Try these Quick Recipes To Make the Most of Your Fresh Corn
Fresh, seasonal ingredients are key to making a delicious meal. In the summertime, seasonal produce offers an element of freshness that helps you beat the heat and add a tasty pop of color to many classic dishes.
Among the many delicious fruits and vegetables grown in the summer is sweet corn. Grown in all 50 states, it’s no wonder that sweet corn is beloved by Americans around the country. Corn season typically spans from May to September, making the summer the peak time to enjoy fresh corn. Whether you’re throwing it on the grill during a barbecue or adding it to a refreshing salad or homemade salsa, corn is perfectly synonymous with summertime.
With a wealth of ways to prepare and enjoy corn, it’s an ideal ingredient for many summertime dishes. There are plenty of easy, quick recipes that you can use to make the most out of fresh corn this season.
Delicious and Simple Corn Recipes
Sweet corn is incredibly versatile in how you can prepare it, whether you boil it, grill it or steam it. In the summer when you have access to fresh corn, you can even eat sweet corn raw. Raw corn adds a great sweet element to salads, like this Corn And Edamame Rice Salad, which is perfectly refreshing for a summertime meal.
A simple way to prepare sweet corn is to boil or steam it. You can enjoy boiled or steamed corn straight off of the cob, or remove the kernels and incorporate them into a variety of recipes. Try this Mexican Cobb Salad, a fun spin on the classic Cobb salad that utilizes cooked corn and black beans for a vegetarian-friendly meal.
Grilling corn adds a delicious smoky flavor that’s the perfect compliment to corn’s natural sweetness. This Spicy Mexican Bowl is a great way to use leftover grilled corn and chicken from your last cookout. Simply combine grilled corn, shredded chicken and chili crunch with a Minute Brown Rice & Quinoa Cup for a delicious and filling bowl that’s ready in minutes.
You can also substitute grilled corn to any recipe that calls for cooked corn to give the dish added dimension. Try utilizing grilled corn in this Rice and Beans Burrito Bowl to incorporate the smoky taste of the grill and highlight the taste of summertime. With zesty Minute Cilantro & Lime Rice Cups, a touch of chili powder for spice and cooling sour cream, this dish is the perfect way to bring something new to your next Taco Tuesday.
If you’re short on time, many recipes incorporate frozen or canned corn to speed up the cooking process. Corn freezes very well, and also comes in many canned varieties to suit whatever the recipe calls for. This Mexican Corn and Beef Rice Bowl comes together quickly by using frozen corn and Minute Jasmine Rice Cups, which are ready in just 60 seconds. Labor intensive dishes like risotto can also be made easy with frozen corn. This Shrimp And Corn Risotto tastes like it took all day to make, but with Minute Instant White Rice and a handful of simple, flavorful ingredients, it comes together in just 20 minutes.
Canned corn is another easy way to incorporate sweet corn into your meals, and can be ideal when corn isn’t in season in your area. This BBQ Chicken and Rice Dinner uses canned corn to create an all-time classic for dinner. By preparing Minute Instant White Rice in a mix of barbecue sauce, corn and water, you can infuse the rice with great flavor that helps add depth to the dish. It’s an incredibly easy, one pan dinner that’s sure to please the whole family.
Canned corn is another easy way to incorporate sweet corn into your meals, and can be ideal when corn isn’t in season in your area. This BBQ Chicken and Rice Dinner uses canned corn to create an all-time classic for dinner. By preparing Minute Instant White Rice in a mix of barbecue sauce, corn and water, you can infuse the rice with great flavor that helps add depth to the dish. It’s an incredibly easy, one pan dinner that’s sure to please the whole family. This Street-Corn Style Rice Bowl is perfect for a quick lunch or light dinner. Using a Minute Jalapeño Rice Cup for a hint of spice and burst of flavor, this recipe includes canned corn and classic Mexican ingredients like cotija cheese, lime juice and cilantro for a delicious meal ready in just 5 minutes. For additional protein, top this rice bowl with shredded, rotisserie chicken, shrimp or beans.
In addition to its versatility in cooking methods, corn is the perfect accompaniment to a variety of different proteins. Whether you’re eating grilled corn on the cob with your burgers this 4th of July or enjoying boiled corn along with a seafood boil this summer, corn is at home virtually everywhere.
For a quick meal that packs delicious Spanish flavors, try this Spanish Chorizo Bowl. By starting with a Minute Spanish Rice Cup, you can pack great flavors like tomato, garlic and onion into your meal while only using four ingredients! Corn, bell peppers and spicy chorizo are the perfect combination with Minute Spanish Rice Cups for a delicious and filling meal in minutes.
Corn also pairs well with seafood, as they share a sweet flavor profile. For a unique meal that incorporates a lot of fresh summer ingredients, try this Blueberry Salsa Shrimp. Fresh summer produce like corn and blueberries pair well with grilled shrimp, topped with jalapeño salsa for a delicious kick. A Minute Cilantro & Lime Rice Cup packs zesty flavors to make it the perfect base for this summertime dish. Another great meal in a pinch is this Southwest Barbeque Salmon And White Rice, which can come together in just 5 minutes thanks to Minute White Rice Cups. If you have leftover grilled corn, try incorporating that in place of frozen corn for extra char to complement the barbecue salmon.
Sweet Corn Tips & Tricks
As you pass a farm stand, visit your local farmer’s market or see the corn on display this summer in your grocery store, there are a few things to keep in mind to ensure you’re picking out the best piece of produce for your next meal.
To select a ripe ear of corn, look for ears with bright green, fitted husks. The tassel—the fluffy part at the top of the corn—should be light brown or gold and slightly sticky to the touch. The ear of corn should feel nice and firm, and the corn kernels should be plump.
When you can, eat fresh corn the day you purchase it to get the best flavor. If you don’t plan to eat the corn for a few days, it’s best to store fresh corn in the refrigerator to maintain its freshness.
Once your corn is cooked, a common challenge can be cutting the kernels off the cob for recipes that call for individual kernels. A simple trick to keep the kernels from scattering when you remove them from the cob is to use a kitchen towel. On top of a clean kitchen towel, simply cut the round end off the ear of corn, then use a sharp kitchen knife to cut the kernels from each side of the cob. Gather all the kernels into the center of the towel and transfer to a bowl. The towel is soft enough to keep the kernels from bouncing everywhere as you cut!
As versatile an ingredient as corn is, it also has more to offer than just its kernels. Corn husks can be used to make tamales, and the discarded cobs can be used to thicken stocks for a number of soups. Try using all parts of the corn if you can to get the most out of this delicious, fresh summer produce!
Embrace Summer with Fresh Corn
Fresh corn is an excellent ingredient to enjoy in the summer that’s as versatile as it is delicious. It can elevate a wide range of dishes, from fresh salads to soups and everything in between. With these simple recipes, you can make the most of sweet corn this summer and enjoy the fresh flavors of the season.
Whether you’re grilling, boiling or steaming, fresh corn adds a delicious crunch, sweetness and vibrancy to your meals. So head to your local farmer’s market, pick up some fresh sweet corn and start experimenting with these recipes to bring the taste of summer to your table!
