The best side dish ever, this Homemade Creamed Corn recipe is ready in no time flat. Sweet corn kernels in a smooth, creamy, buttery sauce makes it the ultimate comfort food. Simple to create with fresh ingredients you may already have in your kitchen!

Creamed Corn in a white dish with thyme sprinkled on top.

Best Creamed Corn

First day back to school under our belt and I’m feeling all the summertime sadness right now. Like big time. I think this is the first year ever that back to school has taken the wind out of my sails. I’m sure I’ll recover but, seriously, where did summer go? 

I didn’t get a chance, it seems, to eat my weight in watermelon, sweet corn and peaches. So, this week I plan to dive headfirst into all the seasonal produce and ignore the fact that pumpkins are starting to pop up at my local farmer’s market. I froze a TON of sweet corn already to last the whole summer so now I’m onto stocking up on things like this easy Homemade Creamed Corn recipe from scratch!

Canned creamed corn was like my favorite thing in the world growing up. Whenever my mom would make something I didn’t really want for dinner she made sure there was a pile of creamed corn for me so I was happy about something.  But if you ask me, I didn’t ever thing we had it often enough.

Overhead shot of corn on the cob in the husks.

When I was finally out on my own, creamed corn was always more expensive than regular corn so I usually didn’t buy it because I was pretty broke and every penny counts. So, I got out of the habit of eating it on the regular until….I learned how to make it completely from scratch. And guess what?  It’s insanely amazing and way better than anything I had in a can back in the day.

What Is Creamed Corn

Creamed Corn is a creamy side dish made with sweet corn in a cream based sauce that can include spices, butter and/or cheese. I love how versatile it is because you can use it in a variety of recipes or simply serve your creamed corn with jalapenos or topped with crispy bacon.

Creamed Corn in a white dish

Ingredients You Will Need

Creamed Corn is made of simple ingredients that are readily available in your kitchen. You can make your corn with frozen corn or fresh sweet corn. 

It’s a great way to use up leftover corn on the cob, if you have any….because leftover corn on the cob is basically nonexistent in this house.

Here’s what you will need:

  • Fresh sweet corn or frozen thawed corn
  • Onion
  • Butter
  • Half and Half
  • Salt
  • Sugar
  • Nutmeg
  • Pepper
  • Flour
  • Parmesan Cheese

You can totally skip the parmesan cheese if you like but it adds a saltiness to the cream sauce that salt just won’t do alone. Also, don’t skip the nutmeg…it totally makes the cream sauce absolutely magical and is my secret ingredient in just about any creamy dish like this one. (And my Creamy Spinach Au Gratin)

Overhead shot of corn kernels being cut off the cob.

How To Make Creamed Corn

Many Creamed Corn dishes involve scraping the milky pulp left in the corn cob after cutting off the kernels. Then, you blend half the kernels to use as the thickening agent in the cream sauce which is wonderful.

Sweet corn in a pink cast iron skillet

This Creamed Corn recipe is so much easier and works with both fresh or frozen corn. There’s no need to blend the kernels because the flour and half and half make the cream sauce thick, smooth and velvety.

Here’s how you make it:

  1. Saute the onion in butter to soften. 
  2. Sprinkle the flour over the onion and continue cooking for a few minutes.
  3. Stir in the half and half, salt, sugar, pepper, nutmeg and corn. 
  4. Continue cooking until the sauce begins to thicken.
  5. Stir in the cheese and remove from the heat.
  6. Serve immediately!

Creamed corn in a skillet

If you want to make this creamed corn better, you can stir in a little extra cheese like cheddar or add a spoonful of pesto to give it a fresh vibrant twist!

I love to serve this creamed corn with our favorite Oven Baked Chicken Breast or this easy Rotisserie Style Chicken! It’s also amazing with this simple Filet Mignon for something a little more steak house-ish.

Creamed Corn in a white dish with a wedge of cheese in the back.

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Get the Recipe: The Very Best Creamed Corn Recipe

Yield: 6
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes
Super easy to make Homemade Creamed Corn from scratch! The BEST side dish ever.
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Ingredients

  • 2 tbsp butter
  • 1 medium Vidalia onions or other sweet onion, diced
  • 3 tbsp flour
  • 2 cups half and half
  • 3 cups sweet corn kernels
  • 1 tsp kosher salt
  • 2 tbsp sugar
  • 1/4 tsp nutmeg
  • 1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese

Equipment

  • skillet

Instructions 

  • Heat the butter in a large skillet over medium high heat.
  • Add the onion to the pan and cook for 3-4 minutes until softened.
  • Sprinkle the flour over the onion and stir to coat. Continue to cook for 2-3 minutes until the flour starts to turn golden. (Similar to making a roux)
  • Slowly stir in the half and half. Cook for 2 minutes or until the sauce starts to thicken slightly.
  • Add the corn, salt, sugar, nutmeg and cheese. Stir to combine.
  • Bring the creamed corn to a simmer and cook until thickened, approximately 3-4 minutes longer.
  • Remove from the heat, top with additional cheese (if desired) and serve.

Notes

Creamed Corn is best if served immediately but can be stored in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to 2 days.
Calories: 269kcal, Carbohydrates: 29g, Protein: 7g, Fat: 15g, Saturated Fat: 9g, Cholesterol: 44mg, Sodium: 675mg, Potassium: 284mg, Fiber: 2g, Sugar: 9g, Vitamin A: 477IU, Vitamin C: 5mg, Calcium: 145mg, Iron: 1mg
Author: Kellie
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: American