Tasty Corn Dishes to Make for Thanksgiving

Buttery Southern Fried Corn — The Spruce

For some of us, Thanksgiving is all about the side dishes. Make this one a holiday dinner to remember with corn recipes that can be made from frozen or canned kernels. You'll love these easy and delicious ideas for sides that pair perfectly with your Thanksgiving turkey, baked ham, pork loin, or roast chicken dinner.

How to Cut Fresh Corn From Cobs

01 of 16

Buttermilk Cornbread With Cream-Style Corn

The Spruce

Canned cream-style corn makes this skillet buttermilk cornbread extra moist and tasty. Perfectly fluffy and slightly sweet, it's a classic side dish everyone can agree on at holiday time. Make it in 30 minutes for serving alongside pork tenderloin, roast chicken, or baked ham.
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Corn Soufflé

Kristina Vanni

Corn soufflé is a deliciously elegant way to celebrate your love of corn. Don't be intimidated by this dish, which goes great with holiday turkey, and is incredibly easy to assemble and bake. Everyone in the family will love its light texture, delicate taste, and chewy bites of corn, with a little Southern hot sauce just for fun.
03 of 16

Classic Baked Corn Pudding

The Spruce Eats

Start with a simple white sauce to make this sweet and fluffy corn pudding. With a short ingredient list that includes canned cream-style corn, it's the ultimate in nostalgic comfort food. Mix it up in a flash and bake it in under an hour for a classic side dish to accompany your holiday turkey or ham.
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Baked Succotash Casserole

Philip Dowell/Getty Images

Transform humble succotash ingredients into a creamy baked casserole worthy of your Thanksgiving table. With canned whole kernel corn, lima beans, green onion, pimiento, and shredded cheese mingling in a creamy sauce, baked under a buttery cracker crust, it makes a tasty Southern-style side dish for all your holiday mains.

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Skillet Corn With Peppers and Onions

Diana Rattray

When you're rushing to get a full Thanksgiving dinner and sides onto the table, you'll be thankful for this quick and easy skillet corn medley. Simply toss thawed frozen corn kernels into a pan with some chopped onion, diced red and green bell peppers, and simple seasonings for an easy, colorful holiday side dish.
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Instant Pot Corn Chowder

The Spruce/Diana Rattray

Free up space on the stovetop by using your Instant Pot to make this creamy corn chowder with potatoes and bacon. It's a delicious starter for your holiday dinner that uses inexpensive ingredients, requires minimal prep work, and perfectly sets the stage for a comforting home-cooked meal. To freeze leftovers up to two months, allow soup to cool completely before adding to freezer-safe containers.
07 of 16

Crockpot Scalloped Corn Casserole

Diana Rattray

When your oven is working overtime to produce a Thanksgiving feast, your slow cooker can be an essential space-saver. Use it to prepare this popular scalloped corn casserole, which makes a nice side dish for your holiday turkey, pot roast, or baked ham. You can either cook it in a casserole dish that fits right inside your crockpot, or serve the scalloped corn directly from the appliance.
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Slow Cooker Cream Cheese Corn

Diana Rattray

If you've only tasted creamed corn from a can, this homemade cream cheese corn will blow your mind. You'll be amazed by how the slow cooker transforms frozen corn, butter, cream, sugar, and salt, into absolute side dish perfection. If the corn finishes cooking a bit ahead of dinnertime, keep it warm in the appliance until serving, so it doesn't set or harden.

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09 of 16

Shoepeg Corn and Green Bean Casserole

Diana Rattray

Shoepeg corn adds its signature sweetness to a classic holiday green bean casserole. It's a perfect dish for your Thanksgiving table, and uses inexpensive ingredients including canned condensed soup to produce a comforting dish. The buttery Ritz cracker crust adds welcome texture, and makes this casserole feel special.
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Buttery Southern Fried Corn

The Spruce

Use thawed frozen kernels to make old-fashioned Southern-fried corn. It's a welcome addition to meals at any time of year, but especially at holiday time. Sweet corn kernels take on great smoky flavor from a quick toss in a hot pan, with only a bit of butter and salt needed for taste. Use a cast iron skillet if you have one and don't be afraid to char the kernels a bit, for extra texture and charred flavor.
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Baked Corn Casserole

The Spruce / Diana Chistruga

With fewer than 10 ingredients, including thawed frozen or canned corn, and a bake time of 30 minutes, it's no wonder that corn casserole has become a Thanksgiving favorite. This one is fully-loaded with sweet corn flavor, has an indulgent custardy consistency, and is versatile for tweaking with bacon crumbles, cheddar cheese, or fresh herbs. Bake it up to two days ahead of eating, storing covered in the fridge for easy reheating.
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Rice Pilaf With Corn and Peas

Michael Powell/Getty Images

Use canned or thawed frozen veggies to make this simply perfect pilaf rice. With a quick stovetop preparation, and only fie ingredients (plus salt and pepper), it's one of the easiest dishes you'll make this holiday season, and matches well with any Thanksgiving entree, from roast turkey to glazed ham.

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Skillet Corn With Bacon and Sour Cream

The Spruce / Julia Hartbeck

Bacon, green bell peppers, and sour cream flavor this sweet and savory skillet corn with all of the indulgent creaminess of a baked corn custard. It's an easy corn dish you can prepare in under 30 minutes, for adding to your fall feasts and weekday meals alike. For a meatless version, swap the bacon for sauteed mushrooms, or use a vegetarian "bacon."
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Solterito Corn and Lima Bean Salad

Marian Blazes

Add some Latin flavor to your Thanksgiving dinner with a solterito side salad. The cold vegetable salad bursts with flavor, color, and creaminess from chunks of salty queso fresco cheese, canned corn, lima beans, carrots, tomato, onion, and black or green olives. It's a great make-ahead salad that tastes even better after a day in the fridge.
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Pumpkin Corn Muffins

Diana Rattray

Packed with tons of fall flavor, with a moist and tender texture, these pumpkin corn muffins are a sure crowd-pleaser. They include brown sugar, so they're similar to a sweeter cornbread, but feel free to cut back on the amount if you like a more savory muffin. Either way, they make a tasty, autumnal addition to your Thanksgiving table.
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Tangy Homemade Corn Relish

The Spruce / Diana Rattray

Create a sweet and tangy condiment for roast turkey, pot roast, or pork loin chops using canned corn, a few chopped fresh veggies, vinegar, and simple seasonings. You can also use corn relish as a stand-in for fresh corn in chowder recipes, or pile it on top of hot dogs and sausages.

Easy Thanksgiving Side Dish Recipes