The Absolute Best Way To Thicken Creamed Corn
Nothing beats traditional Southern fare, which highlights deep, rich flavors and hearty meals. It's the epitome of comfort food, including such culinary classics as fried chicken, gumbo, and — of course – creamed corn.
Traditionally made from cooking mashed up corn with the "milky" liquid that comes out of it, plus sugar, starch, and seasonings, according to Taste Atlas, the dish has been riffed on endlessly by chefs and home cooks. But not all recipes and ingredient additions are alike, and some produce less desirable consistencies than others. The final result should look similar to a thickened corn soup or stew with a sweet, rich, and buttery taste, but some people have difficulties thickening the mixture, yielding a thin and soupy broth, more akin to corn stock than proper creamed corn.
Luckily there is a simple way to thicken your creamed corn, and it only requires two ingredients.
A little slurry goes a long way
Slurry, as told by the Rouxbe Online Culinary School, is a mixture of starch and water which can help thicken hot liquids, soups, and — in this case — creamed corn. Common types of starches that may be used include corn starch, potato starch, or flour. You can substitute stock or wine for the water as well, according to The Spruce Eats, which suggests a one to one ratio of starch to liquid. Simply mix your two ingredients together until all of the starch has dissolved, and then slowly add it into your simmering creamed corn and stir. It's as easy as that!
If you find that the creamed corn is still too runny, repeat the above process until you reach your desired consistency. In the event that you've accidentally added too much slurry, which results in an overly thick creamed corn texture, Chatelaine suggests adding more of the original cooking liquid you used to your dish. In this case, it would be milk, heavy cream, or even a vegetarian broth, depending on what your creamed corn recipe calls for.
Equipped with this simple tip, you'll never have to suffer through watery creamed corn again!