Have you wondered how to cook canned corn and make it way better?

Cooking canned corn can be super simple, or you can spice it up with a specific recipe. Corn straight out of the can is pretty darn good. If you add a pat of butter to it and heat it, you got something pretty tasty.

Since canned corn is already cooked, you don’t need to heat it up for very long to make it edible. Corn in a can has already been removed from the cob, cooked, and seasoned with salt and sugar in the usual canning process.

Mexican Street Corn is served on the cob, and its stripped-down counterpart eloté is served in a cup. Here’s our recipe for tangy, limey, rich and cheesy Street Corn.

However, you can then start adding ingredients to that can of corn and suddenly have something quite special. We even use it to make our Chipotle Salsa copycat recipe.

It’s usually pretty easy to find cans of corn in your grocery store, too. Need more ideas for how to make a great corn side dish? We have a few suggestions for you.

Jiffy Corn Pudding is one of our favorite corn side dishes that use canned corn.

And we can’t get enough of our super popular recipe Jalapeño Cheddar Cornbread in a Skillet!!

Table of Contents

Step by Step Instructions

Stir Fry Stove Method

How to cook canned corn - stir fry stove method

Ingredients

canned corn
1 t. butter
salt & pepper

Instructions

Open your canned corn and drain half of its water using the strainer.
Now pour the remaining water and corn into your pan.
Turn the heat up to medium.
In a slow circular blending motion, stir the corn along with the water so as to keep the heating equal in the whole mix.
Once the water starts to boil around 2 minutes, lower down the heat a bit and continue for another stirring for another minute.
Remove the pan and pour the whole mix using into your strainer to drain the water.
Place a teaspoon of butter into the pan.
After the butter is melted, pour back the boiled corn into the pan.
Season with a pinch of salt and pepper or as desired.

Notes

PRO TIPS: For a spicy-sweet combination, you may squeeze in a small amount of cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes to your sweet corn.
If you want to enhance the smell while adding a “kick” to the naturally sweet corn taste, try adding a pinch of cinnamon powder mix.

Roast Bake Oven Method

How to cook canned corn – roast bake oven method

Ingredients

canned corn

Instructions

Pre-heat your oven at a temperature just below the broiler.
Pour the contents of your canned corn into your strainer to drain all the water.
Arrange the corn kernels into the baking sheet. Make only one layer of corn by making sure that no corn overlaps another.
Place the baking sheet into the oven and roast your corn for 2 minutes. A safer alternative is to bake it for 5 minutes using slower heat.
If corn kernels do not yet turn golden brown in color, let it roast inside using the trapped heat for another minute, otherwise, it should now be ready to be taken out to cool.
You may sprinkle a little salt to enhance the corn’s natural flavor.

Notes

PRO TIPS: To add a smokier grilled flavor, consider spicing up your corn with chipotle powder or smoked paprika.

Microwave Method

How to cook canned corn – microwave method

Ingredients

canned corn
1 t. butter
salt & pepper

Instructions

Open your canned corn and drain the excess water using the strainer.
Place the corn into the microwave-safe container.
Season the corn with a little salt and pepper to enhance the taste.
Add a tablespoon of butter for every can of corn you wanted to cook. This will help your corn retain a glossy finish.
Place the container inside the microwave.
Set the microwave to high let it cook the corn for 1-2 minutes.
Get the container out of the microwave and stir the whole mix.
Place the container along with the mixture once again inside the microwave.
Set the microwave to high let it cook the corn for another 2 minutes.
Get your container and mix before serving.

Notes

PRO TIPS: If you are unsure on the amount of salt or pepper to add, go low. That way, you can taste the mix after the fix 2 minutes of cooking, and if you are unsatisfied, add another small amount of taste enhancers to the mix before cooking for the last time.

Is corn in a can already cooked?

Yes, the corn in the can is already cooked. You can eat canned corn directly from the can, but it generally tastes better if you heat it up in the microwave or in a pan on the stove.

Cans of corn often contain lots of salt (sodium) and sugar that have been added, too. You can buy low-salt canned corn if you are on a low-sodium diet.