Pan Roasted Frozen Corn (Caramelized!)

Name: Pan Roasted Frozen Corn
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 20 min
Ingredients: 2 pounds frozen corn kernels; ½ onion (diced (yellow, brown, or sweet onion)); 1½ tbsp garlic (minced); 2 tbsp butter; 2 tbsp olive oil; kosher salt (to taste); pepper (to taste)

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This Pan Roasted Frozen Corn is a quick side dish made with whole corn kernels caramelized in a savory mix of onions and garlic. Because it uses frozen corn kernels, it's easy enough for a weeknight and can be made all year long. It's the BEST way to roast corn on the stove top and will be ready to devour in just 20 minutes.

Whole corn kernels roasted on stove top in a black skillet. — Learning how to roast frozen corn is fast, easy, and guaranteed to get the chef compliments!

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🏅 Why this recipe is great
🌽 Ingredients for Pan Roasted Frozen Corn
🔪 How to roast frozen corn
👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 For a crowd
👨🏼‍🍳 Tips & Tricks
🙋 Questions & Answers
📖 More delicious side dishes
👋 Connect with us!
📋 Recipe
💬 Comments

When life gets on the crazy side my meal planning can get a little shoddy. I can't be the only mother that plans the main dish but forgets about the sides, right? Since I know this about myself, I try to keep ingredients around for some of our go-to side dishes, like these Frozen Green Beans Almondine or Perfect Oven Roasted Broccoli.

This Pan Roasted Frozen Corn recipe is one of the sides I turn to a lot! It goes by many names, but whether you call it pan roasted corn, pan fried corn, skillet corn, or caramelized corn, it's a winner every time. Plus it's a delicious alternative to grilling corn when you don't have a grill.

🏅 Why this recipe is great

Flavorful! There is absolutely nothing boring about this corn. It takes on all the caramelized flavors of the onion and garlic.
Fast and easy. Just keep frozen corn kernels on hand and you have a delicious last minute side dish ready in 20 minutes.
Fits every occasion. Roasted corn is easy enough for a weeknight, delicious enough to serve to guests, and simple enough to feed to a crowd.
Better than corn on the cob. Whole corn kernels because are faster to cook on a gas stove and easier to eat than a cob. Plus frozen corn can be made all year long!

🌽 Ingredients for Pan Roasted Frozen Corn

This recipe only calls for 5 ingredients, most of which you probably have on hand already.

Onion: Yellow, brown, or sweet onion.
Garlic: I prefer jarred minced garlic because it's easier and faster than mincing your own.
Butter: Regular salted butter.
Olive oil: Virgin or extra virgin will work, but EVOO will impart a better flavor.
Whole corn kernels: Frozen corn kernels (yellow, white or sweet corn). White kernels are usually a bit more tender while the yellow have a slightly more corny flavor. I'd say yellow kernels are easiest to find in grocery stores.

🔪 How to roast frozen corn

Roasting frozen corn on the stove is as easy as three steps! For the best results, read my tips below each step.

Sauté aromatics: Heat a 12-inch cast iron skillet (affiliate)(or non-stick) over medium-high heat. Add the butter and oil, then sauté the onions and garlic until they are fragrant and translucent, 2-3 minutes.

I prefer using a cast iron skillet (affiliate) because it holds heat better, resulting in more caramelized corn kernels.
Make sure the skillet is 12 inches in order to not overcrowd the pan.

Onions and garlic sautéd in cast iron skillet with wooden spatula. — Start by sautéing the onion and garlic to add tons of flavor!

Add frozen corn: Get the pan super hot before adding the corn. Then add the frozen corn kernels and roast, stirring occasionally.

If the pan isn't hot enough, the corn will steam instead of caramelizing. So don't be afraid to get it screaming hot!
Only stir the corn occasionally. If you stir too often it won't have the chance to caramelize.

Roasting frozen corn kernels in cast iron skillet with wooden spatula. — Next add the frozen corn kernels to the very hot skillet.

Finish: You can tell the roasted corn is done when the kernels are soft and speckled dark brown spots throughout.

Pan fried corn in cast iron skillet with wooden spatula. — Roast the corn until the kernels begin to caramelize and are speckled with dark brown spots.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 For a crowd

This corn is definitely an option for a crowd, but when doubling the recipe it is best to use two separate skillets to avoid overcrowding the pan. Or use one skillet and make the recipe through twice. If you choose to use one skillet, hold the first finished batch in a covered heatproof serving dish while making the second batch.

👨🏼‍🍳 Tips & Tricks

Use a cast iron skillet (affiliate) to produce the most color on the corn.
After sautéing the onions and garlic, make sure the pan is really hot before adding the corn. This will ensure that the kernels roast and don't steam.
Do not overcrowd the pan (use a 12-inch skillet). If the pan is too crowded the corn won't be able to caramelize.
Stir the corn occasionally, but allow plenty of time without stirring to help the dark brown spots to develop.

Spoon scooping caramelized pan roasted corn out of pan. — You can tell the roasted corn is done when the kernels are soft and speckled with dark brown spots. If the pan isn't hot enough, the kernels won't caramelize.

🙋 Questions & Answers

Do I have to use a cast iron skillet?

No. Cast iron skillets are most likely going to get you the best results, but you are welcome to use whatever skillet you have on hand. Just make sure that your skillet is large and gets hot enough to ensure the beautiful caramelizing that makes this corn so flavorful.

If you are in the market for a cast iron skillet look at garage sales or thrift stores for a classic model. If you are looking for new then a great option in the middle of the price range is a Lodge cast iron skillet (affiliate).

Can I half the recipe?

Yes! If you want to cut the recipe in half feel free to use a smaller skillet. Again, as long as the corn is not too crowded then it will brown up nicely.

What's the best seasoning for skillet fried corn?

I prefer to keep the seasoning simple. Most of the flavor in this recipe comes from caramelizing the onions and whole corn kernels. I also add a bit of garlic for an extra level of flavor.

What goes well with roasted corn?

Pan Roasted Frozen Corn goes well with chicken, steak, or meat and potatoes type meals. It's delicious alongside this Fall Apart Pot Roast, or you can serve it with grilled chicken, like this Grilled Honey Mustard Chicken or this Best Ever Grilled Chicken. It also pairs naturally with Sunday Dinners or would add a flavorful twist to your Thanksgiving Dinner.

Pan Roasted Frozen Corn with onions and garlic in cast iron skillet. — We use whole corn kernels because they are faster to cook on a gas stove and easier to eat than a cob. Plus frozen corn can be made all year long!

📖 More delicious side dishes

Red Skinned Mashed Potatoes are creamy, fluffy, and buttery every time! The perfect comfort food.
These Baked Beans Using Canned Beans is a shortcut method to get thick, bubbly, "from scratch" beans for every BBQ!
Brown Butter Rice is packed with flavor and super easy to make in the Instant Pot!

👋 Connect with us!

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