19 Easy Fresh Corn Recipes for Summer

Fresh, sweet corn in all its glory.

By
Robin Shreeves
Robin Shreeves
Robin Shreeves
Robin Shreeves is a food and beverage writer.
Learn about Simply Recipes' Editorial Process
Updated December 12, 2024
Robin Shreeves
Trinidadian Boiled Corn in a Pot

Simply Recipes / Alica Ramkirpal-Senhouse

Growing up, eating seasonally wasn't something we talked about in our house or even made an attempt to do—except when it came to corn on the cob. Corn on the cob was to only be consumed when it was fresh and came from a nearby New Jersey farm stand. That was my father's rule.

For me, corn on the cob is one of the best treats of summer. I still slather the kernels in butter, shake on the salt, and dive in as happily as I did when I was a kid.

These 19 recipes for corn—some on the cob, some off—make the most use of the seasonal goodness. Fortunately, you don't have to make these recipes in summer only. If you freeze the corn on the cob or the kernels off the cob, you can enjoy corn all year round.

  • Pan Seared Scallops with Sweet Corn and Chiles

    pan seared scallops with creamed corn and lime on a white plate
    Sally Vargas

    This dish seems fancy, but it's simple to make. Sear scallops and place them on top of corn cooked with poblano, onion, corn milk, cream, water, salt, and pepper. Sprinkle with lime juice and cilantro or parsley.

  • Trinidadian Boiled Corn

    Trinidadian Boiled Corn in a Bowl

    Simply Recipes / Alica Ramkirpal-Senhouse

    Ready for your new favorite way to prepare corn? Simmer fresh corn on the cob in a broth of coconut milk, habanero peppers, garlic, and fresh herbs. Boil the broth for about 30 or 40 minutes until it's thick and coats the corn. In Trinidad, it's served in-between meals all on its own, but you can serve it as a side dish, too.

  • Fresh Corn Pasta

    Bowl of Fresh Corn Pasta with a Fork

    Simply Recipes / Ciara Kehoe

    The final result of this quick pasta belies its ease. Use a large tube pasta or shapes with some twists and turns so the pasta holds on to the sauce—made with shallot, garlic, dry white wine, heavy cream, and fresh Parm—and the corn kernels won't slide off the pasta.

  • Corn Chowder

    corn chowder in a white bowl
    October Creative

    Fresh corn gives this chowder its summery pop and cooking it with corn cobs infuses even more flavor into the milky broth filled with corn kernels, potatoes, bell pepper, onion, carrot, and celery. Bacon strips, or a little bacon fat, takes all that flavor up a notch.

    Continue to 5 of 19 below

  • Grilled Mexican Street Corn (Elote)

    Grilled Mexican Street Corn (Elote) with lime on a white plate with blue trim
    Megan Keno

    Make your own version of Mexican street corn, one of the best corn on the cob preparations out there. Coat grilled corn with a sauce made of Mexican crema (or sour cream), mayonnaise, chopped cilantro, ground chipotle pepper, and lime. Sprinkle with crumbled cotija cheese. Dig in, and make sure you have plenty of napkins.

  • Esquites (Warm Mexican Corn Salad)

    Bowl of Esquites Topped with Cilantro, Cotija Cheese, and Ancho Chile Pepper Surrounded by Bowls of Toppings

    Simply Recipes / Susy Villasuso

    Take the flavors of Mexican street corn turn them into a warm salad. Shave the kernels from the cob, cook the corn in butter with a few cobs thrown in to extract flavor, then stir in mayo, ground ancho chili, fresh lime juice, some queso fresco, and cilantro. Serve with crema, hot sauce, and other toppings so each person can personalize their esquites.

  • Corn Relish

    Corn Relish

    Simply Recipes / Elise Bauer

    What can you do with this sweet and savory corn relish that you can keep in the fridge for up to 6 weeks or hot water bath can it to preserve it for much longer? You can serve it on top of hot dogs, tacos, or pulled pork. Use it as a condiment on a cheese tray. Add to grilled cheese. The creative possibilities are many!

  • Creamed Corn

    creamed corn in a white bowl with light blue trim
    Sally Vargas

    Forget the canned stuff that's just a big bunch of mush. This creamed corned has fresh, crisp kernels cooked in a creamy sauce, and with the addition of extra cream and cheese, it becomes a casserole. It freezes really well, too, so it's a great way to save summer corn for the colder months.

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  • Corn and Ricotta Bruschetta

    Corn and Ricotta Bruschetta

    Simply Recipes / Ciara Kehoe

    Top toasted bread and fluffy ricotta cheese with corn and onion cooked in butter. It calls for a sprinkling of mint, but you can substitute basil or cilantro if you'd prefer.

  • Korean Corn Cheese

    Close-up: Cast Iron Skillet With Korean Corn Cheese Topped With Sliced Green Onions and a Spoon (After Some of the Korean Cheese Corn Was Served)

    Simply Recipes / Irene Yoo

    Mix corn, Parmesan, and mozzarella with a bit of mayo in this dish that's popular at Korean BBQ restaurants. A little gochugaru (Korean chili powder) gives it some kick. So simple to put together, this corny, cheesy creation makes for a fantastic side dish for any meal.

  • Crab and Corn Chowder

    Corn and Crab Chowder in a Soup Bowl with Handles Next to Another Bowl of Chowder and a Bowl of Lemon Slices

    Simply Recipes / Sally Vargas

    What makes classic corn chowder even better? Crab! Fresh if you can get it, but frozen or quality canned works, too. This crab and corn chowder doesn't get too fishy because it uses chicken stock rather than fish stock to keep things savory and satisfying.

  • Mexican Street Corn Nachos

    Mexican Street Corn Nachos on a plate with blue decor
    Elise Bauer

    Top tortilla chips with a creamy Monterey jack cheese sauce, toasted corn, crumbled cotija, chili powder, and cilantro. All the tantalizing flavors of Mexican street corn in nacho form. These are so good, you can make a meal out of them.

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  • Grilled Corn Salad

    corn salad with zucchini and red bell pepper in white bowl
    Elise Bauer

    Need a side for your burgers, grilled chicken, grilled pork chops, or grilled portobello mushrooms? This is the one. Seasoned corn, bell peppers, red onion, and zucchini with olive oil and vinegar and a little feta or cotija cheese create a salad that says summer.

  • Spicy Corn Fritters

    How to Make Corn Fritters
    Elise Bauer

    A sweet chili dipping sauce is the perfect dipping sauce for seasoned, spicy corn fritters with plenty of green onion to complement the sweet corn. They're a great side dish, but they're so good that you may want to just eat piles of just them.

  • Grilled Corn on the Cob

    Platter of Seasoned and Buttered Grilled Corn on the Cob

    Simply Recipes / Mihaela Kozaric Sebrek

    Opinions about how to grill corn abound, but our opinion is that you don't have to pre-soak the corn before throwing corn on the cob on the grill. The corn will steam in the husks as the husks charr and give the corn a wonderful smoky flavor.

  • Spicy Creamed Corn Linguine

    Spicy Creamed Corn Linguine

    Simply Recipes / Wanda Abraham

    This recipe is unexpected, but it's divine. Linguine with a rich cheddar cream sauce, fresh corn, and cherry tomatoes is an oh-my-gosh-where-has-this-been-all-my-life delight.

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  • Grilled Tomatillo and Corn Salsa

    Grilled Tomatillo Corn Salsa
    Elise Bauer

    Char tomatillos and corn to make the best green salsa that comes together quickly after you've grilled the vegetables. Take the extra time. Your tacos will thank you.

  • Caprese Corn Salad

    Caprese Corn Salad
    Elise Bauer

    When your garden or the farmers market is bursting with tomatoes and basil, grab some fresh corn to shake up classic Caprese. Use grilled, raw, or boiled corn, but grilled will add a dimension of smoky flavor that takes this up a notch.

  • How to Microwave Corn on the Cob

    A plate of microwave corn on the cob set on a cutting board and topped with butter.
    Eliezer Martinez

    When you want to cook three or fewer ears of corn (right in their husks!), this is the fastest and easiest way. No boiling pot to steam up your kitchen!

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