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Is there anything that says summer quite like fresh corn?
August is officially here, which means we’ve kicked off the season for sweet corn – and that means it’s the perfect time to gather up some favorite fresh corn recipes. Right now the good stuff is piled high at the farm stand, stacked in the grocery bins, and, if you’re lucky, coming straight out of the backyard garden. It’s sweet, it’s juicy, and for a few glorious weeks, it’s just about perfect.
So this week, I thought I’d round up some of my very favorite corn recipes. A few are my own tried-and-true keepers, and the rest are gems from food bloggers I love. Whether you like yours slathered in butter on the cob, tossed into a bright summer salad, or folded into something warm and cheesy, there’s a little something here for everyone.
Grab an ear – or a dozen – and let’s get cooking!
How to Pick and Store Fresh Corn
Before we get to the recipes, a quick word on choosing the sweetest corn, because it really does make all the difference. Look for ears with bright green husks that are snug and slightly damp, not dried out or yellowing. The silks peeking out the top should be pale gold and a little sticky rather than brown and brittle. Give the ear a gentle squeeze; you want to feel plump, rounded kernels all the way to the tip.
Corn is at its sweetest the day it’s picked, so try to use it quickly. If you need to hold it a day or two, keep the husks on and store the ears in the refrigerator. And if you find yourself with more than you can eat (a happy problem this time of year), simply blanch the ears, cut the kernels from the cob, and freeze them for a little taste of summer come winter.
Now, on to the good part!
Butter Bath Corn
From Kristy Norrell at 12 Tomatoes
Just when I thought I knew every way to cook an ear of corn, along came this one to prove me wrong. Instead of plain boiling water, the ears take a quick soak in a simmering bath of milk, butter, and salt. About eight minutes later, you’ve got corn that’s extra tender, a touch sweeter, and rich enough that you’ll barely need to butter it at the table.
Garlic Butter Grilled Corn
Photo courtesy of Rasa Malaysai
From Bee at Rasa Malaysia
If your summer isn’t complete without the smell of corn charring on the grill, this one’s for you. The magic is a quick compound butter, fresh garlic, parsley, and salt whipped together, that melts right into those warm, blistered kernels. Bee even suggests keeping a batch of the garlic butter stashed in the freezer, which strikes me as very good planning.
Homemade Elotes (Mexican Street Corn)
One of mine
You knew I couldn’t do a corn roundup without including these! During the five years my family and I lived in Mexico, elotes were hands-down my favorite. Grilled corn smothered in a creamy, tangy, just-a-little-spicy sauce and showered with salty cotija cheese. The best part? You don’t need a passport to enjoy them. You can have a plateful sizzling off your own grill this very weekend.
Korean Corn Cheese
Photo courtesy of Spoon Fork Pig
From Jenny Park at Spoon Fork Bacon
File this one under “dangerously good.” Sweet corn gets folded together with mozzarella, a little mayo, and green onion, then cooked until it’s melty, gooey, and utterly irresistible. Jenny serves it as either a side dish or a scoopable dip, and it comes together in under twenty minutes. Set out a bowl at your next cookout and watch it disappear.
Homemade Creamed Corn
Photo courtesy of Love and Lemons
From Jeanine Donofrio at Love and Lemons
Let’s all agree, here and now, to leave the canned stuff on the shelf. This homemade version starts with a simple roux, turns silky with a splash of milk and a handful of Parmesan, and lets those sweet summer kernels truly shine. It’s cozy, it’s comforting, and it’s the kind of side dish that makes an ordinary weeknight dinner feel a little more special.
Cucumber, Corn and Tomato Salad with Easy Avocado Dressing
One of mine
This is my answer to the eternal question, “Can I bring something?” It’s crunchy and colorful, it holds up beautifully without any lettuce to wilt, and the creamy avocado-lime dressing pulls the whole thing together. Best of all, you can prep most of it the night before, which is exactly why it’s become my go-to for potlucks, picnics, and book club.
Summer Corn Salad
Photo courtesy of Classy Cooking
From Jaclyn at Cooking Classy
Here’s a fresh, feta-flecked salad that tastes like summer on a fork that lends a different flavor profile to mine above. Jaclyn tosses sweet corn with grape tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, and plenty of fresh herbs, then brightens the whole bowl with a honey-kissed vinaigrette. It’s lovely alongside anything off the grill – and I won’t tell anyone if you eat the leftovers straight from the fridge for lunch.
Thai-Inspired Corn Salad
Photo courtesy of Food and Wine
From Food & Wine
When you’re in the mood to take your corn somewhere a little more adventurous, this salad delivers. Charred kernels meet cherry tomatoes and a gentle kick of fresh chile, all draped in a creamy coconut-lime dressing with just the right savory edge. A generous shower of crispy fried shallots over the top makes it downright impossible to stop eating.
Savory Corn and Zucchini Fritters
One of mine
When the garden (or the farmers’ market) is overflowing with corn and zucchini, this is what I make. These little fritters are crisp at the edges, tender in the middle, and flecked with fresh dill. Top them with a dollop of tangy Greek yogurt, and they’re right at home as a light supper, an appetizer, or a side dish next to a grilled protein. And if you happen to have veggie-averse kiddos, they’re a rather sneaky way to get everyone eating their vegetables.
Buttermilk Cornbread with Fresh Corn
Photo courtesy of the Wicked Noodle
From The Wicked Noodle
No corn celebration would be complete without a warm pan of cornbread. This buttermilk version bakes up moist and just slightly sweet, with fresh kernels folded right into the batter for little bursts of summer in every bite. Slice it warm, add a pat of butter and a drizzle of honey, and do your best not to eat the whole pan in one sitting. (No promises.)
