Japanese Butter Corn (Printable)

Juicy corn sautéed in garlic butter with soy sauce for a flavorful Japanese-inspired side dish.

# What You Need:

→ Vegetables

01 - 4 ears fresh corn, husked (or 3 cups frozen corn kernels, thawed)

→ Dairy

02 - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter

→ Aromatics

03 - 2 cloves garlic, finely minced

→ Seasonings

04 - 1½ tablespoons soy sauce
05 - ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
06 - Pinch of sea salt (optional)

→ Garnish

07 - 1 tablespoon chopped scallions
08 - 1 teaspoon toasted sesame seeds

# How To Make It:

01 - Carefully cut kernels from fresh corn cobs using a sharp knife, or thaw frozen corn kernels.
02 - Heat a large skillet over medium heat and melt unsalted butter until foamy.
03 - Add minced garlic to the skillet and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant, avoiding browning.
04 - Add corn kernels and cook, stirring occasionally, for 4 to 5 minutes until heated through and lightly golden.
05 - Pour in soy sauce and stir well to coat the corn evenly. Continue cooking for 1 to 2 minutes until most liquid evaporates.
06 - Season with freshly ground black pepper and a pinch of sea salt to taste.
07 - Transfer corn to a serving dish, garnish with chopped scallions and toasted sesame seeds if desired, and serve hot.

# Helpful Tips:

01 -
  • It tastes like you spent way more time in the kitchen than you actually did.
  • The soy sauce adds a subtle savory depth that regular buttered corn doesn't have.
  • It works as a side dish for almost anything, from rice bowls to grilled chicken.
02 -
  • Don't let the garlic brown—it turns acrid and can ruin the whole dish, so keep the heat at medium and stay present for those first 30 seconds.
  • Fresh corn is sweeter and will cook faster than frozen, so taste a kernel around the 4-minute mark and adjust your timing accordingly.
03 -
  • If your soy sauce is very salty, use a touch less and taste before adding more—you can always add more but can't take it out.
  • Don't skip the sesame seeds if you have them; they add a nutty, toasted element that feels intentional and special.
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