Fried Corn is a country southern classic. Of course everyone’s Nana and Momma have their own spin on to put on southern fried corn, but overall, it isn’t even actually “fried,” it is caramelized. The base is of course, corn.
Depending on who you ask will depend on the answer of what type of corn you have to use. I typically use frozen corn, which would make those who swear by their local fresh corn.
Others use canned corn. Any cooked corn will do; white, yellow, sweet, not sweet. I find using frozen corn saves me the time I will need to really let me corn caramelize. While it is a simple process, it does take a little while to get the right results. Think of it as low and slow…
It is an easy dish perfect for a BBQ side or even simple Mayo Parmesan Chicken.
Why You’ll Love This Southern Fried Corn
Easy recipes are a must this time of year, and this delicious summer side dish couldn’t be easier.
- Minutes of prep time – With only five minutes of prep, you will want to make this recipe all corn season long!
- Short ingredient list – Grab your cast iron skillet and only FIVE ingredients and you’re well on your way to making this easy dish.
- Family favorite – I get asked for the recipe every time I make this dish. It’s loved by all, both kids and adults.
Southern Fried Corn Ingredients
You only need five simple ingredients to make this southern fried corn recipe- that’s it!
- Butter – I always prefer to use unsalted butter when cooking so that I can control the amount of salt in the recipe. However, if you are using salted butter, just omit the extra salt in the recipe.
- Red onion – I like the color and flavor of red onion. But you could use yellow onion instead for a more mild onion flavor if you’d like.
- Corn – I personally use frozen corn because I always have a bag in the freezer. But you could cut fresh corn kernels off of a corn cob just as easily.
- Amber agave nectar or honey – If using fresh sweet corn, you might need a little less of this than called for. Depending on the sweetness of the corn, you might want to add a little more or less.
- Fine sea salt – I just like to finish this delicious side dish with a little salt. If you used salted butter, you can omit this ingredient.
How to Make Southern Fried Corn
You are going to love how easy it is to make this delicious corn recipe.
- Sauté onion. Heat butter in a large, heavy bottom skillet over medium-low heat. Add onion, allowing to sweat for a few minutes.
- Add corn. Continue to cook over medium-low heat, stirring every few minutes to cook evenly. Corn and onions should start to lightly brown and caramelize.
- Add agave and salt. Before serving, add agave nectar and salt, mixing to combine. Serve immediately.
Variations
There are plenty of different ways you can make this savory side dish your own!
- Veggies – Don’t like the onion? Leave it out or swap it for something else. Fresh tomatoes like cherry tomatoes or even chopped green peppers would taste great with this skillet corn.
- Bacon – Instead of cooking your corn in butter, try bacon grease! Cook strips of bacon, then use the bacon fat to sauté the corn. You could even add the bacon to the corn for a little crunch.
- Seasonings – You can totally dress this dish up a bit with some seasonings. Cajun seasoning, freshly cracked black pepper or even white pepper would add amazing flavor.
How to Serve
The options for serving this classic southern side dish are really endless. As for main dish options, we like to serve ours with some sort of protein like pork chops or fried chicken.
For side dishes, this corn pairs well with other southern recipes. Think along the lines of collard greens, hush puppies or cornbread.
Storage and Freezing
Storage: You can store any leftover southern fried corn in an airtight container. It will stay in the refrigerator for up to five days.
Freezing: This corn can also easily be frozen. Store the same way, in an airtight container and it will last for up to three months.
More Easy Side Dish Recipes
- Three Bean Salad
- Orzo Salad with Asparagus
- Spinach Crescent Ring
- Onion Strings
- Sweet Potato Cornbread
- Street Corn Salad
Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes
Griddle Corn Cakes
Balsamic Stewed Tomatoes
Southern Fried Corn
Equipment
Ingredients
- 4 tablespoons butter
- 1 red onion finely chopped or minced
- 16 ounces frozen corn defrosted
- 2 tablespoons amber agave nectar or honey
- 1 teaspoon fine sea salt
Instructions
- Heat the butter in a large, heavy bottom skillet or cast iron skillet over medium-low heat. Add the onion, allowing to sweat for 4-5 minutes.
- Add the corn, continue to cook over medium-low heat for 30 minutes, stirring every 5 minutes to cook evenly. The corn and onions should start to lightly brown and caramelize.
- Before serving, stir in the agave nectar and salt, mixing to combine. Serve immediately.
- If you've tried this recipe, come back and let us know how it was in the comments or star ratings.
Ummmmm yea!!! This sounds wonderful! The flavours sound like they come together nicely making this a delicious side! It is going on the menu!
This is a new to me recipe and I love how easy it is, and I typically have everything on hand. Great side dish for when I’m in a weeknight pinch!
What a delicious side dish! I love corn so much and this looks absolutely yummy! Can’t wait to try it real soon!
Yum, I can imagine the caramelized onions would go very well with the corn!