The sweetness of the honey butter perfectly complements the natural richness of the corn, creating a harmony of flavors that will make your taste buds do a little happy dance. As the butter melts into the warm corn, it adds a silky texture that’s irresistible. There’s a touch of salt that balances the sweetness, enhancing the overall experience and keeping it from being overly sugary. Each bite is a cozy, comforting reminder of summer’s best flavors, whether you’re serving it alongside a BBQ or as a quick weeknight side dish. The beauty of this skillet corn with honey butter is that it’s so easy to make, but it tastes like you’ve spent hours perfecting it.
Key Ingredients in Skillet Corn with Honey Butter
The beauty of this dish lies in its simplicity, with just a few key ingredients coming together to create a flavor-packed experience. Each ingredient plays a vital role in bringing out the best in the corn, making it a dish you’ll want to repeat over and over.
– Corn kernels
Whether you’re using fresh or frozen corn, this is the star of the show. The natural sweetness and crispness of the corn form the base of the dish, and its texture becomes tender and juicy as it cooks in the skillet.
– Unsalted butter
Butter adds a rich, creamy texture that melts beautifully over the corn. The unsalted variety allows you to control the saltiness of the dish while enhancing the sweetness of the honey.
– Honey
This golden syrup brings just the right amount of sweetness to balance the savory flavors. It also helps to create a silky sauce that coats the corn, making each bite feel like a little indulgence.
– Olive oil
Olive oil helps to create a perfect sear on the corn, ensuring it gets that delightful golden-brown color and adds a light, fruity depth to the overall flavor profile.
– Salt
A little salt goes a long way in amplifying the sweetness of the corn and honey. It helps to balance out the flavors and prevents the dish from becoming too sweet.
– Black pepper
A touch of freshly ground black pepper adds a hint of warmth and mild spice, providing a perfect contrast to the sweetness and creating depth in the flavor.
– Fresh parsley (optional, for garnish)
If you’re looking to add a fresh pop of color and a burst of herbal flavor, fresh parsley is the perfect finishing touch. It also adds a nice contrast to the rich golden hues of the dish.
How to Make Skillet Corn with Honey Butter
1. Heat a large skillet over medium heat.
Allow the skillet to warm up for a minute or two, ensuring it’s hot enough to create a nice sear on the corn.
2. Add the olive oil to the skillet and let it warm up for about 30 seconds.
The oil should shimmer, signaling that it’s ready for the corn.
3. Add the corn kernels to the skillet, stirring occasionally to ensure they cook evenly.
Spread the corn in an even layer to help it cook uniformly. Stir every couple of minutes to prevent burning.
4. Cook the corn for about 5-7 minutes, or until it is heated through and starts to develop some golden-brown spots.
This step gives the corn a nice, slightly crispy texture and enhances its natural sweetness.
5. While the corn is cooking, melt the butter in a separate small saucepan over low heat.
Stir occasionally to prevent the butter from browning or burning.
6. Once the butter has melted, add the honey to the saucepan and stir to combine, allowing the mixture to warm together for 1-2 minutes.
This creates the luscious, smooth honey butter sauce that will coat the corn.
7. Once the corn has cooked and is slightly caramelized, pour the honey butter mixture over the corn.
Drizzle it evenly to make sure every kernel gets a good coating of that sweet, buttery goodness.
8. Add the salt and black pepper, stirring gently to coat the corn evenly in the honey butter sauce.
Taste and adjust the seasoning if needed, but keep it light to let the sweetness shine through.
9. Continue to cook the corn for another 2-3 minutes, allowing the flavors to combine and the corn to absorb some of the honey butter.
This step ensures the corn is fully infused with the rich, sweet flavor.
10. Remove the skillet from the heat.
Let the corn rest for a moment before serving, allowing the flavors to settle.
11. If desired, sprinkle fresh parsley over the corn for garnish.
The parsley adds a pop of color and a refreshing, herbal note to balance the richness.
12. Serve immediately while hot, and enjoy the golden, sweet, and savory goodness!
Serving Suggestions for Skillet Corn with Honey Butter
– Pair with grilled meats: This skillet corn is the perfect side to grilled chicken, steak, or even fish. The sweetness from the honey butter balances the smoky flavors of your favorite BBQ or grill marks, making every bite irresistible.
– Top with crumbled cheese: For a little extra indulgence, sprinkle crumbled feta or cotija cheese on top right before serving. The tangy cheese complements the sweet corn beautifully, adding a salty, creamy contrast.
– Make it a salad: For a refreshing twist, serve the corn as a topping for a simple green salad. Add fresh greens, avocado slices, and a light vinaigrette, and let the honey butter corn be the star of your bowl. It’s a perfect dish for a summer lunch or light dinner.
Every time you serve this corn, it’ll be the star of the show—easy, delicious, and totally adaptable! What’s your favorite way to enjoy skillet corn? Let me know!
How to Store Skillet Corn with Honey Butter
If you happen to have leftovers (though I doubt it’ll last long!), here are a few easy ways to store your skillet corn and keep it fresh:
– Refrigerate in an airtight container: Let the corn cool down to room temperature, then transfer it to an airtight container. It will keep for up to 3-4 days in the fridge. When you’re ready to enjoy it again, just reheat it in a skillet over medium heat to bring back that delicious crispy texture.
– Freeze for later: If you want to keep it longer, freeze the corn! Once it’s completely cooled, transfer it to a freezer-safe bag or container. It should stay good for about 2-3 months. When you’re ready to enjoy it, thaw it in the fridge overnight and reheat it in a skillet to restore that lovely texture.
– Reheat with a little butter: Whether you’re reheating from the fridge or freezer, adding a little extra butter to the skillet when warming it up will help keep the corn moist and flavorful, just like when it was first made.
Conclusion
And there you have it—skillet corn with honey butter! It’s a dish that brings together all the flavors of summer in a way that’s both simple and indulgent. From the sweet corn to the silky honey butter, this dish is bound to become a go-to favorite in your kitchen. Whether you’re pairing it with grilled meats, tossing it in a salad, or just enjoying it on its own, you can’t go wrong.
You’ve got all the tips and tricks now to make it perfectly, and if you do give it a try, I’d love to hear how it turned out! Let me know if you have any questions, comments, or even some feedback about the recipe. I’m here to help, whether it’s making the dish or just chatting about the next great kitchen adventure!
Skillet Corn with Honey Butter
Description
Sweet, tender corn seared to golden perfection in a hot skillet, then smothered in rich, velvety honey butter. Each bite is a perfect balance of savory and sweet, with a hint of caramelized crunch that will leave you craving more.
Ingredients
Instructions
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Heat a large skillet over medium heat.
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Add the olive oil to the skillet and allow it to warm up for about 30 seconds.
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Add the corn kernels to the skillet, stirring occasionally to ensure they cook evenly.
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Cook the corn for about 5-7 minutes, or until it is heated through and starts to develop some golden-brown spots.
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While the corn is cooking, melt the butter in a separate small saucepan over low heat.
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Once the butter has melted, add the honey to the saucepan and stir to combine, allowing the mixture to warm together for 1-2 minutes.
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Once the corn has cooked and is slightly caramelized, pour the honey butter mixture over the corn.
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Add the salt and black pepper, stirring gently to coat the corn evenly in the honey butter sauce.
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Continue to cook the corn for another 2-3 minutes, allowing the flavors to combine and the corn to absorb some of the honey butter.
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Remove the skillet from the heat.
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If desired, sprinkle fresh parsley over the corn for garnish.
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Serve immediately while hot.
Note
- Use fresh corn for the best texture and flavor, but frozen corn works well too.
- Stir the corn occasionally to prevent burning and ensure even cooking.
- For a richer flavor, use clarified butter or ghee in place of regular butter.
- Adjust the amount of honey depending on your desired sweetness level.
- Garnish with a squeeze of fresh lime juice for an added citrus kick.
