The honey butter in this skillet corn recipe is what really elevates the dish, transforming it from simple to spectacular. As the corn heats up in the pan, it absorbs that creamy, sweet butter, creating a luxurious glaze that coats each kernel. The honey adds just the right amount of sweetness, making every bite a bit of a treat. The slight saltiness from the butter balances the sweetness perfectly, and if you add a dash of smoked paprika or a sprinkle of cayenne, you’ll get an extra layer of warmth and depth that makes the flavor even more irresistible. The best part? The corn still holds onto its natural, fresh flavor, with a bit of crispness from the skillet, while the honey butter seeps into every crevice, making it completely addictive. Serve it with a side of your favorite protein, or just enjoy it as a standalone snack that will have everyone coming back for more.
Key Ingredients in Honey Butter Skillet Corn
The magic of this skillet corn recipe comes from the harmony of a few simple ingredients. Each one plays a crucial role in bringing out the best flavors in the dish, whether it’s the richness of the butter or the sweet touch of honey. Let’s break them down:
– Unsalted butter
Adds a creamy richness to the honey butter mixture, allowing the flavors to blend smoothly and coat each kernel perfectly. The unsalted variety ensures you can control the salt levels to your liking.
– Honey
The star of the show! Honey brings a natural sweetness that beautifully balances the savory elements in the dish. Its smooth texture also helps create that lovely glaze over the corn.
– Salt
Just a pinch of salt is all you need to enhance the other flavors and make them pop. It also helps to balance the sweetness of the honey and add depth to the dish.
– Frozen corn kernels
Convenient and always in season, frozen corn offers a great base for this dish. It brings a touch of sweetness and a satisfying crunch, making each bite just a little bit more delightful.
– Unsalted butter (for skillet)
This butter is used in the skillet for cooking the corn, providing a subtle, golden crust while keeping the kernels tender inside. It ensures the corn cooks evenly and takes on a lovely, caramelized flavor.
– Chopped fresh parsley (optional)
A pop of color and freshness! The parsley adds a slight herbaceous note that cuts through the richness of the honey butter. While optional, it’s a great way to elevate the dish with a bit of extra vibrancy.
How to Make Honey Butter Skillet Corn
1. Place a medium-sized saucepan on the stove and turn the heat to medium.
2. Add 2 tablespoons of unsalted butter to the saucepan and let it melt completely, swirling occasionally to ensure it doesn’t burn.
3. Once the butter has melted, add 1/4 cup of honey to the saucepan and stir gently with a spoon to combine the butter and honey together.
4. Sprinkle in 1/2 teaspoon of salt and stir until the salt is fully dissolved into the mixture.
5. Let the honey butter mixture simmer for about 2-3 minutes, stirring occasionally to keep it from bubbling over or sticking.
- After the mixture has simmered, remove the saucepan from the heat and set it aside for now.
7. Take a large skillet and place it on the stove over medium-high heat.
8. Add 1 tablespoon of unsalted butter to the skillet and let it melt, swirling it around to coat the bottom of the skillet evenly.
9. Once the butter is melted, pour in 4 cups of frozen corn kernels and stir to coat the corn with the melted butter.
10. Cook the corn in the skillet, stirring occasionally, for about 5-7 minutes or until it is heated through and begins to slightly brown on the edges.
- Once the corn is fully heated and lightly browned, pour the prepared honey butter mixture over the corn in the skillet.
12. Stir the corn and honey butter together to make sure the corn is evenly coated with the sweet, salty butter sauce.
13. Continue to cook the corn for an additional 2-3 minutes, stirring occasionally, to allow the flavors to meld together.
- Once the corn is well-coated and the honey butter has thickened slightly, remove the skillet from the heat.
15. Transfer the honey butter skillet corn to a serving dish.
16. If desired, sprinkle 1 tablespoon of chopped fresh parsley over the corn for a pop of color and added flavor.
17. Serve the honey butter skillet corn warm, and enjoy!
Serving Suggestions for Honey Butter Skillet Corn
– Grilled chicken – Pair this honey butter skillet corn with a juicy grilled chicken breast for a simple yet flavorful meal. The sweetness of the corn complements the savory char of the chicken, creating a perfect balance.
– BBQ ribs – If you’re in the mood for something indulgent, serve the corn alongside BBQ ribs. The smoky, tangy flavors of the ribs and the rich, buttery sweetness of the corn are a match made in heaven.
– Fresh salad – For a lighter option, serve the corn with a crisp, refreshing salad. A simple mix of greens, cucumber, and a zesty vinaigrette will provide a lovely contrast to the richness of the corn. Plus, it adds some freshness to round out the meal.
What’s your go-to side for something this flavorful?
How to Store Honey Butter Skillet Corn
If you happen to have leftovers (though I doubt you’ll have much left!), storing this dish properly will keep it just as delicious for later. Here’s how to make sure it stays fresh and tasty:
– Refrigeration: Transfer any leftover honey butter skillet corn to an airtight container and store it in the fridge for up to 3-4 days. When you’re ready to enjoy it again, simply reheat it in a skillet over medium heat for a few minutes, adding a touch more butter if needed to bring back that rich, glossy texture.
– Freezing: If you’ve made a big batch and want to keep it longer, you can freeze it! Place the cooled corn in a freezer-safe bag or container, removing as much air as possible. It will stay good for up to 2 months. To reheat, thaw overnight in the fridge and then heat in a skillet or microwave.
– Keep the honey butter separate: If you want to store the corn and honey butter separately (especially if you’re saving the butter for another dish), store the honey butter in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week. You can easily warm it up in the microwave or over low heat when ready to use again.
Enjoy those leftovers—if there are any!
Conclusion
Well, there you have it! This honey butter skillet corn recipe is everything you could want in a side dish – sweet, savory, and irresistibly delicious. The combination of honey and butter coats each kernel perfectly, creating a rich and flavorful glaze that everyone will love. Whether you’re pairing it with grilled chicken, BBQ ribs, or a light salad, it’s sure to be a hit at your next meal. Plus, it’s so easy to make, and the leftovers (if you’re lucky enough to have any) are just as tasty the next day!
I hope this recipe brings as much joy to your kitchen as it does to mine. If you try it out, I’d love to hear how it turns out! Drop a comment below if you have any questions, feedback, or just want to share your experience with this recipe. Enjoy, and happy cooking!
Honey Butter Skillet Corn
Description
Golden, tender corn kernels are tossed in a luscious honey butter sauce, creating the perfect balance of sweet and savory. Sautéed to a crisp finish in a hot skillet, each bite is a melt-in-your-mouth treat with irresistible buttery goodness!
Ingredients
Instructions
-
Place a medium-sized saucepan on the stove and turn the heat to medium.
-
Add 2 tablespoons of unsalted butter to the saucepan and let it melt completely, swirling occasionally to ensure it doesn’t burn.
-
Once the butter has melted, add 1/4 cup of honey to the saucepan and stir gently with a spoon to combine the butter and honey together.
-
Sprinkle in 1/2 teaspoon of salt and stir until the salt is fully dissolved into the mixture.
-
Let the honey butter mixture simmer for about 2-3 minutes, stirring occasionally to keep it from bubbling over or sticking.
-
After the mixture has simmered, remove the saucepan from the heat and set it aside for now.
-
Take a large skillet and place it on the stove over medium-high heat.
-
Add 1 tablespoon of unsalted butter to the skillet and let it melt, swirling it around to coat the bottom of the skillet evenly.
-
Once the butter is melted, pour in 4 cups of frozen corn kernels and stir to coat the corn with the melted butter.
-
Cook the corn in the skillet, stirring occasionally, for about 5-7 minutes or until it is heated through and begins to slightly brown on the edges.
-
Once the corn is fully heated and lightly browned, pour the prepared honey butter mixture over the corn in the skillet.
-
Stir the corn and honey butter together to make sure the corn is evenly coated with the sweet, salty butter sauce.
-
Continue to cook the corn for an additional 2-3 minutes, stirring occasionally, to allow the flavors to meld together.
-
Once the corn is well-coated and the honey butter has thickened slightly, remove the skillet from the heat.
-
Transfer the honey butter skillet corn to a serving dish.
-
If desired, sprinkle 1 tablespoon of chopped fresh parsley over the corn for a pop of color and added flavor.
-
Serve the honey butter skillet corn warm, and enjoy!
Note
- Be sure to stir the honey butter mixture constantly while simmering to prevent burning.
- Use fresh corn if available for a more vibrant flavor, but frozen works great for convenience.
- If you prefer a sweeter corn, adjust the honey amount to taste.
- For a bit of heat, consider adding a pinch of cayenne pepper or chili flakes.
- The fresh parsley adds a nice color contrast and fresh flavor, but can be skipped if you prefer a simpler dish.
