You know summer has finally arrived when corn on the cob hits the table and on June 11th, we celebrate National Corn on the Cob Day! Depending where you live, corn on the cob is also known as “long maize,” “sweet pole,” “cornstick,” or “pole corn.”
Whatever you call it, corn is a summer favorite for cookouts, picnics, and even snacks. There are so many ways to cook corn on the cob including grilling, roasting, boiling and steaming. Some people like to top their corn on the cob with butter while others prefer more exciting and elaborate toppings.
Besides corn on the cob, there are endless ways to enjoy corn off the cob. Corn brightens up any dish it’s added to — chowders, salads, tacos, and tamales, to name just a few. So get ready to start shucking because we’ve got 25 summer recipes that are fresh, bright and filled with corn.
1. Hot n’ Spicy Mexican Street Corn
Celebrate National Corn on the Cob Day with this Hot n’ Spicy Mexican Street Corn. Grilled sweet corn sprinkled with cayenne pepper, drizzled with chipotle-spiked sauce and topped with fresh cilantro gives you one spicy bite! Beware — this sauce is hot, hot, hot … So go lightly if you’re not ready for the heat!
2. Smoky Corn and Potato Chowder
This Smoky Corn and Potato Chowder encompasses the warm weather goodness of grilled corn. It’s loaded with celery, onion, potatoes, and plenty of corn that’s blended until smooth and creamy. Chili peppers add spice and the whole bowl is topped with more corn and a dash of paprika.
3. Roasted Corn and Tomato Salad With Tarragon Dressing
How beautiful is this Roasted Corn and Tomato Salad With Tarragon Dressing?! This late summer salad is chock full of fresh and in-season ingredients like radishes, celery, tomatoes, and of course, corn. A bit of habanero is added for an extra zing. Drizzle the salad with tarragon dressing for a truly unique combination of flavors.
4. Olive Oil Tamales
Tamales are made by steaming masa, a corn-based dough, inside a corn husk until tender. Traditional tamales are made with vegetable shortening, but these Olive Oil Tamales substitute it for extra virgin olive oil. The result is a tender masa with a distinct flavor that pairs perfectly with the rich tomato sauce and vegan cheese.
5. Creamy Corn Chowder
Creamy and indulgent, this Creamy Corn Chowder has unexpected ingredients such as sweet potato, tahini, and just a bit of natural sweetener. Throw in a handful of chips for dipping and you’ve got yourself one great comfort meal.
6. Mexican Elotes Bisque With Lime Crema
This creamy Mexican Elotes Bisque was inspired by the flavors of elotes, a popular Mexican street food of grilled corn on the cob with warm spices like cumin and chile powder. The medley of flavors, including garlic, onion, and jalapeño, make this dish a fiesta in your mouth. Serve with the lime crema for a bit of cool citrus.
7. Rajasthani Corn Curry
Corn is a staple foods in Rajasthan and it is used in various forms, from flour to grits, and even curries. This Rajasthani Corn Curry is easy to make — with frozen corn, it comes together in just 15 minutes. It’s cooked in a thick vegan yogurt mixture with cumin, green chilis, turmeric, and other spices. Serve with rice or flatbread, like roti!
8. Buttery Skillet Cornbread
This amazing Buttery Skillet Cornbread doesn’t get its namesake from vegan butter or oil. Nope, all the rich, buttery taste comes from a magic secret ingredient: pecans! These amazing nuts are ground into flour and mixed with cornmeal to make a supremely moist, nutty, and luscious cornbread — without any added oils.
9. Creamy and Smoky Corn Chowder
When it comes to corn chowder, there are so many variations but this Creamy and Smoky Corn Chowder is the last recipe you will ever need. It’s creamy, fresh, a little spicy, and a little bit smoky — with every amazing flavor you could possibly want! Plus, it’s ridiculously simple to make.
10. Charred Corn and Black Bean Stuffed Sweet Potatoes
These Charred Corn and Black Bean Stuffed Sweet Potatoes is the ultimate feel-good dish. Top the sweet potatoes with hearty black beans, deliciously charred corn, and the perfect garlicky tahini and you’ve got yourself a meal to cure any bad mood. The beans give it a rich and earthy meatiness which pairs perfectly with the sweetness of the potato and the corn. Together with the velvety tahini sauce, you’ve got something that is completely addictive and absolutely good for you!
11. Tex-Mex Twice Baked Potato Skins
These Tex-Mex Twice Baked Potato Skins are the perfect small bite for your next get-together or even a simple light lunch. They’re packed with sweet corn, black beans, diced tomatoes, guacamole, and jalapeño peppers. Everyone will be begging you for the recipe!
12. Easy Elotes: Mexican Corn on the Cob
This Mexican Corn on the Cob is a super easy recipe. If you’ve never had elotes, it’s basically a Mexican street food that consists of grilled corn on the cob, topped with mayonnaise or other sauce and some kind of cheese. This version uses vegan mayonnaise, Parmesan, and bacon for a healthier twist on the classic.
13. Black Bean Potato Pupusas
A pupusa is a traditional Salvadoran dish consisting of a thick corn tortilla filled with a blend of meat, cheese, and beans. However, these Black Bean Potato Pupusas are totally vegan, gluten-free, and oil-free! Filled with black beans, vegan “beef” crumbles, and potatoes, they’re better than any pupusa you can find at a street cart.
14. Crispy Cornmeal Pancakes With Blueberry Sauce
These Crispy Cornmeal Pancakes aren’t your typical diner pancakes since they are vegan, gluten-free, lightly sweetened, and crispy from the addition of cornmeal. They are probably what a Southern grandma makes on a Sunday morning. The blueberry sauce is simple, quick, and pairs well with the corn flavor of the pancakes.
15. Roasted Summer Veggie Gratin
Whether raw in a salad, steamed as a side dish, or roasted with tons of herbs and spices, there is nothing better than summer produce piled on a plate. This Roasted Summer Veggie Gratin is filled with squash, corn, mushrooms, tomatoes, and a bunch of bright, fresh herbs. This is summer on a plate.
16. No-Churn Sweet Corn Ice Cream
What do you do when you have an excess of beautiful, fresh local corn? You have a few options. You can make a bunch on the grill or you can make ice cream! Yes, this No-Churn Sweet Corn Ice Cream is incredible and you don’t need anything fancy except four or five ingredients including all that corn!
17. Mexican Corn Pancakes With Homemade Salsa
There’s nothing like light and fluffy pancakes and these Mexican Corn Pancakes With Homemade Salsa are a savory delight. Topped with vegan butter and a salsa made from tomatoes, onion, coriander, and avocado, this makes a bright and flavorful dinner option.
18. Filipino Maja Blanca With Coconut Latik
Maja Blanca is a Filipino dessert made mainly of coconut and sweet corn. You can use yellow or white corn to make it. It’s light yet rich, creamy, and sweet. Once the Maja Blanca is solidified, it’s topped with toasted coconut milk curds or latik.
19. Berry Ice Cream and Sweet Corn Sandwiches
Did you know you can make cookies out of corn? Just look at these Berry Ice Cream and Sweet Corn Sandwiches! The cookies taste like they were stuffed with butter and sugar, but they’re actually pretty healthy. Strawberry ice cream with blueberries is sandwiched between these corn cookies for an awesome summer treat.
20. Creamy Corn Gazpacho
All you need to make this Creamy Corn Gazpacho is a blender and a bunch of summer’s sweet corn. It is super healthy and very satisfying, hearty, refreshing, and delicious. Just like a healthy, summer dish should be. It’s also beautiful so make sure to snap a few pictures before digging in.
21. Corn Tortillas With Masa Harina
Corn tortillas are a type of thin flatbread made from finely ground wheat flour called Masa Harina — which just happens to be gluten-free! These Corn Tortillas With Masa Harina are light and delicious. Fill them with your favorite ingredients and you will see happy faces around the table guaranteed.
22. Taco Cornmeal Pancakes
You’re probably looking at the name, then looking at the picture of these Taco Cornmeal Pancakes, and then asking yourself where the tacos are. Well, they’re not really tacos, but all the taco fixings are stacked and smashed between absolutely delightful, spiced, thick, and firm cornmeal pancakes. This is a filling, ridiculously happy meal made with all natural ingredients. Yes, please!
23. Sweetcorn Sunrise Burgers
Full of flavor and extra delicious, these golden Sweetcorn Sunrise Burgers are a bomb of a treat and kids love them too. These burgers are wonderful served on a bed of rice, in a pita bread, or on a bun with a crunchy green salad and your favorite vegan dressing on the side.
24. Charred Corn on the Cob With Thai Chili-Lime Mayo
You will swoon for this preparation for fresh summer corn on the cob. This Charred Corn on the Cob With Thai Chili Lime Mayo is reminiscent of Mexican street food, but it’s beenveganized and with a Thai twist. This corn will be the favorite of your summer cookouts.
25. Raw Corn Cream Soup
This Raw Corn Cream Soup is a vegan version of the classic dish. Warm and satisfying, saffron adds the right amount of herbs to this dish — not too overpowering, but just right. All you have to do is press a button on your blender and dinner is served.
Whether you eat it on the cob, in a soup, or as a side dish, corn can brighten up any meal. That happy yellow color on a plate lets us know that it’s finally summertime.
Lead image source: Hot n’ Spicy Mexican Street Corn
