11 Ways to Eat Corn Off the Cob

How much do kids love corn? Let me put it this way: I can add corn to basically ANYTHING and get a cheer from my four rascals when dinner hits the table. And let’s not limit this to corn on the cob, because that’s always a slam dunk. Nope, even when it’s off the cob, this sweet, crunchy veg is a hit with my brood. Here are my go-to picks.

The Salads

Ina Garten’s Corn Salad (pictured above)
A handful of ingredients transforms a few simple ears of corn into a flavorful, potluck-worthy dish.

Fresh Corn Tomato Salad
Take the fresh taste of Ina’s recipe above, then add creamy mozzarella cheese plus the sweet tang of grape tomatoes, and you’ll have this beautiful salad.

Farro and Corn Salad
Hearty enough to be a tasty lunch for a mom like me, this easy salad gets a boost of freshness from lemon zest.

The Sides

Hot Corn Dip
You know that creamy artichoke dip everyone goes wild for? Picture that with a Mexican spin (and definitely use fresh corn this time of year!).

Zucchini-Corn Fritters
This is what happens when you combine garlic, onions and buttermilk with two of summer’s best veggies. It’s magic in a pan.

Corn Mashed Potatoes
Pair this with pulled pork or burgers on buns, and dinner is served!

The Mains

Slow-Cooker Shredded Chicken & Corn Tex-Mex
What happens when you combine two kid-friendly ingredients in one slow cooker? The best dinner of the summer. Just shuck two ears of corn and throw them in at the very end.

Shrimp and Corn Chowder
Bacon? Check. Fresh shrimp? Check. Fresh corn off the cob? Check! The perfect summer meal to serve your favorite guests is right here.

Taco Soup
This brings together all the flavors of tacos in a make-ahead soup. Tip: To shuck a couple ears of corn in seconds, cut through the ends of the husk at one end and microwave for 2 minutes. Hold the un-cut end and shake.

Pappardelle with Corn
Never had fresh corn in pasta? This craveable recipe combines all the richness of butter and Parmesan with fresh flavors of corn, tomatoes and basil.

Enchilada Casserole with Corn
This hearty vegetarian dinner is my go-to recipe for families with new babies. The casserole keeps beautifully in the fridge (or freezer!), and the flavors only get better the longer it sits.

Charity Curley Mathews lives in North Carolina with four small kids, two dogs, one husband and 40,000 bees. She tests recipes for busy families — making dishes healthier & simpler — and posts all the hits on foodlets.com. You can follow her on Facebook.