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    Home » Blog » Whole Food Recipes » Easy Side Dishes

    August 19, 2021 | By Jami

    Simple Corn, Pepper and Onion Saute

    Jump to Recipe
    Quick corn-pepper-onion-Quick corn-pepper-onion-saute

    One of our family's favorite side dishes, this four ingredient corn, pepper and onion sauté is quick to make and easy to adapt to go with lots of different main dishes.

    For more great recipe ideas like this, be sure to check out the Quick Healthy Recipes page.

    simple corn-pepper-onion-saute_pin

    Summertime has always meant corn to me - hot corn on the cob dripping with butter. Yum.

    It's one of the reasons I grew corn as soon as we had enough space for it (and yes, you can grow corn without weeding all the time!)

    I harvested so much every summer, though, that once we had our fill of corn on the cob, I had to find other ways to use the heaps of corn still coming in.

    I came up with recipes like sausage and corn tart, a creamy corn bake (which I pretty much dream about each summer...), and of course tested how to freeze corn best to keep it all year long.

    To this list I'm happy to add this quick and simple corn sauté with peppers and onions that's become a staple not just in the summer, but all year long.

    Having frozen quart bags of corn - both blanched and unblanched - means this delicious sauté is able to make an appearance at our meals all winter long.

    Which if you're a fan of our seasonal menus you'll already know, because our family loves this side dish - and I love that it's quick, easy, AND is equally good with fresh or frozen produce.

    Sautéed Corn, Pepper And Onion

    Chopped Peppers-Onions

    Ingredients

    These are the kind of dishes that makes my simple lifestyle heart go pitter-patter:

    How does just four real food ingredients sound?

    • corn, fresh or frozen
    • peppers, fresh or frozen
    • onions
    • butter, bacon grease, or avocado oil

    You will need to add salt and pepper to your taste, and I like to sprinkle a bit of cayenne for spice, but again these are to individual tastes.

    Supplies

    • skillet, preferably cast iron
    • sharp knife and cutting board
    • spoon
    corn saute melted butter above

    Directions

    The straightforwardness of this recipe is also refreshing - melt butter or bacon grease (also works with avocado oil for a vegetarian option) and cook the onions for a few minutes, then the peppers, and finally the corn.

    fresh cut corn in pan

    Cook it all until done, about 5 minutes more.

    Don't you love it?

    Oh and if you're rolling your eyes at the bacon grease, just try it - it adds such a good flavor and is a fun change every once in awhile. And you don't need much to get that nice, smoky flavor, either.

    Corn Pepper Onion Saute above in pan

    Fresh or Frozen?

    While I used fresh corn and peppers for these photos (which make it look really good...) honestly, I make it most of the time with frozen corn and our frozen chopped sweet red peppers. It might not be quite as crisp, but it's still very good!

    The bonus is that it goes together quicker with the frozen produce, since they're already cut and ready to go. You'll only need about 10-15 minutes to chop the onions and cook it all, which sounds great on busy weeknights, doesn't it?

    Even at 20-25 minutes prep and cook for the fresh version, though, it's still a simple side dish that works with so many main dishes.

    Corn Pepper Onion Saute in skillet

    Variations & Serving Ideas

    Changing up a few things and making a couple additions helps this dish adapt to whatever you're serving with it - it's really versatile that way.

    • Add garlic and basil and serve it with an Italian style pot roast.
    • Use a mild hot pepper, a couple teaspoons of chili powder and some cumin to serve with enchiladas, black bean quesadillas, or other southwest inspired main.
    • Top with feta cheese and fresh, chopped tomatoes to serve with mediterannean dishes like Greek salmon and vegetable frittata and Greek style grilled beef lettuce wraps.
    • Cook some chopped zucchini with it and serve with grilled soy-sriracha marinated chicken.

    Or try serving as pictured with:

    • Quick Mini Meatloaves
    • Maple-Mustard Chicken
    • Baked White Fish with Parmesan-Herb Crust

    See? When it's something this easy and delicious, I make it work with just about anything!

    Corn Pepper Onion Saute on spoon

    And that spoonful?

    I just don't get tired of it. Well, maybe after two straight months of a corn-glut, lol.

    But soon that will be a distant memory and this will be making its usual frequent appearances on our menus.

    Corn, Pepper and Onion Sauté FAQs

    Can I use other peppers?

    Yes, you can use any type of pepper you'd like. Using a mild hot pepper like Anaheim or Poblano will give the dish a Southwestern flavor that would work well with enchiladas or beans and rice.

    How long should corn be cooked?

    You want corn to be crisp-tender when cooked. If the corn is still on the cob, boil the ears for 4-5 minutes only. If using cut fresh or frozen kernels, cook 5-7 minutes, stirring often.

    Is corn healthy? What are the benefits?

    While corn is a starchy vegetable with more natural sugars than non-starchy veggies (lettuce, peppers, onions, broccoli, etc.) it does still have quite a few reasons to keep it part of a healthy diet.

    It contains fiber which is good for gut health while helping you feel full between meals. It has vitamin C as well as being a good source of lutein and zeaxanthin, both of which we need for eye health and to prevent cataracts. (source)

    Corn Pepper Onion Saute above in pan
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    Simple Corn, Pepper and Onion Sauté

    Quick & easy side dish with lots of variations for busy weeknights - equally good with fresh or frozen corn and peppers.
    Prep Time15 mins
    Cook Time10 mins
    Total Time25 mins
    Course: Side Dish
    Cuisine: American
    Yield: 6 servings
    Author: Jami Boys

    Equipment

    • Skillet
    • Cutting board and sharp knife

    Ingredients

    • 2 tablespoons butter, bacon grease, avocado oil, etc.
    • 1 onion, chopped
    • 1 sweet red pepper, chopped (or equivalent chopped, frozen peppers)
    • 6 to 8 ears corn, kernels cut off OR 16-oz bag frozen corn
    • salt & pepper, to taste
    • optional: ground cayenne pepper, to taste
    • optional: parsley for garnish (chives and cilantro work, too)

    Instructions

    • Melt butter in a heavy large skillet over medium heat.
    • Add onions and cook 2 minutes, then add peppers and cook another minute before adding the corn.
    • Stir and sauté all the vegetables together for another 5-7 minutes, or until warmed through and cooked until the corn is crisp-tender.
    • Season with salt and pepper to taste, adding a bit of cayenne for spice, if you'd like.
    • Serve garnished with parsley (chopped chives are nice, too, as is cilantro).

    Notes

    Variations:
    • For an Italian flavored sauté: add 1 clove minced garlic and 1 teaspoon dried basil (or 1 Tb. chopped fresh) at the same time as the red pepper.
    • For a Tex-Mex flavored sauté: add 2 tsp. chili powder and 1/2 teaspoon cumin at same time as red pepper. Add more cayenne for spice, as desired, OR replace sweet pepper with a mild hot pepper like Anaheim or Poblano.
    • For a Mediterranean flavored sauté: top with crumbled feta cheese and chopped tomatoes before serving and garnishing.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 124kcal | Carbohydrates: 20g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 5g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Cholesterol: 10mg | Sodium: 48mg | Potassium: 312mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 7g | Vitamin A: 906IU | Vitamin C: 33mg | Calcium: 6mg | Iron: 1mg
    Did you make this recipe?Mention @anoregoncottage or tag #anoregoncottage!
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    corn-pepper-onion-saute2_700x1050

    Other Easy Side Dishes to Try

    Zucchini Corn and Tomato Saute with Feta
    Zucchini, Corn, and Tomato Sauté Recipe
    Surprisingly delicious, quick Zucchini, Corn and Tomato Sauté with feta cheese uses the best ingredients of summer for a true garden-to-table recipe.
    Click For Recipe
    Creamy Corn Bake on spoon
    Creamy Fresh Baked Corn Casserole Recipe
    Creamy fresh baked corn casserole with a crispy top and buttery inside, making it a delicious way to enjoy fresh corn.
    Click For Recipe
    Green beans-caramelized onions-tomatoes above
    Green Beans with Caramelized Onions and Tomatoes
    A simple and healthy side dish using the best of the season's produce, this recipe is good both warm and at room temperature, making it a great potluck option.
    Click For Recipe
    Parmesan Rice Cakes- an easy side dish using leftover rice.
    Parmesan Rice Cakes
    Your whole family will love the flavor of this favorite side dish - it's a crispy, cheesy way to use up leftover rice!
    Click For Recipe

    This recipe has been updated - it was originally published in October of 2014.

    About Jami

    Since 2009 Jami Boys has been helping readers live a simple homemade life through whole food recipes, doable gardening, and easy DIY projects on An Oregon Cottage. From baking bread, to creating a floor from paper, to growing and preserving food, Jami shares the easiest ways to get things done. She's been featured in Cottages and Bungalows, Old House Journal, and First for Women magazines as well as numerous sites like Good Housekeeping, Huffington Post, and Apartment Therapy.

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    1. Jean diemer says

      October 05, 2019 at 6:52 am

      So I grew corn in my Midwest garden this year and just before they were ready to pick, the raccoons came in and destroyed all the corn and took some of the stalks with them. I live behind a nature center and the animals come to feast. This is the second time this has happened in the past years which after the first time was why I didn't grow corn for a long time. Any suggestions? I have a fence up to keep the deer out or they also feast on my organic produce. Love your newsletter.

      Reply
      • Jami says

        October 07, 2019 at 10:36 am

        Oh, that's really discouraging, Jean! Raccoons are the one animal it seems I haven't had to deal with yet. 🙂
        I do know that the best option seems to be topping your fence with an electrical wire to keep them out (I'm assuming your deer fence goes to the ground - if not, make sure it does). Some people say to only grow 6 feet or taller varieties and to plant pumpkins and squash all around the corn, since they don't like to walk on it. Good luck!!

        Reply

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    Hi, I'm Jami and I'm so glad you're here! My desire is to help you live a simple homemade life through delicious whole food recipes, easy organic gardening and preserving your harvest.

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