the lazy list: 6 dinners for when you’re up to your ears in corn
Fresh from the market and into a bowl
What’s the lazy list again? Making dinner (and life) feel just a bit easier for you, is kind of my thing. So each week I send my high-impact, low-effort faves straight to your inbox including:
• Some super easy recipes from the dinner, sorted archives so you don’t have to worry about dinner next week
• My favorite lazy girl finds. The things I swear by that make my life easier
• Any hot tips I’ve got on how to live your best lazy life
this week's lazy list: when corn takes over your kitchen (in the best way)
It’s peak corn season and those golden ears are everywhere. I literally bought some for $0.34 an ear last week. So of course I got a dozen and hauled them home, but then… what? Sure, you could just grill a few and call it a day (and sometimes that’s exactly what happens). But if you’re feeling a bit more creative or craveable..? Then I’ve got you covered.
So here we are - 6 recipes for when corn is cheap, plentiful, and begging to be more than a side. We’re talking bowls that meal prep beautifully, pasta that feels restaurant-worthy, and burgers that’ll make your neighbors jealous. Because the best part about corn season isn’t just that it tastes incredible, it’s that it plays so well with everything else.
sticky BBQ tofu and street corn bowls
why it's perfect: this is meal prep gold that actually tastes better the next day. The sweet corn balances all that smoky BBQ flavor, and since everything's separate in the bowl, Monday-you and Thursday-you can customize it however you want.
lazy girl hack: grill the corn first for that smoky char, then cut off the kernels. No grill? Pop them under your broiler, or if you’re blessed with a gas stove - right on top. Double everything and store components separately.
kimchi corn and shrimp orzo with sesame crunch
why it's perfect: for when you want to shake things up. The kimchi brings that funky, fermented edge that cuts through all the corn sweetness in the most addictive way. It’s not overpowering but just enough of a “what’s that” in the best way.
lazy girl hack: use pre-cooked shrimp or use some shredded rotisserie chicken instead. The flavors still sing.
creamy corn orzo with cajun chicken
why it's perfect: when you need something that feels like a warm hug but still sophisticated enough for company. The corn kernels pop against that creamy, spicy backdrop and it all comes together in one pan with just a hint of “what’s that
lazy girl hack: microwave your corn earns for a few minutes, then squeeze and slide the ear out of the husk. It’s the easiest way to shuck!
warm potato salad with bbq chicken, corn & scallion ranch
why it's perfect: potato salad that's actually a full meal. The corn adds sweetness to balance all that tangy ranch and smoky BBQ, and serving it warm just hits different than the usual picnic version.
lazy girl hack: use store-bought rotisserie chicken and your favorite bottled ranch to cut down on prep time (add some fresh herbs to your ranch to jazz it up though)
smoky turkey burgers with creamy corn relish
why it's perfect: turkey burgers finally get the respect they deserve. That corn relish is doing all the heavy lifting– sweet, smoky, and creamy enough to make you forget you're eating the "healthier" option.
lazy girl hack: make a double batch of the corn relish. It’s insane as a dip for chips or spooned over roasted veggies. And honestly if you really want to get lazy I won’t judge you for using premade turkey patties with the corn relish.
preppable chicken + street corn bowls
why it's perfect: this one is so so versatile. It’s essentially a veggie-loaded chicken salad, so you can prep a bunch of this and still have different dinners every single night this week
lazy girl hack: grill everything once, then repurpose it all week long. Maximum flavor, minimal effort. You can mix and match the bases, on the post I share 8 different ways you enjoy the leftovers or double batch you make.
other corn cooking essentials
I’ve done the browsing for you! one less task to check off
cutting board: you've probably seen this in all my videos on Instagram because it's the MVP of my kitchen. Big enough to catch all those kernels that love to fly everywhere when you're cutting them off the cob.
good knife: trust me, a sharp knife is the difference between clean corn kernels and a mangled mess. This one glides through everything and makes prepping actually enjoyable.
good bowls: deep enough for everything, pretty enough for company, and they stack beautifully in your fridge.
cute serving platter: for those end of summer hosting duties.
sheet pan: this is my grill-to-kitchen hero. Perfect for carrying corn back and forth, and the raised edges catch all the good charred bits you don't want to lose.
pickled red onions: the ultimate shortcut to making any bowl feel restaurant-level. They add that perfect tangy crunch that cuts through all the corn sweetness.
BBQ sauce: this is hands down my go-to for that sticky, smoky flavor that makes the tofu and chicken sing
grill (small): I used this little guy for years! Great if you're working with limited space or want something portable for beach picnics with fresh corn.
grill (large): I finally upgraded this year and wow, the difference is real. Perfect if you're serious about corn season and want to grill everything at once.
everything but the elote seasoning: for when you’re truly feeling lazy and just want to grill corn and call it a day, add this. Tangy, spicy, and so much easier than mixing your own lime zest and chili powder every time.
Save your energy for what actually matters... like deciding which corn recipe to tackle first or if you should just buy two dozen ears and make everything. Either way, let me know which one’s your new obsession in the comments ⬇️