Slow Cooker Creamed Corn
This post may contain affiliate links. Please see our privacy policy for details.
The dreamiest creamed corn! So velvety and creamy, and unbelievably easy to make with just 5 ingredients. Simply set and forget. SO GOOD!
Featured Comment
Why you’ll love slow cooker creamed corn
- Frees up oven space. You can simply let the creamed corn do its own buttery, creamy thing without taking up any precious oven or stovetop real estate during the holidays.
- Dump and go. This is one of those favorited hands-off crockpot recipes where you can simply drop all your ingredients in the slow cooker, stir, and cover – no babysitting needed! The slow cooker is also portable, making it so easy to travel and transport to your next holiday gathering.
- Creamy, velvety goodness. Say goodbye to the canned stuff! Nothing beats homemade creamed corn. And the slow cooker really allows the corn to soak in that buttery, creamy, velvety goodness.
- Stays warm without drying out. The creamed corn can be left on the warm setting in the slow cooker, allowing the finished dish to stay warm throughout serving without overcooking or drying out.
Key Ingredients
- Corn: Fresh, canned, and frozen corn all works well here (more on that below).
- Milk: Whole milk will provide enough fat and body to form a velvety consistency without becoming overly heavy.
- Sugar: Add a little bit of sugar for a hint of sweetness. If sweet creamed corn is not to your liking, you can omit completely or lessen the amount of sugar to 1 teaspoon.
- Cream cheese: Be sure to use “brick” cream cheese, not whipped. It will add all the lovely rich and creamy textures here.
- Butter: Use unsalted butter for added richness, giving the corn a glossy restaurant-style finish.
Types of corn to use
- Fresh corn on the cob (6 ears, roughly 4.5-6 cups corn kernels): fresh corn will provide the best flavor and texture, slicing the kernels off the cobs prior to using
- Pro tip: scrape the cob (after cutting off the kernels) to release some of the sweet corn milk
- Canned whole kernel corn (3 15-ounce cans): using canned corn offers pantry convenience, shelf stability, and a fast prep time, draining the cans thoroughly before adding to the slow cooker
- Frozen sweet whole kernel corn (32 ounces): frozen corn is another popular option as it is budget-friendly, available year-round, and does not require any thawing
how to make slow cooker creamed corn
- Combine. Place the corn, milk, sugar, and pepper in a 6-qt slow cooker, stirring until well combined. Then top with cream cheese and butter in an even layer without stirring.
- Cook. Cover with a lid and cook on high heat for 2-3 hours. Then stir in the butter and cream cheese until well combined, cooking for an additional 15 minutes on high heat.
- Serve. Stir well before serving as the creamed corn will thicken upon standing.
CREAMED CORN VARIATIONS
Make it spicy.
Stir in finely chopped, seeded jalapeño peppers, or diced green chiles.
Fold in cheese.
Stir in 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan, sharp cheddar, or Pepper Jack cheese at the end of cooking for a cheesy twist.
Finish with bacon.
Top the creamed corn with crisp, crumbled bacon (or pancetta).
Add a garnish.
Sprinkle the finished dish with chopped fresh chives, sliced green onions, or fresh thyme sprigs.
How to make creamed corn ahead of time
- Cook ahead of time and reheat 1-3 days in advance.
- Cool completely. Once cooled completely, transfer the corn to an airtight container in the fridge.
- Reheat in the slow cooker. Add the chilled creamed corn to the slow cooker and cook on low heat for 1-2 hours until warmed through. Adjust the consistency as needed by adding a splash of milk to loosen.
- Cook and keep warm the same day.
- Cook ahead of time. Cook the creamed corn as directed the day of serving.
- Keep warm. Switch the slow cooker function from low to warm, keeping it warm for no longer than 2 hours.
- Stir as needed. Stir every 30 minutes, adding a splash of milk, if needed.
WHAT TO SERVE WITH CREAMED CORN
Tools For This Recipe
Slow Cooker Creamed Corn: Frequently Asked Questions
Fresh, canned, and frozen corn are all excellent options.
2% or low-fat milk can certainly be substituted but it will contribute to some of the lost richness in the dish.
The cream cheese and the whole milk in the recipe will naturally thicken the creamed corn. For an even thicker consistency, you can blend some of the mixture using an immersion blender prior to serving.
Yes! Creamed corn, once cooled completely, can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days. Reheat in the microwave or stovetop, with a splash of milk, until warmed through.
Freezing creamed corn is not recommended as it tends to separate and become grainy once thawed.
Yes! If you do not have a slow cooker, this is another one of my favorite creamed corn recipes.
Slow Cooker Creamed Corn
Video
Ingredients
- 3 (15.25-ounce) cans whole kernel corn, drained
- 1 cup whole milk
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 8 ounces cream cheese, cubed
- ½ cup unsalted butter, cut into thin slices
Instructions
- Place corn into a 6-qt slow cooker. Stir in milk, sugar and pepper until well combined.
- Without stirring, top with butter and cream cheese. Cover and cook on high heat for 2-3 hours.
- Uncover and stir until butter and cream cheese are well combined. Cover and cook on high heat for an additional 15 minutes.
- Serve immediately.
Equipment
Notes
- Make it extra creamy. Blend 1 cup of the creamed corn before returning to the slow cooker or use a potato masher directly in the slow cooker to break down some of the corn kernels.
- Add a garnish. Garnish with crumbled bacon or chopped fresh chives for a restaurant-quality finish.
- Keep it warm. Keep the slow cooker warm for up to 2 hours, stirring occasionally every 30 minutes or so.
- Add a splash of milk. If the creamed corn thickens too much upon sitting, stir in a splash of milk to loosen as needed.
- Skip freezing. The dairy may separate when thawed.
Did you make this recipe?
Tag @damn_delicious on Instagram and hashtag it #damndelicious!
Looks so delicious! Is there an Instant Pot version for this recipe?
Can we make this using fresh corn kernels?
What is the serving size? My family of 5 eats 1 can of corn and no more at a dinner.
Best cream corn recipe out there! Used for every holiday and passed to so many friends who also love it!
This was delicious! Made as written, but used jalapeno cream cheese and a small can of Hatch’s green chiles (hot) as an addition thanks to previous comments. A real keeper. Thanks, Chungah!
With a national shortage of cream cheese, what substitute can be used for this recipe?
I’d like to make this for Christmas…i’m wondering if anyone makes it with less or no sugar added?
I’ve made this twice, the second time cutting the sugar in half and it’s tasted just as good as the first time.
Can I cook this on stovetop if I do not have a slow cooker?
I could eat this as a main course! This looks delicious and will be making for Christmas dinner. Thank you for sharing>
I have been making this recipe (minus the sugar) since about the early 1980s. I make it by adding a slight twist to the recipe. Add a can of diced jalapeno. This addition gives a once bland corn dish a nice kick, a burst of flavor.
Everyone in my family loves this! Even people who don’t like other cream corn. I’ve made this for parties it’s super simple and always a hit!
Has anyone used chive and onion cream cheese with this recipe ? Wondering if that would be tasty!
I made this last Thanksgiving. It was a hit! I’d like to add a little “kick” this year w/jalapenos. Any idea how much? I saw one reviewer used jalapeno cream cheese but I was thinking of just adding fresh jalapeno. Any advice is appreciated.
I would start with a couple of tablespoons. You know how spicy your family will like it. You can use fresh or pickled jalapeno. If using fresh, it is up to you if you want to use the seeds depending on how spicy you want it.
I need to make this for 20 people for Easter. Can you help me with the timing and the measurements for that? Thank you! So excited to try it out!
Did you ever figure out the exact measurements? I am feeding 30 people. Was going to double the recipe, but now I’m thinking I should triple!
For 20 you would have to quadruple this since the original serves 6.
This recipe has become a staple in our holiday meals. Thank you Chunga!
Omg this was soo good. My husband said it was the best vegetable I have made in a long time. And so easy! Just dump and go! I added some chives at the end for a bit if green. Excellent!
Obsessed with this recipe! So easy and a fan favorite at thanksgiving every time I make it.
I have made this recipe for years always with amazing success. I also use it as a base for an amazing potato corn chowder. After cooking, I add pre-cooked baby yellow potatoes (skin on) cut in half and some cubed pre-cooked ham (I usually just use one of those 8-ounce ham steaks you can buy). I do add a bit more milk to help create the soup once I add the potatoes and ham, and adjust seasoning to taste.
Have made your recipe for the past 5 Thanksgivings. It is always my kids’ favorite dish. Thank you so much!
I’m hoping it turns out good. It looks a little runny and like the cheese or milk curdled…followed it to a T. Hoping I’m overthinking it and it tastes good.
You’re one of my favorite food bloggers and one of only 2 that I would try a recipe I’ve never tried before on Thanksgiving because I trust your recipes completely. Made this on Thanksgiving exactly as you said except I used3 bags of defrosted frozen yellow and white corn. Perfect!! My picky 5 year old loved it and my husband did too. Thank you!!
I was also thinking of using frozen corn. Did you have any trouble with it being watery?
This was our totally unexpected COVID socially distanced dinner favorite! So so easy. So so tasty. I added a bit of salt and some finely chopped green peppers – the peppers brought a little freshness to the dish to balance the (blessed) butter and cream cheese! . Thanks. Thanks. Thanks.
Fabulous!! This was a big hit for Thanksgiving and will be a new regular!! Thank you for sharing!!