Fresh Creamed Corn | With 6 Clean-Eating Ingredients

Watch corn on the cob transform into healthy and fresh creamed corn! This post shows you how to make this tasty side dish (or perfect summer snack) using clean-eating ingredients.

My family, we’re corn lovers. Fresh seasonal corn is especially hard to beat. We love it every way possible and take advantage of its sweet freshness when in season. It’s tasty and one of the best flavors of summer…do you agree?

Honestly, the kids would have corn on the cob every night if I served it that often, so I try to change it up and serve fresh creamed corn for a change. And then grilled corn. With an amazing salad on a hot day.

And steamed, too. And of course, I garnish it with a dab of butter and a dash of salt and black pepper. Alongside a plate of Healthy Hot Nashville Chicken or to accompany Flank Steak with Chimichurri Sauce, it’s just perfection. I like corn with shrimp, too<–yum! Ready for THIS sweet, creamy and fresh rendition of corn?

You’ll soon consider it your best creamed corn recipe. Let’s get to it!

What is corn?

Well, corn is classified both as a cereal grain and as a starchy vegetable. In the form we’re eating (fresh creamed corn)  it’s definitely a veggie. When served as grits and popcorn, it’s considered a grain. 

*One cup of corn has 5.4 grams of protein and 4.6 grams of fiber. It’s also high in some of the B vitamins and in vitamin C.

How to choose the best corn

Buy corn when you plan to use it and also keep it husked until you are ready to cook. Can’t use it right away? Refrigerate your corn in the husks.

While some people will use frozen corn for this recipe, I prefer fresh corn when in season. It’s the best! To choose tasty and sweet corn, remember these tips:

• If you see tiny brown holes in the husk (especially near the top) these are worm holes! Avoid buying that husk.
• Gently feel the husk for holes. All of the husks should feel plump with kernels side by side.
• The corn silk, or tassels (they stick out of the top) should be brown and feel sticky. If they are black or dry, the corn is old.
• The husk should be green and tight against the corn cob.

Is creamed corn healthy?

Creamed corn is healthy when the recipe is made with good-for-you ingredients. How did I “make it healthy”? When you look at the ingredients you will see they are simple and few in number. That translates to a clean-eating dish!

Here’s what I recommend:

• Replace half and half or heavy cream with coconut milk
• Switch the butter for coconut oil
• Use arrowroot starch as an additional thickener rather than flour
• Replace refined sugar with better-for-you coconut sugar

How do you make creamed corn from scratch?

To make fresh creamed corn from scratch, follow these tips. You’ll end up with a savory and sweet dish, easily made and super enjoyable!

1. Cook your corn: Watch my video on husking corn and then grill it for fabulous flavor.
   
2. Slice the kernels: Take a sharp knife and carefully cut the corn kernels off the steamed or grilled corn.
   
3. Combine ingredients: Your saucepan or large skillet should have the coconut oil heated over medium and ready for additions. Then you’ll add the arrowroot starch, salt, and coconut sugar to the oil, stirring to combine.
   
4. Cook the ingredients: Cook the combined ingredients for one minute.
   
5. Thicken the mixture: Add the coconut milk to the corn mixture to complete the cream sauce, cooking for an additional 5-8 minutes. This will thicken your creamed corn.
   
6. Adjust seasonings: If you want, taste and adjust the seasonings to your liking. May mean a bit more salt or sugar.

What Does Creamed Corn Go Well With?

From chicken pot pie to turkey at Thanksgiving to meatloaf, fresh creamed corn goes well with a lot of things. Seriously, what doesn’t it go with? Here are my top picks for a fine pairing:

• Meatloaf
• Chicken (see these great BBQ marinades!)
• Steak (more marinades)
• Burgers
• Ribs
• Shrimp
• With a Chicken Pot Pie
• Roast
• In meal prep dishes

How Do You Store Fresh Creamed Corn?

I store this yummy fresh creamed corn in an airtight container in the fridge. It keeps well in the freezer too, in an airtight container for up to 3 months. To reheat, thaw in the fridge and then reheat on the stove over low to medium heat.

How Long Will Creamed Corn Stay Fresh?

For optimum freshness, this creamed corn should be used within 3 days. It’s such a favorite in my house that there is no problem with leftovers being around too long. And not only that, it’s easy to make so I tend to follow my recipe as given here. It makes 4 cups.

More Healthy Corn Recipes or Veggie Recipes

Looking for more ways to use delicious (and versatile) corn? These are just a few!

• Easy Sweet Cornbread
• Homemade Corn Tortillas (made with masa harina, which is a dough from corn)
• Summer Corn Edamame Salad With Lemon Basil Vinaigrette
• How to Grill Corn

 

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