How To Freeze Garden Fresh Corn

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Go beyond "on the cob" and try these creative recipes for your next cookout or picnic.

Recipes that are all ears

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Corn is a low-cal way to add sweet flavor—and a little crunch—to your summer meals. Try these 25 creative recipes for using your favorite summer veggie as a healthy whole grain staple.

Mexican Roasted Corn Salad With Buttermilk Dressing

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Credit: John Kernick

Blend Mexican and Mediterranean ingredients with the fresh-tasting salad. Corn, lime, and chili powder, combined with grape halves and Parmesan, make a flavor-packed feast for a little over 200 calories.

Ingredients: Lime juice, olive oil, ancho chile powder, paprika, salt, corn, low-fat buttermilk, Parmesan cheese, red grapes, mixed greens, tarragon

Calories: 218

Try this recipe: Mexican Roasted Corn Salad With Buttermilk Dressing

Shrimp-and-Corn Chowder

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The weather may be warm nowadays, but there's always room for creamy chowder. Protein-packed shrimp, sweet corn, and red potatoes provide a healthy base while a small amount of heavy cream adds a rich flavor.

Ingredients: Low-sodium chicken broth, red potatoes, white corn, scallions, shrimp, heavy cream, lemons

Calories: 259

Try this recipe: Shrimp-and-Corn Chowder

Roasted Fresh Corn, Poblano, and Cheddar Pizza

roasted-corn-cheddar-pizza

Credit: Becky Luigart-Stayner

Spicy and savory, this pizza will satisfy your cheese cravings while sneaking in some vitamin A-rich corn. Its Southwestern flavor will win over your taste buds, and 15 grams of protein will keep you satisfied.

Ingredients: Poblano chiles, cooking spray, corn, green onions, garlic, low-fat milk, eggs, salt, pepper, cheddar cheese, refrigerated pizza dough, fat-free sour cream, cilantro

Calories: 331

Try this recipe: Roasted Fresh Corn, Poblano, and Cheddar Pizza

Bean and Corn Salsa

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Credit: Jan Smith

Corn adds a sweet flavor to this juicy tomato-based salsa. Plus a dash of hot sauce makes this a spicy topping for tacos, tortilla chips, and even grilled meats.

Ingredients: Tomato, Vidalia onion, tomatillos, black beans, corn, parsley, limes, salt, pepper, hot sauce

Calories: 15

Try this recipe: Bean and Corn Salsa

Savory Buttermilk Corn Cakes

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Credit: Getty Images

Rethink breakfast with these veggie-packed hot cakes. They're a savory version of your favorite pancakes, full of protein, filling fiber, and the perfect amount of spice.

Ingredients: Olive oil, corn, red bell pepper, jalapeño pepper, scallions, flour, cornmeal, baking powder, baking soda, salt, buttermilk, eggs, cooking spray, sour cream

Calories: 286

Try this recipe: Savory Buttermilk Corn Cakes

Zucchini With Corn and Cilantro

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Whip up this simple Tex-Mex side dish on your next taco night as a substitute for salsa or guacamole salad. It's low-cal, but rich in vitamins A and C and folate.

Ingredients: Olive oil, zucchini, corn, cilantro, limes, salt, pepper

Calories: 62

Try this recipe: Zucchini With Corn and Cilantro

Corn Custards With Bacon-Potato Crust

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Credit: Jan Smith

Great with pork chops or barbecue chicken, this savory side combines corn with all your favorite indulgences. The crust, made with bacon and crushed potato chips, crumbles on the first bite.

Ingredients: Bacon, corn, onion, jalapeño pepper, garlic, fat-free milk, flour, salt, pepper, eggs, cooking spray, potato chips

Calories: 158

Try this recipe: Corn Custards With Bacon-Potato Crust

Pan-Seared Scallops With Summer Succotash

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This heart-healthy meal combines low-cal scallops, which contain omega-3 fatty acids, as well as protein-packed edamame. Cider vinegar and buttermilk make a tangy dressing for this simple summer dish.

Ingredients: Sea scallops, black pepper, olive oil, yellow bell pepper, garlic, shallot, corn, edamame, cider vinegar, buttermilk, tarragon

Calories: 408

Try this recipe: Pan-Seared Scallops With Summer Succotash

Grilled Corn With Chipotle Butter

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Credit: Getty Images

Give a kick to your corn by brushing with butter flavored with chipotle chilis and lime juice and topping with queso fresco. You'll still get the sweet taste of corn (and immune-boosting vitamin A), but with an additional spicy flavor.

Ingredients: Corn, unsalted butter, chipotle chilis, limes, salt, black pepper, queso fresco

Calories: 178

Try this recipe: Grilled Corn With Chipotle Butter

Sweet Corn Ice Cream

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Credit: Leo Gong

Thought corn was just for side dishes? Turns out it makes a delicious addition to dessert too. Milk, sugar, and a bit of vanilla extract transform this vegetable into a delightfully sweet treat.

Ingredients: Corn, heavy whipping cream, milk, sugar, eggs, vanilla extract

Calories: 242

Try this recipe: Sweet Corn Ice Cream

Chicken Quesadillas With Roasted Corn Salsa

Need a quick and easy meal? With just 10 minutes of prep and 14 minutes of cook time, you can get this meal on the table just about any night of the week. Chicken and dairy provide protein and vitamin B12, which plays an important role in heart health.

Ingredients: Whole-kernel corn, chunky bottled salsa, fresh cilantro, lime juice, chicken, chili powder, cumin, salt, pepper, olive oil, garlic, tortillas, Monterey Jack cheese

Calories: 351

Try this recipe: Chicken Quesadillas With Roasted Corn Salsa

Tortilla Chicken Soup

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This recipe is a lighter version of the mouth-watering, Mexican-style soup you know and love. We've swapped in fat-free sour cream so you can still top your bowl off with a creamy finish. If you have a peanut allergy, use canola oil in place of the peanut-based version.

Ingredients: Peanut oil, chicken thighs and breast, onion, celery, garlic, water, chicken broth, whole-kernel corn, chili powder, cumin, tomatoes, green chiles, jalapeño pepper, tortillas, sour cream

Calories: 394

Try this recipe: Tortilla Chicken Soup

Lobster and Corn Salad With Tarragon Vinaigrette

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Credit: Yunhee Kim

The corn in this recipe provides a crunchy complement to lobster, and each serving dishes up 24 grams of filling protein. If you're short on time, this makes for a slightly more glamorous light lunch or side dish—you can throw the ingredients together in less than 20 minutes.

Ingredients: Champagne or white wine vinegar, lemon juice, shallot, tarragon, olive oil, salt, pepper, fresh corn kernels, lobster meat, chives

Calories: 290

Try this recipe: Lobster and Corn Salad With Tarragon Vinaigrette

Toasted Quinoa With Chiles and Corn

Corn, jalapeño peppers, cumin, and scallions make this an out-of-the-ordinary dinner option that's equal parts crunchy and spicy. Cooking with quinoa doesn't get easier than this.

Ingredients: Quinoa, cumin, salt, unsweetened cocoa, chicken broth, whole-kernel corn, jalapeño peppers scallions, lime juice

Calories: 218

Try this recipe: Toasted Quinoa With Chiles and Corn

Grilled Salmon With Charred-Corn Relish

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Credit: Getty Images

What says summer more than fresh corn? This relish recipe pairs grilled salmon with kernels cut from the cob. It's a summertime meal that's full of fiber, protein, and heart healthy omega-3 fatty acids.

Ingredients: Corn, olive oil cooking spray, salt, black pepper, cherry tomatoes, extra-virgin olive oil, balsamic vinegar, basil, salmon fillets

Calories: 341

Try this recipe: Grilled Salmon With Charred-Corn Relish

Cool Southwestern Salad with Corn and Avocado

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The avocado and pinto beans in this recipe will keep you feeling full for longer, and for an indulgent treat, you can use baked tortilla chips to scoop them up. With a whopping 16 grams of fiber per serving, this isn't your run-of-the-mill salad.

Ingredients: Romaine lettuce, pinto beans, corn kernels, avocado, red onion, cilantro, extra-virgin olive oil, lime juice, cumin, salt, pepper, baked tortilla chips

Calories: 466

Try this recipe: Cool Southwestern Salad with Corn and Avocado

Buttermilk-Corn Soup with Shrimp

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Credit: Tina Rupp

This chilled soup tastes as good as it looks. Buttermilk, olive oil, and corn give it a rich and creamy taste, and fresh shrimp boost the protein intake to 15 grams per serving.

Ingredients: Shrimp, salt, pepper, olive oil, onion, garlic, chili powder, cumin, corn kernels, buttermilk

Calories: 320

Try this recipe: Buttermilk-Corn Soup with Shrimp

Fresh Corn with Avocado, Scallions, and Spiced Scallops

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Credit: Quentin Bacon

Scallops are a good source of omega-3 fatty acids and make a tasty addition to seasonal corn and avocados. Plus, this fast dinner recipe can be ready in just 15 minutes.

Ingredients: Avocado, lime juice, sea scallops, salt, pepper, cumin, olive oil, corn kernels, scallion, white wine

Calories: 375

Try this recipe: Fresh Corn with Avocado, Scallions, and Spiced Scallops

Banana Corn Muffins

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Credit: Randy Mayor

These moist, sweet muffins are perfect for a grab-and-go breakfast or quick snack. And they are easy to make. If you've got a ripe banana lying around, this four-ingredient recipe is the perfect use for it. Try this recipe with fat-free milk, which has 5 fewer grams of fat than low-fat milk.

Ingredients: Mashed banana, milk, corn muffin mix, cooking spray

Calories: 199

Try this recipe: Banana Corn Muffins

Grilled Flank Steak with Corn Salsa

Corn salsa is a low-calorie, flavor-filled way to spice up any dish, and it works particularly well with flank steak. This hearty dish is surprisingly low-cal—only 297 calories per serving.

Ingredients: Corn, canned black beans, red bell pepper, jalapeño pepper, garlic, lime juice, cilantro, pepper, flank steak, red wine, lemon juice, onion, Worcestershire sauce, cooking spray

Calories: 297

Try this recipe: Grilled Flank Steak with Corn Salsa

Spicy Chicken With Poblano Peppers and Cheese

This recipe uses a medley of vegetables, many of them superfoods. Make this Mexican-style casserole any weeknight to get your fill of vitamin C, fiber, and whole grains.

Ingredients: Poblano chiles, chicken breast, cheddar cheese, corn kernels, onion, zucchini, red bell pepper, cilantro, salt, cumin, paprika, pepper, garlic, salsa, cooking spray, baked tortilla chips

Calories: 331

Try this recipe: Spicy Chicken With Poblano Peppers and Cheese

Crab Cakes With Fresh-Corn Salsa

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Credit: Leigh Beisch

Make your own crab cakes? Yes! It's easier than you may think. Crab meat is high in vitamin B12, protein, and iron. And when paired with this homemade corn salsa, you get a meal that clocks in at just 274 calories per serving—much leaner than crab cakes smothered in creamy tartar sauce.

Ingredients: Shredded lump crabmeat, breadcrumbs, mayonnaise, chives, lemon juice, egg whites, salt, pepper, canola oil, corn, cherry tomatoes, Italian salad dressing

Calories: 274

Try this recipe: Crab Cakes With Fresh-Corn Salsa

Grilled Oaxacan Corn

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Credit: Plamen Petkov

Grilling is about more than just meat. When it comes time to grill your veggies, reach for this recipe. It takes corn on the cob to a whole new level, by topping it with queso fresco, cayenne pepper, and lime juice. Delish!

Ingredients: Corn, lime juice, olive oil, cayenne pepper, salt, queso fresco, cilantro

Calories: 213

Try this recipe: Grilled Oaxacan Corn

Mushroom, Corn, and Poblano Tacos

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This protein-packed meal will keep hunger pangs away, and the mix of chili powder, cumin, and hot sauce will satisfy a spicy food fan's taste buds. Keep the tortillas soft by wrapping them in foil and keeping them in a warm oven until you're ready to serve.

Ingredients: Olive oil, mushrooms, onion, oregano, garlic, chili powder, cumin, poblano chile, corn, black beans, salsa verde, lime juice, hot sauce, salt, corn tortillas, queso fresco, cilantro, sour cream, lime wedges

Calories: 390

Try this recipe: Mushroom, Corn, and Poblano Tacos

Parmesan-Corn Bread Muffins

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For a special cheesy dinner side, whip up these piping hot muffins. Only 151 calories each, these muffins are made with fat-free buttermilk and egg whites, which cuts back on the saturated fat and cholesterol.

Ingredients: All-purpose flour, yellow cornmeal, sugar, baking powder, salt, buttermilk, vegetable oil, egg whites, cooking spray, Parmesan cheese

Calories: 151

Try this recipe: Parmesan-Corn Bread Muffins

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