Side dishes don't get any easier than this three-ingredient, 20-minute skillet Corn with Pancetta. The combination of sweet corn and salty pancetta is as perfect for a summer barbecue as it is for a fall feast.
This post was originally published on October 9, 2018, and has been fully updated with additional information, including step-by-step instructions and process photos.
The Best Skillet Corn
Corn with Pancetta is my favorite kind of recipe - one with simple ingredients that yield maximum flavor with minimal effort.
I love serving this with everything from burgers to holiday turkey. This side dish is prepared on the stovetop and comes together in minutes-perfect as a last-minute addition to any meal.
Recipe Highlights
- Three simple ingredients with an incredible trifecta of flavor.
- Quick and easy: This fuss-free side dish comes together in 20 minutes.
- It is equally delicious with freshly picked sweet corn in the summer or frozen corn in the winter.
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Ingredient Notes
- Sweet corn: Both fresh and frozen sweet corn work great in this recipe. Stop at the farm stand, use up leftover corn-on-the-cob, or turn to your freezer. Use what you have readily available, depending on the time of year.
- Pancetta is pork belly that is salt-cured, not smoked. It has a similar flavor to bacon but without the smokiness. It's typically sold diced or in thin slices. I recommend using diced pancetta. Its saltiness balances the sweetness of the corn.
- Heavy cream creates a rich, creamy sauce. Just ½ cup is all you need. I don't recommend substituting milk. The cream thickens slightly as it cooks, which adds a slight indulgence to this dish.
See the recipe card for complete instructions and ingredient amounts.
Abbey's Tips
- Season with salt sparingly, since the pancetta is already very salty.
- This recipe serves a family of four and can easily be scaled for larger groups.
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How to Make Corn with Pancetta
Step 1: In a heavy skillet, cook the pancetta over medium heat until crisp. Transfer it to a paper towel-lined plate, leaving about two teaspoons of rendered fat in the pan.
Step 2: Add the corn to the skillet and cook it for 3-5 minutes. Stir in the cream and simmer for 3-4 minutes until the cream thickens slightly. Add the crispy pancetta back to the pan. Season to taste with a healthy dose of pepper.
Serving ideas
- Serve as a weeknight side dish with turkey meatloaf, sloppy joes, or barbecue beef stew.
- Add this to your Thanksgiving table with other favorite sides like loaded green bean casserole, roasted honeynut squash, mashed potatoes with cream cheese, and cornbread sausage dressing.
Try These Side Dishes Next
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📖 Recipe Card
Corn with Pancetta
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EQUIPMENT
Ingredients
- 4 ounces pancetta (diced)
- 12-16 ounces corn (frozen)
- ½ cup heavy cream
- salt and black pepper (to taste)
Instructions
- In a heavy skillet, cook pancetta over medium heat until crispy. Drain on a paper towel-lined plate, leaving about 2 teaspoons of rendered fat in the pan.4 ounces pancetta
- Add the corn to the pancetta drippings and cook for 3-5 minutes. Add the cream and simmer until the cream is slightly thickened about 3-4 minutes. Stir in the pancetta and season to taste with pepper.12-16 ounces corn, ½ cup heavy cream
Notes
- Add salt sparingly since the pancetta is salty already.
Nutrition
Nutritional information is an estimate and will vary depending on the exact amounts and specific ingredients used.
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