Buttered Sweet Corn

Buttered sweet corn is a simple yet delicious way to enjoy this vegetable side dish! Make the most of fresh corn on the cob with this easy recipe that uses only 3 ingredients and is ready in about 20 minutes.

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Ingredients
How to make buttered sweet corn
Top tips
FAQ
More corn recipes
Recipe

I come from the land of corn.

My favorite summer festival is Kornfest (don’t ask me why it’s spelled with a K, no one knows), complete with fireworks and a parade just a few blocks from where I grew up. Every year they serve up corn on the cob, slathered in butter using a paint brush and sprinkled with salt from a modified mason jar that hangs on a string.

I can’t just get my buttered corn once a year, it deserves a spot at the dinner table whenever possible. This easy recipe is ready in about 20 minutes, depending on how fast you can shuck corn!

Buttered sweet corn would make a great holiday side dish at Christmas or Thanksgiving, but the flavors work any time of year. You can also use this as an ingredient for something like a burrito bowl, nourish bowl, or salad.

Ingredients

Salted butter
Fresh corn
Coarse kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
Fresh chopped herbs, like basil, sage, or oregano (optional)

How to make buttered sweet corn

Melt butter in a large skillet over medium heat.
Add the corn and cook, stirring occasionally, until bright yellow, a little golden brown in spots, and tender, about 10 minutes.
Remove from the heat, add salt, pepper, and herbs if using. Stir to combine.

Top tips

How to shuck corn

I made a TikTok video showing how I shuck corn quickly and easily! The silky strands that you find on fresh corn don’t really bother me, but if you want to make sure you get them all off, grab yourself a corn brush.

How to cut corn off the cob

There are several ways to remove corn from the cob, but my favorite is to lay it down flat, cut one side off, and then keep turning it, cutting each side until all the kernels are removed.

If you prefer to cut it standing up, place the cob on top of a small bowl turned upside down inside of a larger bowl to catch the kernels and keep them from flying all over the place.

Three ears of corn with the corn taken off the cob in a bowl next to it.

Salt corn after cooking

I always recommend salting your corn after cooking it to keep it crisp tender. Salting the corn before cooking will lead to tough, dry corn.

How to store buttered corn

Store this recipe in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in a pan on the stovetop or in the microwave.

You can also freeze it for up to 3 months as long as you’re using fresh corn, and not previously frozen corn.

Tips for customizing buttered corn

Swap the butter for 2 tablespoons of olive oil
Use vegan butter to make this recipe vegan
Season the corn with your favorite spices such as cumin, chili powder, or garlic powder
Skip the skillet and make this recipe in the oven by spreading the butter on a rimmed baking sheet, mixing with melted butter, and roasting at 400ºF until a few kernels are golden brown

FAQ

Can I use frozen corn?

Yes, you can make this recipe with frozen corn, no need to thaw it first. You may need to add a few minutes to the cooking time, just wait for the corn to begin to turn lightly golden brown.

How do I know when corn is done cooking?

You don’t need to worry too much about cooking corn enough. As long as the color brightens and it’s nice and hot it’ll be ready to go. I like to wait until a few kernels are starting to turn golden so they get a bit of that roasted flavor.

More corn recipes

If you make this recipe, be sure to rate it, leave a comment, or tag #theliveinkitchen on Instagram!

Recipe