You might think every brand of frozen corn tastes the same. I certainly thought that would be the case—but then I tasted 23 different kinds of frozen corn, including frozen corn on the cob, roasted frozen corn, frozen sweet corn, frozen white corn, and more. And boy oh boy, there’s a lot of subpar frozen corn just taking up space in the freezer aisle. Far, far too often it’s flavorless and chewy and starchy. Corn—fresh, frozen, or canned—should be crisp and plump and sweet. Luckily, some brands are able to achieve that.
To assess the selection of frozen corn I amassed, I either poured the corn into a bowl and microwaved it until it was warm or microwaved the bag if it was specifically a steam-in-a-bag brand. I ate the corn plain from a spoon or I gnawed it off the cob. I judged each kernel on sweetness, plumpness, and bite. And if it was fire roasted frozen corn, then it had better taste like it kissed some flames.
Whether you’re looking for an easy heat-and-eat side dish, the key ingredient for a chowder, or you’re making a copycat KFC Famous Bowl at home, here’s the best frozen corn to buy.
- Kroger Super Sweet Corn
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Steam-in-a-bag technology is pretty amazing. You don’t have to pierce the bag or open a slit, you just pop it right in the microwave and heat a whole, family-sized portion of frozen corn kernels without getting any dishware involved. While our number one pick for the best frozen corn is also technically the best steam-in-a-bag corn, Kroger also makes a good option. The kernels have a really wonderful texture—super crisp. The flavor is mild and mellow—it definitely needs salt and maybe even a sprinkling of sugar (the secret to really delicious corn). But if you’re looking for the best frozen corn to give your salads or cornbread some nice pops of crunch and juiciness, this is a great, budget-friendly pick.
Credit: Liv Averett / Kroger
- 365 Organic Yellow Corn
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I tried both the frozen yellow and the frozen white corn from Whole Foods’ 365 brand and the yellow was much better than the white. It’s sweeter with an almost buttery flavor. The kernels have a great pop, too. The 365 frozen corn kernels aren’t quite as vibrant as some of the others on this list, but they’re still pretty darn good, especially if you’re a stickler for an organic label.
Credit: Liv Averett / Whole Foods
- 365 Corn on the Cob
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Whole Foods doesn’t just sell some of the best frozen corn kernels, they also sell the best frozen corn on the cob. I tasted this frozen corn on the cob head-to-head against Green Giant, Good & Gather, and Great Value, and, though Green Giant tasted the sweetest, 365 definitely had the best texture. And, for me, corn-on-the-cob is more of a textural experience. You want crisp kernels that burst when you bite them—not flabby, deflated kernels that immediately turn to mush. If you agree, then this truly is the best frozen corn on the cob for you. Go ahead and slather these cobs in butter and salt and enjoy the crunch.
Credit: Liv Averett / Whole Foods
- Birds Eye Fire Roasted Corn
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I tried a few brands of roasted frozen corn but Birds Eye’s frozen roasted corn tasted the most like it was actually charred without tasting like ash. It’s also salty and buttery—so there’s no extra seasoning necessary, but a few dashes of Tajin would taste great. The packaging tells you to cook this fire roasted frozen corn in the oven for even more roasty, toasty flavor, but I microwaved it and still achieved great results. It was a big hit with the rest of the Sporked tasting team.
Credit: Liv Averett / Target
- Stahlbush Island Farms Super Sweet Corn
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This sustainably grown frozen corn from Oregon came very close to taking the title of best frozen corn. But, even though our top pick is labeled as sweet corn, it is the best frozen sweet corn I tasted. It’s so sweet, like, dessert sweet. If you’re making corn pudding, look no further for the best frozen sweet corn. And each kernel really pops in your mouth and bursts with flavor. Plus, the kernels are big, honking kernels, for all you size queens out there.
Credit: Liv Averett / Instacart
- Season’s Choice Steamed Super Sweet Corn
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We’ve found a lot of Aldi products we love over the years, and now I’m adding another Aldi brand product to that list. Their Season’s Choice frozen sweet corn (sold in a steamable bag) has a pure, end-of-summer corn flavor. Each bite fills your mouth with sweet corn milk (I’m sorry but that’s what it’s called). On its own, it’s a great side, perfect for pairing with mashed potatoes and fried chicken. Or you can make a succotash or creamed corn or chowder—it will complement powerful flavors with its gentle sweetness and won’t turn mushy. Plus, since it’s an Aldi brand, you know it’s cheap.
Credit: Liv Averett / Aldi
Best Steam-in-a-Bag
Best Frozen Yellow Corn
Best Frozen Cobs
Best Frozen Roasted Corn
Best Frozen Sweet Corn
Best of the Best
Other frozen corn brands we tried: Trader Joe’s Organic Sweet Corn, Trader Joe’s Cut White Corn, Trader Joe’s Roasted Corn, 365 Sweet White Corn, Cascadian Farms, Sprouts, Good & Gather Gold & White Corn Blend, Birds Eye C&W Sweet Petite, Simple Truth Organic Steam in Bag, Good & Gather Steam-in-Bag Whole Kernel Corn, Great Value Whole Kernel Corn, Good & Gather Corn on the Cob, Green Giant Corn on the Cob, Kroger, 365 Fire Roasted, Alexia Mexican-Style Street Corn, Green Giant Corn & Butter Sauce
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