Creamy Butter Corn
A quick and easy savory side dish featuring sweet corn sautéed in butter with garlic and finished with a velvety cream sauce. Perfect for cozy dinners, potlucks, and holiday meals.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Side Dish
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 cups fresh corn kernels (about 5–6 ears) or thawed frozen corn
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter (about 60 grams), softened
- 1/2 cup heavy cream (120 ml)
- 2 cloves garlic, minced finely
- 1/2 teaspoon salt, or to taste
- 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- Optional: 1 tablespoon fresh thyme or parsley, chopped
- Optional: Pinch of smoked paprika
Instructions
- Prep the corn by slicing kernels from 5-6 ears or thaw and drain frozen corn (5-7 minutes).
- Melt 4 tablespoons unsalted butter in a large skillet over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally until foamy and nutty (3-4 minutes).
- Add minced garlic and sauté gently for 30 seconds to 1 minute until fragrant, avoiding browning.
- Add corn kernels to the skillet and stir to coat with butter and garlic. Cook for 5-7 minutes until tender and slightly golden.
- Season with 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, and a pinch of smoked paprika if using. Stir to combine.
- Lower heat to medium-low and stir in 1/2 cup heavy cream. Simmer gently for 2-3 minutes until warmed through and creamy, avoiding boiling.
- Remove from heat and sprinkle chopped fresh thyme or parsley over the top. Stir gently.
- Serve warm immediately.
Notes
If the corn looks dry before adding cream, add a splash of water or broth to keep it moist. Stir gently and regularly to prevent scorching. Avoid overcooking the corn to maintain a slight pop in texture. For dairy-free, substitute butter with coconut or olive oil and heavy cream with coconut cream or plant-based creamer. For lower fat, use Greek yogurt off heat instead of cream.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: About 1/2 cup per se
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 6
- Sodium: 300
- Fat: 10
- Saturated Fat: 6
- Carbohydrates: 12
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 3
Keywords: creamy butter corn, easy side dish, savory corn recipe, buttery corn, quick corn recipe, comfort food, gluten-free side