This cream corn recipe saved countless family dinners when I needed a side dish that everyone would actually eat. After years of opening cans and wondering why restaurant creamed corn tasted so much better, I learned the simple techniques that make fresh corn creamy and rich without any artificial additives. The secret isn't complicated it's just understanding how to release the corn's natural starches and combine them with the right amount of dairy to create that perfect, silky texture.

Why You'll Love This Recipe
This recipe works with whatever corn you have fresh, frozen, even canned if you drain it first. Takes one pan, basic ingredients you probably have right now, and it's impossible to really mess up. The worst that happens is it gets a little thick, and you just add more cream.I've made this for dinner parties and weeknight meals. Reheats perfectly, actually tastes better the next day, and even people who claim they don't like corn end up asking for the recipe. It's one of those dishes that looks fancy but takes no skill.
Jump to:
- Why You'll Love This Recipe
- What You Need For Cream Corn Recipe
- How to Make Cream Corn Recipe
- Smart Swaps For Different Needs
- Cream Corn Recipe Variations
- Equipment For Cream Corn Recipe
- Storing Your Cream Corn Recipe
- Why This Recipe Works
- Top Tip
- The Dish My Grandmother Taught Me to Love
- FAQ
- Southern Comfort Made Simple!
- Related
- cream corn recipe
- To do:
What You Need For Cream Corn Recipe
Main Stuff:
- 4 cups corn (fresh, frozen, or canned)
- ½ cup heavy cream
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon pepper

For Thickening:
- 1 tablespoon flour
- 2 tablespoons milk
Make It Better:
- 2 oz cream cheese (the soft kind)
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- Fresh chives
- Paprika for color
Tools:
- Measuring cups
- Big skillet
- Wooden spoon
See recipe card for quantities.

How to Make Cream Corn Recipe
Get Ready:
- Drain your corn really well if it's frozen or canned - extra water makes it watery
- Measure everything out because it goes fast once you start
- Mix the flour with milk in a small bowl until smooth
- Heat a big skillet over medium heat - not high or the cream gets weird

Start Cooking:
- Melt butter in the hot pan and let it bubble a little
- Dump in the corn and cook for 2-3 minutes, stirring it around
- Should smell sweet and look bright - don't let it turn brown
- Add salt, pepper, and sugar now

Add the Cream:
- Pour in the heavy cream and let it bubble gently - don't let it boil hard
- Let it cook for 3-4 minutes to thicken up a bit
- If you're using cream cheese, break it up and stir it in until melted
- Add garlic powder or whatever seasonings you want

Make It Thick:
- Stir that flour mixture again, then pour it into the bubbling corn
- Cook another 2-3 minutes, stirring constantly until it thickens
- Should coat your spoon lightly but not be thick like pudding
- Taste it and add more salt, pepper, or sugar if needed

Finish It:
- Sprinkle with paprika if you're trying to impress people
- Serve hot while the cream is still smooth
- Take it off the heat and stir in fresh herbs if you have them
- Let it sit for a couple minutes - it'll thicken up more as it cools

Smart Swaps For Different Needs
Dairy-Free Options:
- Heavy cream → Coconut cream (thick part from can)
- Butter → Vegan butter or olive oil
- Regular milk → Oat milk or cashew milk
- Cream cheese → Cashew cream cheese
Lighter Alternatives:
- Heavy cream → Half-and-half or whole milk
- Full butter → Reduce to 1 tablespoon
- Regular sugar → Cut in half or use stevia
- Skip cream cheese → Save calories
Corn Varieties:
- Fresh corn → Cut kernels from 4-5 ears
- Frozen corn → Thaw completely and drain well
- Canned corn → Drain and rinse first
- Mix types → Combine fresh and frozen
Thickening Options:
- All-purpose flour → Cornstarch (use half amount)
- Regular flour → Gluten-free flour blend
- Flour mixture → Extra cooking time instead
For Special Diets:
- Gluten-free flour works perfectly
- Low-sodium versions of all ingredients
- Sugar-free options available
- Vegan butter tastes just as good
Cream Corn Recipe Variations
Southern Comfort:
- Add 4 oz cream cheese and extra butter
- Throw in some cayenne pepper and green onions
- Top with crumbled bacon bits
- Perfect for holiday dinners
Mexican Street Corn:
- Mix in lime juice and chili powder
- Add crumbled cotija cheese and jalapeños
- Finish with fresh cilantro
- Great with grilled meats
Herb Garden Fresh:
- Stir in fresh thyme, sage, and rosemary
- Use roasted garlic instead of powder
- Add a splash of white wine
- Pairs perfectly with chicken
Loaded Casserole Style:
- Mix in sharp cheddar and diced bell peppers
- Top with buttered crackers and bake 15 minutes
- Add cooked breakfast sausage for main dish
- Kids love this version
Sweet and Savory:
- Increase sugar to 2 tablespoons
- Add cinnamon and a drizzle of honey
- Sprinkle with toasted pecans
- Surprising but delicious with pork
What You Actually Need
- Small bowl for mixing
- Big skillet or heavy pan
- Wooden spoon
- Measuring stuff
Equipment For Cream Corn Recipe
- Big skillet or heavy pan
- Wooden spoon
- Measuring stuff
- Small bowl for mixing
Storing Your Cream Corn Recipe
Fridge Storage (3-4 days):
- Cool completely before refrigerating
- Store in airtight container
- Reheat gently on stovetop over low heat
- Stir frequently to prevent separation
Freezer Storage (2-3 months):
- Cool completely before freezing
- Portion in freezer-safe containers
- Leave room for expansion
- Thaw overnight in fridge before reheating
Reheating Tips:
- Stovetop works best - use low heat and stir constantly
- Add splash of milk or cream if mixture seems thick
- Microwave works but stir every 30 seconds
- Don't overheat or the dairy will separate
Make-Ahead Strategy:
- Tastes just as good as fresh
- Can be made 1 day ahead and refrigerated
- Reheat gently before serving
- May need to whisk in extra liquid when reheating
Why This Recipe Works
This cream corn recipe succeeds because it harnesses the corn's natural thickening properties instead of relying heavily on added starches or excessive dairy. When you scrape the cobs after removing the kernels, you're collecting the corn's milk, which contains natural starches and sugars that create a creamy consistency without needing flour or cornstarch. This corn milk also intensifies the flavor, making each spoonful taste more like pure corn rather than a dairy-heavy sauce with corn floating in it.
The cooking method builds flavor in stages rather than just heating everything together. By starting with butter and letting the corn kernels cook first, you develop some caramelization that adds depth and complexity to the final dish. The gradual addition of liquids - corn milk first, then Cream Corn Recipe allows each component to integrate properly without breaking or separating. This technique prevents the grainy texture that happens when dairy proteins coagulate from too much heat too quickly, resulting in that silky smoothness that makes restaurant-style creamed corn so appealing.
Top Tip
- The secret to creamy corn lies in scraping the cobs after cutting off the kernels this releases the corn's natural milk and starch that creates that signature creamy texture without needing tons of heavy Cream Corn Recipe. Run the back of your knife down each cob to extract every bit of that corn milk, which acts as a natural thickener and intensifies the corn flavor. Don't skip this step even if it seems messy - that corn milk is what separates homemade creamed corn from the artificial-tasting canned versions.
- Temperature control makes the difference between silky Cream Corn Recipe and a separated, grainy mess. Keep the heat at medium-low once you add the dairy, and stir constantly to prevent the bottom from scorching. If your Cream Corn Recipe starts to look curdled or separated, remove it from heat immediately and whisk in a tablespoon of cold butter - this usually brings it back together.
The Dish My Grandmother Taught Me to Love
My grandmother never called it " Cream Corn Recipe" - she insisted it was "sweet corn and butter" because she believed fancy names made simple food pretentious. Every summer when the corn came in, she'd sit on her back porch with a big metal bowl and scrape every kernel off two dozen ears with her trusty paring knife. She taught me to run the blade down each bare cob afterward, collecting that milky liquid in the bowl. "That's where the magic lives," she'd say, holding up the cloudy corn milk.
Her method was different from every recipe I've seen since. She'd cook the corn kernels in just butter first, letting them caramelize slightly before adding any liquid. The corn milk went in next, followed by the smallest splash of heavy Cream Corn Recipe just enough to make it rich but not enough to mask the corn's natural sweetness. She'd season it only with salt and white pepper, stirring constantly with a wooden spoon that was older than my mother. The result was pure corn flavor, creamy without being heavy, sweet without being cloying. Now when I make this dish, I can hear her reminding me to taste as I go and trust my instincts over any written recipe.
FAQ
What ingredients are in cream corn?
Basic Cream Corn Recipe contains sweet corn kernels, butter, heavy Cream Corn Recipe or milk, salt, and sometimes sugar. Fresh versions use the corn's natural milk scraped from the cobs as a thickener. Some recipes add flour or cornstarch for extra thickness, while others include Cream Corn Recipe cheese for richness.
How do you make Paula Deen's creamed corn?
Paula Deen's version typically uses fresh corn kernels, butter, Cream Corn Recipe cheese, heavy cream, and sugar. The key is cooking the corn slowly to release its natural starches, then adding the dairy ingredients gradually while stirring constantly to prevent separation and achieve that signature Southern creaminess.
What is the difference between creamed corn and cream corn?
There's no difference - "v" and "cream corn" refer to the same dish. Both terms describe corn kernels cooked in a creamy sauce made from dairy and the corn's natural milk. The terminology varies by region, but the preparation method remains the same.
What to do if you don't have creamed corn?
Make your own by combining regular corn kernels with milk, butter, and a thickener like flour or cornstarch. Cook until creamy, or blend half the corn kernels with milk and mix with whole kernels. Frozen corn works just as well as canned for homemade versions.
Southern Comfort Made Simple!
Now you have all the secrets to making perfect Cream Corn Recipe from scraping those cobs for natural corn milk to controlling the temperature for silky smooth results. This homemade version proves that some side dishes are worth making from scratch, delivering comfort food satisfaction that no canned version can match.
Craving more comfort food classics? Try our Delicious Naan Bread Recipe that pairs beautifully with any creamy side dish. Want a complete comfort meal? Our Easy Creamy Smothered Chicken And Rice Recipe creates the perfect hearty main course. Need the perfect dessert to finish? Our The Best Chocolate Pie Recipe delivers rich, indulgent sweetness that rounds out any comfort food feast!
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cream corn recipe
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Drain corn well, measure ingredients, mix flour and milk until smooth, and heat skillet over medium.
- Melt butter, cook corn 2-3 minutes until bright, then season with salt, pepper, and sugar.
- Pour in heavy cream, simmer gently 3-4 minutes, stir in cream cheese if using, add seasonings.
- Add flour-milk mixture, cook 2-3 minutes while stirring until sauce lightly coats spoon.
- Sprinkle paprika, stir in herbs, let rest a few minutes, then serve hot and creamy.
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