• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Sugar & Snap Peas
  • Home
  • All Recipes
    • Breakfast
    • Lunch
    • Dinner
    • Dessert
    • Sides
    • Salad Dressing
  • About me
  • Contact me
  • Gluten Free
  • Vegetarian
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • RSS
    • Snapchat
    • Twitter
menu icon
go to homepage
  • About me
  • Recipe Index
  • Work with Me
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • search icon
    Homepage link
    • About me
    • Recipe Index
    • Work with Me
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • ×
    • Pulled pork pizza with bbq sauce on a cutting board.
      Leftover BBQ Pulled Pork Pizza
    • Dutch Oven Pulled Pork recipe topped with coleslaw and BBQ sauce, on a bun.
      Dutch Oven Pulled Pork Recipe
    • Bowl of Busy Day Soup, on a napkin, with a silver spoon.
      Busy Day Soup
    • Slumgullion in a bowl, with a spoon, on a yellow napkin, garnished with fresh parsley.
      Slow Cooker Slumgullion (Goulash)
    • Turkey Smash Burger on a bun with lettuce, tomato, onion, and cheese, surrounded by potato chips.
      Turkey Smash Burgers
    • Grinder Salad on a large plate with a light blue napkin and various ingredients scattered around.
      Grinder Salad
    • Three seared salmon filets over a bowl of Penne al Salmone pasta, garnished with fresh basil leaves.
      Penne al Salmone
    • Boil chicken thighs on a plate garnished with fresh thyme.
      How to Boil Chicken Thighs (Fresh or Frozen)
    • Small glass jar of Caesar dressing without anchovies with a spoon, lettuce leaves in the background, a striped towel in the background, and shredded parmesan cheese around the jar.
      Caesar Salad Dressing without Anchovies
    • Sliced spiral ham with maple dijon glaze, on a round plate and a light blue napkin.
      Dutch Oven Ham
    • Up close image of cooked Cheeseburger Sliders with Hawaiian rolls.
      Cheeseburger Sliders with Hawaiian Rolls
    • Two baked potatoes, cut open with butter and chives, on parchment paper with a fork and knife.
      Perfect Baked Potato (without foil)
    Home » Recipes » All Recipes

    Blackened Corn

    Published: Jan 28, 2023 by Katie · This post may contain affiliate links · Leave a comment.

    Jump to Recipe·Print Recipe·★★★★★5 from 1 review

    This 15-minute side dish is savory, satisfying, and full of flavor! Blackened Corn is made in a cast iron skillet using frozen corn, a homemade seasoning blend, and optional toppings like fresh cilantro and cojita cheese!

    Overhead view of the blackened corn in a cast iron skillet, topped with fresh cilantro, feta or cotija cheese and lime wedges.

    Blackened Corn is an easy side dish recipe that you can serve in the summer when fresh corn is abundant, or in the winter when you're craving comfort food.

    My Blackened Corn recipe has a Mexican street corn vibe. I'll definitely be serving this on Mexican Monday, Taco Tuesday, and Cino de Mayo!

    I use my tried-and-true blackening blend that you'll find in my blackened pork chops and my blackened cod recipes. My cast iron skillet chicken breast is also really similar to blackened chicken.

    Jump to:
    • Why you'll love this recipe
    • Ingredients
    • Equipment needed
    • How to make Blackened Corn
    • Variations and substitutions
    • What to serve with
    • Storage and reheating
    • Recipes you'll also love
    • Frequently asked questions
    • 📖 Recipe
    • Hungry for more?
    • 💬 Comments

    Why you'll love this recipe

    • 15 minutes is all you need to get this easy side dish on the table!
    • If you're looking for an inexpensive (CHEAP) side dish that tastes expensive, this is it!
    • Blackening transforms regular sweet corn, into toasty and bold-flavored corn.
    • This is the perfect recipe to use as a guide, but ultimately make it your own. Play around with the spice blend, add some heat, and change up your toppings!

    Ingredients

    Ingredients needed to make blackened corn.

    Corn: I prefer to use frozen corn. You can use fresh corn from the cob, it will just cook a little faster. I don't recommend canned corn because it's packed in water and ends up holding a lot of that water.

    Seasonings: The seasonings that you will need to make the blackening blend are smoked paprika, garlic powder, dried oregano, black pepper, and kosher salt.

    Toppings: Get creative with the charred corn toppings! I like to use fresh cilantro, fresh green onions, lime juice, feta cheese, or cojita cheese.

    Equipment needed

    • Cast iron skillet - A cast iron skillet is a must-have for this recipe. It's a must-have piece of equipment for any blackening recipe! If you don't already have one, I recommend investing in a 15" Lodge Cast Iron Skillet.
    • Measuring spoons, cutting board, and chopping knife

    How to make Blackened Corn

    Step 1: Make the seasoning blend by mixing the paprika, garlic powder, oregano, salt, and pepper together in a small bowl.

    Step 2: Melt butter in your cast iron skillet over low heat. Pour the frozen corn into the hot skillet. Spread the corn out into an even layer in the skillet. Cook the corn on medium-low for 5 minutes, without moving the corn around.

    Frozen corn in a cast iron skillet.

    Step 3: Increase the heat to medium, and start to blacken the corn for another 5 minutes. After 5 minutes, use a spatula to move the corn around to see if it has started to blacken.

    If the corn is black on the side that was touching the skillet, then you can mix the corn around the pan and continue cooking for a few more minutes. If it's not black enough yet, then don't mix the corn around. Continue cooking the corn until it's charred to your liking.

    Frozen corn added to a cast iron skillet, starting to blacken.

    Step 4: Turn off the heat and mix the seasoning blend into the corn.

    Cooked corn in a skillet with blackening seasoning mixed in.

    Step 5: Add any additional optional toppings! I like to add feta or cotija cheese, fresh cilantro, and freshly squeezed lime juice.

    An angled view of the cooked corn in a cast iron skillet.

    Variations and substitutions

    Corn: Frozen corn is the best option with this recipe, but I know you'll be making this Blackened Corn recipe in August when fresh, sweet, corn on the cob is abundant! So freshly cut corn kernels, that are cut off of the cob, will also work.

    Cheese: You can top charred corn with feta cheese or cotija cheese. Feta and cotija both taste very similar. I find that cotija cheese is slightly drier and saltier than feta. I prefer cotija, but if you can't find it, feta is the substitute you want to use!

    Seasoning: Blackening blends can vary. Feel free to add cayenne pepper (if you like the heat), chili powder, dried basil, dried thyme, and ground cumin to your seasoning blend. You can also purchase a blackening blend or a cajun seasoning blend.

    Toppings: In addition to the toppings that I list in my recipe card below, you could try adding cooked and crumbled, bacon, diced bell peppers, sour cream or crema, fresh parsley, fresh green onions, fresh chives, or hot sauce.

    What to serve with

    Blackened Corn is the Taco Tuesday creative side dish that you've been searching for! I love to serve this easy side with my Taco Meatloaf Recipe.

    I would also suggest serving blackened skillet corn with shrimp, beef, or chicken tacos, fajitas, green chicken enchiladas, taco soup, taco salad, Spanish rice, refried beans, sweet potato enchiladas, or using it as a nacho topping!

    Storage and reheating

    How to store: Store leftovers in a glass, airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.

    How to reheat: Reheat leftover skillet corn in the microwave or on a skillet on the stovetop over low heat. The corn will reheat in only a few minutes. Add fresh toppings when you're ready to serve it again.

    Recipes you'll also love

    • Baked panko chicken on a plate with greens and lemon wedges.
      Crispy Baked Panko Chicken
    • Overhead image of pretzel chicken drizzled with blue cheese sauce.
      Pretzel Crusted Chicken with Blue Cheese Sauce
    • Cooked chicken thighs in a cast iron skillet, garnished with fresh parsley.
      Easy Dijon Chicken Thighs
    • Salmon pasta without cream in a large blue bowl.
      Salmon Pasta without Cream

    Frequently asked questions

    Do you need to boil corn before charring?

    No, you don't need to boil corn before charring. You can add your pan to a hot skillet, straight from the freezer.

    How do you char corn without a grill?

    You can char corn in a cast iron skillet. You will want a non-enameled cast-iron skillet.

    How to remove corn from the cob?

    To remove fresh corn from the cob, hold your cob up vertically. Use a sharp knife to cut the corn off of the cob, starting at the top and slicing towards the bottom.

    Print

    📖 Recipe

    Blackened Corn

    Blackened corn in a cast iron skillet, topped with cheese, cilantro and fresh lime wedges.
    Print Recipe
    Pin Recipe

    ★★★★★

    5 from 1 review

    This 15-minute side dish is savory, satisfying, and full of flavor! Blackened Corn is made in a cast iron skillet using frozen corn, a homemade seasoning blend, and optional toppings like fresh cilantro and cojita cheese! 

    • Author: Katie
    • Prep Time: 5 minutes
    • Cook Time: 10 minutes
    • Total Time: 15 minutes
    • Yield: 4 servings 1x
    • Category: side dish
    • Method: blackening, pan-frying
    • Cuisine: American
    • Diet: Gluten Free

    Ingredients

    Scale
    • 16 ounces frozen corn
    • ½ tablespoon salted butter
    • ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
    • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
    • ¼ teaspoon dried oregano
    • ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
    • ½ teaspoon kosher salt
    • Optional: Fresh cilantro, feta or cotija cheese, lime juice

    Instructions

    1. In a small bowl, mix the smoked paprika, garlic powder, dried oregano, black pepper, and kosher salt together.  This is your blackening seasoning blend. 
    2. Melt the butter in a cast iron skillet over low heat.  Pour the frozen corn into the hot skillet.  Spread the corn out into an even layer.  Let the corn cook over medium-low heat for 5 minutes, without moving the corn around the skillet.
    3. Increase the heat to medium, and continue cooking the corn for another 5 minutes.  After 5 minutes, use a spatula to see if the corn has blackened.  If the corn is not yet charred enough for your liking, continue cooking the corn for a few more minutes.  Even though this is called blackened corn, the corn will be toasty and golden brown, not completely black and burnt.  Keep an eye on your corn so that you don't let it burn.  
    4. Once the corn is blackened, turn off the heat.  Mix in the blackening seasoning blend. 
    5. Add any additional toppings!  I like to add feta or cotija cheese, fresh cilantro, and freshly squeezed lime juice.

    Notes

    • Corn: Frozen corn is the best option with this recipe, but I know you'll be making this Blackened Corn recipe in August when fresh, sweet, corn on the cob is abundant! Freshly cut corn kernels, that are cut off of the cob, will also work.
    • Cheese: Feta and cotija both taste very similar. I find that cotija cheese is slightly drier and saltier than feta. I prefer cotija, but if you can't find it, feta is the substitute you want to use!
    • Seasoning: Blackening blends can vary. Feel free to add cayenne pepper (if you like the heat), chili powder, dried basil, dried thyme, and ground cumin to your seasoning blend.
    • Toppings: In addition to the toppings that I list in my recipe, you could try adding cooked and crumbled, bacon, diced bell peppers, sour cream or crema, fresh parsley, or hot sauce.

    Nutrition

    • Serving Size: ½ cup
    • Calories: 113
    • Sugar: 7.1 g
    • Sodium: 172.7 mg
    • Fat: 3 g
    • Carbohydrates: 21.8 g
    • Fiber: 2.5 g
    • Protein: 3.8 g
    • Cholesterol: 3.8 mg

    Keywords: blackened corn

    Did you make this recipe?

    Share a photo and tag @sugar_and_snap_peas on Instagram - I can't wait to see what you've made!

    Hungry for more?

    Follow me on Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest!

    Check out my highlights on Instagram for weekly family dinner ideas!

    Did you make this recipe? Tell me all about it in the comments below! I love hearing from my followers and answering any of your questions!

    More recipes

    • Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken Thighs on a sheet pan with a fork and knife in the bottom right corner and a small bowl of BBQ sauce in the top right corner.
      Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken Thighs
    • Sun dried tomato pesto chicken on a round plate.
      Sun Dried Tomato Pesto Chicken
    • Cast Iron Skillet Pork Tenderloin on a round plate with roasted potatoes and carrots. Garnished with fresh thyme.
      Cast Iron Pork Tenderloin
    • Red bowl with handles filled with baked macaroni and cheese.
      Dutch Oven Mac and Cheese

    Subscribe

    for your weekly recipe fix.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Katie

      July 09, 2023 at 9:15 pm

      ★★★★★

      Reply

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe rating ★ 5 Stars ☆ ★ 4 Stars ☆ ★ 3 Stars ☆ ★ 2 Stars ☆ ★ 1 Star ☆

    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    Primary Sidebar

    Katie in front of a tree

    I’m Katie, the food blogger, recipe creator, and food photographer at Sugar & Snap Peas. I specialize in easy, budget-friendly, family recipes. My goal is to help you take the stress out of cooking and provide you with simple, creative recipes.

    More about me →

    Fall Recipes

    • Dutch Oven Pulled Pork recipe topped with coleslaw and BBQ sauce, on a bun.
      Dutch Oven Pulled Pork Recipe
    • Sweet potato and black bean chili.
      Dutch Oven Chili
    • Red bowl with handles filled with baked macaroni and cheese.
      Dutch Oven Mac and Cheese
    • Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken Thighs on a sheet pan with a fork and knife in the bottom right corner and a small bowl of BBQ sauce in the top right corner.
      Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken Thighs
    • Slumgullion in a bowl, with a spoon, on a yellow napkin, garnished with fresh parsley.
      Slow Cooker Slumgullion (Goulash)
    • Three seared salmon filets over a bowl of Penne al Salmone pasta, garnished with fresh basil leaves.
      Penne al Salmone
    • Teriyaki turkey and rice in a bowl.
      Teriyaki Turkey Rice Bowl
    • Cheeseburger meatloaf cut into 8 slices, on the baking sheet lined with parchment, a small bowl of ketchup is in the top left corner, a small bowl of mustard is in the bottom right corner and diced pickles are also in the corner.
      Cheeseburger Meatloaf with Pickles

    Popular dinner recipes

    • Baked panko chicken on a plate with greens and lemon wedges.
      Crispy Baked Panko Chicken
    • Honey butter garlic chicken in a blue bowl, served over white rice.
      Honey Butter Garlic Chicken
    • Dutch Oven Pulled Chicken in a blue bowl with a fork.
      Dutch Oven Pulled Chicken
    • Up close image of cooked Cheeseburger Sliders with Hawaiian rolls.
      Cheeseburger Sliders with Hawaiian Rolls
    • Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken Thighs on a sheet pan with a fork and knife in the bottom right corner and a small bowl of BBQ sauce in the top right corner.
      Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken Thighs
    • Cooked chicken thighs in a cast iron skillet, garnished with fresh parsley.
      Easy Dijon Chicken Thighs
    • Buffalo Chicken Thighs on a parchment paper, with a fork and knife in the bottom right corner and a bowl of blue cheese dressing in the top left corner.
      Baked Buffalo Chicken Thighs
    • Final image of the cheeseburger pasta skillet recipe, in a red cast iron pot with handles, a wooden spoon and garnished with fresh parsley.
      One Pot Cheeseburger Pasta Skillet Recipe

    Trending Recipes

    • How to make Pinwheel Sandwiches
    • Salmon pasta without cream in a large blue bowl.
      Salmon Pasta without Cream
    • Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken Thighs on a sheet pan with a fork and knife in the bottom right corner and a small bowl of BBQ sauce in the top right corner.
      Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken Thighs
    • Teriyaki turkey and rice in a bowl.
      Teriyaki Turkey Rice Bowl

    Search my Site

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms of use
    • DMCA
    • CCPA

    Newsletter

    • Newsletter signup coming soon!

    Contact

    • Contact
    • About me

    As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Copyright © 2023 Sugar & Snap Peas