23 Recipes That Make Fresh Corn the Star of the Show (2024)

Few foods scream summer like fresh corn. Whether eaten on the cob or off in salads, sautés, soups, and more, its sweet flavor shines. You can find fresh corn from May through September, but it hits its peak in late summer. The most commonly available varieties of sweet corn during that time are yellow, white, and bicolor.

When choosing corn, look for ears that are fully encased in bright-green husks and topped with golden-brown tassels. Pull back just enough of the husks to make sure the kernels are in tight rows. Since corn begins to lose its natural sweetness as soon as it is picked, fresh corn is best eaten the day it is purchased; if not, you can refrigerate ears in their husks for up to two days.

Ultimately, you might need those two days to dream up a few ways to cook this crowd-pleaser: There are so many ways to enjoy fresh corn. It's a staple in a summery fish soup like Corn and Shrimp Chowder with Bacon or Salmon-and-Corn Chowder. Be sure to use corn in a some glorious summer salads, like our Corn and Avocado Salad with Green Goddess Dressing. And of course, you'll want to enjoy buttered corn on the cob, a true summer delicacy. We also like to take it up a notch, grilling whole ears and slathering them with chile-lime salt and Parmesan or anointing them with chile sauce, lime juice, and fish sauce. Our fresh corn recipes also include dishes like Pressure-Cooker Corn Risotto or Blistered Green-Bean and Corn Frittata that feature corn as the key element in a main course.

Whether you grill, purée, sauté, or enjoy corn raw, now is the time to savor it with these fresh recipes, straight off the cob.

Salmon-and-Corn Chowder

Late-summer corn plays an essential role in this comforting salmon dinner. It comes together in just 30 minutes, but tastes like you spent much longer over the stove.

Grilled Corn with Fish Sauce and Scallions

Deeply flavorful, slightly spicy, and wholly delicious, these ears of corn are perfect for a lively summer cookout. In this riff on a Vietnamese-inspired dish, fresh corn is grilled then topped with a mixture of melted butter, sambal oelek, lime juice, and fish sauce—which adds umami, but doesn't overpower.

Quinoa with Caramelized Corn and Scallions

Here's a healthy upgrade on sautéed corn that also makes the dish more substantial. Quinoa offers a boost of fiber and protein to the caramelized corn and scallion mixture. And instead of cooking the corn with butter, we use a mix of butter and olive oil to infuse the dish with healthy fats, while still keeping the buttery taste we all know and love.

Corn, Feta, and Pistachio Tartine

Quick-charred corn, pistachios, and fresh mint top these tartines, with feta taking the starring role on the toasted ciabatta bread. Serve them for a party appetizer or a tasty lunch—the choice is yours.

Corn and Shrimp Chowder with Bacon

No ordinary chowder, this one combines the essential fresh sweet corn with shrimp and bacon in its creamy, potato-flecked broth.

Grilled Pizza with Cheesy Corn, Fresh Tomatoes, and Basil

A sweet and savory purée of corn, Parmesan cheese, garlic, and olive oil stands in for tomato sauce on this pizza.

Creamy Corn-and-Onion Dip

In this light, summery twist on the favorite that is French onion dip, sweet corn is sautéed until tender and mixed with tangy Greek yogurt, which brings the richness of a creamy spread without the fat.

Steamed Clams and Corn

Cutting plump ears of corn into "coins" and steaming them with clams and spicy green chile pepper yields a broth with a one-two punch of flavor. The liquid begs to be sopped up with crusty bread and washed down with white wine.

Sweet Corn-Brown Rice Risotto

Try this recipe for a healthy, quick vegetarian dinner; hearty short-grain brown rice is cooked risotto-style with fresh corn, resulting in a creamy, satiating main that will please everyone at the table.

Blistered Green-Bean and Corn Frittata

Make this frittata for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. It's super nutritious thanks to glorious green beans and protein-rich eggs. The corn adds a touch of sweetness.

Mushroom Tacos with Charred-Corn Salsa

A charred-corn salsa finishes these bite-sized vegetarian beauties. Its smoky flavor would be divine with Seared Halibut Tacos or Zucchini Tacos, too.

Corn-and-Avocado Salad with Goddess Dressing

Yellow corn adds sunny crunch to this green salad with avocado. Don't try to separate individual kernels—leave some in larger clumps for a bigger bite of fresh flavor.

Creamless Creamy Corn Soup

Don't let the name fool you: There's no cream here! This soup gets its comforting consistency from corn that's been puréed after sautéing and chicken (or vegetable) broth. For a hint of spice and contrasting color, sprinkle a dash of turmeric and cayenne pepper on top.

Kale, Corn, and Jalapeno Muffins

Enjoy this spicy rendition of classic corn muffins. Kale adds crunch and color while diced jalapeño nudges you with its heat. While we highly recommend using fresh corn kernels, frozen will work too once corn is no longer in season.

Pressure-Cooker Corn Risotto

Made for quick and easy weeknight dinners, this one-pot (or in this case, one cooker) risotto comes together in less than half an hour. Garnish with basil leaves and cherry tomatoes for contrast.

Sweet Corn Relish

The warmer months slip by so quickly. To capture their essence, jar your surplus produce. Sweet corn relish, a southern condiment and dip, has a bit more bite than coleslaw.

Cherry Tomato, Corn, and Halloumi Salad

Upgrade an Italian caprese salad with this Mediterranean-inspired dish. Sweet, succulent corn adds crunch to a lightly tossed salad of cherry tomatoes and wild baby arugula. With grilled halloumi cheese and lightly sautéed vegetables, it's a salad best served warm.

Corn Soup with Tomato-Bacon Toasts

While soup isn't normally our go-to on a hot summer day, this creamy corn soup is served cold. It's a refreshing comfort food that can be enjoyed as a light appetizer or lunch. Garnish with a few raw corn kernels and a grind of coarse black pepper for a hint at what flavors await.

Grilled Corn with Chile-Lime Salt

Add a kick to a classic grilled corn recipe with a homemade blend of lime zest, chile powder, and salt. Top it all off with grated parmesan cheese. We have a feeling you'll be making this one again and again.

Mexican Creamed Corn

Jalapeño and cilantro make this south-of-the-border side perfect for backyard cookouts. Low-fat yogurt is a healthy way to add tang and creaminess.

"Succotash" Pasta

If you crave a new pasta, this dish nods to succotash but subs in zucchini for the usual lima beans and but adds a kick from bacon and jalapeño. The "milk" scraped from corn ears adds a sweet creaminess to the sauce.

Corn and Scallion Chilaquiles

This riff on the Mexican dish—eggs scrambled with tortilla chips and topped with salsa—incorporates lots of fresh corn. It's perfect for summer brunch.

Maine Lobster and Corn Chowder

Few things are as delicious as succulent chunks of Maine lobster vying for space in a buttery broth brimming with tender sweet corn, summer squashes, and slivered basil.