How to Cook Frozen Corn (the RIGHT way)

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Want to know the secret to making frozen corn taste delicious? Kick your corn side dish up a notch with How to Cook Frozen Corn (the RIGHT way)!

Skillet showing how to Cook Frozen Corn.

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There’s something about crisp, sweet, fresh corn that adds color and vibrancy to your dinner table. But when you can’t have freshly picked corn on the cob, you can have the same delicious side dish using frozen corn! You’ll never use canned corn again. This recipe is easy, fool-proof, and oh so delicious. Once you try this simple method using frozen corn kernels on the stove top, you will never go back!

Ingredients Needed for this Recipe

Make perfectly flavorful, crispy, delicious corn with just three ingredients! Here’s all you need:

1 pound frozen corn
Butter– about four tablespoons melted butter, give or take
Sugar – one tablespoon. Trust me on this. It’ll make your corn taste absolutely scrumptious!

Frozen corn, sugar and butter to show how to cook Frozen Corn.

Benefits of Frozen Corn

Frozen corn beats canned corn any day of the week. And it’s a perfect substitute to fresh corn cobs. Why? For one thing, it’s cheaper. A big bag of frozen corn can last for several weeks in the freezer and when prepared correctly, tastes just as fresh as straight off the cob. And it actually takes less time to prepare than fresh. It’s nutritious too! There are actually fewer calories in frozen corn than in fresh or canned.

Basic Tips for Cooking Frozen Corn

Don’t BOIL or microwave frozen kernel corn! Just don’t do it. I know the package tells you to do it, but trust me, it zaps all the flavor out of the corn.
Use a skillet. Stir-frying or sautéing frozen corn keeps it crisp and bright and tastes much better than roasted corn in the oven.
Add a little sugar. It’s ok, it won’t taste weird and it will bring out the natural sweet flavor.
Don’t salt until ready to serve. Salting the corn too early can dehydrate it and it won’t taste as sweet. Wait until after you’ve cooked it, then salt and pepper to taste for perfectly tender kernels.

Close up of a large bowl of Frozen corn cooked to perfection.

More Variations to Try

Easy Seasoned Corn: Add 2 cloves garlic or some garlic powder and ½ teaspoon thyme before cooking.
Mexican Street Corn: After cooking, add ⅓ cup queso fresco and sprinkle paprika and parsley over the top. Squeeze a little fresh lime juice over the top and garnish with cilantro, if desired.
Parmesan Corn: Add 2 cloves garlic before cooking. After cooking sprinkle ⅓ to ½ cup fresh parmesan cheese over the top. Add in some fresh herbs for even more flavor.

What to Serve with Corn

Corn is a great side dish to proteins and potatoes. Here are some ideas:

Skillet with wooden spoon and butter cooking Frozen Corn.

Should I thaw corn before cooking?

It doesn’t need to be completely thawed. Just rinse the corn under cool water until all the ice crystals are gone.

How can I use up leftover corn?

Throw a handful of skillet-cooked corn into salads, burritos, tacos, casseroles, or soups for extra color and crunch. Or sauté other veggies with the corn and enjoy a beautiful vegetarian lunch or dinner.

How do I store leftover corn?

Keep leftover corn in an airtight container in the fridge. Try to use it up within about five days.

More Tasty Corn Recipes

Wanting to find more incredible corn side dishes, main dishes, and corn casseroles? Look no further!

Korean Corn Cheese
Grilled Corn on the Cob
Chipotle Corn Salsa
Grilled Corn Salad
Sweet Corn Cake (Tomalitos)
Mexican Street Corn Cups
How to Cook Frozen Corn
Mexican Street Corn