Are you searching for a side dish to complement your barbeque meat or a summer treat? Corns are your savior, specifically the fried corn!
Try the Southerners’ fried corn recipe if you are bored of grilled corn on the cob and cream corn. It just takes corn to a whole new height.
And the best part – you can easily whip it up in under 30 minutes at home.
It is so easy that even a noob cook can do it. Do not believe us? Then, try our easy-to-make fried corn recipe once. You will be a fan and a proud cook, of course!
So, are you ready to impress your family and friends with this drooling fried corn recipe?
Read on to take notes.
The Sweet and Savory Fried Corn Recipe
The homemade skillet fried corn recipe is an emotion for Southerners. It is a must-have dish whenever corn is in the season. It is not only a mere side dish. It is an excellent entree on its own.
You can pair it with almost everything. It creates a wholesome meal, from tacos to grilled meats paired with fried corn. Fried corn even goes great with a salad.
Requirements to Prepare Fried Corn Recipe at Home
A simple dish like fried corn does not have a lot of requirements. Simple ingredients and simple tools (the ones in your kitchen do the job) are all you need. To give you an overview, we have compiled a list of every item required to make the best-fried corn recipe.
Ingredients
|
Items Required |
Quantity |
|
6 medium-sized |
|
|
Bacon Fat or Salted Butter |
2 tablespoons |
|
Minced Onion |
1 |
|
Minced Garlic |
2 cloves |
|
1 teaspoon |
|
|
Black Pepper – Freshly Grounded |
½ teaspoon |
|
½ teaspoon |
|
|
Optional Seasonings: Jalapenos Smoked or Sweet Paprika Fresh Herbs |
2 teaspoon According to taste According to taste According to taste According to taste According to taste |
Tools
How to Make Easy Skillet Fried Corn Recipe at Home
Once you gather the ingredients, this Southern-style classic fried corn recipe can be made within 30 minutes. Out of which 10 minutes go to the prep and 20 minutes for the total cooking.
Ready to learn the recipe? Read on to find this quick recipe to satiate the hunger pangs. Plus, this fried corn recipe also serves as a perfect appetizer if you have unexpected guests.
The recipe stands for less is more. The entire cooking takes place in three steps:
Step 1: Get the Corn Ready
The fried corn recipe calls for fresh corn. It cooks easily and tastes the best. So, first and foremost, you have to cut the corn from the cob. And trust us; this is the only tricky part of the recipe. But it’s totally worth it to go the extra mile for delicious fried corn, right?
Now, set the corn cob in the hollow part of the Bundt pan. If you do not have a Bundt Pan at home, you can place the corn cob on a chopping board. Hold it tight upside down and separate the corn from the cob. Keep repeating this step until all of it is done. Collect the kernels in a bowl.
Then, wash it under running water to eliminate any unwanted substances. Remember to pat it dry with a kitchen towel before moving on to the next step.
However, if getting fresh corn and cutting it seems tiring, you can always substitute it with frozen corn. In that case, keep it in the refrigerator at room temperature for 15 minutes.
Step 2: Saute the Corn
Once you have prepped the corn, it is time to saute them. Take your cast iron skillet and heat it. On a medium flame, add your choice of fat. We recommend using a mix of bacon fat and butter, or if you detest bacon fat, add butter with olive oil. Let it melt and spread it all over the skillet. Spreading the fat ensures that the corn gets properly coated in it.
After the skillet gets nice and warm, add in the onion and garlic. Once it becomes translucent, add the corn. Give it a nice stir and watch it turn yellow to charred brown. Keep stirring in between to prevent it from burning.
And in about 15 to 18 minutes, your corn should start crisping up. Prick the corn with a fork and check whether it is cooked. You can even eat some at this point. It should have a bite to it. But if you’re using frozen corn, it takes a tad longer.
Step 3: Season the Fried Corn
At this stage, switch the flame from medium to lower. This will prevent you from overcooking the corn. Now, the final touches – it’s time to season the corn! Add salt and pepper according to the taste. Give it a toss for two more minutes to bind in all the flavors with the corn. By the way, keep tasting while seasoning the corn. It will help you add the right amount of seasoning to the dish.
Besides salt and pepper, if you wish to add any additional seasoning, you can add it now. We also recommend adding a little sugar with the spices. It helps to bring out the corn’s sweetness and pairs it well with the savoriness. And that’s it; the fried corn recipe is ready.
Pro-Tip: Serve the fried corn hot! It tastes the best when it is piping hot.
Important Tips to Make the Tastiest Fried Corn Recipe at Home
Well, with the recipe, tools, and required list of ingredients in your hand, you must be ready to toss some corn with butter in a cast iron skillet, isn’t it? But before you proceed further, we have some tips to make you the master of fried corn in your circle. These tips elevate and add a chef’s touch to your simple fried corn recipe.
- Choose the right corn. Get some fresh corn with plump kernels to make your fried corn recipe finger-licking good. This adds a natural sweetness to the dish and makes it more flavorful.
- Do not leave any water in the corn. Dry it completely. Otherwise, the corn won’t crisp up and give that crunchy texture in every bite.
- Preheat the cast iron skillet on a medium flame before you dump your ingredients. It helps to cook the corn evenly. Otherwise, the corn tends to become soggy. Even make sure to keep the flame on medium to low throughout the cooking.
- Cook in smaller batches if there is a large quantity (which we recommend as corn cooks down after some time). Doing it in this way lends the corn the desired caramelized color.
- Do not cover your pan. If you put the lid on, you will get steamed corn instead of fried corn.
- Right off the bat, when you add butter to the skillet, be careful. Butter tends to burn easily. So, we suggest mixing it with olive or any neutral oil of your preference to pack the dish with a maximum of flavors.
- Stir occasionally to crisp up your corn and give it a smoky touch. But do keep an eye on the skillet; it can stick to the bottom and get burned.
Three Different Options to Complement the Fried Corn Recipe
The fried corn recipe is a versatile delight. If this simple fired corn recipe doesn’t suit your palate, you can always customize it. There are quite a few versions of the fried corn recipe, but here are our top three recipe variations:
1. Fried Corn Recipe With Bacon
Love bacon? Then, without a second thought, add it to the recipe. This Southern classic combination tickles the tastebuds of everyone savoring it. All you have to do is cook some chopped bacon at first.
Once crispy, keep it aside and add some butter to the bacon grease. Followed by adding the corn and seasoning. Once done, top it off with the delicious bacon bits and serve.
2. Spicy Fried Corn Recipe
Another way you can prepare the fried corn is by turning the heat up. Yes, make it spicy. When you season the dish, you can add fresh jalapeno (saute it with the onions) or a pinch of red chili flakes.
Cayenne pepper works well with the recipe, too. The little kick from these spices tantalizes the tastebuds and makes you drool for more. Having that said, please don’t add all of these together; you don’t want to set your tongue on fire, right?
3. Fried Corn Recipe with Vegetables
Add bell peppers and cherry tomatoes if you want to sneak in some more veggies to the buttery corn. Saute them for 2 to 3 minutes before you add the corn. This way, the dish becomes a typical Mexican appetizer. Add a dash of lime and cilantro to balance all the flavors properly.
Key Considerations with Fried Corn Recipe
- Serving Proportion: The given fried corn recipe serves up to 4 people. You can serve each person 1 cup of fried corn. If there’s a requirement for more people, or if you want to keep munching on the amazing fried corn recipe, simply amp up the number of corn cobs. Adjust the seasoning, and you are good to go.
- Calorie Per Serving: Each serving of this fried corn recipe is 171 calories. It contains 20g of carbohydrates and 3.1g of protein with 10.1g of fats. Apart from a side and an appetizer, fried corn is also a fantastic option for evening snacks.
Final Thoughts
This easy skillet-fried corn recipe is a testament to the extraordinary flavors originating from the most ordinary ingredients.
The freshness of the corn mixed with the savoriness of the butter creates a symphony. Whether you serve it to your family on the weekdays or at an event, one thing is guaranteed – they will love it.
We think it’s time to head towards the kitchen and utilize the tips and recipe. Don your apron and start prepping the delectable fried corn recipe for your family.
We bet it will become a family favorite. Plus, use your freedom – feel free to experiment with seasonings.
And once you do, share it with us in the comments. Also, let us know which variation of the recipe you loved the most. And which one is popular among your friends and family?
Frequently Asked Questions
Can We Make Fried Corn Recipe without Bacon?
Yes. You can make a fried corn recipe without Bacon as well. Bacon is used in the recipe as a greasing while cooking the corn mixture or as a crumble on the top to tweak the recipe with an umami Southern flavor. However, it is entirely optional and up to your taste buds whether to add bacon to your fried corn.
Will Fried Corn Recipe from Can Taste Good?
It depends. We recommend using fresh corn for the recipe. Or, the next best option is frozen corn. In case you only have access to canned corn, keep in mind to season your skillet corn accordingly to balance the taste (the processed corn contains added salt it).
How to Store The Leftover of Fried Corn Recipe?
To store the leftover fried corn, first, let it cool down completely. Then, store it in an air-tight box in the refrigerator. It remains fresh until five days, and you can serve it to your family and guests by reheating it in portions as a side or incorporating it in other dishes like salads and tacos.
