Family-Friendly Recipes That'll Use Up That Frozen Corn

By Zoe Denenberg

Credit: Courtesy Oxmoor House

Corn is one vegetable that actually freezes very well. While we'd always opt for fresh corn in a salsa or for a raw garnish, frozen corn certainly has a place in the culinary world. Frozen corn can be a great option for cooked dishes like stews or hot dips—since the kernels are frozen, they retain their shape and integrity, whereas fresh corn could easily boil down to a mushy mess. We'd always opt for frozen corn, which is frozen-fresh, over canned corn, which can taste artificial and soggy. Plus, studies show that frozen fruits and vegetables can actually be healthier than fresh ones. Yes, you read that right.If you've got a bag of corn lurking in the depths of your freezer, break it out for these family-friendly recipes. Frozen corn will help add pops of freshness and dimension to your winter stews, like Smoky Mountain Brunswick Stew, or creative casseroles, like Cowboy Casserole. We can guarantee that none of your guests or family members will ever guess that the dish started with a bag of frozen corn. Channel the feeling of summer cookouts by adding corn to your favorite dishes year-round.

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Cowboy Casserole

Credit: Micah A. Leal

Recipe: Cowboy Casserole

Stuffed with taco-flavored beef and topped with a layer of golden-brown tater tots, this Cowboy Casserole will be a new dinnertime staple.

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Slow Cooker Turkey Chili

Credit: Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke; Food Styling: Torie Cox

Recipe: Slow-Cooker White Chili with Turkey

Chili is one of our favorite fall stews, but sometimes ground beef and beans can be a bit heavy. This white chili recipe uses turkey meat and chicken or turkey stock to make a lighter version of the classic stew.

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Harry Young's Burgoo

Credit: Greg DuPree; Prop Styling: Mindi Shapiro Levine; Food Styling: Torie Cox

Recipe: Harry Young’s Burgoo

Burgoo is a classic Southern stew made in extra-large batches, so this recipe is ideal for church potlucks or community gatherings. It incorporates a few different frozen foods—like corn, lima beans, and peas—alongside fresh produce and meat to create a multi-dimensional stew.

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Corn and Jalapeño Dip

Credit: Hector Manuel Sanchez

Recipe: Corn and Jalapeño Dip

This slightly-spicy Corn and Jalapeño Dip will be the star of any tailgate or backyard cookout.

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Chicken and Charred Succotash Salad

Credit: Hector Sanchez

Recipe: Chicken and Charred Succotash Salad

Southern succotash becomes a whole meal with the simple addition of chicken. And yes—frozen corn is perfectly acceptable in this summery dish.

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Corn Pudding Casserole

Credit: Linda Pugliese; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke; Food Styling: Torie Cox

Recipe: Corn Pudding Casserole

Do you like your corn pudding sweet or savory? If you’re team savory, this creamy, cheesy casserole will be your new go-to.

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Smoky Mountain Brunswick Stew

Credit: Southern Living

Recipe: Smoky Mountain Brunswick Stew

The origins of this stew may be disputed, but one thing is for sure: it’s a stunning winter dish. It has both chicken and barbecued pork, plus a whole bunch of vegetables (and, of course, frozen corn).