It's Corn! 40 Recipes For Corn Lovers Of All Ages

When a YouTube video of a boy named Tariq sharing all the wonderful things he loves about corn went viral in September 2022, it struck a chord with millions of corn fans. As Tariq puts it, "Corn is awesome!" Now that we've been reminded of how delicious this "big lump with knobs" is, don't wait another minute: Make one of Mashed's "corntastic" corn recipes.

If it's corn season, you can pick up fresh ears to use in many of these recipes, like roasted corn salsa and Mexican street corn. Or, put together an old-fashioned crab boil that includes chunks of corn on the cob. Even if it isn't fresh corn season, you're in luck — plenty of these recipes also feature the convenience of canned and frozen corn. Use them to easily whip up dishes like southern fried corn, bowtie pasta salad, corn chowder, and corn fritters. Another way to enjoy the flavor and texture of corn is with cornmeal, which you can fold into batters for cornbread, homemade tortillas, South American arepas, and corn pudding. 

There are corn recipes in this roundup for every meal and every season. As Tariq, aka the Corn Kid, says: "I can't imagine a more beautiful thing." 

Corn on the cob is a favorite at backyard barbecues and summer potlucks, but it can also be an easy weeknight side dish. Your microwave can cook up the ears in less than 10 minutes! The trick is to use the corn husks to create steam that quickly cooks the kernels until they're tender. Serve the corn with plenty of butter, or try flavored butters made with fresh herbs, minced garlic, or spice blends.  

Recipe: Microwave Corn On The Cob

Since 2021, TikTok videos about corn ribs have hauled in tens of millions of views. Ready to get in on the trend? Use your air fryer to make a batch at home. To make this trendy snack, just slice down through whole ears of corn to make strips of kernels held together by a sliver of cob. We seasoned our ribs with a paprika-garlic powder marinade, but you can experiment with other spice blends, too. Serve these curled, golden corn ribs with melted butter or your favorite dipping sauce. 

Recipe: Air Fryer Corn Ribs

Here's another way to take advantage of the season's best, fresh corn. Use a sharp knife to slice the kernels from the cob, then pan fry them until they're tender and toasty. Bacon grease is the secret ingredient in this dish that gives the corn rich, smoky flavor. (Oil can be used instead, but it's worth saving some leftover bacon grease for this recipe!) Stir in a little butter, sugar, and chopped chives and you'll have an amazing side dish to serve with burgers, roast chicken, or Mexican food.

Recipe: Southern Fried Corn

A popular street food in Mexico, esquites get their name from an indigenous word meaning "toasted corn." Corn kernels are sliced off the cob, roasted, and mixed with other ingredients like cotija cheese, cilantro, and chili powder — and it's easy to mix up the ingredients to make an esquites dish that's all your own. Our recipe includes Tajín chili seasoning, lime juice, and chopped cilantro. Serve esquites warm or chilled as a salad, side, or with tortilla chips as a dip.  

Recipe: Mexican Street Corn Salad (Esquites)

Virginia Living says that corn pone is often confused with cornbread. When made in the traditional way, like in our recipe, corn pone is a very simple mixture of cornmeal, bacon grease, and water. The dough is shaped into little cakes that are then cooked in a hot skillet until golden brown. They're easy to make, and are delicious served with butter and maple syrup, or served as a side with chili and hearty stews. 

Recipe: Corn Pone

If the only creamed corn you've ever experienced is that gloopy, bland stuff from a can, you're in for a real treat with this recipe. Corn kernels are combined with sautéed shallots and Vidalia onions, then mixed with milk and honey. The mixture gets a long, slow simmer in your Crock Pot where the corn becomes tender and infused with creamy sweetness. Creamed corn is a versatile dish; it's perfect as a Thanksgiving side, as a weeknight dinner accompaniment, or with barbecued meats in summer. 

Recipe: Crock Pot Creamed Corn

The ways to prepare and enjoy corn seem almost endless; it can be baked, boiled, steamed, ground, grilled, and popped. And as this recipe shows, corn can also be fried. These fritters are made by stirring together a batter of corn kernels (fresh, frozen, or canned will all work) and then dropping spoonfuls into hot oil. The fritters fry up golden brown, with lightly crispy outside and tender insides. Make these as a snack or as a side dish, but either way, know that corn fritters taste the best when eaten immediately. 

Recipe: Corn Fritters

Cooking corn on the grill is a fantastic way to enjoy it. The heat and smoke enhance the sweet flavor of the corn and give the ears those wonderful char marks. Plus, it's easy to do, and the ears are ready in no time. Preparing the corn on a grill also means that you won't heat up the kitchen with a pot of boiling water — perfect for the hot, humid days of summer. Serve grilled corn with plenty of butter and salt.

Recipe: Grilled Corn

It's easy to find mass-produced corn tortillas at the store, but if you love playing in the kitchen you should definitely try making your own homemade tortillas — they're so much more delicious. The recipe calls for just three ingredients, and the tortillas cook in just a minute apiece. Look for masa harina, which Mexican Please explains is made by dehydrating corn dough made from soaked kernels, at your local grocery store or online. You can form the tortillas using a tortilla press, or simply flatten the dough under a heavy skillet.

Recipe: Corn Tortillas

Cornbread muffins are one of the very best muffins, in our humble opinion. They have a delectable, sweet flavor and a nice texture thanks to some cornmeal in the batter. They're versatile, too — enjoy them at breakfast with butter and jam, alongside your lunchtime salad, or as a side dish with spicy chili, beef stew, or grilled meats. This from-scratch recipe comes together easily in 10 minutes, and the muffins bake up in just 20. Use cupcake liners for easy cleanup. 

Recipe: Cornbread Muffins

Recipe developer Kristen Carli shares her recipe for baked polenta, which you can slice up to make a savory base for roasted veggies like cherry tomatoes and mushrooms. You can also serve the polenta under rich sauces like pesto, topped with chicken or beef, or as a side with chili. Spread in a sheet pan, creamy polenta bakes up firm in just 18 minutes. And no hard-to-find ingredients here: Just cornmeal, Parmesan cheese, and olive oil.

Recipe: Sheet Pan Polenta

Making your pancakes with cornmeal in the batter gives them extra flavor, and are a nod to old-fashioned Johnnycakes and corn pone — except with a much lighter and fluffier texture. They're just as easy to make as regular pancakes: whisk all of the ingredients together, then get your griddle or skillet good and hot. Cook each pancake for several minutes until lightly browned. Serve the pancakes for breakfast or as a breakfast-for-dinner dish, with butter, sliced fruit, and real maple syrup. 

Recipe: Cornbread Pancakes

According to the Food Network, baked corn pudding is an ideal dish to serve during the holidays or bring to a potluck community dinner. It's very easy to make, so you should also consider it as a delicious side for weeknight meals or Sunday roast. Corn pudding has natural sweetness from creamed corn in the batter as well as evaporated milk and a little sugar. A dash of nutmeg nicely complements this sweetness, but you can also add a little heat with sliced jalapeños or a sprinkle of cayenne pepper.  

Recipe: Corn Pudding

While this salad is amazing with fresh summer corn sliced off the cob, it's also tasty using canned or frozen corn — and that means you can make it any time of the year. Toss the corn with sliced cucumber, fresh herbs, diced pepper, and a simple vinaigrette dressing. Serve the salad with dinner or lunch. It can even work as a side dish during the holidays, when the fresh flavor and crunchy texture will be very much appreciated. 

Recipe: Corn Salad

When you and your friends are suddenly hit with the desire for an old-fashioned seafood boil, and want to find a way to make it happen fast, your Instant Pot has you covered. Instead of a traditionally longer cook time, this low country boil recipe is ready to eat in only 20 minutes. The potatoes, corn on the cob, and sausage get pressure-cooked first in a broth of beer and spices, and the shrimp take only one additional minute. Pile everything onto a sheet pan or large bowl to enjoy family style.

Recipe: Instant Pot Low Country Boil

When it was on the menu at the Cowboy Ciao restaurant in Scottsdale, Arizona, this popular dish was called the Stetson Chop Salad. After the restaurant closed, fans of the dish rushed to recreate it at home, dubbing it the Cowboy Ciao salad. It's loaded with an intriguing blend of pepitas, smoked salmon, corn, and feta cheese, all laid out beautifully over a bed of romaine lettuce. The recipe makes enough salad to serve four for lunch, or so you can portion it as a make-ahead meal for work. 

Recipe: Cowboy Ciao Salad

Make this healthy salad as a light dinner in the summertime or serve it as a side for grilled and roasted meat dishes. It includes cooked quinoa, black beans, corn, and diced avocado, all mixed together with a cilantro dressing. Though the composed salad should be enjoyed right away, you can do some steps in advance to save time. The quinoa can be precooked and stored in the fridge, while the dressing can be blended a couple days ahead of time. 

Recipe: 15-Minute Mexican Quinoa Salad

Cold soups are a welcome option on hot days in summer, but only if they're really flavorful and satisfying. Gazpacho is a well-known cold soup, but here's another one to add to the recipe box. Take kernels from fresh ears of summer corn and blend them with veggies like cherry tomatoes, peppers, and onion. Jalapeño adds some heat to the creamy soup, and chopped cilantro makes a colorful garnish. A generous batch of six servings is ready in only 15 minutes. 

Recipe: Chilled Sweet Corn Soup

Our round-up of delicious corn recipes includes several fresh and vibrant salads, including this one from recipe developer Susan Olayinka. Sweet kernels of corn intermingle with red onion, tomatoes, sliced avocado, and parsley. The salad features a balsamic dressing, but you could also experiment with other homemade (or bottled) dressings. For a more filling dish to serve at lunch or for a light dinner, add proteins like sliced, cooked chicken breast, black beans, thinly sliced steak, or cubes of baked tofu. 

Recipe: Avocado Tomato Salad

Air fryers excel at making our favorite crispy and crunchy foods while using significantly less oil than other methods like deep frying. That includes making homemade chips! Grab a stack of corn tortillas and slice them into triangles or strips. They get a little oil before going into the air fryer basket to crisp up in only seven minutes. Season them any way you wish: with a sprinkle of salt, with spicy Tajín, or even add cinnamon and sugar to make a sweet version of this classic snack. 

Recipe: Air Fryer Tortilla Chips