The second fresh, sweet corn starts showing up at roadside stands and grocery stores, I start looking for different ways to use it beyond just boiling it and adding butter. This Brown Butter Sweet Corn has quickly become one of my favorite easy side dishes, because it feels a little elevated, while still being incredibly simple to make.
The brown butter gives the corn a rich, nutty flavor, while the blistered tomatoes add freshness and balance. I actually served this over air fryer salmon and used the corn almost like a buttery skillet sauce underneath the fish, and it turned out so good. Even though it pairs perfectly with seafood, this is one of those versatile side dishes that works with everything from grilled chicken to steak and summer cookout meals.
Why You Will Love This Fresh, Sweet Corn Recipe
- Perfect way to use fresh summer corn – Sweet corn becomes extra flavorful when lightly charred in brown butter.
- Easy skillet side dish – Everything cooks in one pan in under 15 minutes.
- Restaurant-style flavor at home – Brown butter makes this simple corn recipe taste rich and elevated.
- Pairs with almost anything – Serve this brown butter sweet corn with salmon, chicken, steak, shrimp, or BBQ favorites.
- Great for summer entertaining – Fresh corn and blistered tomatoes make this a colorful and beautiful side dish for the table.
- Easy to customize – Add bacon, Parmesan cheese, hot honey, and/or even jalapeños for extra flavor.
Ingredient Substitutions
- Fresh sweet corn: Replace with frozen corn or canned corn, if fresh is not in season. Be sure to thaw frozen corn and drain canned corn well before cooking.
- Butter: Salted or unsalted butter both work well in this recipe. If using salted butter, slightly reduce the added salt, if needed.
- Cherry tomatoes: Grape tomatoes or diced Roma tomatoes can be used instead.
- Fresh parsley: Swap with basil, chives, thyme, or green onions for a different fresh herb flavor.
- Garlic: Fresh garlic gives the best flavor, but garlic paste or garlic powder can be used in a pinch.
- Optional add-ins: Crispy bacon, Parmesan cheese, diced jalapeños, hot honey, baby spinach, feta cheese, or toasted breadcrumbs all pair beautifully with this sweet corn skillet.
How to Prepare Brown Butter Sweet Corn
- Remove the kernels from the corn cobs and set aside.
- Heat a large skillet over medium heat and add the butter.
- Allow the butter to melt and continue cooking until it becomes golden brown and smells nutty, about 3 to 4 minutes. Stir frequently to prevent burning.
- Add the corn to the skillet and cook for 4 to 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until lightly charred in spots.
- Add the cherry tomatoes. Season with salt, pepper and crushed red pepper. Continue cooking another 2 to 3 minutes, until the tomatoes begin to blister and soften.
- Stir in the minced garlic. Cook for about 30 seconds, until fragrant.
- Remove from the heat and finish with fresh parsley.
- Serve immediately.
How to Serve and Store
- Serve this brown butter sweet corn alongside grilled steak, chicken, seafood, grilled pork chops, baby back ribs, or your favorite summer BBQ dishes.
- Add to cooked pasta or rice for a heartier side dish.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Reheat gently in a skillet over medium-low heat until warmed through.
- Avoid microwaving too long as the corn can become chewy.
Frequently Asked Questions
Brown butter is regular butter that is cooked until the milk solids toast and turn golden brown. It creates a rich, nutty flavor that adds depth to simple recipes.
Yes. Frozen corn works very well when fresh corn is out of season. Just thaw and dry it first so it can char properly in the skillet.
You can. Drain it very well before adding it to the skillet. Fresh corn will give the best texture and sweetness, but canned corn is a convenient option.
Use a corn peeler, or stand the corn upright inside a large bowl and carefully slice downward with a sharp knife. The bowl helps catch the kernels and keeps them from scattering across the counter.
Absolutely. Crispy bacon adds a smoky, salty flavor that works perfectly with the sweet corn and brown butter.
If you are looking for an easy summer side dish that feels a little more special than basic buttered corn, this Brown Butter Sweet Corn is such a great option. The nutty brown butter, sweet charred corn, and blistered tomatoes come together in one simple skillet for a side dish that pairs beautifully with seafood, chicken, steak, and so much more. I especially love serving it underneath crispy air fryer salmon for a quick and easy dinner.
Print
Brown Butter Sweet Corn
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 6 to 8 servings 1x
Description
Brown Butter Sweet Corn is the perfect easy summer side dish. This buttery skillet corn pairs beautifully with salmon, steak, chicken, and all your favorite warm weather dinners.
Ingredients
- 6 ears fresh sweet corn, kernels removed (about 4 to 4 1/2 cups corn kernels)
- 5 tablespoons butter
- 1/2 to 3/4 cup cherry tomatoes
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt (less if you are using salted butter)
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- Fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
- Remove the kernels from the corn cobs and set aside.
- Heat a large skillet over medium heat and add the butter.
- Allow the butter to melt and continue cooking until it becomes golden brown and smells nutty, about 3 to 4 minutes. Stir frequently to prevent burning.
- Add the corn to the skillet and cook for 4 to 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until lightly charred in spots.
- Add the cherry tomatoes. Season with salt, pepper and crushed red pepper. Continue cooking another 2 to 3 minutes, until the tomatoes begin to blister and soften.
- Stir in the minced garlic. Cook for about 30 seconds, until fragrant.
- Remove from the heat and finish with fresh parsley.
- Serve immediately.
- ENJOY!
Notes
- Fresh sweet corn will give the best flavor during summer months.
- Watch the butter carefully while browning so it does not burn.
- A cast iron skillet works especially well for getting light char on the corn.
- This recipe can easily be doubled for cookouts and summer gatherings.
- For extra richness, finish with freshly grated Parmesan cheese.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Easy
- Cuisine: American
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WELCOME! My name is Melissa Latin aka. Charlotte Fashion Plate. Happy to meet you! I am more than just recipes. I love fashion and style too! Most importantly, I love my Family (my Hubby and my Fur Babies). My Husband (aka my “Kitchen Bitch”) means the world to me. He’s pretty damn cool too. Not only is he one of the nicest guys you will ever meet, he also has had a lengthy career in professional hockey. Not only winning two Stanley Cups with the Pittsburgh Penguins in the early ’90’s, but most recently winning the Calder Cup with the Charlotte Checkers, amongst many other accolades. If you live in Charlotte and play hockey, or have a family member who plays, be sure to contact him!
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