Southern Corn Pudding Recipe
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Nothing tastes like Grandma's cooking as much as this Southern Corn Pudding Recipe. It’s an old fashioned dish that features fresh corn, heavy cream, butter and eggs.
There are no artificial ingredients, and nothing comes from a can, so the flavor is incredible!
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What Is Corn Pudding?
Authentic Southern Corn Pudding is a classic recipe made with fresh ingredients resembling a custard. It’s sweet, creamy and rich, which makes it the best side dish you’ll ever taste!
If you’re from the south, you might have tried several recipes named corn pudding. There’s one style made with Jiffy cornbread mix that includes sour cream, and a corn casserole made with stuffing mix.
Most southerners love skillet creamed corn, which is also a traditional favorite.
While these recipes are terrific, there’s only one that can truly be called classic corn pudding. It comes straight from grandma's house to your table.
Traditional puddings are made with fresh corn and minimal ingredients. There’s no cornmeal, canned corn, or stuffing involved. This vintage recipe is totally gluten-free!
Ingredient List
Southern Corn Pudding only requires a few simple ingredients you may already have in your kitchen. Quantities are listed in the recipe card.
- butter – real butter creates the best flavor
- fresh whole kernel corn – fresh is always best
- onion – adds a little ‘sass’
- heavy cream – gives the pudding its creaminess
- cornstarch – thickens things up
- white sugar – sweetens the pudding
- large eggs – binds everything together
- spices – enhances the flavor
Those are the only ingredients you need to be in comfort food heaven in just 30 minutes!
How to Make Corn Pudding
You’ll need four ears of fresh corn that has been shucked and washed. Cut it off the cob with a sharp knife into a large mixing bowl.
Be careful not to cut all the way into the cob, and to start at the top and work your way down.
Chop up a small onion and put it in a skillet with the corn and butter over medium heat. Sauté for a few minutes until onion is tender, then add sugar and mix until melted.
Pour heavy cream into the skillet, followed by cornstarch mixed with a little water. Stir until thickened over low heat. Add a dash of garlic salt, pepper and parsley.
Take skillet off of heat. Beat eggs in a separate bowl, then fold into the corn. Mix well, then pour contents of skillet into a 6 x 9 or 8 x 8 inch casserole dish.
Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes until corn custard is set and golden brown.
Recipe FAQS
This southern corn pudding recipe is based on using fresh corn on the cob, but if it’s not in season, you can definitely use two cans of whole kernel corn in its place. Make sure you drain the cans before use.
Corn pudding is made with eggs and cream, which creates a soufflé when baked. Casseroles contain heartier ingredients like cornmeal, stuffing or bread crumbs. This pudding recipe is gluten free, but casseroles are not.
You can freeze the egg mixture, but it may curdle when reheated due to the heavy cream content. I recommend eating leftovers within a few days instead.
Yes, you can make it up to 2 days in advance and keep in an airtight container in the refrigerator until time to bake.
Serving Tips
This Southern Corn Pudding recipe is often served during Easter or Thanksgiving dinner with glazed ham or turkey. It also tastes great with cornbread biscuit dressing and pineapple cheese casserole.
At our house, you can find this classic southern side dish at all of our family gatherings. We serve it at holiday dinners, but also with barbecue ribs and pulled pork!
It’s a very versatile side dish that everyone goes crazy over!
Variations
Some folks like a sweet corn pudding, while others like it savory. If you want to switch up your holiday meals, try adding green chiles or green onions to the pudding for an entirely different taste.
You can also add cheddar cheese and use whole milk instead of cream if desired. No matter how you make it, this homemade corn pudding is an easy recipe that will be a great side dish on your holiday table.
Related Recipes
If you're looking for other side dishes to serve alongside this recipe, give these a whirl! They're make a great combination for holiday dinners when served together.
Recipe Card
Southern Corn Pudding Recipe
*See notes in blog post for detailed tips, photos and instructions.
Ingredients
- ½ stick salted butter
- 4 ears of fresh corn cut off of cob
- 1 small onion diced
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 2 Tbsp. sugar
- 2 Tbsp. cornstarch
- 2 Tbsp. water
- 4 large eggs beaten
- dash of garlic salt, black pepper and dried parsley
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
- In a large skillet, melt butter over medium heat.
- Add corn and onion. Sauté for 2 minutes.
- Turn heat to medium low. Add cream and mix well.
- Add sugar and stir while it melts.
- Mix cornstarch and water together. Pour into skillet and mix over heat for 2 minutes until mixture thickens.
- Take skillet off of heat. Beat eggs and gradually fold into mixture in skillet. Stir well.
- Add a dash of garlic salt, pepper and parsley. Mix together and pour contents of skillet into a 6 x 9 inch casserole dish.
- Bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes until top is set and pudding is golden.
Notes
- Make sure to take skillet off of the heat before adding eggs or they might scramble.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
- Can be made up to 2 days ahead and kept in refrigerator until time to cook.
- View the Google Web Story for Southern Corn Pudding.
Nutrition
Nutrition info is an auto generated estimate.
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My absolute favorite. So good! Thanks, Debi
Thank you so much for posting a recipe for the REAL Corn Pudding! Those impostors with Jiffy mix or cornbread or stuffing make me itch (LOL!)!!!! Your recipe is very similar to my Aunt Donna's except she doesn't use onion and flour instead ;of cornstarch. You're a gem!
You are so welcome! I'm not a fan of the Jiffy mix version, so I had to include my old fashioned corn pudding recipe! 🙂
Have never cooked this from scratch but sounds do-able for me. Thanks for all the info and recipe.
You're so welcome Carolyn! I hope you enjoy my corn pudding recipe! 🙂