26 Tasty Corn Recipes, from Succotash to Corn on the Cob (2024)

Fresh, sweet corn is perfectly good simply grilled on the cob (and we have plenty of those recipes, if that's what you're after). But we also love to turn it into a relish for tacos, golden creamed corn grits, and fresh corn tamales. Corn desserts are on the menu, too, from Cornhusk Meringues with Corn Mousse to No-Churn Corn Ice Cream. Read on for even more corn recipes that we love.

01of 26

Scallion-Corn Muffins

26 Tasty Corn Recipes, from Succotash to Corn on the Cob (1)

Kansas City, Missouri, chefs Colby and Megan Garrelts say that if you can measure and stir, then you can make a mean cornbread. These deliciously moist muffins get fantastic flavor from corn kernels and scallions.

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02of 26

Cornhusk Meringues with Corn Mousse

26 Tasty Corn Recipes, from Succotash to Corn on the Cob (2)

This beloved and much-Instagrammed dessert — meringues flavored with charred cornhusk powder and filled with a luscious, sweet corn cream — is from chef Enrique Olvera's cookbook, Mexico from the Inside Out. A final sprinkle of cornhusk powder tops each meringue.

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03of 26

Spicy Coconut Chicken Stew with Corn

26 Tasty Corn Recipes, from Succotash to Corn on the Cob (3)

This sweet and spicy coconut milk–based stew gets lots of bright flavor from spinach, basil, chiles, and lime juice. The best part? It's ready in 30 minutes, and all comes together in one deep skillet.

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04of 26

Grilled Corn with Cotija and Quicos

26 Tasty Corn Recipes, from Succotash to Corn on the Cob (4)

Hot off the grill, charred sweet corn gets slathered in tangy lime mayonnaise and topped with extra-large crunchy quicos, or corn nuts, in 1995 F&W Best New Chef Traci des Jardins' version of elote. For a plated version, cut the kernels from the cobs and toss with lime mayo and quicos, then scoop and serve.

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05of 26

Uchepos (Fresh Corn Tamales)

26 Tasty Corn Recipes, from Succotash to Corn on the Cob (5)

For this recipe, fresh pureed corn is wrapped in its husks and steamed until firm, and then processed with ingredients including milk and crème fraîche to create a filling. The resulting sweet corn tamales are delicious smothered with salsa verde and topped with crumbled Cotija cheese and Mexican crema.

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06of 26

Corn Potage

26 Tasty Corn Recipes, from Succotash to Corn on the Cob (6)

Thick corn soup is a Taiwanese lunch-box staple; 2018 F&W Best New Chef Jonathan Yao also borrows from congees and egg drops for his luxe rendition, which surrounds a brilliant yellow, oil-poached egg yolk. A riff on Taiwanese corn soup, Yao's Corn Potage soothes with its deep flavor and silky-smooth texture.

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Sweet Corn and Bourbon Bread Pudding

26 Tasty Corn Recipes, from Succotash to Corn on the Cob (7)

For this fun, Southern-inspired dessert, Top Chef Season 16 winner Kelsey Barnard Clark uses entire ears of corn — broiling corn kernels and using corn milk from the cobs — to give her bread pudding recipe a summery, fresh-corn flavor. A topping of caramel popcorn adds a sweet crunch and whimsy. Lime zest in the crème anglaise and a splash of bourbon keep it from leaning too sweet.

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08of 26

Grilled Okra, Corn, and Tomato Salad

26 Tasty Corn Recipes, from Succotash to Corn on the Cob (8)

This next-level summer salad turns heads with its punchy charred jalapeño–and-herb-spiked dressing and a palate-perking topping of toasted crunchy coriander and cumin seeds. It's ready in under an hour, too, so it's great for entertaining.

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09of 26

Grilled Corn on the Cob with Calamansi Mayo

26 Tasty Corn Recipes, from Succotash to Corn on the Cob (9)

Chef Sheldon Simeon's recipe for a Hawaiian twist on Mexican elote features grilled corn slathered in a creamy, cheesy calamansi mayonnaise, which gets its acidic twang from a sour citrus fruit native to the South Pacific (you can substitute Key Limes in a pinch). Ichimi togarashi (Japanese chile flakes) add heat; aonori (dried seaweed) flakes add umami oomph and island style. It's an easy and irresistible side dish for a luau-inspired cookout: Try serving it with Simeon's Huli Huli Chicken Wings.

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10of 26

Doenjang Cream Cheese Corn

26 Tasty Corn Recipes, from Succotash to Corn on the Cob (10)

Taleggio adds a funky flavor to this rich and creamy corn dish, which is inspired by a fresh corn banchan (side dish). Doenjang (Korean soybean paste); smoky bacon; and yondu, a gluten-free soy sauce alternative, add layers of salty, savory depth.

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11of 26

Corn Husk–Grilled Goat Cheese with Corn Relish and Honey

26 Tasty Corn Recipes, from Succotash to Corn on the Cob (11)

Cookbook author and F&W Cooks contributor Andrea Slonecker calls this dish "the perfect pre-dinner snack on a summer evening." Make sure to have grilled crostini on hand for serving.

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12of 26

Creamed Corn Grits

26 Tasty Corn Recipes, from Succotash to Corn on the Cob (12)

With no cream or butter to dull the flavor, this dish showcases the sweetness and versatility of corn. The creaminess comes from the corn itself. The creamed corn may seem a little loose at first, but it will continue to thicken as it sits while the polenta cooks.

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13of 26

Potato Salad with Fresh Corn and Basil

26 Tasty Corn Recipes, from Succotash to Corn on the Cob (13)

Red baby potatoes are ideal for potato salad because of their tender skins and creamy interiors that hold together, even when cooked. Quickly soaking the onions in vinegar mellows their bite and allows the summery fresh herbs to shine in the dressing. Be sure to taste the salad after chilling and adjust the seasoning before serving.

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14of 26

Kale-and-Corn Pakoras

26 Tasty Corn Recipes, from Succotash to Corn on the Cob (14)

A combination of chickpea and rice flours yields a batter that makes these pakoras fry up light, lacy, and extra crunchy. Sweet summer corn and peppers join with hearty kale to give these vegetarian fritters extra heft.

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15of 26

Sweet Corn Succotash with Shiitakes and Sugar Snaps

26 Tasty Corn Recipes, from Succotash to Corn on the Cob (15)

This bright, buttery succotash by 1998 F&W Best New Chef Katy Sparks is a perfect summer side dish that comes together in minutes. "My inspiration for this dish is to take a fresh look at an American classic, succotash, which is usually sweet corn cooked together with lima beans or other green beans," Sparks says. "I like to lighten it up with summery snap peas and add meaty shiitakes for depth of flavor. Fresh basil in the smoked paprika butter elevates the whole recipe to something that pairs wonderfully with anything you want to throw on the grill: chicken, pork, fish, burgers, eggplant, and peppers."

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16of 26

Grilled Cheese with Corn and Calabrian Chile

26 Tasty Corn Recipes, from Succotash to Corn on the Cob (16)

1990 F&W Best New Chef Nancy Silverton's L.A. restaurant Pizzeria Mozza celebrates unfussy, straightforward, focused food that uses fresh California produce. This upgraded grilled cheese by Silverton is filled with a charred sweet corn-studded blend of nutty English-cheddar, sharp caciocavallo, and just enough mayonnaise to bind it all together. Thick slices of sourdough get a beautifully buttery, golden crust in a cast iron skillet, while Calabrian chile sneaks in with just the right amount of heat.

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17of 26

No-Churn Corn Ice Cream

26 Tasty Corn Recipes, from Succotash to Corn on the Cob (17)

No need to hunt down an ice cream maker for this simple no-churn ice cream — just the sweetest fresh summer corn you can find. Corn kernels get blitzed in a food processor then strained and simmered down into a sweet pudding that forms the base of this dreamy dessert. A drizzle of store-bought dulce de leche provides the perfect buttery-sweet finish.

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18of 26

Mini Deviled Crab Cornbread Muffins

26 Tasty Corn Recipes, from Succotash to Corn on the Cob (18)

At his dinner parties in Harlem, chef and cookbook author Alexander Smalls pairs creamy, slightly spicy, fresh deviled crab with tender corn muffins, barely sweetened with brown sugar and studded with corn kernels, for a quick one-bite appetizer. Choose fresh crab over pasteurized for the best flavor.

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19of 26

Creamed Corn Pasta

26 Tasty Corn Recipes, from Succotash to Corn on the Cob (19)

Fresh corn melts into a creamy sauce that clings to every cranny of this pasta from Victor King of The Essential in Birmingham, Alabama. Any short noodle, like gemelli or casarecce, will work here. Using a vegetable peeler to shave the corn kernels is key to this summery dish: The peeler cuts juicy pieces of fresh corn while leaving rich and creamy corn milk behind to add body and flavor to the sauce.

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20of 26

Grilled Gulf Shrimp with Sweet Corn Coulis

26 Tasty Corn Recipes, from Succotash to Corn on the Cob (20)

Tender, juicy sweet peas and yellow corn kernels make for a light and refreshing salad atop a silky, creamy corn coulis in this easy-to-double recipe by Meg Bickford of Commander's Palace in New Orleans. Tangy sour cream and buttermilk balance the natural sweetness of the vegetables and Gulf shrimp. Corn may be sweeter or starchier depending on the season — adjust to taste with up to a teaspoon of sugar, if desired.

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21of 26

Fried Yuba Tacos with Sweet Corn Relish

26 Tasty Corn Recipes, from Succotash to Corn on the Cob (21)

In this recipe, chef Bryant Terry fries rolled yuba, or thin sheets of tofu skin, in avocado oil until crispy, yielding a hearty vegan taco filling. Diaspora Co.'s single-origin turmeric lends its zesty, deeply floral flavor to the summery corn relish that tops these tacos.

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22of 26

Crunchy Eggplant and Corn Salad with Mint and Feta

26 Tasty Corn Recipes, from Succotash to Corn on the Cob (22)

In this quick-cooking recipe, corn is just lightly charred to add a bitter note, offsetting its sweetness. A simple pairing of that charred corn with crunchy breaded and roasted eggplant, tangy feta, and fresh mint makes a quick and satisfying dinner, while the glug of hot chile oil drizzled on top finishes off each plate.

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23of 26

Vaghareli Corn Flautas with Chutney Crema

26 Tasty Corn Recipes, from Succotash to Corn on the Cob (23)

The corn in this recipe gets a punch of flavor by being sautéed in oil that has had spices bloomed in it. "Vaghar in Gujarati means to sauté, and is used to refer to oil that has had spices tempered in it," explains cookbook author, blogger, and F&W Cooks contributor Hetal Vasavada. "This technique is also called chhonk, tadka, and poron, and has many other names in other Indian languages. Typically, vaghar is added to a dish after it's been done cooking (as with a dal). However, when you reverse the method and temper the oil and spices first and then add ingredients into it, it's referred to as vaghareli." For her inspired twist on Mexican flautas, Vasavada makes vaghareli makai (corn). The spiced kernels are combined with mild cheese, rolled up in tortillas, and deep-fried. Serve the flautas piled high with colorful garnishes alongside a ginger-lime avocado crema for a vibrant summer entertaining staple.

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24of 26

Basil-and-Corn Cornmeal Waffles

26 Tasty Corn Recipes, from Succotash to Corn on the Cob (24)

These loaded cornmeal waffles are your next brunch showstopper, balancing savory, salty, and sweet flavors all in one dish. Fresh corn kernels and honey lend their sweetness to the waffles, while cornmeal gives them a pleasant bite. Basil and chives are then blended into both the waffle batter and the silky crème fraîche topping, which gets piled on each waffle along with rich, salty smoked salmon and perfectly cooked poached eggs. A sprinkle of chives adds a final pop of brightness.

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25of 26

Grilled Corn Salad with Coconut-Peanut Chaat

26 Tasty Corn Recipes, from Succotash to Corn on the Cob (25)

Make sure you grill corn for this salad before summer ends. It combines sweet, lightly charred fresh corn with a topping that stars ingredients including flaked coconut, curry leaves, and peanuts. It's a side dish or main that's bursting with flavor and texture — salty, nutty, crunchy, juicy, sweet, savory, and crisp. The chaat can be made in advance and stored at room temperature for up to one week, so it makes day-of prep easy. Just prep the scallions, grill the corn, and toss everything together.

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26of 26

Perkedel Jagung (Indonesian Corn Fritters)

26 Tasty Corn Recipes, from Succotash to Corn on the Cob (26)

Chef Lara Lee's Perkedel Jagung are all about sweet, tender corn. Packed with fresh or frozen kernels and layers of flavor from fresh ginger and shallots, fragrant makrut lime leaves, and floral ground coriander and cumin, these fried treats are delicious served with a balancing spicy Tomato Sambal.

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26 Tasty Corn Recipes, from Succotash to Corn on the Cob (2024)

FAQs

How to make corn tastier? ›

Rick often makes a quick corn side dish by cutting kernels off the cob and sautéeing them in butter with some chopped shallot and garlic. As the corn cooks, flavorful brown bits will stick to the pan, which along with the nutty-sweet butter help mask the flavor of bland corn.

What is the best topping for corn on the cob? ›

Mayonnaise, Greek yogurt, and compound butters are all-time BFFs with corn and its many toppers, but we also love adding sticky-sweet BBQ sauce to our BBQ grilled corn (that then gets sprinkled with plenty of crunchy potato chips).

How to add flavor to corn on the cob? ›

As I said above, my favorite way to top corn on the cob is simply with salt, olive oil, and a generous squeeze of lemon. You could also eat it the traditional way, rubbed in black pepper, butter, and salt.

What can I add to sweet corn to make it taste better? ›

A little butter, milk and a dash of sugar will go a long way to improving the flavor. If you have the option, I'd recommend frozen corn over canned. You can add butter and cream to make it taste better. Also a pinch of pepper.

What makes corn taste sweet? ›

As corn kernels dry the sugar in them converts to starch; harvesting the sweet corn at an early stage in maturation allows higher contents of sugars to remain in the grain making the corn sweet. Sweetness in corn is a naturally occurring recessive gene that humans have been enjoying since the Native Americans.

Why do people add milk when cooking corn on the cob? ›

Adding milk to the water might seem strange but it helps bring out the natural sweetness of corn on the cob. Once you try this method you'll never look back!

Why do you put butter on corn? ›

Popular in the Midwest (where it's sometimes called milk boiled corn), butter bath corn is an easy yet ingenious upgrade to boiled corn. Like steaming or boiling, a butter bath makes for tender corn that has a pleasant pop — and, thanks to the milk and butter, it's extra sweet and flavorful.

Should corn on the cob be soaked before cooking? ›

The thinking behind soaking unhusked corn before grilling is that it will prevent the husks from burning. In our tests, we found that even after ten minutes in water, the corn's husk still charred up and tasted nearly identical to the previous test.

Why does my corn have no Flavour? ›

As sweet corn sits after picking, the sugars in the kernel turn to starch. This mutes the flavor and affects its texture when cooked. it is completely safe to store in the refrigerator for up to a week. Be sure to leave the husks on until you are ready to cook it though.

Why does my corn have no taste? ›

The longer the corn sits after picking, the more the sugars convert to starch and sweetness is lost. This is frequently the simple reason for corn that is not sweet.

Why does my corn on the cob taste gummy? ›

Did you know that boiling or over-cooking the corn. turns the natural sugars to starch thus making the. corn chewy, gummy, and worst of all FLAVORLESS! Steaming allows these sugars to stay intact!

How many minutes do you boil corn on the cob? ›

How long to boil corn on the cob? Boil the corn until the kernels turn bright yellow and are crisp tender, 4 to 5 minutes. Carefully remove from the water with tongs to a serving platter and serve warm.

How long does it take to boil an ear of corn? ›

Bring a large pot of water to a boil and add the corn. Cook, stirring occasionally to make sure the corn is submerged, for 3 to 5 minutes, or until the corn is tender and bright yellow. Alternatively, place the corn in a large pot filled with cold water.

What flavors go well with corn? ›

The smoky-sweet flavor of roasted corn pairs well with a multitude of ingredients, including herbs, spices, smoked paprika, meats, vegetables, and cheeses. Flavors like smoked paprika, garlic powder, garlic butter, and plain old salt and pepper are only the beginning.

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