Celebrate fresh summer corn with this collection of 30 Fresh Corn Recipes! Post includes a produce guide and a variety of recipes including corn chowder, corn cakes, grilled corn on the cob, corn salad and more!

30 Corn recipes collage pin

Corn on the cob used to be one of my favorite things to eat in the summer when I was growing up.  My mom would boil it and serve it piping hot, so I inserted the corn cob holders into each end of the corn, slathered on a bit of butter and ate it left to right, row by row.

I love corn even more today, and during the summer I prepare it weekly.  I normally cook up a few ears at a time and either eat it right off of the cob like I did in my childhood, or remove the kernels and toss them into salads and recipes during the week.

There’s nothing like biting into the plump, crisp kernels and tasting that milky, sweet flavor. 

To me, corn just tastes like summer.

Ear of corn with husk and silk opened slightly

FAQs

What is corn?

Corn, or maize, is one of the most popular crops in America. The corn plant is an annual that’s a member of the grass family with a stout, solid stem and large, narrow green leaves.

The interesting thing about corn is that it’s considered to be a vegetable, grain and a fruit.  

-A vegetable is considered to be the edible part of a plant, so when you eat corn on the cob, it’s a vegetable.
-Once the kernels are removed from the cob, the individual kernels are considered to be whole grain.
-The definition of fruit is an edible part of a plant that contains a seed, so when the kernels are popped into popcorn, corn is then considered a fruit!

Uses of corn

The corn industry in the United States is vast. There are 90 million acres of corn planted in this country, and most of it is grown in the Heartland region. 10-20% of the corn produced in the U.S. is exported to other countries.

99% of the corn grown in America is field corn, which is used to feed cattle, hogs and poultry, and produce ethanol bio fuel.

Corn is also used to produce the following: corn starch, corn syrup, cornmeal, masa, polenta, corn flour, and alcohol.

Nutrition facts

The health benefits of corn differ depending on the type of corn that you eat. Sweet corn tends to be higher in vitamins, and popcorn tends to be higher in minerals.

Corn is a whole grain and contains 2.4 grams of fiber per serving, which means that it can improve digestion and prevent constipation.

There are about 77 calories per serving of corn, with 22 carbohydrates, 3.4 grams of protein and 4.5 grams of sugar.

How to store corn

Store fresh corn on the cob in the husk in the refrigerator for 1-3 days. Once corn is shucked and cooked, it will keep in an air tight container in the refrigerator for 3-5 days.

How to freeze corn

Shuck the corn and freeze the cobs in an airtight container for several months. Corn may also be removed from the cob and frozen.

How to cook corn

There are two main ways to cook corn on the cob — boiling and grilling.

Boiled corn: Place the shucked corn in a large stock pot and cover with water by about 2″.  Cover the pot and bring to a boil over high heat.  Immediately remove from heat and allow to stand covered for 10 minutes.  
Drain the corn in a colander and enjoy!

Grilled corn: See my post Easy Grilled Corn on the Cob for all the details!

close up of partially shucked corn

30+ Delicious Corn Recipes

Not sure what to do with fresh corn? Corn is so versatile, and works beautifully in both sweet and savory dishes.  This roundup of delicious corn recipes includes Mexican sweet corn cake, street corn, corn chowder and corn salsa.  

I hope these recipes inspire you to enjoy corn in exciting new ways this summer!

Air fryer corn on the cob piled on a white plate

Air Fryer Corn on the Cob

Air Fryer Corn on the Cob is crisp, tender and the easiest way to make corn on the cob! It takes just one ingredient and it's ready in about 8 minutes!
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Overhead view of bacon and corn risotto in a white dish.

Bacon & Corn Risotto

Sweet summer corn and crispy bacon take classic creamy risotto to another level in this Bacon & Corn Risotto.
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A bowl of black bean and corn salsa with three tortilla chips.

Black Bean Corn Salsa

This salsa recipe is easier than you think to throw together! Chopping a few fresh ingredients, opening a couple of cans and whisking together some olive oil, lime juice and spices together is all it takes to make this crowd favorite.
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Blueberry corn chicken salad in a white bowl with a fork.

Blueberry Corn Chicken Salad

The perfect summertime blueberry corn chicken salad with grilled corn, shredded chicken, roasted pecans and a maple balsamic dressing. Southern comfort food made healthy!
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Overhead view of a plate of cornbread caprese salad.

Caprese Salad Recipe with Homemade Cornbread

Up your salad game with this delicious caprese style salad with homemade cornbread, burrata cheese and reduced white balsamic vinegar.
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A corn cake topped with tomatoes, avocado and fresh corn.

Corn Cakes

Thin rounds of rich corn cake batter are fried in a slick of olive oil until crispy on the outside and tender in the middle, with the sweet crunch of corn in every bite.
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Corn dip stuffed jalapenos with bacon on top

Corn Dip Stuffed Jalapeños

These Stuffed Jalapeños feature creamy corn dip, melted cheese and crumbled bacon for an easy appetizer that's perfect for game day and parties!
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Spoonful of sweet corn pudding

Corn Pudding

Creamy and so simple to make, this corn pudding recipe is a family favorite that we all love. It’s easy to make from scratch and offers so much yummy flavor that you’ll want seconds!
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Overhead view of a bowl of dairy free corn chowder.

Dairy Free Corn Chowder

This creamy and healthy dairy free corn chowder is a summertime staple! Filled with fresh veggies, yukon potatoes and coconut milk, it’s jam packed with flavor and is incredibly easy to whip up. Ideas for optional add-ins included in the post.
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Overhead view of a sliced Farmers Market flatbread.

Farmers Market Grilled Flatbread Pizza

Farmers Market Grilled Flatbread Pizza is easy with ready-made flatbread crusts. Topped with pesto, melty mozzarella cheese, and fresh garden goodness, this is sure to become a favorite meal!
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Spoon buried in a bowl of corn and tomato salad

Fresh Corn and Tomato Salad

Fresh Corn Tomato Salad is fresh, flavorful and the perfect summer side dish! It includes just 5 ingredients and it's so easy to make!
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A cast iron skillet of fried corn, next to fresh ears of corn.

Fried Corn Recipe (Southern Fried Corn)

Fresh corn on the cob is shucked, scraped and fried in a cast iron skillet with flavorful bacon drippings and sugar for the most delicious side to serve all summer!!
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Two blue ramekins of goat cheese sweet corn grits.

Goat Cheese & Sweet Corn Grits

Creamy sweet corn grits get even creamier with a few dollops of smooth goat cheese.
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Bowl of grilled corn and avocado salad

Grilled Corn & Avocado Salad

Delicious grilled corn mixed together with avocado, tomato, feta, green onions, cilantro and cucumber then tossed in an easy dressing. The perfect refreshing side dish for a BBQ!
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close up front view of grilled corn on the cob with butter and lime wedges

Grilled Corn on the Cob

It isn’t summer without this Easy Grilled Corn on the Cob! This recipe is a tutorial on how to grill corn using 3 different cooking techniques. Learn how to grill corn in the husk, in foil, or with the husk removed!
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Sliced hummus flatbread with corn and berries on a wood serving board.

Hummus Flatbread with Grilled Corn and Berries

This summer inspired hummus flatbread is topped with grilled corn, berries and drizzled with a fresh roasted garlic parsley pesto. A great pre-dinner bite!
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Mexican corn dip and a blue tortilla chip in an orange dip.

Mexican Corn Dip

Mexican Corn Dip has all the flavors of Mexican street corn in an irresistible dip format, that you can actually feel good about eating!
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Mexican corn salad in a bowl with jalapeno on top

Grilled Mexican Corn Salad

Grilled Mexican Corn Salad is packed with sweet, smoky charred corn and is bursting with fresh flavor. It's a versatile, easy side dish that's perfect for picnics and barbecues!
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Baking dish of Mexican corn salad with honey lime shrimp.

Mexican Corn Salad with Honey Lime Shrimp

This healthy grilled Mexican corn salad is tossed with juicy, smoky shrimp and has a sweet and tangy honey lime vinaigrette! Perfect for summer cook outs!
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Scoops of Mexican sweet corn cake in a bowl with cilantro sprig.

Mexican Sweet Corn Cake

This Mexican Sweet Corn Cake is moist, tender and packed with real corn flavor! It’s made with masa harina and sweet corn, and makes the perfect side dish for your Mexican-inspired meals!
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A wooden bowl full of roasted corn and chickpea salad with two wooden serving spoons.

Roasted Corn and Chickpea Kale Salad

Roasted corn and chickpeas tossed into fresh kale and lightly coated in a maple-lemon vinaigrette.
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A dish of spicy Southern hot corn.

Spicy Southern Hot Corn

This sassy Southern-style recipe has been part of our holiday meal tradition for years and doubles as a side dish AND a dip.
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A floral bowl of corn and bacon salsa surrounded by tortilla chips.

Sweet Corn, Hatch Chile, and Bacon Salsa

Sweet Corn, Hatch Chile and Bacon Salsa is spicy, savory and packed with fresh corn! It’s great as a dip or a side.
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White ramekin of sweet corn and kielbasa soup.

Sweet Corn, Kielbasa and Potato Soup

Sweet Corn, Kielbasa and Potato Soup is for the coldest of nights! This hearty and comforting, gluten-free soup recipe is filled with savory kielbasa, creamy potatoes, and snappy sweet corn.
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zucchini fritters on a plate topped with yogurt

Zucchini Fritters Recipe

These Zucchini Fritters are golden brown, crispy, and packed with zucchini and corn! They're served with a creamy, flavorful cilantro lime Greek yogurt for an easy summer appetizer or vegetarian main dish
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