Bacon Creamed Corn
This Creamed Corn with Bacon is seriously one of the best corn recipes you’ll taste! My mom has been making this flavorful dish for as long as I can remember and it’s a major crowd pleaser. Super simple to whip up too! Corn kernels are simmered in a flavorful cream sauce, then topped with crispy bacon for an easy side dish that’s elevated enough for the holidays, yet quick enough for a busy weeknight.
This bacon creamed corn is one of those super easy recipes where you pretty much dump a bunch of ingredients into a skillet, cook and then enjoy in less than 30 minutes. That’s my kind of recipe!
I will say, this is not your typical creamed corn recipe that includes scraping out the milky pulp of the corn cob kernels, pureeing a portion of the corn, or using a grater to remove the kernels from the cob. Often cream is added to the corn and that’s what we have here. This recipe totally takes the traditional creamed corn recipe up a few notches! We’re adding cream cheese, zesty bell pepper and bacon. If that’s wrong, I don’t want to be right!
Why we love this recipe
This side dish goes well with just about any main entree, and it’s also great for potlucks and parties. You’ll love how warm, creamy and super satisfying it tastes with the perfect balance of sweet and savory. Whether you enjoy this for dinner tonight or plan on making it for Thanksgiving, definitely give it a try! You deserve a little comfort food!
I made this last year for Thanksgiving and everyone loved it! I’m planning it for this year too. Thanks for the great recipe.
— Carol
Ingredients needed
With its creamy texture, subtle sweetness, and big flavor, this creamed corn recipe is highly requested in my family. Here’s a rundown of the simple ingredient list:
- Bacon. Use your favorite high-quality bacon for amazing flavor!
- Corn. This recipe calls for canned Fiesta Southwest or Mexicorn. You should be able to find these near the canned corn at the grocery store. If you can’t find either of these, use regular canned corn.
- Veggies. We’re using onion, red bell pepper and green bell pepper. My mom makes this with just the onion sometimes, but I really like the extra color that the peppers add.
- Cream cheese. Makes this recipe creamy and brings all the ingredients together.
- Half-and-half. Combined with the cream cheese for EXTRA creaminess and the perfect consistency. Sub with heavy cream, if preferred.
- Sugar. Just 1 teaspoon for the perfect balance of flavors.
- Salt & pepper. To taste!
How to make this recipe
This isn’t your typical creamed corn recipe. It’s way easier and way tastier! It’s a breeze to make either the day you’re serving it or even a day or two ahead of time. No one will ever guess just how quick and easy this is to make! Here’s the simple process:
For the full, printable recipe, see the recipe card, below.
- Cook chopped bacon. In a large skillet fry the bacon until crisp; remove bacon and drain on paper towels. Reserve 2 tablespoons of bacon drippings in the pan. Set bacon aside.
- Sauté veggies. In the same pan and the 2 tbsp of bacon drippings over medium-high heat, cook the vegetables until tender.
- Add creaminess. Stir in the cream cheese and half-and-half to make the creamy sauce, stirring until the cream cheese melts.
- Serve. Last, add sugar, salt & black pepper and top corn mixture with the bacon or stir it into the dish and enjoy! Garnish with chopped fresh parsley, if you’d like.
See what a cinch this recipe is to make!
Tips & variations
- If you don’t have half-and-half on hand, you can use whole milk instead. However, the final dish may not be quite as rich, thick and creamy.
- If you like things spicy, add a little heat to this dish with a dash or two of cayenne pepper and some sliced jalapeños.
- I recommend using full-fat cream cheese for best results.
- Serve it as a chip dip! This creamy corn side dish is wonderful served with tortilla chips as a dip.
- Looking for a corn casserole recipe? We love Paula Deen’s Corn Casserole!
Frequently asked questions
Creamed corn is typically made with fresh corn kernels that have been cooked then blended, then more cooked kernels are added. Many recipes, cook the kernels in butter, stirred with cream to taste, then heated gently. In this recipe, were making this dish creamy by using cream cheese and half-&-half.
We recommend using the southwestern canned corn for extra flavor, but you can definitely use frozen or fresh. You may even be able to find a southwestern variety of the frozen corn.
To make thick and smooth creamed corn, many recipes call for adding a tablespoon of rice flour, cornstarch, potato starch, or all purpose flour. This cream cheese doesn’t need any thickeners because the cream cheese mixed with the half-and-half makes it plenty thick.
Homemade creamed corn and this recipe for southwest-style creamy corn goes well with a variety of dishes, from your Thanksgiving feast with turkey to grilled steak, pork or BBQ chicken.
Serving suggestions
This easy creamed corn recipe is the perfect balance of sweet and savory! It’s so easy to make and can be ready to serve in less than 30 minutes! It often appears on holiday tables but it makes a great side dish throughout the year. Here’s some ways to serve it:
- Pair it with your favorite weeknight main. We love this with Baked Pork Chops, Honey Mustard Chicken or Perfect Baked Chicken and salad.
- Served alongside summer BBQ fixings. Enjoy it with Grilled Chicken or Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken.
- Add it to the holiday menu. This is always included in our holiday feast to enjoy with ham, turkey and all of the other delicious sides!
Storing leftovers
- To store. Creamed corn is best served hot off the stove, but leftovers will keep in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week.
- To reheat. Reheat at medium low heat on the stovetop for several minutes, stirring frequently. You can also microwave small servings.
We do not recommend freezing this creamed corn dish because the cream in the recipe may separate in the freezer, which can affect the taste and texture of the dish.
Make ahead tip
You can make this up to two days in advance. Once it’s completely cooked, place it covered in the refrigerator until you are ready to enjoy it. Reheat on the stovetop over low to medium heat, then add the bacon right before you serve it.
As you plan your holiday menu, this incredibly tasty bacon creamed corn recipe is a must-have on the table! Enjoy for the holidays, but also work this flavorful, easy creamed corn into weekday dinners. This one is guaranteed to be a family favorite!
More Thanksgiving Recipes
- Best Cornbread Dressing
- Easy Sweet Potato Casserole
- Cheesy Scalloped Potatoes
- Pumpkin Dessert Squares
- Sweet Potato Pie
- Mashed Sweet Potatoes
- Slow Cooker Ham
- Bacon Brussel Sprouts
If you try this recipe, let me know! Leave a comment and if your family loves it as much as mine does, be sure to give it a five star ⭐️ rating! Also, tag @kimscravings on Instagram with a picture of your creation. Be sure to subscribe to our mailing list to receive more healthy delicious recipes straight to your inbox.
Bacon Creamed Corn
Ingredients
- 8 slices bacon, chopped
- 3 cans fiesta southwest corn or Mexicorn, drained (if you can't find any of these, regular corn will work)
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 1/2 cup finely chopped red bell pepper
- 1/2 cup finely chopped green bell pepper
- 1 (8 oz.) package cream cheese, cubed
- 1/2 cup half-and-half
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Cook chopped bacon in large skillet until crisp; remove bacon and drain on paper towels. Reserve 2 tablespoons drippings in skillet. Set bacon aside.
- Sauté corn, onion and bell peppers in hot drippings in skillet over medium-high heat for 6-7 minutes or until tender.
- Add cream cheese and half-&-half, stirring until cream cheese melts. Stir in sugar, salt and pepper.
- Top with bacon or stir bacon into the dish and enjoy!
Notes
- Storing leftovers. Leftovers will last in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week.
- Reheat at low to medium heat on the stovetop for several minutes, stirring frequently. You can also microwave small servings.
- We do not recommend freezing this creamed corn because the cream in the recipe may separate, which can affect the taste and texture of the dish.
- Make ahead of time. You can make this up to two days in advance. Keep it in the refrigerator until you are ready to reheat it. Reheat on the stovetop over low to medium heat, then add the bacon right before you serve it.
Did you make this recipe?
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I made this last year for Thanksgiving and everyone loved it! I’m planning it for this year too. Thanks for the great recipe.
Hi Kim,I just copied your bacon creamed corn recipe and I am going to make it soon.I am also looking at your other recipes to make at home one recipe at a time.
kim