This easy slow cooker creamed corn takes only a few minutes to prep, making it my go-to side dish for every holiday, family BBQ, and company dinner. It is consistently the most requested recipe on the table—in fact, it’s so popular that I’ve learned to always make a double batch to ensure there’s enough for everyone to have seconds!
I originally shared this recipe back in September, 2017, and today I’m updating it with new information and extra tips!
Slow Cooker Creamed Corn Is A Go-To Holiday Side Dish
I’ve been cooking holiday feasts since I was 16. I’ve weathered enough holiday kitchen disasters to know that consistent wins come from a easy formula: keep most of the food simple. By leaning on recipes that are incredibly simple, can be prepped ahead, and don’t require a single inch of stove or oven space, I’ve limited the stress of hosting.
I’ve learned from that you don’t need to spend hours at the stove to make the dish everyone talks about. This slow cooker creamed corn is consistently the most requested recipe on the table—in fact, it’s so popular that I’ve learned to always make a double batch to ensure there’s enough for everyone to have seconds!
What Is Creamed Corn?
If you’ve only ever had the version that comes out of a can, you might think creamed corn is just corn kernels swimming in a watery, starchy liquid. But true homemade creamed corn is a different experience entirely! It is a classic comfort dish made by combining sweet corn with a rich, velvety base of butter and cream or cream cheese.
Traditionally, “creaming” corn involved grating fresh kernels off the cob to release their natural milks, creating a thick, semi-solid texture. My slow cooker version simplifies that process while keeping the soul of the dish intact. The result is a savory-sweet side dish that is thick, indulgent, and has a much better “pop” than anything you’ll find in the pantry aisle.
The Secret to “Better Than Canned” Texture
We have all had the gloppy “cream style corn” from a can, but this version is worlds apart. By using frozen or fresh corn instead of canned, you keep that beautiful “pop” and snap in every bite. When that fresh crunch meets a rich, velvety sauce made with real butter and cream cheese, you get a texture that feels fancy enough for a wedding but is simple enough for a Tuesday night.
What You’ll Need For Crock Pot Cream Style Corn
One of the best things about this recipe is that you likely have most of the ingredients in your kitchen right now.
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Frozen Corn: Two pounds of your favorite frozen sweet corn. Note – buy high quality corn. I get my frozen corn at Costco but most grocery stores have a range of options. Choose one that you know is tender and sweet.
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Cream Cheese: One block of the full-fat variety makes all the difference in creaminess. I don’t add additional creamy liquids like milk or cream which helps this corn stay extra thick and creamy. No thickening needed.
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Butter: Salted or unsalted—whatever you have on hand. If you use unsalted add an extra pinch of salt 😉
- Cajun Seasoning: This is my little creamed corn secret. Add enough for a little background flavor but not enough to blow flames out of everybody’s ears. (My favorite brand of Creole Seasoning is Tony Chachere’s which is wildly available at grocery stores. But any brand you like will work!
- A Slow Cooker:
How to Make Slow Cooker Creamed Corn
This is truly a “set it and forget it” win. To get started, simply dump your thawed and drained corn into the slow cooker. Cut your cream cheese and butter into small cubes and scatter them over the top. Pour in your liquid and sprinkle your seasonings. Cover it and let it cook on low for about 4 hours (or high for 2). About halfway through, give it a good stir to incorporate that melting cream cheese. That’s it! Your prep time is essentially over in five minutes.
Tips For Best Results With This Creamed Corn Recipe
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Don’t overcook: Every slow cooker runs a little differently. Keep an eye on the edges; if you see the dairy starting to brown or scorch, turn it to the “warm” setting immediately.
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The “Double Batch” Rule: Since I mentioned we always make a double batch for company, just make sure your slow cooker is large enough! A standard 6-quart crock pot handles a double batch beautifully without spilling over.
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Stir before serving: The sauce might look a little separated when you first take the lid off, but a stir will bring it all together into a glossy, creamy dream.
Make-Ahead and Storage For Creamed Corn
If you are prepping for a big holiday, you can actually make this the day before and then reheat on the day of without sacrificing quality. Set the slow cooker to warm or low until heated through on the day of. (The time this takes will depend on size and shape of your slow cooker and if the pot is cold from the fridge or not.)
To store leftover creamed corn refrigerate for up to seven days. I don’t recommended freezing this dish.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use canned corn? It’s not a great plan. Canned corn has poor texture and flavor. I highly recommend frozen for the best texture.
How do I thicken it if it’s too runny? If it’s not as thick as you’d like, leave the lid off for the last 30 minutes of cooking. This allows some of the moisture to evaporate. But generally I find this has a wonderful thick sauce.
Is this gluten-free? As long as your specific brands of cream cheese and spices are gluten-free, this dish is naturally safe for your GF guests!
What is The Best Slow Cooker? I’ve loved (and hated) quite a few different crock pots over the years. But my hands down lifetime favorite is the Ninja 14-in-One PossibleCooker Pro. It has a lot of practical features I actually use and gives me lots of flexibility on heat and cooking. This one is worth the investment and outperforms everything else I’ve tried.
More Easy Thanksgiving Side Dishes
Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday! But I make a LOT of food and I always try to make sure some of my side dishes are very simple. These are a few of my favorite easy Thanksgiving side dishes or you can grab a list of 14 easy Thanksgiving Side Dishes here.
- How to Make the Best Mashed Potatoes for Holidays
- Homemade Turkey Stuffing or Dressing (Make Ahead Option!)
- Copycat Texas Roadhouse Rolls w/ Cinnamon Honey Butter (Bread Machine Option)
- Instant Pot Mac and Cheese – You can’t get easier than this!
- Cranberry Raspberry Relish
The Ultimate Creamed Corn Recipe (Easy Slow Cooker Method)
Ingredients
- 2 pounds sweet corn frozen
- 8 oz brick cream cheese cubed
- 1/3 cup salted butter (or unsalted with an extra 1/8 teaspoon of salt)
- 1-2 teaspoons Cajun or Creole seasoning
Instructions
- Thaw corn in fridge or under running water and then drain.
- Combine all the ingredients. I suggest using 1 teaspoon of the Cajun seasoning and then adding more at the end if you want more of that flavor. Cover and cook on low for 4 hours or until hot through.
- Stir well. Taste for salt / seasoning and serve.
- Store leftovers covered in the refrigerator for up to seven days.
Your Rating Matters
When you leave a comment or star rating, it means more than you might think. It helps me understand what you’re enjoying, builds trust for other readers, and supports real, tested cooking content. If you have a moment, I’d truly appreciate you sharing your experience. - Mirlandra
Nutrition Estimate
A Note on Nutrition
Nutritional info is an imperfect estimate. Please take it with a grain of salt.
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Rebecca says
Where are the recipes for the dishes you post? I can not find them. I was looking for the corn recipe went to cont.reading but only got comments from you then the turkey pic with no recipes.signed up for recipes but can not find any. Please help.
Rebecca
Mirlandra says
The recipe is right under the picture of the Turkey. It is showing fine for me on desktop and mobile. My recipes are usually at the bottom of the post in a printable format. Hope that helps!
Rachel says
I love how easy this is to throw together and how rich the result is.
Mirlandra Neuneker says
Thank you! This is a favorite of ours around the holidays for sure but also lots of summer potlucks and BBQs!