When the first sightings of fresh, sweet corn start popping up in grocery stores, we can’t help but dream up tons of creative corn recipes to make. Whip up a family-sized batch of corn pasta, freezer-friendly corn chowder, or corn-flecked salmon burgers for a fun summer dinner recipe. Stir some into roasted corn pudding for a side dish you’ll be thinking about all summer (pair it with smoky grilled chicken breast!), or add it to a fresh bean dip for the ultimate picnic food. Try fresh corn kernels off the cob with tomatoes and basil for a quintessential summer salad, or crispy corn fritters that’ll officially become your family’s most-requested meal. When in doubt, keep the corn on the cob, slather it with butter (try the BBQ butter in #15!), eat, and repeat all summer long.
So, what can be made with all of that sweet corn at the farmer’s market? First, you’ll have to decide how you want to cook it — or if you even want to cook it at all. There are almost as many ways to cook corn as there are to eat it, so here are the basics to get you started: Fresh, shucked corn takes about 2–4 minutes to boil or about 10–15 minutes to grill. If you want to leave the husks on or off, soak it or not, or just cut off the kernels and eat them raw, that’s up to you. Take all summer to experiment.
If you’ve got a lot of fresh corn (lucky you!), you’ve got options: From delicious, Mexican-inspired corn recipes (just wait until you try the toppings in #10) and colorful, healthy corn recipes to creamy, sweet corn recipes, this summer produce superstar can be enjoyed in so many ways — and we plan to try them all.
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1
Roasted Corn Pudding
Charred corn adds smoky flair to this creamy, comforting side dish. Try it with BBQ chicken for the perfect summer dinner.
Get the recipe for Roasted Corn Pudding »
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2
Cowboy Caviar
Black-eyed peas, fresh veggies, avocado, and, of course, corn, star in this healthy dip (or bean salad — your choice!) that'll be the hit of any summer party.
Get the recipe for Cowboy Caviar »
RELATED: 40 Easy Summer Salads That Pack in the Best Seasonal Flavors
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3
Chilled Corn Soup
Sweet corn, yellow pepper, and juicy tomatoes bring tons of flavor to this refreshing, 15-minute soup.
Get the recipe for Chilled Corn Soup »
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4
Creamy Corn Pasta With Bacon and Scallions
Summer weeknights should be all about ease, and this 30-minute pasta delivers. It's like a carbonara jazzed up with corn, basil, and scallions to keep it fresh for the season.
Get the recipe for Creamy Corn Pasta with Bacon and Scallions »
RELATED: 75 Quick Summer Dinner Ideas for Easier Weeknights
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5
Southwest Steak Wraps
This spicy sando wraps up a classic hearty taco filling for a delicious, picnic-friendly lunch.
Get the recipe for Southwest Steak Wraps »
RELATED: 52 Fun Picnic Food Ideas That Are so Good You'll Never Eat Inside Again
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6
Corn Wheels With Hot Honey Butter
Sweet honey and spicy habañero stirred into soft butter makes a dynamite condiment that pairs particularly well with peak-season corn.
Get the recipe for Corn Wheels with Hot Honey Butter »
RELATED: 24 Easy Memorial Day Side Dishes That'll Take Your Holiday Picnic to the Next Level
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7
Grilled Chicken With Smoky Corn Salad
Grilled corn tossed with lime, cilantro, green olives, and grated Manchego cheese makes a powerful flavor combo to spice-up basic grilled chicken.
Get the recipe for Grilled Chicken with Smoky Corn Salad »
RELATED: 50 Different Ways to Enjoy Grilled Chicken Breast
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8
Creamy Corn Chowder
Use fresh corn instead of frozen in this creamy, comforting soup to make the most of your farmer's market haul.
Get the recipe for Creamy Corn Chowder »
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9
Grilled Corn and Ricotta Dip
Rich feta and ricotta cheese make this easy app ultra-creamy while mint and lemon keep it fresh. Toasted baguette slices are the best dunkers.
Get the recipe for Grilled Corn and Ricotta Dip »
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10
Mexican Grilled Corn
The mayo, lime, chili, paprika, and crumbled Cotija cheese topping pays homage to a street food in Mexico called Elote.
Get the recipe for Mexican Grilled Corn »
RELATED: 50 Easy BBQ Side Dishes to Make This Summer
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11
Zesty Shrimp Tostadas With Cabbage and Corn Slaw
Switch-up your weeknight routine: Juicy shrimp and crunchy slaw piled on top of crispy tostadas makes a deliciously simple dinner.
Get the recipe for Zesty Shrimp Tostadas with Cabbage and Corn Slaw »
RELATED: 28 Healthy and Delicious Ways to Eat All the Shrimp
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12
Warm Cheddar Corn Dip
This snack table star, made with Spicy Chipotle Ranch, tastes even better with fresh instead of frozen corn.
Get the recipe for Warm Cheddar Corn Dip »
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13
Corn-Off-the-Cob Salad
Fresh corn goes rogue and hops into this zesty salad, kicked-up with a lime, Dijon, and cumin dressing.
Get the recipe for Corn-Off-the-Cob Salad »
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14
Shrimp Boil With Sausage and Spinach
This one-pot Southern staple makes a quick weeknight meal that the whole family will love.
Get the recipe for Shrimp Boil with Sausage and Spinach »
RELATED: 40 Easy, Delicious Family Dinner Ideas For Any Day of the Week
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15
Grilled Corn With Barbecue Butter
We stirred homemade BBQ sauce — spiced with cumin, ancho chile, smoked paprika, and cayenne — into butter for a highly dip-able condiment that tastes great on grilled corn.
Get the recipe for Grilled Corn with Barbecue Butter »
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16
Cabbage and Corn Slaw
Sour cream, lime juice, and a pinch of cayenne make a slightly spicy sauce that'll be your new favorite slaw dressing.
Get the recipe for Cabbage and Corn Slaw »
RELATED: 15 Creative Cabbage Recipes That Everyone Will Love
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17
Shrimp Taco Salad
Grilled veggies, juicy shrimp, and creamy avocado get a surprise sweetness from cubed watermelon. It's basically summer on a plate.
Get the recipe for Shrimp Taco Salad »
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18
Queso Mac and Cheese
Come for the two-cheese gooey goodness, stay for the crispy corn chip topping.
Get the recipe for Queso Mac and Cheese »
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19
Gingery Steak and Corn Salad
The Ginger Dijon Vinaigrette really kicks up classic grilled steak. Fresh corn adds a summer-ready sweetness.
Get the recipe for Gingery Steak and Corn Salad »
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20
Chile-Lime Grilled Corn
Make a double batch of the Spicy Cilantro Pesto to slather on all your grilled meats and veggies this summer— you won't regret it.
Get the recipe for Chile-Lime Grilled Corn »
