What is Canned Cream Corn?
Canned cream corn is a popular canned vegetable made from sweet corn. The corn kernels are removed from the cob and processed with cream or milk to give it a creamy, velvety texture. Cream corn is a comforting side dish that is simple to prepare by just heating and serving. It’s commonly used in casseroles, chowders, pot pies and other dishes. While delicious on its own, there are many ways to enhance basic canned cream corn to make it even more flavorful.
Nutrition of Canned Cream Corn
Canned cream corn is a good source of certain nutrients (table 1). A 1/2 cup serving provides fiber, vitamin C, folate and some minerals like iron and magnesium. However, it’s also high in sodium since salt is added during the canning process. Look for low sodium or no salt added versions to limit the amount of sodium.
| Nutrient | Amount (1/2 cup) |
|---|---|
| Calories | 67 |
| Fat | 2 g |
| Carbohydrates | 13 g |
| Fiber | 1 g |
| Protein | 2 g |
| Vitamin C | 4 mg |
| Folate | 53 mcg |
| Calcium | 26 mg |
| Iron | 0.5 mg |
| Magnesium | 16 mg |
| Sodium | 288 mg |
Ways to Enhance Canned Cream Corn
There are many easy ways to take canned cream corn from basic to gourmet with just a few extra ingredients. Consider these options:
Add Flavorful Fats
Stirring in a bit of butter, olive oil or bacon grease can impart more richness and flavor. The small amount of added fat carries flavors beautifully. Try a tablespoon or two of:
- Butter
- Olive oil or avocado oil
- Bacon grease
- Coconut oil
Mix in Cheese
Melting cheese into hot cream corn adds creamy, savory goodness. Sharp cheddar, Monterey Jack, cotija and Parmesan are all good options. Stir in a 1/2 cup or so of shredded cheese until melted. Keep in mind the cheese will add sodium.
Toss with Herbs and Spices
Fresh or dried herbs are an easy way to spice up canned cream corn. Choose whatever herbs you have on hand or suit the dish you’re making. Ideas:
- Parsley
- Chives
- Dill
- Basil
- Oregano
- Thyme
- Rosemary
- Tarragon
Spices like paprika, chili powder, cumin and curry powder can also infuse more flavor.
Include Vegetables
Adding extra vegetables builds texture and flavor contrast. Try stirring in any of these:
- Diced tomatoes
- Minced garlic
- Diced onions or shallots
- Diced bell pepper
- Chopped spinach or kale
- Kernel corn cut from the cob
Swap in Flavored Liquids
For more flavor, use an aromatic liquid instead of water when heating the cream corn. Ideas:
- Chicken or vegetable broth
- Coconut milk
- Wine
- Beer
Finish with Acid
Brighten up the flavor with a splash of vinegar or citrus juice just before serving:
- Rice wine vinegar
- Apple cider vinegar
- White wine vinegar
- Lemon juice
- Lime juice
Add Creaminess
For ultra creamy cream corn, stir in:
- Heavy cream
- Sour cream
- Creme fraiche
- Mascarpone
- Cream cheese
Mix in Sweetness
Contrast the creamy corn with a touch of sweetness:
- Honey
- Maple syrup
- Brown sugar
- Apple butter
Top with Crunchy Toppings
Add texture with crunchy toppings like:
- Crumbled bacon
- Toasted nuts or seeds like pecans, pepitas or sunflower seeds
- Diced ham
- Breadcrumbs or crushed crackers like panko or Ritz
- Fried shallots
Recipe Ideas
Here are some recipe ideas that showcase enhanced canned cream corn:
Creamy Corn Casserole
Ingredients:
- 2 15 oz cans cream corn
- 8 oz sour cream
- 2 eggs
- 1/4 cup flour
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 1/4 cup butter, melted
- 1 cup shredded cheddar
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp pepper
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease a 9×13 baking dish.
- In a large bowl, mix corn, sour cream, eggs, flour, sugar, butter, cheese, salt and pepper until combined.
- Pour into prepared baking dish.
- Bake for 45 minutes until set and golden brown.
- Let cool 10 minutes before serving.
Cheesy Chile Cream Corn
Ingredients:
- 4 15 oz cans cream corn
- 1 cup shredded Pepper Jack cheese
- 1 4 oz can diced green chiles
- 3 tbsp butter
- 1/4 cup cilantro, chopped
- Juice of 1 lime
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
- In a large skillet over medium heat, melt butter.
- Add cream corn, green chiles and pepper jack. Cook, stirring frequently until heated through and cheese is melted, about 5 minutes.
- Remove from heat. Stir in cilantro and lime juice. Season with salt and pepper.
- Serve warm.
Creamed Corn with Bacon
Ingredients:
- 6 slices bacon, diced
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 3 15 oz cans cream corn
- 1/4 cup heavy cream
- 2 tbsp butter
- 1/4 cup parsley, chopped
- 1/2 tsp paprika
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
- In a skillet over medium heat, cook bacon until crisp. Remove bacon with a slotted spoon to paper towel lined plate.
- Reserve 2 tbsp bacon drippings in the pan. Add onion and cook until soft, about 5 minutes.
- Add garlic and cook 1 minute more.
- Add cream corn, cream, butter and paprika. Stir together and heat through, about 5 minutes.
- Remove from heat. Season with salt and pepper.
- Top with crumbled bacon and parsley.
Tips for Reheating Canned Cream Corn
Follow these tips for reheating leftover enhanced canned cream corn:
- Use the stovetop or microwave to gently reheat, stirring occasionally.
- Add a splash of milk or cream to thin it out if needed.
- If it was topped with cheese initially, you may need to add more cheese before reheating to keep it creamy.
- For casseroles or egg based dishes, cover and reheat at 325°F until warmed through.
- Avoid boiling or overcooking cream corn when reheating or it can curdle.
Storing Enhanced Canned Cream Corn
Here are some guidelines for storing enhanced cream corn:
- Store leftovers in a sealed container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.
- Freeze enhanced cream corn in airtight containers for 2-3 months.
- Label and date leftovers and frozen batches.
- Any cream or milk based additions can shorten the storage lifespan.
- If you see any signs of spoilage, toss immediately.
Conclusion
While delicious plain, canned cream corn can be elevated in many ways using simple ingredients. Add cheese for creaminess, herbs and spices for flavor, vegetables for texture, bacon or nuts for crunch or acids like citrus to brighten it up. Feel free to mix and match different add-ins to create your own signature creamy corn side dish. With these creative ways of enhancing canned cream corn, you may never go back to the plain version again.