Corn Seasoning Three Ways: The Fancy Corn Trio
If you have been looking for the best corn seasoning ideas to take your summer corn completely over the top, this recipe is for you. We’ve created a trio of flavors with chili crisp butter with furikake, crème fraîche with bacon and chives, and caesar with parmesan. It’s perfect for your next summer party.
A Note from Teri on Corn Seasoning Three Ways
Sweet summer corn is one of those ingredients that is already so good it almost doesn’t need anything, but at the same time, it’s so much fun to add all different flavors to it. The best part is how easy it is to make. When you have fresh, in season corn, you just need to boil it for a couple of minutes to get it to perfection. You don’t need to overcook it!
There are a million different ways you could season your corn, but we loved the idea of this trio. You can make it a DIY moment by setting out all of the toppings and allowing everyone to build their own corn. It makes it fun and interactive, and it keeps the prep simple for you as the host. If you’re looking for more ideas for your summer party, head to my Substack post about the Fourth of July.
The chili crisp butter corn is slightly spicy, Asian-inspired option with the furikake adding a savory crunch. The crème fraîche corn is perfectly creamy with a bit of bacon and the fresh flavor of chives. The caesar corn is like the best caesar salad you’ve ever had, but on a corn cob. Each one is absolutely divine.
To take this recipe over the top, be sure to opt for Celtic Sea Salt®. The blend of minerals makes a huge difference in flavor, and once you try it, you won’t want to go back to any other salt. I love the Celtic Fine Ground™, but Roy likes the slightly larger Light Grey Celtic®. You can’t go wrong with either!
The Three Corn Seasonings
Corn Seasoning No. 1: Chili Crisp Butter with Furikake
This is the one that packs a punch. Softened butter is mixed with chili crisp and then rolled onto the hot corn so it melts into every crevice. Finish the corn with a sprinkle of furikake, and Celtic Sea Salt®. It is rich, spicy, and so flavorful.
Corn Seasoning No. 2: Crème Fraîche with Bacon and Chives
This corn is a nice creamy contrast to the chili crisp corn. A tablespoon of crème fraîche or sour cream is spread over the corn amd topped with chopped oven-baked bacon and fresh chives. The bacon adds saltiness and crunch, the chives add color and a fresh flavor, and the crème fraîche ties it all together with a little tanginess.
Corn Seasoning No. 3: Caesar with Parmesan
Place a drizzle of good caesar dressing over each corn cob, and finish with chives and plenty of grated parmesan or manchego. The cheese melts slightly onto the warm corn and the caesar dressing soaks in just enough to flavor every bite. It’s absolutely fabulous.
Ingredients and Variations
- Fresh corn ears, shucked – The sweetness of in-season corn is what makes this recipe spectacular. If you would like, cutting the corn cobs in half gives your eaters a chance to try out some different seasonings with smaller servings.
- Celtic Sea Salt® – use your salt in the boiling water, as a finishing sprinkle with each seasoning, and in the butter blend.
- Unsalted butter, room temperature – half a stick, softened so it blends smoothly with the chili crisp. Room temperature is key to make sure it incorporates smoothly.
- Chili crisp – the star of the first preparation and one of my favorite items in my pantry. It transforms the butter into something extraordinary. Add more than the recipe calls for if you love heat.
- Furikake or toasted sesame seeds – furikake is my preferred choice. It is a Japanese seasoning blend of sesame seeds, dried seaweed, salt, and savory seasonings. Toasted sesame seeds are a simpler alternative that still delivers great flavor and texture.
- Crème fraîche or sour cream – crème fraîche is the more luxurious choice but sour cream is a perfectly excellent substitute that most people already have in the fridge.
- Bacon, oven-baked and finely chopped – bake your bacon so you get flat, evenly crispy bacon that’s easy to chop finely. The fine chop means bacon in every bite.
- Fresh chives, finely chopped – use these in your bacon and caesar seasonings. Their bright green color makes both preparations look stunning and their flavor ties everything together.
- Caesar dressing – a good caesar dressing is essential here since it’s providing a ton of the flavor. Use your favorite store-bought or homemade.
- Grated parmesan or manchego – parmesan gives you the classic flavor of a caesar. Manchego is a nuttier, slightly sweeter alternative that is wonderful if you want something a little unexpected.
This trio format is infinitely customizable to whatever you have on hand or whatever sounds good. Other fabulous corn seasoning combinations include everything bagel seasoning, brown butter with fresh herbs and flaky salt, or a classic Mexican-style with cotija, lime, chili powder, and mayo.
Serve your corn flight alongside a protein of your choice. I love it with a flank or skirt steak or a roasted chicken, but feel free to use whatever you have on hand.
How to Make Your Corn Seasoning Trio
Step One: Boil Your Corn
Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Once boiling, add a tablespoon of salt. Add the corn to the boiling pot of water and boil for 4-5 minutes. Remove the corn from the water and set aside.
Option One: Butter and Salt Your Corn
If you are looking for a classic seasoning with butter and salt, I recommend opening a stick of butter and rolling your corn cob in it. It gets butter in every single crevice quickly and easily. Once it’s buttered, you can sprinkle salt all over and it will stick to the buttered corn to create the absolutely perfect bite.
Option Two: Add Your Corn Seasoning Trio
Pat the corn dry and stick corn holders or a skewer into the ends of the corn. Roll 2 of the corn cobs in the chili crisp butter. Season with salt then top with furikake or sesame seeds.
Spread about a tablespoon of creme fraiche or sour cream each on 2 corn cobs. Season with salt then top with bacon and half the chives.
Drizzle the remaining 2 corn cobs with some caesar dressing, about a tablespoon or so for each. Season with salt then sprinkle with remaining chives and parmesan or manchego.
Serve on a platter or on individual plates. Enjoy!
Recipe FAQs
It completely depends on what flavors you love, which is exactly why this trio is so much fun. For something spicy, chili crisp butter with furikake is perfect. For something creamier, crème fraîche with bacon and chives is the move. For something surprising and cheesy, caesar with parmesan is wonderful.
Boiling is the method here and it’s the right choice for a trio. It cooks all the corn consistently in under five minutes. If you prefer grilled corn, you can absolutely grill the corn over medium-high heat for 8 minutes, turning occasionally, until charred and tender.
Furikake is a Japanese seasoning blend typically made from sesame seeds, dried seaweed, salt, and a variety of seasonings that can vary depending on the brand. You can find it at most Asian grocery stores, at Whole Foods, or online. If you can’t find it, toasted sesame seeds are a simpler substitute. The flavor still works beautifully with the chili crisp butter.
Try These Other Summer Recipes!
If you make this Corn Seasoning Trio recipe, be sure to review it below and let me know what you think! If you’re looking for more inspiration, subscribe to my Substack, and follow along on Pinterest, Instagram, and TikTok to join in all the fun!
Corn Seasoning Three Ways: The Fancy Corn Trio
Ingredients
- 6 corn ears shucked (cut them in half if you would like smaller servings)
- 1 tablespoon Celtic Sea Salt® plus additional for sprinkling
- ½ stick unsalted butter room temperature
- 1 tablespoon chili crisp plus more
- 1 tablespoon furikake or toasted sesame seeds
- ¼ cup creme fraiche or sour cream
- 2 strips bacon oven-baked and finely chopped
- ½ cup chives finely chopped and divided
- ½ cup caesar dressing
- ¼ cup grated parmesan or manchego
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Once boiling, add a tablespoon of salt.
- In a dish or on a plate, mix together the softened butter and chili crisp until well-combined. Set aside.
- Add the corn to the boiling pot of water and boil for 4-5 minutes. Remove the corn from the water and set aside.
- Pat the corn dry and stick corn holders or a skewer into the ends of the corn.
- Roll 2 of the corn cobs in the chili crisp butter. Season with salt then top with furikake or sesame seeds.
- Spread about a tablespoon of creme fraiche or sour cream each on 2 corn cobs. Season with salt then top with bacon and half the chives.
- Drizzle the remaining 2 corn cobs with some caesar dressing, about a tablespoon or so for each. Season with salt then sprinkle with remaining chives and parmesan or manchego.
- Serve on a platter or on individual plates. Enjoy!
Notes
- Cut the corn in half if you want to serve in smaller sizes!
- Salt your boiling water generously.
- Pat the corn completely dry before adding your seasoning.
- Make it a DIY bar for a fun party idea!
