Honey Butter Skillet Corn Recipe

Sizzling Honey Butter Skillet Corn Recipe: Sweet Summer Bliss

Sweet kernels dancing with golden honey butter elevate this skillet corn to comfort food heaven.

Southern kitchens have long cherished this simple yet magical side dish.

Each spoonful bursts with rich, creamy goodness that melts effortlessly on your tongue.

The combination of fresh corn and velvety butter creates a harmony of flavors that sings with every bite.

Crisp edges and silky smooth centers make this dish irresistibly delectable.

Generations have passed down this recipe, celebrating its pure, homestyle deliciousness.

Honey Butter Skillet Corn: What Makes It Delicious

  • Unleash Quick Comfort: Whip up this delightful corn dish in just minutes with minimal ingredients and simple cooking steps.
  • Customize Your Flavor Boost: Easily adjust seasonings like salt and pepper to match your personal taste preferences or dietary needs.
  • Create Crowd-Pleasing Magic: This creamy, sweet, and savory side dish will win over family members and guests with its irresistible combination of honey, butter, and cream cheese.
  • One-Pan Wonder: Prepare the entire recipe in a single skillet, minimizing kitchen cleanup and making mealtime preparation a breeze.

Ingredients for Honey Butter Skillet Corn

Main Ingredients:
  • Butter: A rich, creamy ingredient that adds flavor and helps cook the corn.
  • Honey: A natural sweetener that provides a delightful touch of sweetness to the dish.
  • Frozen Corn: The star ingredient that forms the base of this delicious side dish.
Dairy and Seasoning:
  • Cream Cheese: Adds a creamy, tangy texture that binds the ingredients together.
  • Salt, Black Pepper: Essential seasonings that enhance the overall flavor profile of the corn.
Cooking Essentials:
  • Cast-Iron Skillet: The preferred pan for even heat distribution and optimal cooking results.

How to Cook Honey Butter Skillet Corn

Step 1: Warm Up The Skillet

Grab your favorite cast-iron skillet and place it on the stovetop.

Turn the heat to medium-high and let the pan get nice and hot.

Step 2: Create A Buttery Honey Base

Drop in the butter and honey, letting them melt together into a golden, glossy mixture.

Swirl the pan gently to help them combine smoothly.

Step 3: Introduce The Corn

Pour in the frozen corn kernels, spreading them evenly across the skillet.

Let the corn dance and sizzle in the sweet buttery liquid.

Stir occasionally to ensure each kernel gets some love from the heat.

Step 4: Bring In The Creamy Element

Add these ingredients to the skillet:
  • Cream cheese chunks
  • Salt
  • Black pepper

Stir everything together, allowing the cream cheese to melt and create a luxurious, velvety sauce coating the corn.

Step 5: Final Touch And Serve

Continue cooking for a few more minutes, stirring periodically until the mixture looks creamy and well-blended.

Remove from heat and transfer to a serving dish immediately.

Step 6: Store Leftovers

If you have any remaining corn, pop it into a sealed container and refrigerate.

It’ll stay fresh and delicious for a few days.

Tips for Perfect Honey Butter Corn

  • Use high-quality frozen corn for consistent sweetness and texture, ensuring the best flavor in your skillet dish.
  • Maintain medium-high heat to caramelize honey and butter without burning, creating a rich golden coating on the corn.
  • Gently mix ingredients throughout cooking to prevent sticking and distribute cream cheese and seasonings evenly.
  • Cut cream cheese into small chunks for faster, smoother melting and better integration with corn and honey mixture.
  • Enjoy the dish right after cooking to experience the most vibrant flavors and creamiest texture.

Flavor Twists for Honey Butter Skillet Corn

  • Dairy-Free Delight: Replace cream cheese with coconut cream or cashew cream for a vegan-friendly version that maintains a creamy texture.
  • Spicy Corn Kick: Add diced jalapeños or red pepper flakes to introduce a spicy element that complements the sweet honey butter base.
  • Herb-Infused Variation: Sprinkle fresh chopped chives, parsley, or thyme to enhance the corn's flavor profile with a bright, aromatic touch.
  • Low-Carb Option: Substitute frozen corn with cauliflower or zucchini for a lower-carbohydrate alternative that keeps the same cooking method and flavor profile.

Serving Suggestions for Honey Butter Corn

  • Sweet Summer BBQ Companion: Pair this creamy corn side dish with grilled chicken or smoky barbecue ribs for a delightful meal that combines rich flavors and textures.
  • Potluck Perfect Presentation: Serve in a rustic cast-iron skillet directly at the table, allowing guests to scoop their own portion and enjoy the warm, glistening corn dish.
  • Breakfast Surprise Twist: Spoon this sweet and savory corn over crispy bacon or alongside fluffy scrambled eggs for an unexpected morning breakfast enhancement that elevates traditional morning fare.
  • Vegetarian Comfort Bowl: Transform the corn into a hearty base for a vegetarian bowl by topping with roasted vegetables, crumbled feta cheese, and a sprinkle of fresh herbs like chives or parsley.

Storing Honey Butter Skillet Corn Easily

  • Store leftover honey butter skillet corn in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days in the refrigerator. Seal tightly to prevent moisture and odor absorption.
  • Warm the corn in a skillet over medium-low heat, stirring gently to prevent burning. Add a splash of milk or butter to restore moisture and prevent dryness.
  • Place corn in a microwave-safe dish, cover with a damp paper towel, and heat in 30-second intervals, stirring between each interval until heated through. Watch carefully to avoid overcooking.
  • Can be frozen for up to 2 months in a freezer-safe container. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating to maintain best texture and flavor.

FAQs

  • Can I use fresh corn instead of frozen corn?

Yes, you can use fresh corn kernels. Simply cut the kernels off the cob and follow the same cooking method in the skillet.

  • Is this recipe suitable for vegetarians?

Absolutely! This Honey Butter Skillet Corn is vegetarian-friendly and contains no meat products.

  • How can I make this dish more spicy?

Add a pinch of red pepper flakes or a dash of cayenne pepper when seasoning to give it a spicy kick.

  • What type of cream cheese works best?

Use full-fat cream cheese for the richest and most creamy texture in this recipe.

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Honey Butter Skillet Corn Recipe

Honey Butter Skillet Corn Recipe


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4.9 from 21 reviews

  • Total Time: 16 minutes
  • Yield: 4 1x

Description

Sweet kernels of summer corn mingle with creamy honey butter in this irresistible Southern-style side dish. Melted butter and golden honey elevate simple corn into a crowd-pleasing companion that will make you crave seconds.


Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients:

  • 1 bag (16 ounces/454 grams) frozen corn or corn ribs
  • 2 ounces (56 grams) cream cheese (cut into chunks)

Seasoning Ingredients:

  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

Finishing Ingredients:

  • 2 tablespoons butter (salted preferred)
  • 2 tablespoons honey

Instructions

  1. Heat cast-iron skillet over medium-high temperature, melting honey and butter together until they form a smooth, golden liquid.
  2. Add frozen corn kernels to the skillet, stirring periodically to ensure even cooking and prevent sticking. Continue cooking for 6-7 minutes until corn is heated through and slightly golden.
  3. Introduce cream cheese chunks into the skillet, gently folding them into the corn mixture. Season with salt and black pepper.
  4. Reduce heat to medium-low, allowing cream cheese to melt completely while stirring consistently. This process takes approximately 4 minutes, creating a creamy, glossy coating on the corn.
  5. Once cream cheese is fully incorporated and corn is tender, remove skillet from heat. The mixture should have a rich, velvety texture with a slight sheen.
  6. Transfer corn to a serving dish immediately, ensuring it remains warm. For storage, refrigerate in an airtight container, consuming within 2-3 days for optimal flavor and texture.

Notes

  • Customize heat levels by adjusting the amount of black pepper for different spice preferences.
  • Swap frozen corn with fresh corn kernels during summer for a more vibrant, crisp texture and enhanced natural sweetness.
  • Transform this side dish into a creamy vegetarian main course by adding sautéed bell peppers, onions, or diced jalapeños for extra flavor complexity.
  • Reduce butter and use a light cream cheese version to create a lighter, lower-calorie variation without compromising rich, comforting taste.
  • Prep Time: 5 minutes
  • Cook Time: 11 minutes
  • Category: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Snacks, Appetizer
  • Method: Sautéing
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 4
  • Calories: 208 kcal
  • Sugar: 8 g
  • Sodium: 186 mg
  • Fat: 12 g
  • Saturated Fat: 7 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
  • Trans Fat: 0.3 g
  • Carbohydrates: 22 g
  • Fiber: 2 g
  • Protein: 4 g
  • Cholesterol: 31 mg
Natalie Brooks

Natalie Brooks

Co-Founder & Content Strategist

Expertise

  • Vegan and plant-based recipe creation
  • Meal planning and nutritional analysis
  • Storytelling through blog content, video, and social media

Education

eCornell

  • Program: Plant-Based Nutrition Certificate
  • Focus: Whole-food, plant-based cooking, with a foundation in nutritional science and sustainable eating habits.

Natalie brings the vibrant, plant-powered side to Culinary Duo. After earning her Plant-Based Nutrition Certificate from eCornell, she combined her love for fresh ingredients with a passion for storytelling, aiming to make healthy cooking simple and satisfying.
Her kitchen motto: good food doesn’t need a fancy label, it just needs fresh ideas and a little creativity. Outside of writing and recipe testing, Natalie’s happiest in her garden, exploring farmers’ markets, or mixing global flavors into new kitchen experiments.

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