33 Fast And Fresh Corn Recipes For Your Summer Haul

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Updated on May 3, 2024

Southern Living Grilled Corn Salad on plates to serve — Photo:
Morgan Hunt Glaze, Food Stylist: Margaret Dickey, Prop Stylist: Christina Daley

Of all our favorite things about summer in the South, one we can always count on is a farmers' market bursting with fresh produce. Our kitchens are joyfully overrun with colorful heirloom tomatoes, juicy peaches, and of course, sweet corn. Fresh corn is an easy, versatile ingredient to toss into salads, stir-fries, pastas, dips, and so much more.

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Tee's Corn Pudding

Tee's Corn Pudding — Emily Laurae/Southern Living

This is a reader favorite dish that we think is perfect for highlighting peak-of-the-season corn. We describe Tee's Corn Pudding as our ultimate creamed corn: this in-demand recipe has run in our magazine more than 10 times after its debut in 1995. If you'd like to dress the dish up a little, it is even more amazing with chopped fresh chives added on top.

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Creamed Corn

Creamed corn served in a dish with a wooden spoon — Alison Miksch; Food Stylist: Melissa Gray; Prop Stylist: Christina Brockman

This simple recipe has very few ingredients to really let the sweetness of fresh summer corn shine.

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Southern Fried Corn

Southern Fried Corn — Caitlin Bensel

You only need a few ingredients and your trusty skillet to make tasty fresh corn shine.

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Black Bean and Corn Salsa

black bean and corn salsa in a bowl with a bowl of chips and some beer — Photographer: Jen Causey, Prop Stylist: Christine Keely, Food Stylist: Ana Kelly

This fresh, bright salsa recipe is the perfect companion with any summer dinner.

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Slow-Cooker Corn Chowder

Slow-Cooker Corn Chowder — Greg Dupree; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall

We love a slow-cooker recipe that makes dinnertime easier, and this recipe is one of our readers' favorites year in and year out.

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Oven-Roasted Corn on the Cob

Baked Corn on the Cob — Caitlin Bensel

Grilled summer corn is one of our favorite barbecue sides, but you can achieve the same great flavor without fussing with the grill on a weeknight.

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Maque Choux with Sausage

Maque Choux with Sausage — Johnny Autry; Prop and Food Styling: Charlotte L. Autry

We made this classic Louisiana side dish into a hearty main dish by adding andouille sausage.

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Classic Grilled Corn on the Cob

Classic Grilled Corn on the Cob — Hector Manuel Sanchez; Prop Styling: Christine Keely; Food Styling: Chelsea Zimmer

You can amp up this simple recipe with our fun add-ons like Basil Butter with Parmesan, Bacon with Ranch Drizzle, and Honey-Chipotle Glaze.

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Creamed Corn Pasta

Southern Living Creamed Corn Pasta on plates to serve — Victor Protasio, Food Stylist: Ruth Blackburn, Prop Stylist: Shell Royster

Sweet corn and smoky bacon are made even better when paired with a creamy, dreamy pasta.

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Mexican Street Corn Pizza

Mexican Street Corn Pizza — Johnny Autry; Prop and Food Styling: Charlotte L. Autry

Add a little flare to your family pizza night with this fun spin on elote.

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Savory Corn Pudding

Savory Corn Pudding — Emily Laurae / Southern Living

While corn pudding is a Thanksgiving staple, we think it's the most delicious when it's made with peak-of-the-season corn. This creamy, rich, corn pudding highlights the best of the season's bounty.

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Air Fryer Corn on the Cob

Air Fryer Corn on the Cob — Photography and Styling: Caitlin Bensel

This is just the latest in a string of new recipes to use with our beloved air fryers.

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Skillet Corn with Shrimp and Sausage

Skillet Corn with Shrimp and Sausage — Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke; Food Styling: Torie Cox

Smoky sausage is a delicious complement to fresh, sweet corn.

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Golden Corn Fritters

Golden Corn Fritters — Southern Living

The recipe for these little bites of heaven were sent to us in the 1980s, and they've been a reader favorite ever since.

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Quick Shrimp and Corn Chowder

Quick Shrimp and Corn Chowder — Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Lydia Pursell; Food Styling: Chelsea Zimmer

You might not think that "quick" and "chowder" belong in the same recipe name but trust us: This tasty recipe is on the table in just 35 minutes.

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Cheesy Ham, Corn, and Grits Bake

Cheesy Ham, Corn, and Grits Bake — Hector Manuel Sanchez

There's nothing better for feeding your hungry bunch at brunch than a big-batch breakfast casserole.

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Texas Caviar

Texas Caviar Recipe — Photo: Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

This famous dip is our favorite sneakily healthy tailgate snack.

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Chicken, Sweet Potato, and Corn Slow-Cooker Chowder

chicken-sweet-potato-and-corn-slow-cooker-chowder — Photo: Jennifer Causey; Prop Styling: Ginny Branch Stelling; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall

With this dump-and-go recipe, you don't have to prep any ingredients before dropping them in the slow cooker and pressing "On."

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Tomato, Peach, and Corn Salad

Tomato, Peach, and Corn Salad — Photo: Greg DuPree; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke; Food Styling: Cat Steele

This colorful salad puts your farmers' market best to good use.

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Creamy Rice with Scallops

Creamy Rice with Scallops — Photo: Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Missie Neville Crawford; Food Styling: Torie Cox

Impressive yet easy to make, this recipe is a true summer winner.

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Best Ever Succotash

Southern Living Best Ever Succotash in the pan ready to serve — Jen Causey; Food Stylist: Ruth Blackburn; Prop Stylist: Josh Hoggle

Succotash is hearty enough to be not only a light entrée but also a blue-ribbon accompaniment to fish, fried chicken, or grilled pork chops.

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Smoky Mountain Brunswick Stew

Smoky Mountain Brunswick Stew — Southern Living

Our version of Brunswick Stew combines both Georgia and Virginia styles to create a delicious main or a side dish for your next barbecue.

Smoky Mountain Brunswick Stew

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Whipped-Cream Corn Salad

Whipped-Cream Corn Salad — Southern Living

This delightfully retro side dish is an easy, no-cook recipe that can be prepped in advance and served at room temperature.

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Fresh Corn Spoonbread

Fresh Corn Spoonbread — Iain Bagwell; Styling: Heather Chadduck

If you are looking for an alternative to traditional cornbread, this simple recipe is just the one for you. This recipe focuses on freshness, using fresh corn, as well as fresh herbs including chives, parsley, and thyme.

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Zucchini, Squash, and Corn Casserole

Zucchini, Squash, and Corn Casserole — Photo: Hector Sanchez

Soft, white breadcrumbs double as a feather-light binder and golden crumb topping. To make them, pulse torn slices of day-old sandwich bread in the food processor.

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Corn-And-Tomato Salad

Southern Living Corn-and-Tomato Salad in a serving bowl with salad servers — Victor Protasio; Food Stylist: Ruth Blackburn; Prop Stylist: Christine Keely

Tomato and corn are a natural pairing and this salad proves it.

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Corn-and-Smoked Sausage Nachos

Corn-and-Smoked Sausage Nachos — Antonis Achilleos; Prop Stylist: Christine Keely; Food Stylist: Ruth Blackburn

You don't have to wait until tailgate season to start preparing these loaded nachos—they're perfect for summer get-togethers and for kicking off a killer backyard barbecue.

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Honey-Butter Skillet Corn

honey butter skillet corn in a white skillet — Alison Miksch

Honey-butter isn't just for biscuits. On corn, it helps accent the natural sweetness of the vegetable.

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Burrito Bowls

Burrito Bowls — Photo: Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Mary Clayton Carl; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall

Skip the takeout and try our version of a burrito bowl instead. Loaded with fresh corn, queso blanco, and avocado this recipe is vegetarian-friendly, but that doesn't mean you can't add leftover rotisserie chicken into the mix.

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Cornbread Salad

Southern Living Cornbread Salad in a trifle bowl ready to serve — Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

Fresh corn is only one of the many bright, refreshing veggies in this colorful, layered cornbread salad.

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Grilled Baby Eggplants With Tomato-Corn Relish

Southern Living Grilled Baby Eggplants With Tomato-Corn Relish on a platter to serve — Fred Hardy II, Food Stylist: Ruth Blackburn, Prop Stylist: Christina Daley

While we think this eggplant dish is spectacular, the tomato-corn relish is the real star of the show. It would make a great dip for chips or a topper for grilled meats!

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Spice-Rubbed Flank Steak with Corn-Chile Relish

Southern Living Spice-Rubbed Flank Steak With Corn-Chile Relish on a platter to serve — James Ransom, Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer, Prop Stylist: Christina Daley

Sweet summer corn pairs perfectly with spicy jalapeño and tangy lime juice to top a juicy spiced flank steak.

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Grilled Corn Salad

Southern Living Grilled Corn Salad on plates to serve — Morgan Hunt Glaze, Food Stylist: Margaret Dickey, Prop Stylist: Christina Daley

There's a saying that says, "if it grows together, it goes together," meaning that more often than not, if things grow in the same season, they'll pair together perfectly. That's certainly the case for the corn, tomatoes and basil in this easy side dish.

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