If you’re searching for an irresistible side dish that’s equal parts sweet, savory, and buttery, this Honey Butter Skillet Corn recipe absolutely nails it. Whole kernels are gently caramelized in golden butter and glazed with honey, creating a comforting blend of flavors that’s as welcome at a busy weeknight dinner as it is on a special holiday table. With just a handful of everyday ingredients and a quick cook time, you’ll be amazed at how something so simple can be such a crowd-pleaser.

Honey Butter Skillet Corn Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

What makes Honey Butter Skillet Corn shine is its simplicity—every ingredient is chosen for maximum impact on taste, color, and texture. These pantry staples come together to create a side you’ll want on repeat all year long.

Fresh or Frozen Corn Kernels (4 cups): Sweet, crunchy, and beautifully golden, corn is the heart of this dish; you can use fresh, frozen, or even drained canned corn for convenience.
Unsalted Butter (3 tablespoons): Butter adds richness and helps brown the corn just enough to bring out its natural sweetness.
Honey (2 tablespoons): This is the magic touch; honey brings a gentle sweetness that wraps every kernel in a luscious glaze.
Salt (1/2 teaspoon): Essential for balancing flavors and highlighting the corn’s sweetness.
Black Pepper (1/4 teaspoon): Adds a tiny kick and rounds out the savory notes in the dish.
Chopped Fresh Parsley (1 tablespoon, optional): Offers a burst of fresh color and a subtle herby aroma—totally optional, but highly recommended for presentation.

How to Make Honey Butter Skillet Corn

Step 1: Melt the Butter

Start by placing a large skillet over medium heat and adding your butter. Let it melt completely, swirling the pan occasionally. The goal is to let the butter foam up and settle so it’s ready to envelop every kernel in flavor, without browning or burning.

Step 2: Cook the Corn

Pour in the corn kernels, whether they’re fresh, frozen, or thoroughly drained canned corn. Stir occasionally and cook for 5 to 7 minutes. You’ll notice the color brightening and some kernels starting to take on a golden, caramelized edge—that’s when you know you’re building delicious depth of flavor.

Step 3: Add the Honey and Seasonings

Drizzle in your honey, then sprinkle over the salt and black pepper. Stir everything together and cook for another 2 minutes. This is where the magic happens: the honey coats each kernel, creating a buttery, glossy glaze while allowing the savory and sweet notes to perfectly mingle.

Step 4: Finish and Garnish

Remove the pan from the heat, then toss in the chopped fresh parsley if you’d like a pop of color and herbal freshness. Give everything one last gentle stir, and get ready to serve your Honey Butter Skillet Corn warm—you want everyone to savor that beautiful, silky glaze while it’s fresh off the stovetop.

How to Serve Honey Butter Skillet Corn

Garnishes

A sprinkle of fresh parsley offers lovely color and freshness, but you could also jazz things up with a dash of smoked paprika or a squeeze of lime for a fun twist. Freshly cracked black pepper or a grating of parmesan also work if you want to customize the finish.

Side Dishes

Honey Butter Skillet Corn has a gentle sweetness that pairs beautifully with spice-rubbed grilled chicken, hearty meatloaf, or simple roasted veggies. For a holiday spread, it’s the perfect companion to roast turkey, glazed ham, or classic mashed potatoes.

Creative Ways to Present

For entertaining, try serving the corn in individual ramekins or decorative mini skillets for a restaurant-style presentation. For a more casual meal, pile it high in a big bowl and let everyone help themselves. Leftovers make an amazing addition to salads, tacos, or even sprinkled over savory oats.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

If you happen to have any Honey Butter Skillet Corn left over, transfer it to an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3 days. It’ll still taste fantastic heated up, and the honey glaze will help keep the corn moist and flavorful.

Freezing

For longer storage, portion the cooled corn into freezer-safe bags or containers and freeze for up to two months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating. Just know that the texture may become a touch softer, but the flavor remains totally inviting.

Reheating

To reheat, simply warm the corn gently in a skillet over medium-low heat, adding a small pat of butter if needed to restore its shine. You can also reheat in the microwave in short bursts, stirring in between for even warming. Give it a quick taste and adjust salt or pepper if desired.

FAQs

Can I use canned corn for Honey Butter Skillet Corn?

Absolutely! Just make sure to drain it thoroughly before adding it to the skillet. This ensures you’ll get that signature honey butter glaze without any extra liquid diluting the flavors.

Is this recipe gluten-free?

Yes, every ingredient here is naturally gluten-free, making Honey Butter Skillet Corn an excellent choice for sharing with friends and family who avoid gluten.

Can I make this dish vegan?

You sure can—swap out the butter for your favorite plant-based alternative and choose a vegan-friendly honey substitute, like maple syrup or agave, to keep the dish sweet and luscious.

What can I add for extra flavor?

If you want to kick things up a notch, try adding a pinch of smoked paprika, a squeeze of lime juice, or even a dusting of chili powder for some subtle heat right before serving.

How can I use leftovers?

Leftover Honey Butter Skillet Corn is incredibly versatile! Stir it into corn chowder, toss with salad greens, top a baked potato, or add it to quesadillas and wraps for a quick burst of color and flavor.

Final Thoughts

If you’re ready to fall in love with a new favorite side, give this Honey Butter Skillet Corn a try! It’s quick, comforting, and guaranteed to win over every palate at the table. I hope you enjoy every bite, and that it finds a permanent place in your recipe rotation.

Honey Butter Skillet Corn Recipe

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4.5 from 24 reviews

Author: admin
Total Time: 15 minutes
Yield: 4 servings 1x
Diet: Gluten-Free, Vegetarian

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Description

Enjoy the perfect balance of sweetness and savory flavors with this easy-to-make Honey Butter Skillet Corn. A delightful side dish that pairs well with any meal!

Ingredients

Scale

Corn:

4 cups fresh or frozen corn kernels

Seasonings:

3 tablespoons unsalted butter
2 tablespoons honey
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley (optional)

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Instructions

Melt Butter: In a large skillet over medium heat, melt the butter.
Cook Corn: Add the corn kernels and cook, stirring occasionally, for 5 to 7 minutes until heated through and slightly caramelized.
Add Seasonings: Stir in the honey, salt, and black pepper. Cook for an additional 2 minutes to combine flavors and glaze the corn with honey.
Finish and Serve: Remove from heat, sprinkle with chopped parsley if desired, and serve warm.

Notes

For extra flavor, consider adding a pinch of smoked paprika or a squeeze of fresh lime juice.
If using canned corn, ensure it is well-drained before cooking.

Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Category: Side Dish
Method: Stovetop
Cuisine: American