cob
Corn is one of THE most versatile ingredients out there—classified as a summer vegetable (on the cob), a grain (as a kernel), and a fruit (like tomatoes). We certainly love it for its deliciousness, and probably also because truly great corn is only available in the summer (we always want what we can’t have, right?). To make the best of summer's sweet corn while at its peak, we've rounded up all our favorite recipes in one place. Flip through for our top 35 sweet corn recipes for ideas—you wouldn’t want the summer to slip by without trying at least one of them.
We’d be remiss if we didn’t start with corn on the cob—it’s THE quintessential summertime side dish, and we try to eat as much of it as we can once it’s in season. Lucky for you, we’ve got tons of ways to make it so you too can eat a ton. Try out our recipes for boiled, grilled, steamed, microwaved, oven-baked, and instant pot corn on the cob. Once you’ve cooked your corn on the cob, take it one step further and turn it into a side dish worthy of all your summer BBQs. Grilling corn adds a special smokiness that improves even the most basic dishes—check our grilled creamed corn or grilled corn salad to see what we mean. Another favorite ingredient to add to jazz up corn—cheese, ofc! Cotija (think feta or Parmesan if you’re unfamiliar) is a favorite, particularly because it’s a main player in one of our favorite ways to eat corn—Mexican elote. You could serve it on the cob, in a Mexican corn salad, or even with more cheese in our Instant Pot street corn queso.
Feeling corny, but not so into the cobs? Try one of our many other recipes where corn plays more of a secondary role (shh, you can even use frozen corn in some of them!). Try our chicken chowder stuffed zucchini, our chicken tamale pie, or our sweet corn shrimp & rice skillet. They’re great when corn isn’t absolutely at its peak, or you just can’t find nice fresh ears.
Want more summertime produce inspiration? Check out our zucchini recipes, healthy eggplant recipes, peach recipes, and blueberry desserts too.
Black Bean And Corn Salad
This easy salad comes together quickly and works as a side dish, a great topping for tacos, or as an appetizer with tortilla chips. Think of this as a medley of the most exciting parts of a vegetarian burrito bowl, unadulterated by rice, and hyped up by a little honey-lime action.
Get the Black Bean And Corn Salad recipe.
Chicken Chowder Stuffed Zucchini
Using cooked rotisserie chicken, frozen corn, and sweet cherry tomatoes, you can have a summer chowder in under an hour, served in a crispy-tender stuffed zucchini boat. While bacon isn’t totally crucial in this dish, it is an ingredient packed with more potential than meets the eye: rendering it provides a salty, flavorful fat you can then brush onto your roasted zucchini and use to start your savory chowder with.
Get the Chicken Chowder Stuffed Zucchini recipe.
Mexican Street Corn (Elote)
This side is perfect for any cookout staple—try it with barbecue chicken or grilled steak—or, at a party, you could set up all of the toppings (adding a few wildcards, like scallions, crumbled bacon and sriracha) and create a Build Your Own Elote Bar. 😱
Get the Mexican Street Corn (Elote) recipe.
Corn and Tomato Gnocchi Foil Packs
The foil packets here trap in steam from the wine and juices from the tomato and corn as everything grills, which in turn cooks the gnocchi to perfectly tender while infusing the pasta with all the flavors of the dish. Bonus: Some of the meal browns a bit on the bottom right before it finishes cooking, adding extra flavor.
Get the Corn and Tomato Gnocchi Foil Packs recipe.
Grilled Corn Salad
This versatile, flavorful corn salad is the perfect way to use up leftover grilled corn. Mix and match your favorite cheeses, herbs, and nuts, but keep the citrus for brightness and oil for a little richness. And if you like a little *kick*, add some sliced jalapeños or a big pinch of red chili flakes.
Get the Grilled Corn Salad recipe.
Cheesy Corn Poppers
The contrast of sweet juicy corn, salty Parmesan, and bright green onions is pretty unbeatable. Hot tip: Don't fry these all at once. The poppers will absorb more oil and taste greasy. For best results, cook them in batches.
Get the Cheesy Corn Poppers recipe.
Cowboy Caviar
Despite the name, Cowboy Caviar requires nary a fish egg. In the early 1940s, a New York chef named Helen Corbitt created this hearty appetizer for a New Year's Eve party in Texas. Tasked with creating posh dishes using local ingredients, Corbitt elevated the humble black eyed pea to a sought-after delicacy, still popular in Texas and beyond.
Get the Cowboy Caviar recipe.
Air Fryer Corn On The Cob
What can't the air fryer do? After air frying until the cobs turn bright yellow and the kernels are tender, you'll stir up a tangy feta topping to make Greek-inspired street corn (kind of like Mexican elote, but with Greek yogurt instead of cotija cheese).
Get the Air Fryer Corn On The Cob recipe.
Sweet Corn Shrimp & Rice Skillet
This light but satisfying dinner starts with a vibrant sauce made with some of our favorite sunny, bright flavors: sweet bell pepper, nutty white miso, and earthy turmeric, along with plenty of garlic and ginger. Topped with garlicky sautéed shrimp, this meal comes complete with protein, carb, and plenty of veg.
Get the Sweet Corn Shrimp & Rice Skillet recipe.
Succotash Gnocchi
Inspired by delicious and oh-so-summery succotash, this colorful dinner is extra hearty and full of fresh flavors. Though this rendition doesn't include beans, we think the chewy boiled gnocchi are the perfect bean-shaped stand-ins.
Get the Succotash-Inspired Gnocchi recipe.
Corn Chowder
This Northeastern classic is one of our go-to comforting dinners. If you'd like to make it vegetarian, fry up some sliced mushrooms in oil or butter instead of bacon, and swap in vegetable broth for the chicken broth.
Get the Corn Chowder recipe.
Corn Cookies
Momofuku Milk Bar's popular version dominates the results page for corn cookie recipes, but it calls for the use of an unusual ingredient: powdered freeze-dried corn. We've decided to create a version that uses another flavor powerhouse that's easier to find: canned creamed corn.
Get the Corn Cookies recipe.
Bang Bang Corn
Bang Bang Shrimp gets all the hype, but we are here to tell you that flavor-packed grilled corn deserves a little more time in the spotlight. The sweet-spicy sauce is perfect over almost anything!
Get the Bang Bang Corn recipe.
Succotash
We love using this combo of sweet and savory veg to make a fresh summer side dish that will lighten up any warm-weather meal. Historically, the corn, zucchini, and lima beans would be cooked alongside some form of fresh or dried meat, but in this case we've opted for bacon which adds some nice crispy texture and porky flavor.
Get the Succotash recipe.
Sheet-Pan Shrimp Boil
A mix of shrimp, andouille sausage, corn, and potatoes, this Cajun summer favorite is the most satisfying summer dinner.
Get the Sheet-Pan Shrimp Boil recipe.
Basil & Feta Corn Salad
This is the perfect make ahead dish. Make it in advance, refrigerate it in an airtight container, and let the flavors meld with each other while it sits. Hold off adding the feta until ready to serve, though! Toasted nuts, seeds, or cubed avocado would all be delicious substitutes (or additions) for any ingredient too.
Get the Basil & Feta Corn Salad recipe.
Cornbread Casserole
Though we hate to admit it, we LOVE Jiffy cornbread mix. It's easy to make, and it's damn good. For this casserole, we added sour cream and frozen corn to it to make it even better.
Get the Cornbread Casserole recipe.
Classic Corn Casserole
This classic Southern side is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. If you prefer, drained and rinsed canned corn can be used instead of frozen, and you could substitute more milk in for the heavy cream. The finished casserole won't be quite as decadent, but it will still be delicious.
Get the Classic Corn Casserole recipe.
Bacon Jalapeño Corn Salad
In the summer months (when all the best veggies are in season), we can't get enough of corn on the cob. This easy corn salad is the perfect side for a potluck or barbecue, and we plan on eating it ALL summer long.
Get the Bacon Jalapeño Corn Salad recipe.
Instant Pot Street Corn Queso
Everyone loves a good queso dip. We love this Mexican street corn variety—it's got crunch, spice, and even MORE cheese as garnish. How could you go wrong?
Get the Instant Pot Street Corn Queso recipe.
Grilled Corn Salsa
With tangy lime and sweet basil, this grilled corn salsa couldn't be more perfect for summer. If you don't have a grill or grill pan, give your cobs a quick sear in a cast iron skillet to get that smoky, charred flavor. You can also use frozen corn, (they even sell it pre-charred!) just make sure it's fully defrosted and drained of excess moisture before you make your salsa.
Get the Grilled Corn Salsa recipe.
Smoked Corn On The Cob
This flavorful and healthy way to grill corn on the cob doesn't require a smoker. Instead, you'll infuse the corn with wood smoke using a clever foil packet of wood chips and a grill.
Get the Smoked Corn On The Cob recipe.
Southern Fried Corn
Fried corn is a classic side dish from the American South. It's not fried as in deep-fried, but rather in the Southern sense of the word "sautéed." It's perfect served at any barbecue, alongside oven-baked ribs, potato rolls, and a summer salad.
Get the Southern Fried Corn recipe.
Surf 'N Turf Foil Packs
Worried about cook time with foil packs? Feel free to take a peek! The shrimp should be pink and opaque and the steak—depending on how you like it—should be slightly pink in the very middle. Do open the packs carefully and slowly, exercising caution to avoid the steam trapped within.
Get the Surf 'N Turf Foil Packs recipe.
Grilled Corn on the Cob
This is our simplest, easiest recipe, but the flavor combo options are endless—check out the rest of our grilled corn ideas too.
Get the Grilled Corn On The Cob recipe.
Seafood Boil
If you love a messy, dig-in-with-your-hands meal, make yourself a seafood boil. This seafood boil, to be exact. It's loaded with all the boil mainstays, and cooked in a flavorful broth that's heavy on the Old Bay.
Get the Seafood Boil recipe.
Sweet and Spicy Corn
This sweet and spicy sauce will really make your grilled corn better than all the rest. The cayenne provides a good kick, but can be adjusted if you want a little less heat.
Get the Sweet and Spicy Corn recipe.
Bacon Jalapeño Corn Chowder
We already know that corn chowder is delicious (see our cheesy, easy corn chowder). What if we told you it could get even better with the addition of bacon + jalapeño? The salty, porky flavors of the bacon and the spiciness from the jalapeño pair beautifully with sweet corn, and the resulting soup will change your view of corn chowder forever!
Get the Bacon Jalapeño Corn Chowder recipe.
Grilled Creamed Corn
Our take on this classic side packs a punch with charred, fresh corn and jalapeño.
Get the Grilled Creamed Corn recipe.
Creamy Cheesy Chipotle Corn
This summery grilled side has a short ingredient list and a lot of flavor, plus a generous layer of comfortingly gooey cheese. Thanks to cooking it in a foil pack, once you mix all the ingredients together it only takes 15 minutes on your grill.
Get the Creamy Cheesy Chipotle Corn recipe.
Chicken Tamale Pie
A lot of tamale pies come with the cornbread layer on top, but we strongly feel that it should be on the bottom. Instead of making a batter from scratch, we doctored a box of muffin mix with some sour cream and canned corn. It's EXTRA delicious.
Get the Chicken Tamale Pie recipe.
Jalapeño Popper Creamed Corn
People freak out over this jalapeño popper creamed corn. Every. Single. Time. Besides being an awesome summer side dish, it makes a great dip or hot dog topper too!
Get the Jalapeño Popper Creamed Corn recipe.
Nantucket Corn Pudding
Buttery corn + oyster crackers = a match made in heaven. It's a little corny, but in the best way.
Get the Nantucket Corn Pudding recipe.
Campfire Corn Dog Dip
Hot dogs + fresh corn + lots of cheese = INCREDIBLE. You might hate how much you love it.
Get the Campfire Corn Dog Dip recipe.
Zucchini Corn Cakes
These are the ultimate summer appetizer, and are perfect for using up extra zucchini. If you've got even MORE, try making our easy zucchini bread too.
Get the Zucchini Corn Cakes recipe.
Cheesy Mexican Dip
In terms of what to dip into this, you can get creative! The classics like tortilla chips and crudités work great but don't be afraid to dip pigs-in-blankets or even chicken wings into this cheesy, delicious corn. If you're lucky enough to have any leftover, add it to your next burrito or even eat it over rice with a spoonful of your favorite salsa.
Get the Cheesy Mexican Dip recipe.
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