Slow Cooker Sweet Creamed Corn

Melt in your mouth slow cooker creamed corn is smothered in cream cheese and butter. It's a luscious side dish done in the slow cooker with minimal effort. Yes please! The perfect, set-it-and-forget-it side dish for Thanksgiving or family gatherings all year round. 

Prepare this slow cooker creamed corn the day before & then cook the next day. Great party dish.

Why you'll love it

Gone are the days of canned creamed corn that lacks flavor and that wow factor. Slow cooking lets sweet corn kernels soak up rich cream cheese, butter, and just the right amount of sugar for amazing flavor and texture. The low and slow method makes natural corn sweetness come through effortlessly.

Ingredients

• Corn - 5-6 ears of corn on the cob, husk and silk removed (30-32 ounces of corn kernels). You can also use frozen sweet corn.
• Cream Cheese - I like to use full fat cream cheese for extra creaminess!
• Salted Butter - I used salted butter, but you can use unsalted. Either way, season the finished creamed corn to taste. You can cut the butter into pieces before placing it over the corn, but it's not necessary.
• Granulated Sugar - Everyone varies on how sweet they like their crock pot creamed corn. If 2 tablespoons seems to be too much for your sweet tooth, start with just 1 and gradually add more until it's at a level you enjoy.
• Water - Just a splash inside your crockpot.
• Salt and pepper - To taste, but I suggest using ¼ teaspoon of pepper, and 1 teaspoon of salt.

How to make slow cooker creamed corn

Includes optional grill step and step by step photo instructions.

1. Grill corn for smoky flavor (Optional step)

• Heat your grill to high and oil the grates or use portable grill or skillet.
• Place peeled ears of corn onto the grill.
• Rotate frequently until the kernels have charred to your liking. The goal is to get color/flavor into the corn, not to cook them through.
• They will cook completely in the slow cooker.
• Remove corn cobs from the grill and set aside to cool enough so that you can handle them.

2. Cut kernels from cobs

To avoid mess, stand each corn cob vertically in a bowl or use a cutting board. Cut the tip off of the corn cob so it has a flat surface to rest on.Slice kernels downward carefully, letting them collect in the bowl beneath. Be very careful.

3. Add corn kernels to slow cooker

Add corn kernels into the crock pot. Place cream cheese and butter on top of the butter. Pour water over corn. Sprinkle sugar over all of the ingredients. DO NOT STIR. 

4. Cook low and slow

Cover and cook on low for 4 hours. Stir well after the corn has cooked. Optional: Stir in cream or milk until you reach desired consistency. Season to taste with salt and pepper if desired.

5. Finish with seasoning and cream

Once cooked, stir well. If the mixture is too thick or dry, add a splash of cream or milk until you reach your desired consistency. Season to taste with salt and pepper.

Tips for success

• Preheat your ingredients (optional): It's best to heat all the ingredients except for the corn on the stovetop before placing in the crockpot.
• Start high then go low: Start on high in the crockpot and cook for one hour. Turn to low and cook for around 3-4 hours.
• Adjust Sweetness to Taste: Start with less sugar and add more gradually if you prefer sweeter creamed corn.
• Avoid Temperature Shock: If your slow cooker dish is cold, warm it at room temperature before baking or start cooking on low heat with the dish inside the slow cooker.
• Use Frozen or Canned Corn: If fresh corn isn't available, quality frozen or canned corn works well, especially when seared in a skillet to replicate grilled flavor.

Fresh, frozen or canned corn?

• I used whole corn on the cob, but you can also use pre-husked and prepared corn on the cob.
• Replace the fresh corn with a 32 ounce bag of frozen whole kernel corn (this is how my mom made it)
• 3 drained cans of corn (about 15 oz each).

Do I have to grill the corn first?

No. Grilling the corn adds a delicious smoky flavor that really elevates the dish, but if you're short on time (or don't have a grill), you can skip this step. You can make this recipe using the frozen bag of corn and it really makes this recipe no-fuss.

How to get grill flavor to your creamed corn

• Use stove top: If you still want the grilled flavor but are using bagged/canned corn, heat a skillet over medium high heat with 1 Tablespoon butter or oil. Add the corn (thaw if frozen) and stir constantly until the pieces have been charred to your liking. You can skip this step and just put the whole bag (or cans) of corn into the slow cooker.
• Use grill
• Use grill pan

Equipment you'll need

• Slow-cooker: At least 4 quarts
• Grill pan
• 2 bows: large and small
• Chef's knife

Can I double this recipe for a crowd?

This recipe is easy to scale up if you are serving a crowd of corn lovers! If you're going to double the recipe, and you should!, just make sure your slow cooker is large enough (at least 6 quarts). You may need to add 30-60 minutes to the cooking time.

Can I make creamed corn sugar free?

• Sugar can be substituted with maple syrup or leave the sugar out completely. This is a sweet corn recipe, but if you're like me and you like to keep savory things savory, I think a sugarless version would be delicious.
• Use stevia if you prefer additional sweetness and want a zero-calorie, plant-based alternative that doesn't significantly impact blood sugar.

Variations to your creamed corn

• Spice it up: Tajin and a BBQ rub will give creamed corn a little additional flavor. Or sprinkle in herbs like thyme, rosemary, or a dash of cayenne for heat.
• Cooked bacon: Add crumbled cooked bacon for a crunchy version of creamed corn.
• Add Cheese: Mixing in sharp cheddar or Parmesan enhances creaminess and adds savory notes.
• Dairy-Free: Use canned coconut milk and a plant-based butter substitute for vegan creamed corn.

Store/Reheat/Don't freeze

• Refrigerate: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4-5 days.
• Reheat gently in the microwave or stovetop: The cooked creamed corn also reheats beautifully - just stir in a splash of milk or cream before warming on the stove or in a slow cooker on low.
• Avoid freezing as cream-based dishes may separate and lose texture.
• Make It Ahead: Prepare corn a day early and store covered in the fridge. Make this early in the day and leave it in the crockpot on the warm setting. When ready to serve it for dinner (with Easy Pan Seared Chicken), it just needed a good stir and a splash of milk to bring it back to the creamy consistency we were looking for.   

Delicious serving suggestions that pair perfectly with creamy slow cooker creamed corn

• Roast or grilled meats: Creamed corn complements the smoky flavors of Smoked or Oven-Roasted Tri-Tip Santa Maria Style and Marinated Beef Kebabs.
• Thanksgiving side: It's a classic side dish that adds creamy sweetness to the Thanksgiving turkey.
• Southern-style comfort meals: Pair well with fried chicken, collard greens, or Cornbread for a true Southern feast.

Easy slow cooker recipes

• Slow Cooker Chicken Thighs
• Slow Cooker Brisket in BBQ Sauce

More delicious side recipes

• Creamy Garlic Potatoes
• Honey Roasted Carrots
• Lemon Garlic Green Beans