Now is the perfect time to take them out and turn them into stunning side dishes. This humble grain often gets ignored and rarely gets the spotlight. This nonsense stops today! This collection of canned corn recipes transforms the simple vegetable into fun and exciting gourmet dishes deserving of attention. From tamales to chili to caviar, there’s nothing corny about them at all. These blockbuster dishes are proof that the underrated corn is more than capable of being a star.
1. Corn Chowder
Corn chowder is a thick, creamy, chunky, and savory soup you’ll want to eat all year-round. One spoonful is enough to make your heart jump for joy. It’s perfect for warming you up on a cold rainy evening. Pair it with a piece of two of cornbread, and you’re golden! You’ll need a can of corn, heavy cream, potatoes, and cheddar cheese. Voila! Dinner is served.
2. Corn Pudding
Let’s take a moment to thank the food gods for inventing this creamy comfort food that anyone would be honored to devour any day (or noon or night). Corn pudding is a smooth custard loaded with chunks of golden corn kernels. My goodness, just thinking about it makes my mouth water. Another great thing about it is that it only calls for the most basic pantry ingredients: sugar, milk, cream, and butter. It needs canned corn, too, of course! But that’s it, and it couldn’t get any simpler.
3. Corn Salad
When I think of how colorful this salad is, it makes me want to take out my camera and give it the photoshoot it deserves. Aside from being pretty, this salad is also super-loaded. I’m talking corn kernels, avocado, tomato, red onion, and jalapeno! The refreshing cilantro lime dressing ties the ingredients together to make one heck of a starter. Pair this salad with chicken, beef, or seafood for a rustic, IG-worthy dinner.
4. Honey Skillet Cornbread
Cornbread is a classic southern dish that’s crispy on the outside and moist and crumbly on the inside. What makes it better than traditional cornbread? It’s cooked in a cast-iron skillet, that’s what. With this method, the batter develops a crisp crust that seals in the tender bread wonderfully. It’s also flavored with honey, which complements the corn kernels really well. It’s so good, I can eat a whole batch in one sitting!
5. Corn Fritters
I like to think of these corn fritters as bite-sized pancakes filled with corn, cheese, and herbs. This flavorful finger food is so tasty, it makes such an ideal appetizer. You’d better make double the recipe, though, because it’s seriously addictive. Fortunately, you can make a huge batch in advance, freeze, and serve at a later time. What an awesome time-saver!
6. Skillet Mexican Street Corn
If you’ve had it before, congratulations. If not, you’re in for a treat! Mexican street corn is, hands down, one of the best corn side dishes that you’ll ever taste in your life. It’s usually served on the cob, but if all you have is canned corn, no problem! Take out your skillet, combine the ingredients, and you’ll get a deconstructed version of the beloved Mexican street food.
7. Sloppy Joe Stew
Sloppy Joe stew is a clever take on the world-famous sandwich. Simply put, it’s a Sloppy Joe, without the sandwich! Well-seasoned ground beef swimming in a rich tomato-based broth, with juicy yellow corn kernels to boot: how epic is that?
8. Albondigas Soup (Mexican Meatball Soup)
This heartwarming soup isn’t only delicious, it’s festive, too! The star for me is the spice-spiked broth that brings all the elements together into one delicious bowl. One slurp gives you a lovely bite of meatball, corn kernel, tomato, and black beans. It’s a “tug-at-your-heartstrings” kind of goodness.
9. Cornbread Casserole
Let’s take the popular cornbread and give it a twist, shall we? What do you get when you combine delectable corn pudding and steamy corn souffle? An epic cornbread casserole, that’s what! This casserole is sweet, creamy, and savory all at the same time, and it’s guaranteed to tickle your taste buds.
10. Trinidad Corn Pie
Up next is a side dish that can pass up as a main dish. It’s that delish. Trinidad corn pie is just like the traditional corn casserole we know and love, but with a Caribbean twist. What makes it extra special? Apart from corn kernels, it’s also loaded with onions, bell peppers, and scotch bonnet peppers. It delivers quite a kick!
11. Corn Dip
If you’re having a party and you feel like making some sort of dip sampler, this one should be at the top of your list. I call this an impostor dip because it’s more like a casserole than a dip. With a combination of corn, cream cheese, bacon, ranch, and jalapenos, this dip is fully-loaded! It’s so addictive, it should be illegal.
12. Mexican Cornbread
If you like your cornbread savory with a bit of a kick, this recipe is for you. It’s similar to a classic cornbread, only a thousand times better! The addition of jalapenos, green chili, corn, and cheese gives the dish an undeniable Mexican flair.
13. Arroz Con Mais
Rice and corn: it seems like a boring duo, but don’t be fooled! This dish is hearty and literally bursting with flavor. The combination of fluffy rice and juicy sweet corn is pure genius. The contrast in texture will blow your taste buds away. Serve this as a side dish to fried chicken and trust that your kids will ask for seconds.
14. Chicken Fried Rice
This recipe is great if you are too swamped to make something fancy but still have to make dinner for the family. It’s perfect if you’re on a budget, too! Chicken fried rice is insanely easy to make. All you’ll need are rice and a bunch of canned goods that I’ll bet are already in your kitchen: corn, green beans, and chicken breast. Don’t let the basic ingredients fool you, though. Together, they create a hearty and colorful side dish that’s packed with flavor.
15. Cornbread Muffins
Cornbread in muffin form? I’ll take three, please! While there’s nothing wrong with traditional cornbread, this muffin version is insanely moist, thanks to a not-so-secret ingredient called creamed corn.
16. Corn Biscuits
Making corn biscuits from scratch can be overwhelming. When you do it right, though, you’ll end up with a fluffy and cheesy treat that’s so good, you’ll want to make it ten times over. It’s definitely worth the effort. Once you get the hang of it, you’ll never pick up another boxed biscuit mix from the grocery ever again.
17. Beef Tamale Casserole
This casserole is a marriage of cornbread, cheese, beef, and enchilada sauce. Sweet cornbread with enchilada sauce and ground beef, finished with an ooey-gooey cheese on top: oh, what a beautiful love story. Just thinking about it makes me fall in love!
18. Spicy Corn Carbonara
When I think of carbonara, what comes to mind is an insanely creamy white sauce. While I personally have no qualms about it, others find it too rich. If that’s the case for you, you’ll have to give this recipe a try. This carbonara is also rich, but not overwhelmingly umami-packed. The secret? Three things: corn, red pepper flakes, and bacon. Thanks to the flavor and texture contrast they offer, you’ll have one bowl after another.
19. White Chicken Chili
Getting bored with your usual chili? Try this one on for size. This heartwarming, soul-soothing chili is neither red nor beef-based. It’s a fresh take on chili comprising chicken, beans, corn, and peppers. It may not have the signature chili color, but it’s just as full of flavor.
20. Baked Parmesan Creamed Corn
Corn and parmesan is a match made in heaven. This creamy, cheesy casserole is proof. This casserole comprises corn kernels and creamed corn in a thick layer of parmesan cheese, baked to perfection. If I had to rank my favorite corn side dishes, this would certainly be at the top!
21. Chicken Tortilla Soup
Chicken breast, corn, and spices sit in a delicious tomato-based broth topped with tender tortilla strips. Chicken tortilla soup is Mexican comfort food at its best. Plus, don’t you just love recipes where all you have to do is throw everything in one pot and wait for it to cook? This savory soup is exactly that.
22. Mexican Street Corn Burrito Bowls
I love tortilla-wrapped burritos, but I also won’t say no to a hearty burrito bowl. This recipe will be a hit with vegetarians because it uses quinoa, sweet corn kernels, black beans, red bell pepper, and cilantro. It’s so healthy and delicious at the same time! The goodness doesn’t stop there. Tying them all together is a tangy and refreshing lime crema sauce.
23. Cowboy Crack Dip
Cowboy crack dip fits its name perfectly: one spoonful can get you hooked. It only takes five ingredients to make this highly addictive dip: cream cheese, sweet corn, cheddar cheese, and spicy sausage. Sure, it takes a total of 2 hours to cook, but it’s definitely worth the wait.
24. Cowboy Caviar
Cowboy caviar is a feast for both the eyes and taste buds. Complete with beans, tomatoes, jalapenos, corn, avocado, bell peppers, and spices, this dip is bursting with color, flavor, and texture. It may be used for dipping, too, but this baby tastes phenomenal on its own. There’s no need for tortilla chips. Just grab a spoon!
25. Sweet Corn and Potato Gratin
Potato gratin is made of tender potatoes, crunchy corn, and a crisp breadcrumb topping baked to golden perfection. Each element complements each other so well, it’s bound to be a favorite in your household. It’s so good, even the pickiest eaters won’t say no to it. Click on a star to rate it!
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