Canned corn is good for adding to dishes, and it can be good on its own with the right handling and a few simple additions. Canned corn is one of the canned veggies that is actually fairly close to fresh in texture and taste, if you prepare it correctly. One thing you definitely do not want to do is just dump a can of corn into a pot or microwave dish and heat it up as-is. The result of this sort of treatment is bland and dull. In this article, we share some smart ideas on how to make canned corn better. Read on to learn more and find some canned corn recipes.
What You'll Learn Today
Canned Corn As A Side Dish
If you just want corn as a side dish, you have a simple task ahead of you. First, drain a standard 15 ounce can of corn. Keep about a tablespoonful of the liquid. Set the corn and liquid aside.
Put two tablespoons of butter in a small saucepan or microwave-safe bowl. Add half a teaspoonful of pepper if you wish.
If you are cooking the corn on the stovetop, set the saucepan over low-to-medium heat, add the corn and liquid and cover. Cook for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally. Be careful not to burn the butter.
If you are cooking your corn in the microwave, add the corn and liquid to the butter and pepper, cover the dish and cook on high for about two minutes.
Note that the cooking time will vary depending on the strength of your microwave. It’s a good idea to cook in one minute increments to avoid making dry, tough spots in the food.
Other seasoning possibilities include:
- A tablespoonful of olive oil and half a teaspoon each of smoked paprika and pepper, added to a 15 ounce can of corn.
- Two tablespoons of butter, a half teaspoon of dried basil and a pinch of red pepper flakes added to a 15 ounce can of corn.
For something a little fancier, you can add some interesting spices. For example, instead of using two tablespoons of butter, try using a tablespoonful of olive oil or coconut oil.
In addition to the half teaspoonful of black pepper, add a quarter cup of canned jalapeno slices, half a teaspoonful of smoked paprika and a couple of tablespoons of fresh or dried chopped parsley. This makes a lovely side dish for a Mexican meal.
There is really no limit to the types of spices and other ingredients you can add to canned corn. Popular choices include:
- Black and/or red beans
- Crumbled Bacon
- Diced Tomatoes
- Lime Juice
- Cheeses
- Cilantro
- Parsley
- Onions
Let your taste buds be your guide!
What About Salt?
Add salt to taste at the table. Some canned corn is salt free, and some is just loaded with salt. If you are on a low salt diet, you may want to rinse the corn after draining it and add a tablespoonful of plain water instead of liquid from the can.
Cooking is Easy!
For all of the possibilities listed here, cook on the stovetop or in the microwave as described above.
Make Canned Corn Bread
If you have a favorite cornbread recipe, try substituting a can of whole or creamed corn for the liquid in the recipe, or follow this simple recipe to add canned corn to a cornbread mix.
Enjoy Corn Salad
You can also use canned corn to make cold dishes. Here’s an excellent, easy tossed salad.
In a large bowl, toss together:
- A quarter cup each of diced onion and diced tomato
- A quarter cup of Gruyere cheese, shredded
- A quarter cup of chopped, fresh parsley
- A tablespoonful of champagne vinegar
- A 15 ounce can of drained corn
- Two tablespoons of lime juice
- Salt & Pepper as desired
Chill for a minimum of one hour before serving.
Explore International Canned Corn Treats!
This delightful video introduces six interesting and unusual ways to cook with canned corn.
6 New Ways To Enjoy Canned Corn Recipes
Frequently Asked Questions
Canned corn is a convenient and healthy veggie to keep around. It contains fiber, protein, valuable minerals, vitamin C, beta carotene and antioxidants.
You don’t have to drain off the water, but canned corn will taste better if you pour it into a strainer, rinse it under fresh running water and then add water and flavorings to it as desired. For example, you might replace the can-water with broth or just add butter and the spices of your choosing before heating it up in the microwave. Classic spice choices include salt and pepper, but interesting alternatives or additions such as lemon juice or cayenne pepper can bring novelty to your dinner table.
The water in canned corn and other canned vegetables may contain some of the nutrients that are cooked out of the veggie in the canning process; however, it typically also contains a canned taste that most people don’t like. Furthermore, the can-water may contain quite a bit of salt. You can help reduce your sodium intake by rinsing canned corn and other veggies.
Some varieties do and some don’t. Be sure to read the can label to find out how much salt and sugar may be included. Look for lower sodium varieties. Just as with salt, if you want to limit your sugar content, you can rinse sweet corn (or any other sugar containing canned fruit or veggie) to help reduce its sugar content.
It won’t hurt you, and I personally, once knew someone who brought a can of corn to work for lunch every day and ate it just like that. If this is something you end up doing for one reason or another, just be sure to look for products that contain no or low salt and sugar. You can always drain off the water to reduce these ingredients even more.
After opening, find another container rather than storing corn in the metal can when you want to keep it for a few days.