25 Fresh Corn Recipes

Sweet corn is one of the highlights of summer, and these fresh corn recipes show it off at its best. Find salads, sides, and more to enjoy all season long.

If you’re looking for corn recipes to make this summer, you’re in the right place!

There are few, if any, foods I love more than fresh sweet corn, and as a result, I’ve developed tons of corn recipes over the years. I’ve rounded up my 25 best below. They range from simple preparations of corn on the cob to spicy dips, zesty salads, comforting soups, and more. No matter what kind of corn recipes you’re craving, I’m sure you’ll find something you love.

My Top 5 Corn Recipes

If you only make one of the fresh corn recipes in this post, choose one of these. They’re some of the simplest, most delicious ways to enjoy summer sweet corn.

Corn on the cob

How to Boil Corn on the Cob

It’s one of the easiest corn recipes…but it’s also one of the best! Serve it with salt and lots of butter, or slather on garlic butter for an extra layer of flavor.

Corn chowder

Corn Chowder

This recipe is perfect for the end of corn season, when summer is fading into fall. Packed with potatoes, corn, and other hearty veggies, it’s so comforting on a chilly night.

Grilled corn on the cob

Grilled Corn on the Cob

The ultimate cookout side dish! Grilling fresh corn infuses it with a mouthwatering smoky taste, balancing the corn’s natural sweetness.

Elote on plate with lime wedges and cilantro

Elote

Take grilled corn on the cob to the next level with this Mexican-inspired preparation! Fixings like mayo, Cotija cheese, chili powder, and lime make it creamy, tangy, and bright.

Corn pizza

Sweet Corn Pizza

If you’ve never tried corn on pizza, you HAVE to make this recipe! The crisp, juicy kernels offer an amazing contrast to the creamy cheeses and starchy crust. Dollops of basil pesto take it over the top.

Dip and Salsa Corn Recipes

Need an appetizer for a backyard BBQ or other summer party? Make one of these tasty corn recipes!

Corn dip

Corn Dip

This easy dip is creamy, spicy, zesty, and fresh. Bring it to one gathering, and you’ll have to bring it to the next. Everyone will request it—it’s that good!

Cowboy caviar

Cowboy Caviar

Bright with lime juice and packed with fresh veggies, this dip is always a hit at parties and cookouts. Pass the tortilla chips!

corn salsa recipe

Corn Salsa

Like Chipotle’s, but so much better. Pile it onto your next burrito bowl, a black bean burger, or tacos, or scoop it up with tortilla chips.

Fresh Corn Salad Recipes

Salads are the summer corn recipes I make most often. They’re an easy way to turn a market haul of sweet corn into a side dish or healthy lunch, and they let you take advantage of other peak-season ingredients, too. You’ll find tomatoes, green beans, fresh herbs, peaches, and more in these salad recipes.

Mexican Street Corn Salad

Mexican Street Corn Salad

Inspired by Mexican esquites, this salad features grilled corn, Cotija cheese, and a touch of mayo. Lightly creamy, spicy, and bright, it’s a crowd-pleasing summer side dish.

Sweet corn panzanella

Panzanella Salad

This salad combines all my summer favorites: fresh corn, tomatoes, peaches, and basil. Serve it for a light, late-summer dinner with a glass of white wine.

Best corn recipes - Vegan Potato Salad

Vegan Potato Salad

I love how the crisp corn kernels play off the tender potatoes in this brighter, fresher version of potato salad.

Black bean and corn salad

Black Bean and Corn Salad

Make this recipe on a Sunday, and you’ll be set for lunches all week! It keeps perfectly in the fridge, and the hearty mix of beans, corn, and red bell pepper makes it a satisfying meal on its own.

Summer Corn Salad

Grilled Corn Salad

A creamy chile lime dressing adds spicy, tangy flavor to this refreshing mix of summer produce.

Corn Recipes for Dinner

When corn is at its best, you might as well make it the main event! In these recipes, you’ll find fresh corn in everything from stuffed peppers to pasta to tacos.

Corn pasta with basil

Creamy Corn Pasta

This summery pasta is a true sweet corn celebration! I puree some corn kernels to create the lightly creamy sauce, leaving others whole for crunch.

Stuffed peppers

Stuffed Peppers

Top off these zesty stuffed peppers with a bubbly, melty layer of cheese, or serve them with guacamole and chipotle sauce for a satisfying vegan variation.

Grilled Corn Tacos

Grilled Corn Tacos

Homemade salsa verde adds bright, bold flavor to these summer veggie tacos. Serve them with a side of cilantro lime rice or refried beans to make them a meal.

Corn recipes for dinner - best vegan pizza

Best Vegan Pizza

This plant-based pie is loaded up with crisp corn, savory sun-dried tomatoes, spicy jalapeños, and more. A cashew cream sauce adds richness and tangy flavor—you won’t miss the cheese one bit.

Corn Recipes on the Side

These fresh corn recipes are the perfect way to round out a summer menu.

Summer corn recipes - Smoky Grilled Sweet Potatoes

Smoky Sweet Potatoes with Black Beans & Corn

Great alongside a black bean burger or a simple grilled protein, this bold summer side dish will add a TON of flavor to your meal. It has a base of smoky grilled sweet potatoes with a zesty topping of corn, black beans, pickled onions, and mango salsa.

Grilled vegetable skewers

Grilled Vegetables

These colorful veggie skewers pair well with almost anything! Punch up the flavor by serving them with a tasty sauce like romesco sauce or tzatziki.

Fresh corn recipes - Grilled Watermelon

Grilled Watermelon

Corn and watermelon might be an unexpected combination, but trust me—it totally works. Sweet, savory, and smoky all at once, this recipe is insanely flavorful and super-summery.

Soups and Stews

Here, you’ll find a mix of cozy stews that are great for early fall and lighter, fresher soups that are perfect for the summer months.

Vegetarian tortilla soup

Vegetarian Tortilla Soup

With its rich, fragrant broth, this tortilla soup will have you coming back for a second bowl…and maybe even a third. Enjoy it year round by swapping in frozen corn for fresh.

Vegan corn chowder

Vegan Corn Chowder

Just like a classic corn chowder, this stew is rich and creamy, but it’s totally dairy-free! Blended corn kernels, potatoes, and coconut milk create its luscious texture.

Easy Vegetarian chili

Easy Vegetarian Chili

Comfort food at its best! Top your bowl with pickled red onions and a dollop of Greek yogurt or vegan sour cream. Serve with freshly baked cornbread.

Sweet Corn Gazpacho

Sweet Corn Gazpacho

Yellow tomatoes and sweet corn give this cold soup its stunning sunny color. Pair it with avocado toast for a refreshing summer lunch.

Fresh corn recipes - yellow split pea soup

Yellow Split Pea Soup

Yellow split peas add plant-based protein to this creamy, smoky vegan soup. Sprinkle your bowl with crisp coconut bacon to kick it up a notch.

More Favorite Summer Recipes

Try cooking with another summer veggie next:

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25 Fresh Corn Recipes

rate this recipe:
5 from 8 votes
Prep Time: 12 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Serves 4 to 8
This elote recipe is one of our favorite corn recipes!

Ingredients

  • 4 ears Grilled Corn
  • cup mayonnaise
  • 1 teaspoon fresh lime juice, plus wedges for serving
  • ½ teaspoon lime zest
  • ½ teaspoon chili powder or ancho chile powder
  • cup Cotija cheese
  • 2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
  • Sea salt, to taste

Instructions

  • Grill the corn according to this recipe.
  • In a small bowl, stir together the mayonnaise and lime juice and zest.
  • Spread the mayo mixture over the corn and sprinkle with the chili powder, Cotija, and cilantro. Season to taste with salt and serve with lime wedges for squeezing.

3 comments

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Rate this recipe (after making it)




  1. Cannon
    09.02.2021

    5 stars
    I love all the recipes they are phenomenal

  2. Janet
    07.28.2021

    Fresh corn is one of my favorite things about summer. I can’t wait to dive into these recipes!

  3. Chinese Food
    07.28.2021

    5 stars
    I love corn do like this, it tasting and smelling, thanks, will make it this weekend

A food blog with fresh, zesty recipes.
Photograph of Jeanine Donofrio and Jack Mathews in their kitchen

Hello, we're Jeanine and Jack.

We love to eat, travel, cook, and eat some more! We create & photograph vegetarian recipes from our home in Chicago, while our shiba pups eat the kale stems that fall on the kitchen floor.