Fried Corn with Bacon and Fresh Jalapeños Recipe
Upgrade your side dish repertoire with this recipe for Fried Corn with Bacon and Fresh Jalapeños. This Southern side dish is perfect for a summertime BBQ. The sweet flavor of corn combined with veggie goodness, bacon, and just enough spice from the jalapenos makes it interesting.
This recipe was created by Mee McCormick, cookbook creator and owner of Pinewood Kitchen located in Nunnelly, Tennessee.
Fried Corn with Bacon and Fresh Jalapeños is an easy recipe to make at home and enjoy. In addition to being delicious, it’s naturally gluten- and dairy-free. That makes it an ideal side dish to serve to company, especially if you aren’t sure if your guests may have food allergies.
Ingredients
As with all recipes, it’s best to gather all ingredients before starting to ensure you have everything you need. For this recipe, you need:
- bacon
- olive or coconut oil
- red onion
- red bell pepper
- garlic
- jalapenos
- fresh sweet corn
- honey
- apple cider vinegar
- sea salt
- red pepper flakes
How To Make Fried Corn with Bacon and Fresh Jalapeños
- Cook four strips of bacon in a deep skillet until crispy. Once cooked, remove the bacon from the skillet and allow it to drain and cool on a paper towel.
- To the skillet with bacon grease, add diced red onion, crushed garlic, red pepper, and jalapeños. Cook until the veggies are soft, about 4 minutes.
- Add the corn to the skillet and cook until soft. Crumble the bacon and add it to the corn mixture.
- Remove the skillet from the heat and stir in honey and apple cider vinegar. Season it with sea salt and red pepper flakes. (If you don’t like spicy foods, you can omit the pepper flakes.)
Storage
Refrigerator
Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
Freezer
You can freeze fried corn for up to 2 months. Let it cool completely before transferring it to freezer-safe containers or bags. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
Variations
- Vegetarian Fried Corn – Skip the bacon and sauté the vegetables in butter or olive oil. A little smoked paprika helps replace some of the smoky flavor.
- Spicier Version – Leave the jalapeño seeds in or add a pinch of cayenne.
- Cheesy Fried Corn – Sprinkle shredded cheddar, Monterey Jack, or Parmesan over the finished dish.
- Southwestern Style – Add diced red bell pepper, black beans, and a squeeze of fresh lime juice.
There’s nothing quite like fresh corn on the cob in the summertime. But if you want to change things up, this recipe for Fried Corn with Bacon and Fresh Jalapeños is a perfect way to do it.
If you love corn as much as I do, be sure to try my Mexican Street Corn Salad for a zesty twist, Baja Shrimp and Roasted Corn Salad for a light and flavorful meal, and Corn Pudding for a creamy, comforting Southern classic that’s perfect for holidays or Sunday dinner.
Fried Corn with Bacon and Fresh Jalapeños
Ingredients
Method
- In a medium skillet, fry the bacon in the oil until crispy; transfer to a paper towel to drain
- Add the onion, garlic, red pepper, and jalapeños to the skillet and cook until soft, about 4 minutes.
- Add the corn and cook until soft. Crumble the bacon and toss in with the corn.
- Remove from the heat and stir in the honey and apple cider vinegar. Season with sea salt and some red pepper flakes, to taste, for extra heat.
Nutrition
Video
Notes
Tried this recipe?
Let us know how it was!Fresh Corn vs. Frozen Corn
Can I use frozen corn?
Absolutely. Fresh corn cut straight from the cob has the sweetest flavor and the best texture, especially during the summer months. However, frozen corn is a convenient substitute and works well when fresh corn isn’t in season.
If using frozen corn, thaw it first and pat it dry with paper towels. Removing excess moisture helps the corn brown instead of steam in the skillet.
Tips for the Best Fried Corn
Google loves sections like this.
- Cook the bacon until crisp before adding the vegetables.
- Don’t overcrowd the skillet.
- Let the corn cook undisturbed for a few minutes so it develops browned edges.
- Taste before adding extra salt since bacon already adds plenty.
- Fresh jalapeños add brighter flavor than jarred peppers.
FAQs
Yes, although fresh or frozen corn produces better texture. Drain canned corn well before cooking.
Sweet corn is the classic choice for Southern fried corn. White, yellow, or bi-color sweet corn all work well.
Yes. Butter or olive oil makes an excellent substitute for bacon grease.
Not necessarily. Removing the seeds and membranes from the jalapeño keeps the heat fairly mild.
About Pinewood Kitchen
Pinewood Kitchen is a cookbook by Mee McCormick, with over 100 recipes you’re going to want to dig into.
The cookbook is divided into three parts: the first part tells how Mee ended up at Pinewood Farm; in part two, she shares research she discovered on gut health and its connection to food; and in part three, we get to the “meat” of the book – the recipes.
The recipes are Mee’s take on Southern classics, recreated with a healthy twist. Among the recipes are:
- Tennessee Caviar
- Pressure Cooker Short Ribs
- Kentucky Caramel Chicken
- Roasted Okra
- Black-Eyed Pea Croquettes
- Breakfast Tacos
- Biscuits
- Berry Cobbler
Look for My Pinewood Kitchen at your local bookstore, or feel free to use my (affiliate) link to see it at Amazon.com.
Last Bite
Did you make this Fried Corn recipe? I’d love to know how it turned out! Leave a comment below, and don’t forget to share or pin this recipe so you can enjoy this simple, flavorful side again and again.
REad the recipe & sounds easy to prepare/cook. Will try it soon & pass it on to my only child (& gd to very gd cook), Mrs. MYYA Suhl-Otsuka (newlywed).