Welcome to the ultimate guide for making the best Creamed Corn you’ve ever tasted! This recipe transforms humble corn into a luxurious side dish, complete with an abundance of sweet corn, irresistible smoky bacon, and an incredibly rich, savory Parmesan cream sauce that will have everyone asking for seconds.

Looking for more delicious corn recipes? Be sure to try our Roasted Corn Salad, classic Elote (Mexican Street Corn), or a refreshing Mexican Street Corn Pasta Salad next!

The Best Homemade Creamed Corn Recipe

If your only experience with creamed corn comes from a can, prepare to have your world (and your taste buds) revolutionized! Our homemade Creamed Corn recipe elevates this classic comfort food far beyond anything you’ll find on a grocery store shelf. It features perfectly sautéed sweet corn bathed in a luscious, Parmesan-spiked cream sauce, delivering a depth of flavor and texture that is simply unmatched.

This side dish isn’t just for special occasions; it’s wonderfully versatile. It’s absolutely perfect for any warm-weather gathering, potluck, or summer BBQ, but it shines equally bright as a star on your holiday table, whether it’s Thanksgiving, Christmas, or Easter. The beauty of this recipe is its accessibility year-round. While fresh corn is fantastic when in season, readily available frozen corn makes it incredibly easy to prepare this delightful dish any time you crave it, without compromising on taste or quality.

We believe that creamed corn should be more than just a sweet, one-note dish. Our recipe strikes a masterful balance between the natural sweetness of corn, the smoky, salty crunch of bacon, and the rich, umami notes of Parmesan cheese, all brought together by a silky, creamy sauce. It’s truly a symphony of flavors that will quickly become a family favorite. Say goodbye to bland, watery canned versions and hello to a vibrant, flavorful, and truly comforting homemade experience!

Once you fall in love with this creamed corn, you might want to explore other exciting ways to incorporate corn into your meals. Don’t miss our creamy Chicken Corn Chowder, the universally loved Creamed Corn Casserole, and a surprisingly delightful Corn Pasta that’s perfect for a quick weeknight dinner.

Key Ingredients for Our Best Creamed Corn

Crafting the perfect creamed corn starts with selecting the right ingredients. Each component plays a vital role in building the layers of flavor that make this recipe truly special. Here’s what you’ll need, along with some tips for best results:

• Bacon: The unsung hero of this dish! Bacon adds a wonderful smoky depth and a salty crispness that complements the sweet corn beautifully. Feel free to use your favorite type of bacon. For a wonderfully crispy texture, opt for thinner slices. If you prefer a chewier bite, thicker cuts will work perfectly. Remember, the rendered bacon fat (drippings) is essential for cooking the onions and infusing the entire dish with flavor.
• Yellow Onion: Finely diced yellow onion provides a subtle sweetness and aromatic foundation. When caramelized gently in the olive oil and savory bacon grease, it develops a deep, rich flavor that enhances the overall profile of the creamed corn.
• Frozen Corn: This is your secret weapon for making creamed corn accessible all year long! High-quality frozen corn is picked and flash-frozen at its peak, locking in its sweet flavor and vibrant color. There’s no need to defrost it before adding it to the pan, making prep incredibly convenient. While fresh corn on the cob is a fantastic seasonal alternative, frozen corn offers consistent deliciousness.
• Butter & Flour: These two ingredients form the base of our luxurious, creamy sauce – a classic roux. The butter adds richness, while the flour helps to thicken the milk, ensuring a smooth, velvety consistency that coats every kernel of corn and speck of bacon.
• Milk: For the most decadent and truly creamy side dish, we highly recommend using whole milk. Its higher fat content contributes to a richer, more luxurious texture and flavor. If you’re looking for an even more indulgent experience, half-and-half or heavy cream can also be used, making the sauce extra thick and opulent.
• Parmesan Cheese: Freshly grated Parmesan cheese is a game-changer! Its salty, nutty, and slightly sharp flavor adds a profound savory dimension to the cream sauce. For the best melt and integration into the sauce, use a block of high-quality Parmesan and grate it finely yourself. Pre-grated, packaged Parmesan often contains anti-caking agents that prevent it from melting smoothly and can be excessively salty.
• Sugar: A touch of granulated sugar helps to enhance the natural sweetness of the corn, balancing the savory and smoky notes from the bacon and cheese. Add it gradually and adjust to your preference, as the sweetness of corn can vary.
• Salt & Pepper: These fundamental seasonings are crucial for bringing all the flavors to life. Don’t underestimate their power! We keep it simple with these, proving that you don’t need a pantry full of fancy spices to create something truly delicious.

Easy Step-by-Step Guide: How To Make Creamed Corn

Making this incredible creamed corn is simpler than you might think! Follow these easy steps to achieve a dish that’s bursting with flavor and perfect for any meal:

1. Cook Bacon to Perfection: Begin by dicing your bacon and onion. Heat a large skillet over medium heat with a tablespoon of olive oil. Add the diced bacon and cook until it’s wonderfully crispy and browned, typically 5-7 minutes. Ensure it’s fully cooked at this stage, as it won’t crisp further once the liquid is added later. Remove the crispy bacon from the pan, reserving a little of the flavorful bacon grease in the skillet.
2. Sauté the Onion: With the bacon drippings remaining in the pan, add the finely diced yellow onion. Cook the onion over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until it becomes soft, translucent, and slightly caramelized. This usually takes another 5-7 minutes, building a sweet and savory base for your corn.
3. Combine Corn & Create Creamy Mix: Now, add the frozen corn kernels and butter to the pan with the softened onions and bacon grease. Reduce the heat to medium-low. Cook, stirring frequently, until the corn is heated through and the butter has fully melted and coated the corn, about 3-5 minutes.
4. Build the Sauce & Season: Sprinkle the flour evenly over the corn mixture and stir constantly for about 1 minute to cook out the raw flour taste. Reduce the heat to low. Gradually pour in the whole milk and add the granulated sugar. Continue stirring, gently scraping the bottom of the pan, until the cream sauce begins to thicken to a lovely, velvety consistency, typically around 1 minute. As soon as it thickens, remove the pan from the heat.
5. Finish with Parmesan & Serve: Stir in the freshly grated Parmesan cheese until it melts smoothly into the sauce. Taste for seasonings, adding more salt and pepper as needed until the flavors sing. Remember, bacon and Parmesan are already salty, so add salt gradually. If desired, garnish with fresh herbs for an extra touch of freshness and color. Serve immediately and enjoy warm!

Expert Tips for the Perfect Creamed Corn

Achieving restaurant-quality creamed corn at home is easy with a few simple tricks. Keep these tips in mind to ensure your dish is consistently delicious and perfectly textured:

• Cook the Bacon Fully: This is crucial! Ensure your bacon is perfectly crispy and browned before you introduce the corn and other liquids. Once the sauce components are added, the bacon will no longer be able to crisp up, and you’ll miss out on that satisfying crunch. Take your time to render it properly for maximum flavor and texture.
• Adjust Sauce Consistency with Milk: The goal is a velvety, coating sauce, not a watery soup or an overly thick paste. If your sauce appears to be thickening too much or becomes too stiff as it cooks (or reheats), don’t hesitate to add a splash of extra milk. Do this slowly, a tablespoon at a time, stirring until you achieve that ideal creamy consistency. We want the corn kernels nicely enveloped, not drowning!
• Season Gradually with Salt: Bacon and Parmesan cheese are both inherently salty ingredients. To avoid over-salting your dish, add salt gradually and taste as you go. Start with the suggested amount, then add small pinches, tasting after each addition, until the flavors truly pop and are perfectly balanced. It’s much easier to add more salt than to fix a dish that’s too salty!
• Use Freshly Grated Parmesan: As mentioned, freshly grated Parmesan makes a huge difference. Its superior melting properties and authentic flavor are unmatched by pre-packaged alternatives, which can be dry and chalky, often failing to incorporate smoothly into the sauce.
• Don’t Overcook the Sauce: Once the milk and flour mixture thickens, remove it from the heat promptly. Overcooking can lead to an overly thick, gluey sauce or cause it to separate. A quick stir until thickened is all it needs.

Perfect Pairings: What To Serve With Creamed Corn

Creamed corn is a versatile side dish that complements a wide array of main courses and other sides. Its sweet, savory, and creamy profile makes it a welcome addition to many meals. Here are some of our favorite pairings:

• For a classic weeknight dinner, serve this alongside a flavorful meat main such as perfectly Grilled Chicken, a juicy Flat Iron Steak, or spicy Blackened Chicken. Complete the meal with a big, fresh Garden Salad for a balanced and satisfying spread.
• Hosting a summer BBQ? Creamed corn is the ideal companion! Serve it with this delicious Burger Recipe for an unforgettable outdoor feast that will have your guests raving.
• Elevate your Thanksgiving or Christmas holiday table with this comforting side. It pairs beautifully with a tender Crockpot Turkey Breast and a rich Sweet Potato Casserole, adding a sweet and creamy element to your festive spread.
• Brighten your Easter spread with this delightful creamed corn. It’s a fantastic match for an elegant ham or lamb and complements other traditional dishes like our creamy Deviled Egg Recipe and these easy, fluffy Drop Biscuits.
• Consider it as a hearty side with roasted pork loin, baked ham, or even simple pan-seared fish for an unexpected, yet delicious, combination.

More Delightful Recipes Featuring Corn

Corn is an incredibly versatile ingredient, lending its natural sweetness and satisfying texture to a variety of dishes. If you love this creamed corn, you’ll surely enjoy exploring these other fantastic corn-centric recipes:

• Creamy Corn Soup: A velvety smooth and luscious soup that highlights the sweet essence of corn, perfect as a comforting appetizer or light meal.
• Corn and Sausage Pasta: A delightful pasta dish that brings a touch of spice and a whole lot of savory flavor, combining tender corn with savory sausage.
• Classic Corn Casserole: Another beloved holiday favorite, this casserole offers a slightly different texture and richness, making it a staple for festive gatherings.
• Fresh Corn Salsa: A vibrant and zesty take on a Mexican-style favorite, perfect for dipping, topping tacos, or serving alongside grilled meats.
• Hearty Corn Chowder Pot Pie: The ultimate comfort food, combining the creamy goodness of corn chowder with a flaky pot pie crust for a truly satisfying meal.

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Creamed Corn

By Chelsea Lords

This Creamed Corn recipe is an absolute favorite! It’s loaded with sweet corn, crispy bacon, and tossed in the most delicious Parmesan cream sauce. It’s the perfect balance of sweet, smoky, and savory.

Prep Time: 15 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 10 minutes minutes

Total Time: 25 minutes minutes

Servings: 6 servings, as a side

Equipment

• Large pan 10 or 12-inch skillet

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 3 slices bacon diced, approximately 3 ounces
• 1/2 cup finely diced yellow onion
• 20 ounces frozen corn about 4-1/4 cups
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 1 cup whole milk
• 2 tablespoons granulated sugar or to taste
• 1/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese plus more for topping
• Fresh herbs like parsley, thyme, or basil—depending on the season, for topping, optional

Instructions

1. Begin by dicing the bacon and finely dicing the onion before you start cooking.
2. Add the olive oil to a large (10 or 12-inch) pan and set over medium heat. Add the diced bacon and onion. Cook for 5–7 minutes, stirring occasionally at first and more frequently towards the end, until the bacon is nicely browned and crispy, and the onions are tender and translucent. (It’s important to fully cook the bacon at this stage, as it won’t brown much more once the liquids are added).
3. Stir in the frozen corn, butter, and initial seasoning to taste (we recommend starting with 1 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper; see Note 2 for guidance on adjusting). Reduce the heat to medium-low. Cook, stirring frequently, until the corn is heated through and the butter has completely melted and coated the corn kernels, about 3–5 minutes.
4. Evenly sprinkle the flour over the corn mixture and cook, stirring constantly, for 1 minute to cook out the raw flour taste. Reduce the heat to low and add the whole milk and granulated sugar (see Note 3 regarding sugar adjustment). Continue to stir, ensuring to scrape the bottom of the pan, until the cream sauce thickens to a rich, velvety consistency, approximately 1 minute (see Note 4 if the sauce becomes too thick). As soon as the sauce thickens, remove the pan from the heat.
5. Sprinkle the freshly grated Parmesan cheese over the top and gently stir it through until it melts smoothly into the warm sauce. Taste for seasonings once more, adding additional salt, pepper, or sugar if needed to achieve your desired flavor balance. If you like, sprinkle in fresh herbs such as parsley, thyme, or basil for a burst of fresh flavor.
6. Serve your homemade creamed corn immediately and enjoy warm! For an extra touch, you can add another sprinkle of Parmesan cheese on top before serving.

Recipe Notes

Note 1: Freshly Grated Parmesan Packaged grated Parmesan (often found in a can) is typically very salty and contains anti-caking agents, which will prevent it from melting as nicely in this recipe. For the best creamy texture and superior flavor, we highly recommend grating a block of Parmesan cheese yourself on a fine grater to get ultra-fine cheese shreds that melt beautifully.
Note 2: Seasoning with Salt The amount of salt needed can vary depending on the inherent saltiness of your chosen bacon and Parmesan cheese. Add salt gradually, tasting after each addition, until the flavors truly come to life and are perfectly balanced to your preference.
Note 3: Adjusting Sugar Levels Add the granulated sugar slowly and to taste. The precise amount you need may vary, as the natural sweetness of the corn you are using can differ. Taste and adjust until you achieve your desired balance of sweet and savory.
Note 4: Sauce Consistency If your sauce thickens too much (perhaps if it’s left on the heat for slightly too long), you can easily remedy this. Simply add another splash of milk, a tablespoon at a time, and stir until the sauce loosens to your preferred creamy consistency. The goal is for the corn to be nicely “creamed” with an even ratio of corn to sauce, not to be drowned in cream.
Storage: Transfer any leftover cooled creamed corn to an airtight container and refrigerate. It will remain delicious for 3 to 5 days.

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving |
Calories: 276kcal |
Carbohydrates: 32g |
Protein: 8g |
Fat: 15g |
Saturated Fat: 6g |
Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g |
Monounsaturated Fat: 6g |
Trans Fat: 0.2g |
Cholesterol: 27mg |
Sodium: 182mg |
Potassium: 394mg |
Fiber: 3g |
Sugar: 7g |
Vitamin A: 224IU |
Vitamin C: 8mg |
Calcium: 108mg |
Iron: 1mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated and should only be used as an approximation.

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