The South's Secret to the Best Southern Fried Corn Recipe (2024)

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Secrets of the Best Southern Fried Corn Recipe

I am reposting this recipe today, as it’s one of the most popular and controversial. We think you’ll love it.

The South's Secret to the Best Southern Fried Corn Recipe (1)

While I’m not originally from the South, I can claim a few southern roots. My grandmother was from West Virginia and she made the best fried chicken in the world. Here is her recipe.

After years of practice and patience it has been said that Spinach Tiger’s southern fluffy biscuits can’t be beat. Even the gluten free fluffy southern biscuit has gotten rave reviews from readers. (Both have videos to help you along).

Why then is something as simple as a southern fried corn recipe so hard to get right? TWO THINGS

Childhood memories. This person’s grandmother made it this way with sugar and flour and who knows what? This other person had a grandmother who knew how to milk the corn to the last drop. Then there’s someone else who adds a cup of heavy cream. Everyone remembers their southern fried corn recipe differently.

Quality or Type of the Corn It’s key to get very fresh, creamy sweet corn. Silver queen corn would be the corn of choice for this recipe. If you use other less creamy corn, then a little heavy cream will do. Having said that, I used peaches and cream corn for this and still loved it. (I find it hard to turn down any kind of fried corn).

The South's Secret to the Best Southern Fried Corn Recipe (2)

What’s the best way to cut the corn off the cob?

If you don’t have a sharp knife, or you want the EASIEST WAY to cut corn off the cob, you will want this tool from Oxo.

What’s the best pan to make fried corn in?

Cast Iron Frying Pan – I practice what I preach. I have 13 cast iron pans (most are frying pans, a few are dutch ovens). I use them every single day in one form or another. They take the heat. They last forever. They go right into the oven. They are super affordable. I use my 12 inch lodge cast iron frying pan in this recipe, because I like the corn to get a little caramelized.The South's Secret to the Best Southern Fried Corn Recipe (3)

The South's Secret to the Best Southern Fried Corn Recipe (4)

More is not always more in a Southern Fried Corn Recipe.

I’m Italian, and it’s our food philosophy to make the best food with as few ingredients or disturbances as possible. Some of the Southern cuisine recipes (not all, just some) have more ingredients than necessary and sometimes too much cooking time. More is not always more.

Two sticks of butter is not better than one stick of butter for making Southern fried corn, unless you’re making shortbread. A cup of cream is not better than a splash of cream when only a splash does the job. Editing is the absolute key to bringing balance to a recipe. Even this recipe might need your own personal tweaks, so taste taste taste and stop stop stop when you like it!

Do this if you like your fried corn super creamy.

If you like your corn super creamy, don’t let it caramelize. Cook it on very low, adding cream as you see fit. If you like your corn a bit browned and creamy at the same time, like I do, turn the heat up a bit, and use cream sparingly. Keep in mind you will be at the mercy of the type of corn you use, but I think with the proper tweaking, you can make any corn off the cob taste good!

Black Pepper is key to Southern Fried Corn

This southern fried corn recipe has few ingredients. Bacon grease, butter, salt, pepper and perhaps a splash or two of cream. You can opt out of the bacon grease and add more butter, but do not forget the black pepper, and use more than you think you should. If you have some white pepper, a dash of that would be nice too, but sparingly, as that can be harsh.

Some people add bacon to the corn. I prefer not, but feel free.

Left Over Southern Fried Corn can blossom into other recipes.

I’m a big believer in using leftovers. I used my left over corn in thissouthern fried corn cake recipe. They werelight, fluffy, savory, full of flavor, texture and comfort. You have to make these corn cakes, even if you need to use canned corn. They should not be missed. You can also put the corn into this leek and corn quiche or simplyscramble with eggs. You can also throw them into these sausage corn muffins or use for this caramelized Onion Risotto with Sweet Corn.

Can I use Canned Corn?

If it’s past fresh corn season and you still want to make fried corn, it will take 6 cups of corn to make this recipes. Each ear of corn is roughly 3/4 cup of corn.

Southern Corn Cakes Recipe here.

The South's Secret to the Best Southern Fried Corn Recipe (5)

Pennsylvania Dutch Corn Pudding is one of my most popular recipes.

Here is one really cool idea just using corn with no butter or cream.

The South's Secret to the Best Southern Fried Corn Recipe (6)

Seven Ways to Grill Corn on the Cob

The South's Secret to the Best Southern Fried Corn Recipe (7)

Sweet Corn Blueberry Swirl Ice Cream

Corn Buttermilk Quiche. I don’t know about you, but anything with buttermilk gets me.

There is also a corn, leek quiche that is simply heaven.

Corn Avocado Salad

The South's Secret to the Best Southern Fried Corn Recipe (8)

So tell me, if you grew up in the South, how did your family make their southern fried corn recipe? Please follow me on instagram to see behind the scenes cooking and food prep along with recipes not yet published.

More Corn Recipes from Spinach Tiger

More Southern Recipes from Spinach Tiger

The South's Secret to the Best Southern Fried Corn Recipe (9)

Print Recipe

4.14 from 65 votes

Southern Fried Corn Recipe

How to Make the Best Southern Fried Corn

Prep Time10 minutes mins

Cook Time20 minutes mins

Total Time30 minutes mins

Course: Side Dish

Cuisine: American

Servings: 4

Author: Angela Roberts

Ingredients

  • 8 ears of corn
  • 2 tablespoons bacon grease
  • 4 tablespoons butter more if you need it
  • salt if you need it
  • 1 to 2 tablespoons black pepper
  • splash of heavy cream

Instructions

  • Cut the corn off the cob with a sharp knife.

  • Using the sharpest knife, cut down into the cob to get the milk of the corn.

  • Heat up the bacon grease and add two tablespoons of softened butter.

  • If you like the corn to be a bit caramelized, cook longer, stir less frequently.

  • If you like corn to be creamier, cook for about ten minutes, and at the end add the remaining two tablespoons butter.

  • At this point, you can add a splash of heavy cream if you want a creamier corn.

  • Add a little bit of salt, and a lot of black pepper.

  • Serve immediately.

Notes

Reserve cobs for making corn broth. Boil in water and reserve corn broth to add to soups, stews, casseroles.

Please follow me oninstagram. If you make this recipe, please tag me #spinachtiger.

If you love this recipe,please give it five stars. It means a lot. xoxo

The South's Secret to the Best Southern Fried Corn Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What is fried corn and where is it most commonly eaten? ›

Southern fried corn, a dish with deep roots in African American cooking, preserves fresh kernels and their natural sweetness. It's traditionally made with corn shucked fresh from the cobs. Reserving the “milk” — the milky liquid from the lining of the cob — makes this dish lightly creamy without any cream.

Is fried corn healthy? ›

Is Fried Corn Healthy? Corn is naturally sweet, so you don't have to look beyond the butter, salt, and pepper to optimize its flavor. It's also rich in antioxidants, fiber, minerals, and vitamins, as all good veggies should be. Butter, however, is high in calories and fat, so don't overdo it with this ingredient.

How to know if corn on the cob is good? ›

Go for ears that are firm to the touch, with moist-looking bright green husks. As for the silk tassels, the hair-like strands sticking out from the top of the corn, they should also look fresh. Some browning at the top is OK, but if they're entirely brown or dried out, put them back.

How to cook field corn? ›

Get a pot of water boiling. Put the corn in the boiling water for 3 to 4 minutes, remove it all to a plate. Eat it.

What state is known for the best corn? ›

With 91% of the state's corn crop in good/excellent shape, Pennsylvania once again has the best corn in the country.

What state loves corn the most? ›

Iowa is the largest producer of corn in the United States. While officially nicknamed "The Hawkeye State," Iowa is also known as "The Corn State" due to 90% of its land devoted to agriculture.

Is corn good for high blood pressure? ›

Adding corn to your diet can also increase your intake of dietary fiber, which has been shown to lower blood pressure levels. Corn is also a low-fat food and contains no cholesterol, making it a healthy option for those with high blood pressure.

Is corn bad for high cholesterol? ›

Corn has plenty of fiber, both soluble and insoluble. The soluble fiber in corn breaks down and forms a gel in the intestines and can play a role in controlling cholesterol. Soluble corn fiber is used in the manufacture of processed foods.

Is fried corn bad for diabetes? ›

Yes, corn will raise your blood sugar because it contains carbohydrates. However, it has a low glycemic index and is a good source of fiber. Pairing it with foods rich in fiber, protein, and fat can help reduce the rate at which your blood sugars rise and promote blood sugar management.

Can dogs eat corn? ›

Raw corn and cooked corn are safe for dogs to eat, in small portions, in moderation, and always off the cob. Frozen corn can be a fun, crunchy food topper for dogs—just make sure to watch them as they eat it to ensure they don't choke.

Is 20 minutes too long to boil corn? ›

Avoid cooking corn for too long. "If you have super fresh corn — which can even be eaten raw — it's a waste of time to cook for the common recommended time of 20 [or more] minutes," says Jones. Overcooking can also result in chewy and firm kernels. You can steam for 8-10 minutes or less, or even use the microwave.

What is the white stuff on my corn? ›

Diplodia ear rot appears as white mold growing on corn ears. A dead flag leaf is an easily recognized symptom of Diplodia ear rot. Visible signs of Diplodia ear rot on corn ear. Cross-section of a corn cob with small, black pycnidia indicative of Diplodia ear rot.

Why do you soak corn before cooking? ›

Soaking the corn husks in water has two important purposes. For starters, soaking the corn in water prevents the corn husks from burning or catching on fire. Secondly, the excess moisture helps steam the corn inside the husk and makes the corn kernels as juicy and plump as possible.

Why add sugar to boil corn on the cob? ›

Juicy fresh corn on the cob gets an extra boost of sweetness when it's cooked in slightly sweetened water. You can use as much or as little sugar as you like. Try it several ways to figure out what level of sweetness you like best.

What is the difference between field corn and regular corn? ›

Field corn kernels are more spaced out on the cob and look dry and dented compared to sweet corn's plump and juicy kernels. Sweet corn is harvested when the kernels are in their prime, fully developed and sweet.

Where is corn commonly eaten? ›

Corn Consumption Per Person

By a wide margin, the most significant consumers of corn per person are Mexico, followed by South Africa. Mexico makes perfect sense here, as Mexican street corn is one of the world's most iconic dishes -- and Mexico is where corn was first domesticated.

Where did fried corn originate? ›

The corn fritter probably was invented in the Southern United States, whose traditional cuisine contains a lot of deep fried foods. On the other side of the world, maize seeds from the Americas were introduced into Southeast Asia in the late 16th century through Spanish and Portuguese traders.

Which country eats most corn? ›

While the top producer and consumer of corn likely will not shock you at all (hint: it's the U.S.), the biggest country in the world also consumes nearly as much corn as the States and some of the other countries on the list might come as a bit of a surprise.

What is the meaning of fried corn? ›

Fried Corn is prepared by cutting the kernels off of the cob and then adding milk, seasonings and flour, never sugar. Fresh corn off the cob, like all fresh vegetables, is naturally sweet.

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