Perfectly Charred Skillet Blackened Corn Recipe

Sizzling summer nights call for a bold blackened corn recipe that brings serious flavor to your plate.

This skillet blackened corn bursts with smoky, charred goodness that dances across your taste buds.

Layers of spice and intense heat create a mouthwatering side dish packed with authentic southwestern flair.

Each kernel caramelizes perfectly in the hot cast-iron skillet, developing a deep, rich color and irresistible crunch.

Simple ingredients combine to deliver maximum impact, turning ordinary corn into an extraordinary culinary experience.

The robust seasonings infuse every bite with a zesty punch that complements grilled meats or stands beautifully on its own.

Fire up your skillet and get ready to transform an everyday vegetable into a show-stopping sensation that will have everyone asking for seconds.

Best Ways to Serve Blackened Corn

• Festive Fiesta Side Kick: Pair this zesty blackened corn with tacos, enchiladas, or grilled fajitas for a vibrant Mexican-inspired meal that brings excitement to your dinner table.
• Salad Star Power: Toss the warm blackened corn into fresh green salads, adding a smoky crunch that transforms an ordinary salad into a flavor-packed dish bursting with texture and depth.
• Creamy Companion Combo: Mix the blackened corn into creamy dishes like mashed potatoes, risotto, or mac and cheese to introduce a bold, smoky dimension that elevates comfort foods with its incredible char-grilled essence.
• Protein Perfect Partner: Serve alongside grilled chicken, steak, or fish as a mouthwatering side that complements proteins with its rich, caramelized flavor and addictive spice blend.

Storing Blackened Corn Leftovers

• Quick Refrigeration Strategy: Store leftover corn in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking, keeping it fresh for 3-4 days in the refrigerator.
• Freezing Performance: Transfer cooled corn to freezer-safe bags, removing excess air, and store up to 3 months for future quick meal additions.
• Reheating Magic: Warm refrigerated corn in a skillet over medium heat, adding a splash of olive oil to restore original crispy texture and prevent drying out.
• Smart Serving Suggestion: Consider portioning corn into small containers for easy lunch prep or as a quick side dish throughout the week, maximizing convenience and reducing food waste.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time: 6-7 minutes

Total Time: 11-12 minutes

Calories: 126 kcal

Servings: 5

Ingredients for Skillet Blackened Corn

• Corn: Sweet, juicy kernels that create the heart of this dish, choose fresh or frozen for best flavor.
• Olive Oil, Butter: Luxurious fat combination that helps caramelize corn and adds rich, golden depth.

• Salt, Black Pepper: Essential flavor enhancers that awaken the corn's natural sweetness.
• Smoked Paprika: Delivers smoky, deep undertones that mimic charred grilling sensation.
• Onion Powder, Garlic Powder: Aromatic powders that infuse savory complexity and rounded warmth.

Tools You’ll Need for Blackened Corn

• Cast iron skillet: Heavy-duty pan perfect for achieving that delicious blackened crust.
• Small bowl: Needed for mixing your custom spice blend.
• Paper towel: Essential for drying corn kernels to ensure crispy results.
• Wooden spoon or spatula: Great for stirring and pressing corn evenly in the skillet.
• Measuring spoons: Helps accurately portion out your spices for consistent flavor.

How to Sear Skillet Corn Perfectly

Sizzling Flavor Explosion

• Spice Symphony Mixing the perfect blend of seasonings that will make your taste buds dance with excitement.
• Corn Preparation Getting those kernels ready for their flavor transformation by ensuring they're completely dry.
• Skillet Magic Creating the perfect cooking environment with a hot cast iron skillet and a touch of rich butter and olive oil.
• Seasoning Adventure Coating each kernel with a passionate sprinkle of smoky and aromatic spices that will bring incredible depth to the corn.
• Golden Transformation Allowing the corn to develop a beautiful golden crust by letting it sear without constant stirring.
• Final Sizzle Continuing the cooking process to create those irresistible dark, crispy edges that promise intense flavor.
• Serving Celebration Bringing the skillet directly to the table for an immediate and mouthwatering experience that will have everyone asking for seconds.

Spice Tips & Add-On Ideas

• Flavor Boosters: Add diced jalapeños or red pepper flakes for a spicy kick that'll wake up your taste buds.
• Herb Transformation: Sprinkle fresh chopped cilantro or chives right before serving to bring a bright, fresh element to the dish.
• Cheese Lover's Twist: Crumble cotija or sprinkle parmesan cheese over the hot corn for an extra savory dimension that melts beautifully.
• Make-Ahead Magic: You can prepare the seasoning blend up to a week in advance and store it in an airtight container, making weeknight cooking a breeze.

Sizzling Skillet Blackened Corn Recipe

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4.5 from 14 reviews

• Total Time: 11-12 minutes
• Yield: 5 1x

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Description

Homemade blackened corn skillet brings Mexican street-style flavors to your table. Spicy, charred kernels create a delicious side dish perfect for summer gatherings and backyard barbecues.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 2 cups (480 ml) corn
• 1 tbsp (15 ml) olive oil
• 1 tbsp (14 g) butter
• ¼ tsp (1.25 g) salt
• ¼ tsp (0.5 g) black pepper
• ½ tsp (1.5 g) smoked paprika
• ½ tsp (1.5 g) onion powder
• ½ tsp (1.5 g) garlic powder

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Instructions

1. Spice Preparation: Craft a vibrant seasoning blend by whisking together aromatic spices in a small mixing bowl.
2. Corn Preparation: Thoroughly blot corn kernels with paper towels, eliminating excess moisture to ensure optimal caramelization.
3. Skillet Heating: Preheat a cast iron skillet with a luxurious marriage of olive oil and butter over medium-high heat, creating a golden cooking foundation.
4. Kernel Transformation: Cascade corn kernels into the sizzling skillet, lavishly coating them with the prepared spice mixture to maximize flavor depth and ensure complete seasoning coverage.
5. Caramelization Technique: Spread kernels across the skillet’s surface with calculated precision, applying firm pressure to create an even, golden-brown exterior that develops rich, toasted notes.
6. Cooking Progression: Allow kernels to roast undisturbed for 5-6 minutes, intermittently stirring to promote uniform browning and prevent burning, developing a complex, nutty flavor profile with crisp, caramelized edges.
7. Serving Finale: Immediately transfer the expertly roasted corn to a serving dish, capturing the pinnacle of its textural brilliance and aromatic intensity.

Notes

• Master Spice Blending: Create a custom seasoning mix that elevates corn’s natural sweetness and adds depth of flavor before cooking.
• Dry Kernels Perfectly: Thoroughly pat corn completely dry to ensure maximum caramelization and prevent steaming instead of browning.
• Choose the Right Pan: Cast iron skillet guarantees the most even heat distribution and creates the ultimate crispy, golden exterior for corn.
• Patience During Searing: Allow corn to sit undisturbed for 2-3 minutes initially, creating irresistible caramelized edges without constant stirring.

• Prep Time: 5 minutes
• Cook Time: 6-7 minutes
• Category: Appetizer, Snacks
• Method: Frying
• Cuisine: Southern American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 5
• Calories: 126
• Sugar: 3g
• Sodium: 172mg
• Fat: 9g
• Saturated Fat: 2g
• Unsaturated Fat: 7g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 13g
• Fiber: 2g
• Protein: 3g
• Cholesterol: 6mg