Summer Sweet Corn with Lemon & Thyme

This very simple dish yields extraordinary results. Fresh corn with butter, lemon, and thyme is truly a flavor gift and the pinnacle of summer’s treasure. This dish was always the best when made with my late father’s famous super sweet hybrid corn.

This fresh sweet corn dish holds a special place in my heart, connecting deeply to my roots. My father, an Ohio State Buckeye through and through, was a plant-seed scientist who dedicated his life to breeding heritage corn alongside soybeans and alfalfa. He was passionate about doing things the right way, and I had the privilege of working alongside him in his research nurseries during my childhood. Those experiences instilled in me a profound appreciation for quality and tradition.

Robin Ward

Summer Corn with Lemon & Thyme

This simple yet extraordinary dish features fresh summer corn sautéed in butter with thyme and lemon zest. Quick to prepare and bursting with flavor, it’s perfect as a side or standalone vegetable. Sweet corn and butter are a match made in heaven!

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Course: #sidedish

Cuisine: American

Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients

  

• 4 ears sweet corn, very fresh
• 2 Tbsp butter, unsalted
• 2 tsp fresh thyme, minced (Alternatively, if available, use 2 teaspoons of minced lemon thyme and omit lemon zest.)
• ¼-½ tsp lemon zest For a hint of lemon, use ¼ teaspoon lemon zest; for a more pronounced lemon flavor, use ½ teaspoon.
• ½ tsp salt
• freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Method

 

1. Preheat the oven to 350℉. Place the whole, unshucked ears of corn in the oven and roast for 15-20 minutes. Remove and shuck the ears. Using a knife, cut the kernels from the cobs, being careful not to cut into the core. Place the kernels in a pan with butter and warm through. Add lemon zest (or lemon thyme if using) and salt. Garnish with a few fresh thyme sprigs.

Notes

If necessary, you can substitute olive oil for butter. However, trust me, sweet corn and butter are a perfect match.

If you enjoyed this recipe and would love to see more, join me on YouTube and Instagram! Subscribe to this blog, so you don’t miss out! Please comment, like, and share. It really helps! I would love to hear from you!