19 Fresh Corn Recipes for Summer
Corn is such a versatile food, and so too is list of recipes to help liven up summer meals.
Chef Mo
When corn is in season, you can truly taste the fresh flavors you miss in canned kernels and frozen ears. Delicately sweet, warmly nutty, fresh corn is a boon to almost any summertime dish. So when you've grabbed a few ears from the farmers' market and you're looking for recipes for fresh corn, you're going to want to try these top-notch recipes. And when you can't get your hands on the fresh stuff, no problem — frozen corn is an honorable substitution. Check out 19 of our favorite ways to fix fresh summer corn (when you're not making corn on the cob).
Grilled Corn and Red Cabbage Slaw
Red Cabbage, jalape?os, and queso fresco pair with the corn to create a virbant summer dish. "This fresh, light corn and cabbage slaw is great with fish tacos," says recipe creator Ashley Steele.
Zucchini Corn Fritters
Fresh raw corn kernels add milky, mouth-popping texture to these little skillet cakes, which work as a side dish or an appetizer. To keep them warm until you've finished making them all, tuck the baking sheet holding them in a 300 degrees F oven.
Creole Crab and Corn Chowder
Recipe creator Chef John says, "Ideally you would make this in the middle of summer with ears of fresh, sweet-as-sugar corn. You can also make a perfectly fine version of this chowder using a premium-quality, extra-sweet, frozen corn."
Spicy Corn Salsa
Charred corn combines with a medium-hot poblano, spicy-hot jalape?os, and tangy red onions. With just a light dressing of fresh lime juice, this salsa comes together in no time for an appetizer, topping for pizza, or a side for fresh fish. Throw a few ears on a grill the next time you have it fired up for dinner, and this fresh corn recipe will come together while you're making the rest of the meal.
Corn and Zucchini Melody
"Zucchini, corn, and onions combined with chopped bacon and cheese," says recipe submitter MOLSON7. "A quick and easy way to use some fresh veggies from your garden!"
Fiery Fish Tacos with Crunchy Corn Salsa
"Spicy grilled fish are cooled down with a fresh crunchy veggie salsa featuring fresh corn," says recipe creator LouiseCol. "Your guests will swim back for seconds!"
Fresh Corn and Tomato Casserole
"This casserole is wonderful for a backyard picnic. It uses all fresh ingredients and simply contains corn, tomatoes and bacon. A great complement for a barbecue," says recipe creator Ronda Miller.
Summer Vegetable Cavatelli with Fresh Corn "Cream"
"Wow, this was good," says reviewer Mary Frese. "My whole family, including children, liked it. Great way to use up uneaten ears of corn. I followed the directions exactly, and my only change for next time will be to add more zucchini and peppers."
Summer Corn Salad
A fresh basil vinaigrette is mixed together with buttery yellow corn, chunks of tomato, and onion. "This salad is a winner — it's refreshing, attractive, and infinitely adaptable," says reviewer tfandrews.
Crispy Fresh Corn Fritters with Crab and Chipotle Lime Dressing
"Amazing. Loved the freshness of the corn and crab as well as the spiciness of the sauce. May double the recipe to have extras the next time," says recipe reviewer 1cookingmama.
Raw Corn Salad
Everything you need for this fresh corn recipe you can grab at the farmers market, where the produce will be so fresh you can truly experience how the salad is meant to be. Fresh, sweet corn combines with juicy tomatoes, crisp cucumbers, and creamy avocado for an almost-too-easy side you'll make all summer long.
Watermelon and Corn Salsa
"Fresh summer flavors that make an excellent topper for salads or sides with a bbq meal. Add a little cilantro for an extra fresh pop if you like. You could also spice it up with some fresh jalapeno," says recipe creator Bis4Bethany.
Southwestern Roasted Corn Salad
"I had a lot of family and friends over for a BBQ last Sunday. A good share of them do not care for unusual tastes or anything new, but they all loved this one (except my mother-in-law)," says recipe reviewer NLWALLIN.
Fresh Summer Corn Chowder
"Summer corn is in season right now, I found a super sale this weekend, so it was time to try this chowder recipe which has been on my radar," says Allrecipes Allstar lutzflcat. "My corn was super sweet, and gave this chowder great flavor. The cilantro does give some balance to the overall sweetness, so I'd recommend not omitting it (unless you're one of those cilantro haters out there)."
Grilled Salmon with Bacon and Corn Relish
"Forget as a topper, I could eat this as a side! It went so well with salmon, light, fresh, slightly spicy, and colorful, even the kids loved it," says reviewer Deere Mama. "It felt like dining at a 5-star restaurant."
Frogmore Stew
Sure, you could just boil corn in a pot of water. But why not turn it into an instant party by boiling it with some its friends: baby potatoes, spicy sausage, and succulent shrimp. (And not to worry: There are no frogs in this dish! Frogmore Stew is just a local name for a Southern Lowcountry shrimp boil.)
Instant Pot? Fresh Corn Risotto
Here's one for the Instant Pot. "Creamy risotto with sweet kernels of fresh corn is made in a fraction of the time as traditional risotto, in your pressure cooker!" says Allrecipes Allstar Kim's Cooking Now.
Corn in a Cup (Elote en Vaso)
DOTDASH MEREDITH FOOD STUDIOS
This version of Elote is similar to esquites, but either way, both are traditional street corn from Mexico. This recipe is so delicious we can't stop jumping at the opportunity to make it. With crema and cotija cheese, chili powder, hot sauce, and lime juice, this dish is dressed with flavor.
Curried Corn with Coconut Milk
Dotdash Meredith Food Studios
"For a fun, no-fuss twist on creamed corn, add curry powder and coconut milk," says recipe creator Virginia Willis. Fresh ginger and a garnish of cilantro helps this dish sing.
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