Sizzling Honey Butter Corn: A Sweet & Savory Recipe

Sweet summer corn meets creamy, decadent honey butter in this irresistible skillet corn recipe that promises pure comfort.

Sautéed corn kernels dance with a luscious honey butter blend, creating a side dish that sings with flavor.

Each golden spoonful delivers rich, sweet notes that complement any main course.

Southern kitchens have long celebrated this simple yet elegant accompaniment to hearty meals.

Fresh corn kernels caramelize beautifully when kissed by melted butter and a drizzle of honey.

The result is a vibrant, glossy side that transforms an ordinary dinner into something special.

This corn will steal the spotlight and leave everyone asking for seconds.

Reasons Honey Butter Skillet Corn Wins Hearts

• Quick and Easy Preparation: Whip up this delightful corn dish in just a few simple steps, perfect for busy home cooks looking for a hassle-free side dish.
• Creamy Comfort Food Twist: Transform ordinary frozen corn into a luxurious, indulgent treat with the magical combination of honey, butter, and cream cheese that creates an irresistibly smooth texture.
• Crowd-Pleasing Flavor Explosion: Delight both kids and adults with a sweet and savory corn recipe that elevates the humble vegetable into a show-stopping side dish that will have everyone asking for seconds.
• Versatile Serving Option: Enjoy this corn as a perfect companion to grilled meats, holiday meals, or as a standalone comfort food that works for casual family dinners or special gatherings.

What You’ll Need for Skillet Corn With Honey Butter

• Butter: A rich, creamy ingredient that adds delicious flavor.
• Cream Cheese: Smooth and tangy cheese that creates a silky texture.

• Honey: A golden, natural sweetener that brings warmth to the dish.

• Frozen Corn: Sweet kernels that provide a satisfying base for the skillet dish.

How to Make This Sweet and Buttery Corn Dish

Step 1: Prepare the Skillet

Heat a medium skillet over medium temperature.

Grab your butter and let it melt completely across the bottom of the pan, creating a smooth cooking surface.

Step 2: Create Honey Base

Pour honey into the melted butter and stir until the two ingredients blend together smoothly, forming a golden sweet mixture.

Step 3: Add Corn Kernels

Toss frozen corn into the skillet and stir carefully to ensure every kernel gets coated with the honey-butter combination.

Keep stirring while cooking for 5-7 minutes until corn is thoroughly warmed.

Step 4: Introduce Cream Cheese

Lower the heat to low setting.

Drop cream cheese chunks into the corn mixture and gently stir until the cheese melts completely, creating a rich and creamy texture.

Step 5: Final Simmer and Serve

Allow the corn mixture to simmer for an additional 2-3 minutes, stirring occasionally.

This helps blend all flavors together perfectly.

Remove from heat and serve immediately while hot and deliciously creamy.

Tips for Getting That Perfect Skillet Corn Texture

• Keep stirring constantly while cooking to ensure each kernel gets evenly coated with honey-butter mixture and doesn't burn or stick to the skillet.
• Adjust honey quantity based on personal preference – add less for subtle sweetness or more for a pronounced sweet flavor profile.
• Cut cream cheese into small chunks before adding to help it melt faster and integrate smoothly into the corn mixture.
• For crispier corn, increase heat slightly and cook a few extra minutes, watching carefully to avoid burning the kernels.
• Prepare this dish in advance and reheat gently in the microwave or skillet, adding a splash of milk if the mixture seems too thick.

Best Ways to Store and Reheat This Corn Side

• Transfer leftover corn to an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Keep the lid sealed tight to maintain freshness and prevent absorption of other food odors.
• Place corn in a microwave-safe dish, cover with a damp paper towel, and heat in 30-second intervals. Stir between intervals to distribute heat evenly and prevent drying out.
• Warm corn in a skillet over medium-low heat, adding a splash of milk or butter to restore moisture and prevent sticking. Stir gently until heated through and creamy.
• Cream cheese and corn do not freeze well, as they can separate and lose their smooth texture when thawed. Best to enjoy within a few days of preparation.

Pairing Ideas for Honey Butter Corn

• Grilled Southern Protein Partner: Pair with crispy buttermilk fried chicken or smoky barbecue pulled pork for a delightful contrast of creamy corn against robust meat textures.
• Wine and Dine Selection: Choose a chilled Riesling or Gewürztraminer with slightly sweet undertones that beautifully match the honey's sweetness and complement the corn's creamy profile.
• Rustic Side Dish Companions: Serve alongside grilled zucchini, roasted asparagus, or fresh summer green salads to create a balanced, colorful plate that highlights the corn's rich, velvety character.
• Hearty Bread Buddy: Accompany with warm cornbread, buttermilk biscuits, or crusty sourdough to soak up the delicious honey-butter cream sauce and add a delightful textural element.

Ways to Change Up Skillet Corn With Flavor

• Dairy-Free Delight: Replace butter with coconut oil and cream cheese with cashew cream for a vegan-friendly version that maintains rich, creamy texture.
• Low-Carb Option: Swap frozen corn with cauliflower florets to reduce carbohydrate content while keeping the same honey-butter cooking method.
• Spicy Herb Variation: Add minced jalapeños and fresh chopped cilantro during the final simmering stage to introduce a zesty, warm flavor profile.
• Mediterranean Style: Incorporate crumbled feta cheese and dried oregano for a Mediterranean-inspired corn side dish with tangy, herbaceous notes.

FAQs

• What type of corn works best for this recipe?

Frozen corn is ideal as it’s pre-cut, easily accessible, and cooks quickly without additional preparation. Fresh or canned corn can also work, but may require slight adjustments in cooking time.

• Can I use margarine instead of butter?

While butter provides the richest flavor, margarine can be substituted if needed. However, real butter will give the best taste and creamy texture to the dish.

• Is this recipe suitable for vegetarians?

Yes, this honey butter skillet corn is vegetarian-friendly. It contains no meat products and uses simple dairy ingredients like butter, cream cheese, and honey.

• How can I make this dish less sweet?

Reduce the amount of honey or use a honey with a less intense flavor. You can also add a pinch of salt or a dash of black pepper to balance the sweetness and create more depth in the flavor profile.

Honey Butter Skillet Corn Recipe

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4.9 from 12 reviews

• Total Time: 15 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Sweet Southern honey butter skillet corn brings farm-fresh comfort straight to dinner tables with irresistible creamy goodness. Golden kernels mingle with rich butter and delicate honey, creating a side dish that makes you crave seconds.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 1 bag (16 ounces/454 grams) frozen corn
• 2 ounces (57 grams) cream cheese, cut into chunks

Dairy and Sweeteners:

• 2 tablespoons salted butter
• 2 tablespoons honey

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Instructions

1. Prepare a medium skillet and place it over medium heat, allowing it to warm up for a moment.
2. Introduce butter to the skillet, letting it melt completely and spread across the cooking surface to prevent any potential sticking.
3. Pour honey into the melted butter, whisking gently to create a seamless golden-hued mixture that combines both sweet and rich flavors.
4. Carefully tumble frozen corn kernels into the skillet, ensuring each piece gets coated with the luxurious honey-butter glaze.
5. Continuously stir the corn, moving the kernels around the pan to promote even heating and prevent any potential burning.
6. After approximately 5-6 minutes, when the corn appears warmed and glistening, reduce the heat to a low setting.
7. Strategically drop cream cheese chunks into the skillet, allowing them to slowly melt and integrate with the corn and honey-butter base.
8. Gently fold the ingredients together, creating a smooth, velvety texture that envelops each corn kernel with creamy richness.
9. Let the mixture simmer softly for an additional 2-3 minutes, giving the flavors time to meld and intensify.
10. Remove from heat and transfer to a serving dish, presenting a warm, decadent side dish ready to be enjoyed immediately.

Notes

• Swap frozen corn for fresh corn during summer months for a more vibrant, crisp texture and enhanced natural sweetness.
• Reduce honey amount if watching sugar intake, or substitute with maple syrup for a different flavor profile.
• For a dairy-free version, replace cream cheese with coconut cream or cashew cream to maintain richness without animal products.
• Elevate the dish by sprinkling fresh chives or cracked black pepper on top for added depth and visual appeal.

• Prep Time: 5 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Category: Breakfast, Side Dish
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 200
• Sugar: 8 g
• Sodium: 180 mg
• Fat: 9 g
• Saturated Fat: 5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 28 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 4 g
• Cholesterol: 20 mg