Skillet Mexican Charred Sweet Corn

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This quick and easy cast iron Skillet Mexican Charred Sweet Corn is a super flavorful Mexican side dish to pair with favorites like carne asada and fish veracruz... We love this side dish with a tajín rubbed chicken breast or pork chop and Mexican green bean salad. Delicioso!

Jump to:

• 👩🏻‍🍳 Tamara Talks - About Charred Food
• 📋 Ingredients You'll Need
• 🔪 Instructions
• 💭 Tips for Charring Food
• 🍷 Pairing Suggestions
• 💬 Comments

👩🏻‍🍳 Tamara Talks - About Charred Food

Ever since working on my Cajun-style shrimp and charred okra, I've been enamored with the complex flavor of cooking food on high heat to the point of charring it. Obviously, you don't want the food to taste burnt, but a bit of char adds delicious, smoky flavor to the food.

Growing up in the house of a poor grad student (my dad), we wasted nothing. If my mom burned a piece of toast, she ate it. YUCK. That is not what I'm suggesting here. You want the caramelized, slightly smoky flavor that comes from cooking in a smoking hot skillet or over a flame! Think blackened catfish and charred Hatch green chiles in salsa verde. Bon Appétit has some great charred food recipes.

Is Charred Food Bad For You?

We practice moderation at Andersen casa, and not many foods/preparation methods are "off limits." The chemical reaction when food is charred can be carcinogenic, and what is unclear, is how much charred food poses substantial risk.

Obviously, you don't want to eat charred food every day. Nor do you want to eat food covered in char - that just tastes burnt. The little bits of dark brown/black you'll achieve with this charred corn recipe should be fine.

For more information, see Is charred food bad for you?

📋 Ingredients You'll Need

Here is a quick look at the ingredients in the recipe – it’s handy to use at the grocery store or as a summary of what you need. Skip to the recipe for quantities.

• corn kernels
• sweet bell pepper
• jalapeño
• red or sweet onion (optional)
• garlic
• cumin
• cotija
• cilantro
• lime wedges (optional)

🔪 Instructions

💭 Tips for Charring Food

What kind of oil should I use? You want a VERY HOT pan to char your corn. That means olive oil is not a good choice because its smoke point is too low. I use either refined coconut oil or vegetable (canola) oil. You'll want to use only a tiny amount. You're not frying the corn (or other food), and you do want it to stick the pan.

Do I have to use a cast iron skillet? No. However, I find that charring/blackening food happens more efficiently in a cast iron skillet. The cast iron handles the intense heat very well. You may use a heavy-bottomed skillet/saute pan. A thin, lightweight pan may burn rather than char the food.

Can I use a non-stick pan? A non-stick pan is not recommended. The food needs to adhere to the pan to create the caramelized edges.

🍷 Pairing Suggestions

We enjoy Skillet Mexican Charred Sweet Corn with a grilled Mexican spice-rubbed pork chop or tajín rubbed chicken breast (recipe coming soon). Add a Mexican green bean salad for a healthy dinner with a south-of-the-border vibe! This easy Mexican side dish pairs well with even the simplest grilled meat/fish. It's gluten free, vegetarian, and delicious!

As summer days shorten, you're likely to find fresh sweet corn available in your local markets. It's definitely worth the extra effort to cut it off the cob. If not, or if you don't want to mess with it, substitute frozen (rather than canned) corn.