Sweet & Smoky Honey Butter Skillet Corn Recipe for Dinner

Golden kernels dancing with rich, creamy honey butter skillet corn create a side dish that sings comfort and joy at every meal.

Southern kitchens have long celebrated this simple yet magical combination of sweet and savory flavors.

The skillet brings out corn natural sweetness, caramelizing edges with a gorgeous golden-brown finish.

Melted butter swirls with honey, coating each kernel in a luxurious glaze that makes taste buds sing.

Summer’s bounty meets kitchen magic in this irresistible recipe that turns ordinary corn into an extraordinary experience.

Fresh corn transforms into a crowd-pleasing dish that disappears faster than you can say “seconds, please!” Get ready to fall in love with a side that steals the show at every dinner table.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time: 10 minutes

Total Time: 15 minutes

Calories: 175 kcal

Servings: 5

What You Need for Honey Butter Skillet Corn

• Honey: Adds golden sweetness and helps create a luscious glaze for the corn.
• Butter: Provides rich, velvety flavor and helps caramelize the corn's surface.

• Frozen Corn: Delivers sweet, crisp kernels that quickly transform into a delectable side dish.

• Cream Cheese: Introduces luxurious, silky texture and tangy undertones.
• Salt: Enhances and balances the overall flavor profile.
• Black Pepper: Adds subtle warmth and slight sharp complexity to the dish.

Tools for Creamy, Buttery Corn in a Skillet

• Skillet Pan: Large, heavy-bottomed pan for even cooking and caramelizing corn.
• Wooden Spoon or Spatula: Perfect for stirring ingredients and preventing corn from sticking.
• Measuring Spoons: For accurately measuring honey, salt, and pepper.
• Cutting Board: Helpful for any potential additional chopping or prep work.
• Sharp Knife: Optional for cutting cream cheese into chunks.

How to Make Sweet & Savory Corn in Minutes

• Skillet Preparation

Grab a large skillet and place it on medium-high heat to create the perfect cooking environment for your corn adventure.

• Honey Butter Magic

Melt butter and honey together, swirling them into a golden liquid that promises delicious flavor. Watch as they combine into a glossy, sweet mixture that will coat every kernel.

• Corn Transformation

Drop frozen corn directly into the skillet, letting it sizzle and dance in the honey butter. Stir occasionally, allowing the corn to warm through and develop those irresistible caramelized edges that add depth and excitement to the dish.

• Creamy Finish

Introduce cream cheese chunks into the skillet, creating a luxurious and velvety texture. Sprinkle in salt and pepper to enhance the overall taste profile. Gently stir and let everything meld together, creating a harmonious blend of sweet, savory, and creamy goodness.

• Serving Delight

When the corn looks glossy, creamy, and slightly bubbling, it’s ready to be enjoyed. Transfer to a serving dish and watch as everyone at the table gets excited about this unexpected corn creation.

Custom Additions Like Spices or Cheese

• Select fresh or frozen corn kernels for optimal taste and texture, depending on seasonal availability and personal preference.
• Experiment with different honey varieties like wildflower or clover honey to introduce subtle flavor nuances and enhance the overall sweetness.
• Sprinkle red pepper flakes, smoked paprika, or chives for an unexpected kick that transforms the basic recipe into a more complex side dish.
• Replace cream cheese with coconut cream or cashew cream to create a delicious vegan alternative that maintains the creamy, rich texture of the original recipe.
• Store leftover honey butter skillet corn in an airtight container for up to three days, reheating gently in a skillet to preserve its original creamy consistency and prevent moisture loss.

Serving Corn as a Main or Side

• Pair with Protein Powerhouse: Serve alongside grilled chicken, roasted pork tenderloin, or pan-seared steak for a complete and satisfying meal that balances sweet and savory flavors.
• Create Comfort Combo: Spoon this creamy corn over warm buttermilk biscuits or cornbread to soak up the delicious honey butter sauce and add extra texture to your plate.
• Transform into Side Dish Star: Use as a vibrant side for summer barbecues, potlucks, or family dinners, where its rich, sweet-and-creamy profile will have everyone asking for seconds.
• Elevate with Fresh Garnish: Sprinkle chopped chives, green onions, or crispy bacon bits on top to add a pop of color, freshness, and extra layer of flavor to this already delectable corn dish.

Saving Skillet Corn Without Losing Its Creamy Texture

• Store Fresh and Tasty: Keep leftover Honey Butter Skillet Corn in an airtight container inside the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. The flavors will continue to meld together, creating an even more delicious taste when you reheat.
• Reheat with Care: Warm gently in a skillet over medium-low heat, adding a small splash of butter to help restore the creamy texture. Stir frequently to prevent sticking and ensure even heating throughout the corn mixture.
• Freeze for Later: Safely store in freezer-safe containers for up to 2 months. Allow the corn to cool completely before transferring to freeze-resistant containers, leaving a small space at the top to prevent expansion.
• Quick Meal Prep Trick: Make a double batch and portion into individual containers for easy weeknight side dishes or quick lunch additions. This smart strategy saves time and provides delicious, ready-to-eat meals whenever hunger strikes.

Golden Honey Butter Skillet Corn Recipe

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4.7 from 35 reviews

• Total Time: 15 minutes
• Yield: 5 1x

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Description

Homemade honey butter skillet corn delivers Southern comfort with creamy, sweet kernels. Melted butter and honey create a rich glaze that turns simple corn into a memorable side dish perfect for family gatherings.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 bag (16 oz / 454 g) frozen corn
• 2 tbsps (28 g) salted butter
• 2 oz (57 g) cream cheese, cut into chunks
• 2 tbsps (42 g) honey
• ¼ tsp salt
• ¼ tsp black pepper

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Instructions

1. Skillet Preparation: Heat a large skillet to medium-high (375°F/190°C), creating an ideal cooking surface for transforming corn kernels.
2. Flavor Foundation: Melt butter and honey together, crafting a golden, glossy base that will infuse sweetness and richness into the dish.
3. Corn Integration: Introduce frozen corn directly into the butter-honey mixture, allowing kernels to absorb the caramelizing liquid without pre-thawing.
4. Sautéing Process: Stir corn continuously for 6-7 minutes, developing subtle caramelized edges and ensuring even heat distribution.
5. Creamy Transformation: Fold in cream cheese cubes, sprinkling salt and black pepper, and blend until the cheese melts completely, coating each kernel with a luxurious, velvety texture.
6. Final Cooking Stage: Continue cooking for an additional 3-4 minutes, maintaining gentle movement to prevent sticking and achieve a perfectly heated, glossy corn dish.
7. Serving Presentation: Transfer immediately to a serving dish, capturing the corn’s steaming, aromatic essence at its peak flavor moment.

Notes

• Butter Temperature Matters: Use room temperature butter for smooth, even melting and better incorporation with honey.
• Corn Caramelization Tip: Let corn sit momentarily without stirring to develop delicious golden-brown edges and enhance natural sweetness.
• Cream Cheese Technique: Cut cream cheese into small, uniform cubes to ensure quick, consistent melting throughout the dish.
• Quick Serving Recommendation: Serve immediately after cooking to preserve the corn’s optimal temperature, glossy appearance, and rich, creamy texture.

• Prep Time: 5 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Category: Breakfast, Side Dish
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 5
• Calories: 175
• Sugar: 11 g
• Sodium: 150 mg
• Fat: 8 g
• Saturated Fat: 5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 25 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 3 g
• Cholesterol: 20 mg