Corn Rice Recipe

Easy Corn Rice Recipe: A Simple Side Dish to Love

Corn rice brings vibrant colors and delightful textures to your dinner table, reinventing ordinary grains into something extraordinary.

This versatile dish combines sweet kernels with fluffy rice, creating a harmonious blend of comfort and excitement.

Kernels bursting with natural sweetness elevate the traditional side dish into a memorable culinary experience.

Colorful and nutritious, corn rice offers a perfect balance of wholesome ingredients that appeal to both adults and children.

Home cooks appreciate its simplicity and quick preparation, making it an ideal choice for busy weeknight meals.

The combination of tender rice and juicy corn creates a satisfying accompaniment that complements various main courses.

Each bite promises a delightful mix of flavors and textures that will leave you craving more.

What Makes Corn Rice So Comforting

  • Boost Flavor Instantly: The combination of corn and soy sauce creates a delightful umami-rich taste that transforms ordinary rice into an exciting, savory side dish packed with natural sweetness from the corn kernels.
  • Super Quick Weeknight Wonder: This recipe takes less than 30 minutes from start to finish, making it perfect for busy families needing a fast and delicious accompaniment to main dishes without complicated cooking techniques.
  • One-Pot Convenience Champion: Minimal dishes and simple stovetop cooking mean you'll spend less time cleaning up and more time enjoying a wholesome, comforting meal that requires minimal cooking skills and just a few basic ingredients.
  • Versatile Meal Companion: Corn rice pairs beautifully with grilled proteins, stir-fries, or can stand alone as a light vegetarian option, offering flexibility for different dietary preferences and meal planning needs.

Ingredients List for Making Corn Rice

Main Ingredients:

White Sushi Rice:- White Sushi Rice: Short-grain rice perfect for achieving a sticky, creamy texture with clean, mild flavor that absorbs other ingredients well.

  • Yellow Corn: Fresh or frozen corn adds sweet bursts of flavor and beautiful golden color to the rice dish.
Seasoning Ingredients:
  • Soy Sauce: Rich umami condiment that provides deep, savory depth and enhances overall rice flavor.
  • Salt: Essential for balancing and lifting the natural flavors of rice and corn.
Optional Finishing Ingredient:
  • Butter: Adds richness and smooth, creamy texture when served, optional but recommended for extra indulgence.

Cooking Method for Classic Corn Rice

Step 1: Cleanse the Rice

Gently swish rice under cool running water until the liquid runs crystal clear. Submerge the grains in fresh water and let them relax for half an hour, allowing them to absorb moisture and become plump.

Step 2: Gather Your Ingredients

Collect these delightful components:
  • Rice
  • Corn kernels
  • Soy sauce
  • Salt
  • Water
  • Butter (optional)

Step 3: Combine and Prep

Transfer the drained rice into a spacious saucepan. Add water and sprinkle in your ingredients:
  • Corn kernels
  • Soy sauce
  • Salt

Stir everything with love, ensuring an even distribution of flavors.

Step 4: Bring to a Boil

Crank up the heat and watch your rice dance and bubble. Let it boil energetically for 3-5 minutes, creating a symphony of culinary excitement.

Step 5: Lower and Simmer

Reduce the heat to a gentle whisper. Cover the saucepan with a tight lid and let the rice simmer peacefully for 15-20 minutes, transforming into a fluffy, golden masterpiece.

Step 6: Rest and Enhance

Remove from heat and allow the rice to rest for 5 minutes. For an indulgent finish, crown your creation with a small pat of butter, melting into a creamy embrace.

Quick Fixes and Advice for Better Corn Rice

  • Rinse Thoroughly: Ensure you rinse the rice multiple times to remove excess starch, which helps prevent sticky, clumpy rice.
  • Soak for Softness: Soaking rice for 30 minutes before cooking allows grains to absorb water evenly, resulting in perfectly fluffy texture.
  • Precise Water Ratio: Maintain the exact water-to-rice proportion to achieve ideal moisture and prevent undercooked or mushy rice.
  • Low and Slow Cooking: Keep the heat low during simmering to allow rice to cook gently and absorb flavors without burning.
  • Butter Boost: Adding a small pat of butter at the end enhances the rice's richness and provides a silky, luxurious finish.

How to Preserve and Reuse Leftover Corn Rice

  • Refrigeration: Store leftover corn rice in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking, keeping it fresh in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
  • Freezing: Transfer cooled corn rice to freezer-safe containers or zip-lock bags, removing excess air, and freeze for 1-2 months without losing quality.
  • Reheating: Sprinkle a few tablespoons of water over the rice before microwaving to restore moisture, stirring halfway through heating to ensure even warmth and prevent dryness.

Perfect Pairings for a Bowl of Corn Rice

  • Pair with Grilled Protein: Elevate your corn rice by serving it alongside succulent grilled chicken or juicy shrimp. The smoky charred flavors complement the sweet corn and creamy rice perfectly.
  • Fresh Herb Salad Companion: Toss a bright, zesty herb salad with cilantro, parsley, and lime to cut through the richness of the rice. The fresh greens add a crisp, light contrast to the hearty dish.
  • Citrus-Infused Beverage Match: Serve with a refreshing lime-infused sparkling water or a cold Mexican-style beer. The citrusy notes will enhance the corn's natural sweetness and balance the soy sauce's umami flavor.
  • Quick Protein Boost: Top the corn rice with a sunny-side-up egg or quick-seared tofu cubes for an extra protein punch. The runny yolk or crispy tofu will add delightful texture and depth to the simple rice dish.

Switch Things Up with These Corn Rice Ideas

  • Mexican Fiesta Rice: Add diced jalapeños, black beans, and a sprinkle of cumin for a zesty south-of-the-border flavor profile that brings heat and excitement to the plate.
  • Creamy Herb Rice: Stir in fresh chopped parsley, chives, and a splash of cream to create a luxurious, velvety texture that elevates the simple corn rice.
  • Coconut Curry Rice: Incorporate coconut milk, curry powder, and turmeric for an aromatic and vibrant version that transports your taste buds to tropical regions with each delicious bite.
  • Cheesy Corn Rice: Fold in shredded cheddar cheese and green onions after cooking for a comforting, indulgent side dish that kids and adults will absolutely love.
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Corn Rice Recipe

Corn Rice Recipe


5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.6 from 22 reviews

  • Total Time: 55 minutes
  • Yield: 2 1x

Description

Mexican corn rice brings zesty flavors and vibrant colors to your dinner table. Quick and easy preparation combines sweet corn kernels with aromatic rice, creating a delightful side dish that completes any meal.


Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients:

  • 1 cup white sushi rice
  • 1 cup yellow corn (frozen)

Seasonings:

  • 1 tablespoon soy sauce
  • 1 teaspoon salt

Optional Topping:

  • Butter (to serve)

Instructions

  1. Thoroughly cleanse the rice under running water until the liquid runs crystal clear, indicating all excess starch has been removed.
  2. Allow the rice to soak in cold water for half an hour, which helps soften the grains and promotes even cooking.
  3. Drain the rice completely, eliminating any remaining soaking liquid.
  4. Transfer the rice to a spacious saucepan and combine with water, ensuring a balanced ratio for optimal texture.
  5. Incorporate thawed corn kernels into the rice mixture, distributing them evenly throughout the pan.
  6. Season the rice with soy sauce and a pinch of salt, gently stirring to create a uniform flavor profile.
  7. Position the saucepan on the stovetop and elevate the heat to trigger a rolling boil, allowing the ingredients to interact and develop depth.
  8. Maintain the boiling state for 3-5 minutes, which helps initiate the cooking process and blend flavors.
  9. Reduce the flame to its lowest setting, creating a gentle simmer that will tenderly cook the rice and corn.
  10. Cover the saucepan with a tight-fitting lid to trap steam and ensure even heat distribution.
  11. Let the rice simmer quietly for 15-20 minutes, during which the grains will absorb liquid and become perfectly tender.
  12. After cooking, remove the pan from heat and let it rest undisturbed for 5 minutes, allowing residual steam to complete the cooking process.
  13. Optional: Enhance the dish’s richness by adding a small dollop of butter just before serving, which will melt and infuse the rice with a luxurious finish.

Notes

  • Soaking rice beforehand helps soften grains and ensures even cooking throughout the dish.
  • Frozen corn works perfectly if thawed completely, providing sweet bursts of flavor in every bite.
  • Butter adds a luxurious finish, melting into the warm rice and enhancing its creamy texture.
  • Prep Time: 30 minutes
  • Cook Time: 25 minutes
  • Category: Lunch, Dinner
  • Method: Simmering
  • Cuisine: Indian

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 2
  • Calories: 295
  • Sugar: 3g
  • Sodium: 860mg
  • Fat: 2g
  • Saturated Fat: 1g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 1g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 62g
  • Fiber: 4g
  • Protein: 7g
  • Cholesterol: 0mg
Alex Reed

Alex Reed

Founder & Lead Content Writer

Expertise

Recipe Development and Testing​, Culinary Education​, Food Writing and Blogging​, Sustainable Cooking Practices, Global Cuisine Exploration

Education

Johnson & Wales University

  • Degree: Bachelor of Science in Culinary Arts
  • Focus: Comprehensive training in classical and contemporary cooking techniques, kitchen management, and menu development. Emphasized hands-on experience in diverse culinary traditions.​

Le Cordon Bleu Paris

  • Program: Diplôme de Cuisine
  • Focus: Advanced instruction in French culinary techniques, including sauce preparation, pâtisserie, and haute cuisine.​

Alex Reed is an inventive chef and food creator with a passion for dishes that balance taste, health, and sustainability. 

Trained at Portland Community College and holding an Advanced Pastry Arts certificate from Oregon Culinary Institute, Alex brings more than 10 years of practical culinary experience to every recipe he develops. 

His background uniquely blends traditional cooking skills with modern, mindful eating principles. As the founder of Beard and Bonnet, Alex creates recipes that encourage readers to cook confidently.

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