23 Recipes That Make Fresh Corn the Star of the Show

Late-summer corn plays an essential role in this comforting  salmon dinner. It comes together in just 30 minutes, but tastes like you spent much longer over the stove.

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.

Here's a healthy upgrade on sautéed corn that also makes the dish more substantial. Quinoa offers a boost of fiber and protein to the caramelized corn and scallion mixture. And instead of cooking the corn with butter, we use a mix of butter and olive oil to infuse the dish with healthy fats, while still keeping the buttery taste we all know and love.

Quick-charred corn, pistachios, and fresh mint top these tartines, with feta taking the starring role on the toasted ciabatta bread. Serve them for a party appetizer or a tasty lunch—the choice is yours.

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

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

In this light, summery twist on the 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 spread without the fat.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.