20 Recipes That Make Fresh Corn the Star of the Show

By Victoria Spencer
Updated July 01, 2020
Johnny Miller
These recipes remind us why this golden (or white or bicolor) vegetable is the essence of summer.
Start Slideshow

1 of 21

Johnny Miller

There are a few things that always remind us of summer: sitting on the beach, enjoying a picnic at the park, and seeing lush corn fields on the side of the road. Fresh corn hits its peak in the late summer, though you can find it May through September, and when it's readily available, we love cooking with it in salads, soups, and so many other dishes.

The most commonly found varieties of sweet corn are yellow, white, and bicolor. When choosing corn, look for ears that are fully encased in bright-green husks and topped with golden-brown tassels. Pull back just enough of the husks to make sure the kernels are in tight rows. Since corn begins to lose its natural sweetness as soon as it is picked, fresh corn is best eaten the day it is purchased; if not, you can refrigerate ears in their husks for up to two days.

Use fresh corn in a summery fish soup like Corn and Shrimp Chowder with Bacon and Salmon-and-Corn Chowder. While we love buttered corn on the cob, we also like to take it up a notch, grilling whole ears and slathering them with chile-lime salt and Parmesan or anointing them with chile sauce, lime juice, and fish sauce. You can also make corn the key element in your main course, whipping up Pressure-Cooker Corn Risotto or Blistered Green-Bean and Corn Frittata. Whatever you do, be sure to use corn in a few glorious summer salads. We especially like our Corn and Avocado Salad with Green Goddess Dressing.

Whether you grill it, purée it, sauté it, or enjoy it raw, now is the time to savor fresh corn.

Advertisement
Advertisement

2 of 21

Grilled Corn with Fish Sauce and Scallions

Kate Sears
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Deeply flavorful, slightly spicy, and wholly delicious, these ears of corn are perfect for a lively summer cookout. In this riff on a Vietnamese-inspired dish, fresh corn is grilled then topped with a mixture of melted butter, sambal oelek, lime juice, and fish sauce—which adds umami but doesn't overpower.

3 of 21

Sweet Corn-Brown Rice Risotto

Kate Sears
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Try this recipe for a healthy, quick vegetarian dinner; hearty short-grain brown rice is cooked risotto-style with fresh corn, resulting in a creamy, satiating main that will please everyone at the table.

Advertisement

4 of 21

Corn and Shrimp Chowder with Bacon

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

No ordinary chowder, this one combines the essential fresh sweet corn with shrimp and bacon in its creamy, potato-flecked broth.

5 of 21

Grilled Pizza with Cheesy Corn, Fresh Tomatoes, and Basil

Andrew Purcell
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

A sweet and savory purée of corn, Parmesan cheese, garlic, and olive oil stands in for tomato sauce on this pizza.

6 of 21

Creamy Corn-and-Onion Dip

Kate Sears
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

In this light, summery twist on that favorite that is French onion dip, sweet corn is sautéed until tender and mixed with tangy Greek yogurt, which brings the richness of a creamy dip without all the fat.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

7 of 21

Steamed Clams and Corn

Hans Gissinger
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Cutting plump ears of corn into "coins" and steaming them with clams and spicy green chile pepper yields a broth with a one-two punch of flavor. The liquid begs to be sopped up with crusty bread and washed down with white wine.

8 of 21

Blistered Green-Bean and Corn Frittata

Sidney Bensimon
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Make this frittata for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. It's super nutritious thanks to glorious green beans and protein-rich eggs. The corn adds a touch of sweetness.

9 of 21

Mushroom Tacos with Charred-Corn Salsa

Chris Simpson
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

A charred-corn salsa finishes these bite-sized vegetarian beauties. Its smoky flavor would be divine with Seared Halibut Tacos or Zucchini Tacos, too.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

10 of 21

Corn-and-Avocado Salad with Goddess Dressing

Petrina Tinslay
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Yellow corn adds sunny crunch to this green salad with avocado. Don't try to separate individual kernels—leave some in larger clumps for a bigger bite of fresh flavor.

11 of 21

Creamless Creamy Corn Soup

Dana Gallagher
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Don't let the name fool you: There's no cream here! This soup gets its comforting consistency from corn that's been puréed after sautéing and chicken (or vegetable) broth. For a hint of spice and contrasting color, sprinkle a dash of turmeric and cayenne pepper on top.

12 of 21

Pressure-Cooker Corn Risotto

Marcus Nilsson
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Made for quick and easy weeknight dinners, this one-pot (or in this case, one cooker) risotto comes together in less than half an hour. Garnish with basil leaves and cherry tomatoes for contrast.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

13 of 21

Kale, Corn, and Jalapeno Muffins

Lennart Weibull
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Enjoy this spicy rendition of classic corn muffins. Kale adds crunch and color while diced jalapeño nudges you with its heat. While we highly recommend using fresh corn kernels, frozen will work too once corn is no longer in season.

14 of 21

Sweet Corn Relish

Dana Gallagher
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

The warmer months slip by so quickly. To capture their essence, jar your surplus produce. Sweet corn relish, a southern condiment and dip, has a bit more bite than coleslaw.

15 of 21

Cherry Tomato, Corn, and Halloumi Salad

Christopher Testani
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Upgrade an Italian caprese salad with this Mediterranean-inspired dish. Sweet, succulent corn adds crunch to a lightly tossed salad of cherry tomatoes and wild baby arugula. With grilled halloumi cheese and lightly sautéed vegetables, it's a salad best served warm.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

16 of 21

Corn Soup with Tomato-Bacon Toasts

Armando Rafael
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

While soup isn't normally our go-to on a hot summer day, this creamy corn soup is served cold. It's a refreshing comfort food that can be enjoyed as a light appetizer or lunch. Garnish with a few raw corn kernels and a grind of coarse black pepper for a hint at what flavors await.

17 of 21

Grilled Corn with Chile-Lime Salt

Lauren Ross
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Add a kick to a classic grilled corn recipe with a homemade blend of lime zest, chile powder, and salt. Top it all off with grated parmesan cheese. We have a feeling you'll be making this one again and again.

18 of 21

Mexican Creamed Corn

Johnny Miller
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Jalapeño and cilantro make this south-of-the-border side perfect for backyard cookouts. Low-fat yogurt is a healthy way to add tang and creaminess.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

19 of 21

"Succotash" Pasta

Dana Gallagher
View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

If you crave a new pasta, this dish nods to succotash but subs in zucchini for the usual lima beans and but adds a kick from bacon and jalapeño. The "milk" scraped from corn ears adds a sweet creaminess to the sauce.

20 of 21

Corn and Scallion Chilaquiles

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

This riff on the Mexican dish—eggs scrambled with tortilla chips and topped with salsa—incorporates lots of fresh corn. It's perfect for summer brunch.

21 of 21

Maine Lobster and Corn Chowder

View Recipe this link opens in a new tab

Few things are as delicious as succulent chunks of Maine lobster vying for space in a buttery broth brimming with tender sweet corn, summer squashes, and slivered basil.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Replay gallery

Share the Gallery

Up Next

Advertisement
© Copyright . All rights reserved. Printed from https://www.marthastewart.com