Buttery Sautéed Corn Cooked In a Skillet In 15 Minutes

This skillet corn recipe is a versatile side dish that I've literally served with hundreds of dinners. The flavor is so good since the corn is sautéed in a cast iron skillet with a combination of butter, salt, pepper, and a hint of brown sugar. It has the perfect balance of savory and slightly sweet flavors that pair with so many main dishes. My favorite part is it takes just 15 minutes to make!

My Favorite Version of Fried Corn 

When it comes to corn, there’s something about the way it caramelizes in a hot skillet that makes it so much better than cooking it any other way.

I think it's the best anyways, and I make fried corn cooked in a skillet even better by adding butter, bacon fat, and a little salt and pepper. My secret ingredient to enhance the corns natural sweetness is a touch of brown sugar. Trust me, it really ties it all together perfectly balances the natural savoriness of the fried corn.

If you're looking for a corn recipe for Thanksgiving, this sauteed skillet corn is perfect! And if you want to check out some other ones, here is my list of Thanksgiving corn recipes.

Ingredients You’ll Need for Skillet Corn

Here’s what you’ll need to make this easy sauteed corn recipe:

• 4 cups of frozen corn (thawed)
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 1 tablespoon bacon fat
• 1 teaspoon brown sugar
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ⅛ teaspoon black pepper

That’s it! These pantry staples come together to create the perfect skillet corn, delivering all the flavor without needing any complicated ingredients.

How To Cook Corn On The Stovetop

Step 1- Heat Your Skillet:

Start by heating a cast iron skillet or any heavy-bottomed skillet over medium-low heat. The key to this recipe is using a skillet that holds heat well, so a cast iron pan is perfect for even cooking and achieving a nice, caramelized texture on the corn.

Step 2- Melt the Butter and Bacon Fat:

Once the skillet is hot, melt 2 tablespoons of butter along with 1 tablespoon of bacon fat. The bacon fat adds that rich, savory element that really elevates the flavor of the corn.

Stir gently to combine both fats until the mixture is fully melted and starts to bubble slightly.

Step 3- Add the Corn:

Now, add the 4 cups of thawed frozen corn to the skillet. Stir it around to ensure each kernel gets coated in the butter and bacon fat mixture.

You’ll want to cook the corn over medium-low heat for about 10 minutes, stirring frequently so it doesn’t burn. This allows the corn to heat through and start to pick up some color as it begins to fry lightly in the skillet.

Step 4- Season The Fried Corn:

Once the corn is cooked and beginning to caramelize, season it with ½ teaspoon of salt and ⅛ teaspoon of black pepper.

Next, add 1 teaspoon of brown sugar, stirring it in to help bring out the natural sweetness of the corn. Continue cooking for another 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. The sugar will help the corn develop a slight caramelized glaze, adding that irresistible flavor contrast of sweet and savory.

Step 5- Taste and Adjust Seasoning:

After about 15 minutes of total cooking time, taste the corn. If you feel it needs more salt, pepper, or sweetness, feel free to adjust the seasoning. Remember, this is your dish—make it as sweet or savory as you like!

Step 6- Serve Immediately:

Once the corn is cooked to your liking, serve it immediately while it’s still warm. This sauteed corn is best enjoyed right out of the skillet, perfect for any meal.

It’s also great as a topping for tacos, added to a salad, or served as a side with your favorite dishes like chicken and dressing or pork chop casserole.

Pro-Tips for Making Perfect Sauteed Corn

• Use Fresh Corn: While frozen corn works wonderfully, using fresh corn (when in season) will give you a naturally sweeter and more vibrant dish. Just make sure to remove the kernels from the cob before sautéing.
• Adjust the Sweetness: If you prefer a sweeter corn dish, you can add a bit more brown sugar or even a drizzle of honey to taste.
• Make it Spicy: If you love a little heat, try adding a pinch of cayenne pepper or a dash of hot sauce to the corn as it cooks. The heat from the spices will balance out the sweetness perfectly.
• Try Different Fats: If you don’t have bacon fat, you can substitute it with olive oil or even a bit of chicken fat for a different flavor profile.

How To Store and Reheat This Sauteed Corn

If you have any corn leftover, you can transfer it to an airtight container once it cools and store it in the fridge for up to five days.

To reheat it, I like to warm it back up in a skillet on the stovetop over low heat for about 5 minutes. I'll even add some more butter to the hot skillet and fry it up some more!

Why You Should Try This Stovetop Corn Recipe

This recipe for sauteed corn (or fried corn) is one of the easiest ways to cook frozen corn or fresh corn on the stovetop. It’s so simple and quick, requiring only 15 minutes of cooking time, and it delivers tons of flavor.

Whether you're looking for a side dish to serve with dinner or need something to add to a recipe, this skillet corn will hit the spot. So give it a try and let me know what you think in the comments below!

More Corn Recipes To Try

If you liked this, you'll love my other corn recipes! Check them out:

• Cream cheese corn
• Corn souffle
• Jiffy corn casserole
• Corn dip
• Cornbread pudding
• Corn Ribs