51 Sweet Corn Recipes To Make This Summer
Get the most out of this seasonal staple.
We can't deny that corn is a "great beautiful lump of nobs", but it's also one of THE most versatile ingredients out there. All summer, we'll take corn any way we can get it—baked in a corn cookie, blended into an elote-style soup, or grabbing a smoked corn on the cob right off the grill. 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 50 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 grilled 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.
Corn Salad
We'll take every chance we get to enjoy sweet corn at all our summer picnics, potlucks, and BBQs, and this fresh corn salad will always be a fave. Not only is it completely adaptable to what you have on hand, it’s so easy to prepare—simply toss to combine, season to taste, and serve!
Get the Corn Salad recipe.
Korean BBQ Cheesy Corn
If you're unfamiliar, corn cheese is a banchan (or side) popular at Korean BBQ spots. It's somewhere between a corn dip and a creamed corn side, and trust us when we say—you NEED to make it.
Get the Korean BBQ Cheesy Corn recipe.
Creamy Chicken & Corn Skillet
With toasty corn kernels, crisp, smoky bacon, and a creamy, herby sauce, this simple skillet dinner proves that there's nothing this duo can’t do. Since the chicken and corn are so hearty on their own, all you’ll need to complete the meal is a side of sautéed spinach or your favorite grilled veggie.
Get the Creamy Chicken & Corn Skillet recipe.
Elote (Mexican Street Corn)
Elote (AKA Mexican street corn) is an unbelievably popular antojito—little craving or street food—featuring grilled corn covered in a creamy mayo and Mexican crema mixture, then topped with chili powder, cotija cheese, and plenty of lime juice. The combo is INCREDIBLE.
Get the Elote (Mexican Street Corn) 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. TMYK!
Get the Cowboy Caviar 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 peppers, 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.
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.
Mexican Street Corn Flatbread
Mexican street corn is one of our forever faves, so we riff on it as often as we can. Here, we’re taking the creamy tangy sauce that usually goes on the corn, spreading it over pre-made pizza dough instead, and loading it up with corn, more chili, and lots of cheese.
Get the Mexican Street Corn Flatbread recipe.
Corn & Ricotta Pasta
Fresh ricotta and sweet corn are the stars of the show for this quick and easy pasta. We utilize frozen corn here, but leftover kernels from grilled corn would make the dish even better. The dish comes together in one pot and in about 30 minutes, which you just can’t beat.
Get the Corn & Ricotta Pasta recipe.
Corn Dip
While some corn dip is served cold, we prefer to serve ours hot, baked, and bubbling. Trust us, a cream cheese base with a hint of heat makes this corn-packed appetizer one that pleases at every gathering, no matter its temperature.
Get the Corn Dip recipe.
Corn Casserole
Looking for the perfect potluck recipe? This corn casserole is IT. It's packed with sweet corn, balanced by a pinch of paprika and herby chives, and has an insanely tender and custardy texture that will have everyone reaching for more before they even know what hit 'em.
Get the Corn Casserole recipe.
Grilled Corn Salsa
While we have plenty of recipes where sweet summer corn gets to shine, this fresh homemade salsa has to be one of our faves. Paired with creamy avocado, cherry tomatoes, sharp red onion, fresh basil, and a simple homemade dressing, this easy recipe can pair with just about anything.
Get the Grilled Corn Salsa 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.
White Chicken Chili
The white beans make this heartier than your average chicken noodle soup, the green chiles and jalapeño add just the right amount of spice, and a dollop of sour cream adds a lovely tangy creaminess. Bonus: the whole thing comes together in less than an hour!
Get the White Chicken Chili recipe.
Steamed Clams With Bacon, Corn, & Basil
Sorry fancy restaurants, the secret is out: Steamed clams are SO easy to make at home. Here, they're paired with crispy bacon, fresh sweet corn kernels, and a glug of heavy cream for a decadent sauce, perfect for dunking grilled sourdough bread into.
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.
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.
Bacon Cheddar Ranch Corn
Grilled corn on the cob is a classic we return to again and again. While we love the smoky, charred flavor the grill gives corn all on its own, sometimes we’re looking to do something a little extra. We’ve dreamed up countless toppings for grilled corn on the cob, but this cheddar, bacon, and ranch combination just might be our favorite.
Get the Bacon Cheddar Ranch Corn recipe.
Corn Fritters
Fluffy and crispy, corn fritters are our new favorite Southern-fried side (sorry, hush puppies). Littered with fresh sweet corn, these are the perfect addition to countless summer dinners, from a crab leg feast to a rack of saucy BBQ ribs or a taco spread.
Get the Corn Fritters recipe.
Elote (Mexican Street Corn) Nachos
During the summer, a recipe we keep coming back to again and again is Mexican street food elote. It’s such an incredible flavor combination, we knew it shouldn’t be confined just to the summer. The solution? Turning it into skillet nachos that can be enjoyed all year long.
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