5 Easy & Delicious Recipes That Make the Most of Summer Corn

Fresh summer corn is something we look forward to all year long. Not only is corn naturally sweet and delicious eaten pretty much any way you like, it’s also bursting with good-for you nutrients. With folate, thiamin, magnesium, and Vitamin C, plus a good amount of fiber, most nutritionists agree that it can be a healthy and delicious part of most people’s diets.

Here are 5 of our favorite ways to enjoy summer corn.

1. Turn it into “caviar.”

Texas caviar is a bean salad that’s traditionally eaten on New Year’s Day; but replace the canned corn with sweet corn and the Italian dressing with honey-lime dressing and you have a gorgeous summertime dish. Serve as a dip, as a fresh and zesty side for grilled chicken thighs, or over greens for a lunchtime salad.

Get the recipe: Texas Caviar from Foolproof Living

2. Grill it (and slather with sauce).

Grilled corn on the cob is a classic and it’s great with a bit of butter and salt and pepper. But if you want to take it up a notch, make a creamy and delectable aioli from cashews and olive oil, add plenty of sriracha for a serious kick, and drizzle some on top while the corn’s still hot. P.S. Make extra of the sauce, which is also terrific on sandwiches or drizzled over scrambled tofu or eggs.

Get a recipe: Grilled Corn with Sriracha Aioli from Minimalist Baker

3. Make healthier succotash.

Succotash, a corn and lima bean classic of the South, is often made with added sugar and copious amounts of bacon. This smart version skips the sugar and keeps it vegetarian by using “faux” bacon — but don’t worry, it’s still plenty indulgent.

Get a recipe: Vegetarian Southern Succotash from Waiting on Martha

4. Pair it with pasta.

Think of this creamy pasta as the summertime version of mac and cheese. A bit of butter and parmesan cheese make it feel decadent; summer corn, scallions, herbs, and lemon juice keep it fresh.

Get the recipe: Melissa Clark’s Creamy (No-Cream!) Corn Pasta with Basil from Alexandra Cooks

5. Make the most summer-y salad.

This is the freshest, tastiest, most summer-y salad you can imagine. It starts with raw corn, cucumbers, radishes, tomatoes, herbs and jalapeno. Add a simple vinaigrette and some creamy feta or avocado and you have perfection on a platter. Earmark this one for all your summer potlucks.

Get the recipe: Garden Fresh Corn Salad from Cookie + Kate