35 Corn Recipes You’ll Make All Summer Long

When the weather is warm, sweet and juicy corn is ripe for the picking. These recipes will help you make the most of your bounty.

April 07, 2023

Photo By: Stephen Johnson ©2014, Television Food Network, G.P. All Rights Reserved

Photo By: Stephen Johnson ©2014, Television Food Network, G.P. All Rights Reserved

Photo By: Stephen Johnson ©2014, Television Food Network, G.P. All Rights Reserved

Photo By: Matt

Photo By: Matt Armendariz ©2014, Television Food Network, G.P. All Rights Reserved.

Photo By: Tara Donne

Photo By: Matt Armendariz ©2013, Television Food Network, G.P. All Rights Reserved.

Photo By: Tara Donne

Photo By: Matt Armendariz ©2013, Television Food Network, G.P. All Rights Reserved

Photo By: Matt Armendariz ©Television Food Network, G.P. All Rights Reserved

Photo By: Tara Donne ©Food Network

Photo By: Kang Kim

Photo By: Matt Armendariz ©2013, Television Food Network, G.P. All Rights Reserved

Photo By: Matt Armendariz ©2014, Television Food Network, G.P. All Rights Reserved.

Photo By: Matt Armendariz ©2014, Television Food Network, G.P. All Rights Reserved.

Photo By: Matt Armendariz ©2013, Television Food Network, G.P. All Rights Reserved.

Photo By: Brian Kennedy ©2013, Television Food Network, G.P. All Rights Reserved

Photo By: Matt Armendariz ©2013, Television Food Network, G.P. All Rights Reserved

Photo By: Renee Comet ©Renee Comet

©2012, Food Network

Photo By: Kana Okada ©2012, Kana Okada

Photo By: Matt Armendariz ©2015

Season's Best

We look forward to lots of seasonal produce during the summer months but fresh corn is always at the top of our list. However you take it (boiled, perfectly charred and straight from the grill, as an elote or even cooked in the microwave) it always ends up tender-yet-crisp and full of natural sweetness. The key to perfect results is knowing how to pick it at the peak of ripeness — and having a few tried-and-true recipes in your back pocket. Whether you’ve been growing corn at home or are picking up a few ears at the farmers market, look for ones that are firm and heavy, with yellow silks sticking out the top. (If the silks are starting to brown, skip that ear). Once you have your fresh corn, all that’s left to do is decide which of these delicious recipes to make first. They’re all winners but you can’t go wrong with simple, grilled corn on the cob. Bobby amps his up by serving the ears with two butters: one flavored with herbs, the other with garlic and spices.

Get the Recipe: Perfectly Grilled Corn on the Cob

Creamy Chili-Lime Corn

This irresistable side is inspired by Mexican esquites — the popular street food of roasted corn tossed with lime, chiles and cheese. For this lightened-up take, we swapped in yogurt in place of Mexican crema and used frozen corn.

Get the Recipe: Creamy Chili-Lime Corn

Grilled Corn and Bean Salad

Combine corn, beans and fresh veggies for this colorful salad. Pack the flavor in with Valerie Bertinelli's spicy and tangy dressing featuring lime juice and hot sauce.

Get the Recipe: Grilled Corn and Bean Salad

Grilled Barbecued Corn Ribs

Fresh, sweet summer corn gets the full barbecue treatment in this recipe for corn ribs. Seasoned with a spicy sweet dry rub and brushed with a tangy barbecue sauce, the corn develops a delicious caramelized crust as it curls into a perfectly juicy rib. You'll need a sharp knife and a steady hand to cut through the hard cobs; make sure you have a large, sturdy work surface and take your time.

Get the Recipe: Grilled Barbecued Corn Ribs

Confetti Corn

Showcase summer's best corn with Ina Garten's off-the-cob recipe. Cook the kernels with onion and bell pepper and then toss with a mix of fresh green herbs.

Get the Recipe: Confetti Corn

Grilled Corn Chowder

Grilled corn, peppers and scallions form the base for this hearty summer chowder. Serve with a crusty baguette or country bread and you’ve got a full vegetarian meal. Leftovers are great for quick lunches and will keep in the fridge for several days.

Get the Recipe: Grilled Corn Chowder

Grilled Corn on the Cob with Lime Butter

Tyler Florence first soaks corn in water before putting the cobs on a hot grill. The corn is done when it feels soft to the touch. Take the corn off the grill and carefully peel back the husks and remove the silks. Tie each husk in a knot so you can hold on to it like a handle; roll each cob in lime butter and queso fresco, then sprinkle with homemade Ancho Chile Rub.

Get the Recipe: Grilled Corn on the Cob with Lime Butter

Black Bean and Corn Salad

Guy Fieri whips up a hearty summer salad with grilled sweet corn, black beans and more veggies.

Get the Recipe: Black Bean and Corn Salad

Fresh Corn Salad

Ina loves to make this easy fresh corn salad when it's in season. Giving cooked corn an ice bath not only stops the cooking right away but it also keeps the beautiful yellow color for your salad.

Get the Recipe: Fresh Corn Salad

Mexican Street Corn

Sunny Anderson's grilled corn was inspired by San Antonio street vendors' wares. Brush the charred ears with a blend of mayonnaise, chili powder and garlic salt.

Get the Recipe: Mexican Street Corn

Fresh Corn and Tomato Salad

This light salad is the perfect way to showcase the best summer corn and tomatoes.

Get the Recipe: Fresh Corn and Tomato Salad

Deconstructed Mexican-Style Corn

This recipe takes all of the ingredients from traditional Mexican corn on the cob, orelote, and fashions them into an easy-to-eat summer salad.

Get the Recipe: Deconstructed Mexican Style Corn

Oven-Roasted Corn on the Cob

Roast fresh corn directly on the oven rack and still in the husks for a simple, one-ingredient side dish.

Get the Recipe: Oven Roasted Corn on the Cob

Grilled Corn Salad with Lime, Red Chili and Cotija

Bobby grills corn in its own husks to protect it before taking the smoky kernels off the cob and tossing them with Cotija cheese, lime juice, lime zest, ancho chile powder and creme fraiche.

Get the Recipe: Grilled Corn Salad with Lime, Red Chili and Cotija

Jalapeno-Lime Corn on the Cob

Rachael Ray rubs grilled corn with a spicy jalapeno, lime, garlic and paprika butter to make a foolproof Mexican-style side dish.

Get the Recipe: Jalapeno-Lime Corn on The Cob

Pappardelle with Corn

Showcase the flavors of summer in a quick pasta sauce made with straight-from-the-cob corn and tomatoes.

Get the Recipe: Pappardelle With Corn

Charred Corn Panzanella

Latin flavors are added to a traditional panzanella. Lots of fresh vegetables and whole-grain bread make this healthier. For extra heat, keep the seeds in the chile pepper.

Get the Recipe: Charred Corn Panzanella

Summer Corn Salad

This simple salad relies on the great flavors of summer corn and tomatoes.

Get the Recipe: Summer Corn Salad

Corn on the Cob with Parmesan Cheese

Add a touch of umami flavor to juicy, sweet corn by brushing it with a mixture of Parmesan cheese, garlic and olive oil while it's still hot.

Get the Recipe: Corn on the Cob with Parmesan Cheese

Corn and Cheese Chowder

Ree Drummond puts this hearty chowder over the top by stirring in creamy Monterey and spicy pepper Jack. Both cheeses melt really well and complement the sweet corn. Serve it in a bread bowl for a full, filling meal.

Get the Recipe: Corn and Cheese Chowder

Indian Street Corn Salad

One of the most-beloved street foods in India is also one of the simplest: corn on the cob, slow-roasted over hot coals, and sprinkled with salt, cayenne and fresh lime juice. It bears a striking resemblance to Mexican elote, which adds some salty, creamy Cotija to the mix.

Get the Recipe: Indian Street Corn Salad

Grilled Corn on the Cob with Garlic Butter, Fresh Lime and Cotija Cheese

Bobby grills corn inside the husk after removing the silks and recovering the corn with the husk. Once the corn is cooked, brush it with garlic butter before topping with Cotija cheese and a squeeze of lime.

Get the Recipe: Grilled Corn on the Cob with Garlic Butter, Fresh Lime and Cotija Cheese

Mexican Grilled Corn

Tyler's Mexican-inspired grilled corn is smothered in a mayo, sour cream and cilantro dressing before being sprinkled with Parmesan cheese.

Get the Recipe: Mexican Grilled Corn

Creamed Corn Cornbread

Alton Brown says a piping-hot cast-iron skillet is a must for making this creamed-corn cornbread. Serve it right out of the skillet for a rustic presentation or invert it onto a platter.

Get the Recipe: Creamed Corn Cornbread

Grilled Corn Risotto

This summer risotto uses corn two ways: The cobs flavor the stock that Geoffrey Zakarian uses to cook the rice, and grilled kernels are folded in at the end.

Get the Recipe: Grilled Corn Risotto

Hot Corn Dip

Follow Trisha Yearwood's lead and opt for cans of Mexican corn instead of the original; along with the cans of chopped green chiles, the Mexican corn will give her warm two-cheese dip a bold punch of flavor.

Get the Recipe: Hot Corn Dip

Grilled Corn and Bean Salsa with Baked Corn Chips

Sandra Lee's colorful, zesty salsa is perfect when heaped on top of crisp, warm corn chips.

Get the Recipe: Grilled Corn and Bean Salsa with Baked Corn Chips

Spicy Grilled Corn

Melissa d'Arabian gives her corn on the cob a kick by coating it with butter mixed with smoked paprika and red pepper flakes before grilling in foil.

Get the Recipe: Spicy Grilled Corn

Fresh Corn Casserole with Red Bell Peppers and Jalapenos

Use fresh sweet corn to make Ree's creamy corn casserole. Red pepper and jalapenos add a slight kick and lots of flavor.

Get the Recipe: Fresh Corn Casserole with Red Bell Peppers and Jalapenos

Summer Corn Salad

Sunny's easy corn, onion and endive salad is dressed with freshly squeezed lime juice. The bitterness of the endives balances the sweetness of the corn.

Get the Recipe: Summer Corn Salad

Sweet Corn Pudding

When scraping the kernels away from the cob to use in their corn pudding, the Neelys reserve the milky runoff to later incorporate as a natural thickener, along with the milk, heavy cream and cheddar cheese.

Get the Recipe: Sweet Corn Pudding

Grilled Corn on the Cob with Chili-Lime Butter and Cotija Cheese

This grilled corn — topped with cotija cheese, lime and chili powder in a classic Mexican style — takes just 10 minutes to prepare.

Get the Recipe: Grilled Corn on the Cob with Chili-Lime Butter and Cotija Cheese

Farro and Corn Salad

You'll find farro with the whole grains in your grocery store or health food market (near the quinoa) but if you can't find it you can use barley in this simple, packed-with-summer-flavors salad.

Get the Recipe: Farro and Corn Salad

Spicy Creamed Corn Crumble

Inspired by elote (the Mexican street food dish made of grilled corn topped with mayo, chile powder, cheese and lime juice), this crumble is delightful in summer, and would go nicely with grilled chicken.

Get the Recipe: Spicy Creamed Corn Crumble

Corn and Squash Pudding

This tasty side dish gets a twist with the added bonus of squash. Not only does the squash add a vibrant color and tons of vitamins to the dish, it provides a creamy texture that plays well off the crisp corn kernels.

Get the Recipe: Corn and Squash Pudding