48 Best Corn Recipes to Make All Summer
Summer brings with it so many vegetables that are hard to get enough of. But of all of them, I think it’s safe to say sweet corn is always the one that steals the show. Those sweet, tender-yet-crisp kernels are all too easy to love (especially when they’re grilled!). And since fresh corn is only in season for a couple months a year, we want to get our fill every chance we get.
Picking the perfect ears might seem tricky since you can’t see inside, but when you know what to look for it’s actually quite easy. And there’s no shucking necessary. When sticky black or dark brown tassels; it’s a sign that the the cob is past its prime. The real secret to picking the best corn: look for ears that are firm and heavy for their size, and avoid corn with sticky black or dark brown tassels; it’s a sign that the the cob is past its prime.
As for getting it on the table, well, there are a lot of methods for cooking corn on the cob. And we even found the best way to remove corn silks. And when sweet summer corn is truly in its prime, you don’t even have to cook it. Just cut the kernels from the cob and dig in. From classic corn on the cob to crowd-friendly side dishes to super-seasonal mains to sweet corn desserts, here are 48 fresh corn recipes to get excited about.
Corn on the Cob
You can’t talk about summer corn without talking about corn on the cob that’s cooked simply, slicked with butter, and sprinkled with salt. It’s arguably the most enjoyable way to eat the good stuff. (Although it’s always nice to have a little fun with the classic, too.)
Corn Dips, Salsas, and Appetizers
Strip the corn from its cob and you have endless possibilities. The sweet kernels can be fried up into snack-able fritters, baked into a creamy dip, or simply tossed with other summer vegetables for a fresh and super-seasonal salsa.
Corn Salads and Side Dishes
When you find yourself with sweet summer corn that’s perfectly crisp and tender, it hardly needs to be cooked; the time is right for a bright and fresh corn salad. For a side the whole table will adore, creamed corn is always a delight.
Butter Bath Corn
Popular in the Midwest, 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.
Summer Dinners That Start with Corn
Since corn is really at its best for just a couple of months out of the year, it’s worth showing it off in the main course. It can add surprising crunch and sweetness to pizza, make an impossibly delicious sauce for pasta, and turned into a creamy summer chowder.