11 Delicious Corn Recipes for Thanksgiving 

Mashed potatoes are a classic Thanksgiving dinner side dish. But it’s time we acknowledge some underrated recipes that might just become your favorite if you give them a try.

Corn may not be as famous as potatoes during a Thanksgiving feast. But you’ll eventually realize there are so many dishes you can make with them – bake, roast, fry, bake and make bread.

Corn comes in many forms, like fresh, frozen, canned, or cob. Thus, making a corn side dish for the Thanksgiving feast won’t be a hassle. You’ll find the corn, and I have the best Thanksgiving corn recipes. 

1. Southern Cornbread Dressing

Although a dressing often means a salad sauce, in the Thanksgiving context, it’s a casserole. It has bread cubes, herbs, and other tasty ingredients that blend well. 

In the south, they love their Thanksgiving dressing made with cornbread, which you can make from scratch. You’ll also need biscuits, salt, pepper, sage, eggs, onion, celery, butter, cream of chicken soup, and chicken broth. 

Although this isn’t a corn dish in the most technical sense, it deserves a spot in this post. Dressing is a must-have on any Thanksgiving table and cornbread, a central element in the recipe, comes from dried corn. 

2. Paula Deen’s Corn Casserole 

Holiday meals are practically incomplete without a single casserole. Thus, I have to include this corn casserole recipe from Paula Deen. It’s easy and delicious, as how holiday food should be. 

You’ll need creamed corn, whole kernel sweet corn, Jiffy corn muffin mix, sour cream, butter, and cheddar cheese. The ingredients list is enough to show just how deep the corn flavor is in this dish. 

To make this casserole, you can use an oven or crockpot (slow cooker). Either way, combine all ingredients except the shredded cheese you’ll put in the last few minutes.

3. Creamed Corn 

Do you want to serve a simple cream corn side dish? Or want to make another dish’s creamed corn component from scratch? I have the perfect recipe that blends sweet and spicy flavors in one easy corn dish. 

You’ll need unsalted butter, frozen corn, heavy cream, kosher salt, black pepper, granulated sugar, cayenne pepper, nutmeg, whole milk, and flour. Adjust the seasoning ratios if you want to up the spiciness of this dish. 

You only need one pot and stove to cook everything. The author serves this as a Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner dish, too.

4. Corn Pudding 

Corn pudding is the perfect marriage of cornbread and creamed corn in one casserole dish. This delicious recipe from the south makes one of the best side dishes. 

You only need butter, sugar, eggs, sour cream, cornbread/muffin mix, 2% milk, whole kernel corn, and cream-style corn. To prepare, start by preheating the oven and creaming butter and sugar. Add eggs individually before adding the rest of the ingredients. 

Variations are possible. For a Tex-Mex corn pudding, add green chilies and shredded Monterey Jack. If you want pecan corn pudding, add cheddar cheese, seeded jalapeno peppers, and chopped pecans. 

5. Corn Fritter 

I find these corn fritters irresistibly adorable and delicious. Each disc is light, yet even at such a convenient size, they’re full of corn flavor. You’ll find this enjoyable any time – Thanksgiving or not. 

To make these fritters, you must have corn kernels, which you can get from frozen or fresh corn. You’ll also need flour, sugar, baking powder, eggs, and heavy cream. Get vegetable oil, too, for frying.

Combine everything in a bowl. Then, shape and cook them in a hot pan. Cook until golden brown, garnish with scallions and serve with sour cream or garlic aioli.

6. Oven-Roasted Corn on the Cob

I am a big fan of corn cobs. They can be messy, and it’s annoying to have those particles stuck in my teeth, but the fantastic flavors are worth it. Give your Thanksgiving guests the same experience.

To make this recipe, you’ll need unsalted butter, fresh parsley, rosemary, thyme, garlic cloves, kosher salt, and black pepper. If you want more color, add paprika. This recipe also needs four ears of fresh corn with the husks removed. 

Combine ingredients except for corn in a bowl to make herb butter. Spread the butter on the corn, then wrap with foil before baking. 

7. Smoked Corn on the Cob

Another way to enjoy corn on the cob is to incorporate a unique smoky flavor. It elevates this simple dish. You can do it while smoking or grilling your meat dish, thus allowing multi-tasking. 

To make smoked corn cobs, you’ll need ears of sweet corn, salted butter, salt, black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and parsley. Add chili powder, cayenne, or hot sauce to the mix if you want some spice. 

Like the oven-roasted corn, make herb butter by combining everything except the corn. Brush the herb butter onto the corn, then smoke it.

8. Corn Soufflé

With a name like “soufflé,” this hearty dish can be intimidating. But don’t let the word get you. This delicious corn casserole variant is easy to make and is the star of many Thanksgiving dinner tables. 

You’ll need canned corn (whole kernel and creamed), sour cream, melted butter, egg, and Jiffy corn mix to make this dish. If you notice, this recipe has no cheese, allowing the flavors to come through more intensely. 

What I especially love about this recipe is it is no-nonsense and no-fuss. Dump everything in a casserole dish, bake, and then eat it as it is!

9. Creamy Corn Salad 

You can make a salad out of corn, and it’s the best thing ever. It’s easy to make, so you now have a no-fuss, go-to recipe for Thanksgiving dinner, summer potluck, and BBQ outings. 

To make this salad, you’ll need frozen corn, red bell peppers, purple onion, jalapeno pepper, plain Greek yogurt, mayo, salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and chopped cilantro. The combination of Greek yogurt and mayo makes it creamy while imparting unique flavors. 

It takes only fifteen minutes to whip up this dish. You can make it a day or hours before, refrigerate it, and serve it cold. 

10. Corn Chowder 

Is your Thanksgiving menu lacking some soup? You may want to add this corn chowder recipe to the list. It’s perfectly creamy and comforting, a perfect dish for get-togethers and cool nights. 

For this recipe, you’ll need to make corn stock using chicken broth, milk, heavy cream, and bare corn cobs. For convenience, get some ears of corn and strip the kernels off. Use the leftover cobs for the stock.

Aside from the homemade corn stock, you’ll need the corn kernels, bacon, onion, carrot, celery, Yukon potatoes, sea salt, black pepper, cayenne, and chives. Serve the corn chowder hot!

11. Scalloped Corn Casserole 

The classic corn casserole often uses a Jiffy mix and cream cheese. This recipe is unlike it, as it features unique ingredients imparting novel textures and flavors to a Thanksgiving favorite. 

To make this scalloped corn, you’ll need eggs, milk, saltine cracker crumbs, whole kernel corn, butter, salt, black pepper, sugar, and minced onion. The use of saltine crackers instead of the Jiffy mix provides a different experience in terms of flavor and texture. 

To prepare this casserole, whisk eggs first, then add milk and crackers. Mix those before adding everything else. Pour the mixture into a pan, then bake. 

11 Delicious Corn Recipes for Thanksgiving 

11 Delicious Corn Recipes for Thanksgiving 

Recipe by Brenda

Fill your Thanksgiving table with amazing corn dishes!

Ingredients

  • Southern Cornbread Dressing

  • Paula Deen’s Corn Casserole 

  • Creamed Corn

  • Corn Pudding

  • Corn Fritter

  • Oven-Roasted Corn on the Cob

  • Smoked Corn on the Cob

  • Corn Soufflé

  • Creamy Corn Salad

  • Corn Chowder

  • Scalloped Corn Casserole

Directions

  • Select your favorite recipe.
  • Organize all the required ingredients.
  • Prep a corn dish for Thanksgiving in 30 minutes or less!
4.3/5 - (3 votes)