21 Easy Dinners That Start With Corn

By Mary Shannon Wells
Southern Living

It’s still summer, and that means corn is still fresh and ready-to-eat at your farmers' market. You’re going to love these healthy and quick corn recipes that are filled with flavor and texture from corn. Add a crunch to any dish with a few kernels, throw corn on the cob on the grill or make a fresh salsa to top your tacos this summer with these easy corn dinner recipes. These fresh corn recipes will get you through busy weeknights with easy one-pot dishes and slow-cooker meals. Soups and chowders made with corn are ideal for making ahead and freezing, and your kids will ask you to make sheet pan nachos with corn again and again. Stock up on corn at the store or farmer’s market because you’ll get hooked on these easy corn recipes.

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1 of 22

Field Pea, Corn and Bacon Salad

Greg DuPree

Recipe: Field Pea, Corn and Bacon Salad

This fresh salad would make for a filling summer dinner over a bed of greens with grilled shrimp, chicken or steak on top.

 

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2 of 22

Skirt Steak Soft Tacos with Avocado-Corn Salsa

Linda Pugliese

Recipe: Skirt Steak Soft Tacos with Avocado-Corn Salsa

This light avocado-corn salsa will be your new favorite add-on to salads, chips and tacos.

3 of 22

Chicken and Charred Succotash Salad

Hector Sanchez

Recipe: Chicken and Charred Succotash Salad   

This charred succotash salad is a colorful, fresh dish that would pair well with any protein. You can add whole grains like quinoa, brown rice or farro to this dinner to really fill up your plate.

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Fresh Corn and Potato Soup with Sautéed Shrimp

Jennifer Causey

Recipe: Fresh Corn and Potato Soup with Sauteed Shrimp

This slow-cooker soup would be great to make on a summer beach trip when fresh shrimp is at every store.

5 of 22

Summer Corn Fritters

Cara Greenstein

Recipe: Summer Corn Fritters

These summer corn fritters from Memphis food blogger Cara Greensteen are a lighter take on the deep-fried version of this Southern dish. These fritters would look beautiful and taste delicious stacked with some homemade crab cakes.

6 of 22

Rosemary Chicken with Corn Quinoa

Melina Hammer

Recipe: Rosemary Chicken with Corn Quinoa

Dress up your plate with this colorful corn quinoa and easy rosemary chicken for a weeknight dinner.

 

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7 of 22

Salsa Verde Corn Chip Pie

Melina Hammer

Recipe: Salsa Verde Corn Chip Pie

Switch up your taco Tuesday routine with this fun recipe the kids will love.

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Slow-Cooker Corn Chowder

Greg Dupree

Recipe: Slow-Cooker Corn Chowder

This delicious slow-cooker corn chowder is made with hearty potatoes and fresh summer corn and topped with a colorful and flavorful mixture of corn kernels, bacon, red onion, chives and lime juice.

 

9 of 22

Grilled Shrimp and Smoky Grilled-Corn Grits

Jennifer Davick

Recipe: Grilled Shrimp and Smoky Grilled-Corn Grits

This skewer version of shrimp and grits is pretty and satisfying. These grits get amped up with grilled corn kernels, cheddar cheese and chipotle pepper.

 

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10 of 22

Cornbread-Stuffed Zucchini

Greg DuPree

Recipe: Cornbread-Stuffed Zucchini

Use fresh summer zucchini and corn for this stuffed veggie recipe that’s filling because it includes ground chicken.

 

11 of 22

Shrimp Boil Pasta

Alison Miksch

Recipe: Shrimp Boil Pasta

No shrimp boil would be complete without Old Bay seasoning, and this pasta dish will satisfy your Low Country Boil and pasta cravings.

12 of 22

Sweet Potato Totcho Nachos

Caleb Zorn

Recipe: Sweet Potato Totcho Nachos 

Your kids will want this fun Tex-Mex-inspired dish every week. These budget-friendly totcho nachos bake in one pan for easy cleanup.

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Penne with Mushrooms, Corn and Thyme

Alison Miksch

Recipe: Penne with Mushroom, Corn and Thyme

This quick pasta dish is on the table in less than 40 minutes. Add grilled chicken or shrimp for extra protein.

14 of 22

Chilled Sweet Corn Soup

Becky Luigart-Stayner

Recipe: Chilled Sweet Corn Soup

This pretty chilled soup would be an ideal starter at a luncheon. A tip from the test kitchen: To get the best color in the soup, we recommend using yellow corn, not white or bi-colored corn.

15 of 22

Summer Sheet Pan Nachos

Caramelized

Recipe: Summer Sheet Pan Nachos

These easy sheet pan nachos from Southern food blogger Cara Greenstein are a fun way to use farmer’s market produce.

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16 of 22

Smoked Chicken Corn Chowder

Southern Living

Recipe: Smoked Chicken Corn Chowder

This colorful chowder is hearty and filling. Pick up some smoked chicken with no sauce from a local barbecue restaurant or use rotisserie chicken from the store.

17 of 22

Deb Wise's Tamale Pie Mix-up

Hector Sanchez

Recipe: Deb Wise's Tamale Pie Mix-up

Watch a video tutorial to guide you through this one-dish, crowd-pleasing meal.

 

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Steak Soup

Tina Cornett

Recipe: Steak Soup

Another easy slow-cooker soup to add to the list, this one is filling with steak, potatoes and veggies.

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19 of 22

Okra and Rice Casserole

Hector Sanchez

Recipe: Okra and Rice Casserole

This casserole may lack meat, but it doesn’t lack flavor thanks to multiple veggies and Cajun seasoning.

20 of 22

BBQ Chicken Enchilada Casserole

Edley's

Recipe: BBQ Chicken Enchilada Casserole

This recipe from Edley’s Bar-B-Que in Nashville, Tennessee, will make you believe that barbecue sauce really does go with anything.

21 of 22

Slow-Cooker Turkey Chili

Southern Living

Recipe: Slow-Cooker Turkey Chili

This slow-cooker turkey chili is the ultimate comfort food for a cozy night in.

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