Name: Honey Butter Skillet Corn Recipe
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 15 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 3 tablespoons unsalted butter; 2 (15-ounce) cans sweet yellow corn kernels (drained and patted dry); 2 to 3 tablespoons honey (to taste); 4 ounces cream cheese (cubed); Salt and pepper (to taste); Chives for garnish; Smoked paprika (optional)

There’s something wonderfully comforting about sweet, buttery corn simmered just right, and that’s exactly what you get with this Honey Butter Skillet Corn Recipe. It’s quick to whip up, deliciously creamy, and has this magic balance of sweetness and savory that will have you going back for seconds every time.

The dish shows a close-up of creamy corn with bright yellow corn kernels mixed with a smooth white cream sauce, with small bits of green herbs scattered throughout. The texture looks soft and rich, with the creamy sauce coating the corn evenly. A metal spoon is lifting some of the corn from a white bowl, showing the mixture inside. The background is a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Honey Butter Skillet Corn Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Honey Butter Skillet Corn Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Honey Butter Skillet Corn Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

Honestly, this Honey Butter Skillet Corn Recipe has become my go-to side dish whenever I want something that feels special but doesn’t take forever to prepare. The creamy, sweet, and buttery combination is delightful, and it’s incredibly versatile to pair with just about anything.

Super Quick and Easy: Ready in about 15 minutes, perfect when you want something tasty without the fuss.
Perfect Balance of Flavors: The honey adds just the right touch of sweetness to complement the creamy butter and cheese.
Creamy Texture: The cream cheese melts into the corn for a velvety finish that’s downright comforting.
Flexible Side Dish: It’s a fantastic companion for everything from holiday roasts to casual weeknight dinners.

Ingredients & Why They Work

This recipe leans on simple, pantry-friendly ingredients that combine beautifully. The butter and cream cheese add richness while the honey brings a warm sweetness that balances out the savory corn. Each ingredient plays its part to create a comforting dish you’ll want on repeat.

Flat lay of unsalted butter sticks with a golden creamy texture, two small white ceramic bowls—one filled with bright yellow sweet corn kernels, the other with glossy amber honey, a few neat cubes of white cream cheese, a small white bowl holding fresh green chive sprigs, a tiny white bowl with coarse black peppercorns, and a pinch of smoky red paprika powder placed directly on the white marble surface, all arranged in perfect symmetry, placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Unsalted Butter: Provides a silky base that lets you control the saltiness in the dish.
Sweet Yellow Corn Kernels: Using canned corn is convenient, just be sure to drain and dry well so your dish isn’t watery.
Honey: I find local or floral honey gives an extra depth of sweetness.
Cream Cheese: This adds creaminess and a slight tang, making the corn luscious.
Salt and Pepper: Essential for balancing and enhancing the flavors.
Chives: Fresh chives add a pop of color and subtle onion flavor.
Smoked Paprika (optional): Adds a smoky warmth if you want to jazz it up a bit.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

I love that this Honey Butter Skillet Corn Recipe is a blank canvas for you. I often tweak the sweetness or toss in some spice to match the mood or meal. Play around with it—this recipe is super forgiving!

Variation: Adding a pinch of cayenne or chili flakes gives the dish a subtle kick that pairs wonderfully with the sweet honey — I tried this on game day and it was a hit!
Dietary: For a dairy-free version, swap cream cheese with a plant-based alternative and use vegan butter — still delightfully creamy.
Seasonal: Toss in fresh corn kernels in summer for a fresher flavor, adjusting cooking time.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Honey Butter Skillet Corn Recipe

A close-up view of a white bowl filled with bright yellow corn kernels mixed with a creamy white sauce, giving a smooth and slightly shiny texture. Small pieces of fresh green chives are scattered evenly over the corn, adding contrast and a fresh touch. The corn appears soft and juicy, with the sauce lightly coating each kernel. A gold spoon is partially visible on the right side of the bowl. The bowl is placed on a white marbled surface, adding a clean and elegant feel to the image. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Step 1: Melt Butter and Warm Corn

Start by melting the unsalted butter in a medium skillet over medium heat. When it’s sizzling, add your drained and patted-dry corn kernels. Cooking them for about 5 minutes warms them through and starts to develop a little flavor in the pan. Just keep stirring gently and watch out for any excess moisture—if you spot puddles of water, dab them up with a paper towel so the corn doesn’t get soggy.

Step 2: Add Cream Cheese and Honey

Next, toss in the cream cheese cubes and honey. Stir everything together gently but constantly for 2 to 3 minutes. You want the cream cheese to melt into the corn without clumps, creating that lovely creamy texture. Taste and add more honey if you prefer it sweeter — this is your moment to make it just right.

Step 3: Season and Garnish

Season with salt and pepper to your liking. If you’re feeling adventurous, sprinkle a little smoked paprika for that smoky depth. Finally, garnish with fresh chopped chives for a lovely color contrast and a subtle crunch. I sometimes finish with a quick drizzle of honey on top for a glossy, sweet pop that looks as good as it tastes. Serve this warm and watch everyone dig in!

Top Tip

Over time, I’ve realized a few small tricks really elevate this Honey Butter Skillet Corn Recipe and make it foolproof. These tips helped me move from a good dish to a knockout side you’ll want every time.

Drain and Dry Corn Well: Excess liquid can water down the dish and prevent that creamy texture, so always pat the corn dry after draining.
Use Unsalted Butter: This lets you control salt levels more precisely and prevents the dish from becoming too salty.
Stir Gently but Often: Keeping the mixture moving helps the cream cheese melt evenly without clumping or sticking.
Adjust Sweetness to Taste: Honey levels can vary a lot in flavor and sweetness, so start small and add more while tasting.

How to Serve Honey Butter Skillet Corn Recipe

Garnishes

Fresh chives are my go-to garnish because they add freshness and a pop of color. If you want to mix it up, try a sprinkle of crispy fried shallots or even toasted pecans for crunch. A tiny dusting of smoked paprika on top also works wonders, adding a subtle smoky charm.

Side Dishes

This skillet corn makes a perfect partner for grilled chicken, pork chops, or a juicy steak. During holidays, I love serving it alongside roasted turkey or ham. It’s also a nice contrast to spicy dishes and BBQ because the honey butter sweetness brings balance.

Creative Ways to Present

I’ve served this in small cast-iron skillets for holiday dinners, which keeps it warm longer and looks charming on the table. Another fun idea is layering it in small glass jars topped with chives as an appetizer or part of a picnic spread—guests always get curious and ask for seconds!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Leftovers keep well in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Just give it a good stir before reheating because some separation might happen. It still tastes great even the next day!

Freezing

I’ve frozen this recipe a couple of times and found that the texture changes a bit—the cream cheese tends to separate on thawing. It’s still tasty but best eaten fresh. If you want to freeze, consider skipping the cream cheese and adding it fresh after reheating.

Reheating

Reheat gently on the stove over low heat, stirring often to help it come back creamy without drying out. A splash of milk or a little extra butter added while warming can help refresh the texture perfectly.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use fresh corn instead of canned?

Absolutely! Fresh corn adds a wonderful, crisp texture and a fresher flavor. Just blanch or sauté the kernels a bit longer to ensure they’re tender before adding the cream cheese and honey.

What type of honey is best for this recipe?

Any honey works, but I suggest using a mild floral or local variety to complement the corn’s sweetness without overpowering it. Darker honeys like buckwheat or wildflower will add a stronger, more robust flavor.

Can I make this recipe vegan?

Yes! Replace butter with a plant-based vegan butter and swap the cream cheese with a vegan cream cheese alternative. Use maple syrup or agave nectar instead of honey for a plant-based sweetener.

How do I prevent the corn from being watery?

Make sure to drain canned corn well and pat it dry with paper towels before cooking. Also, cook the corn in the butter for several minutes to evaporate any excess moisture to keep the dish creamy but not soggy.

Final Thoughts

Making this Honey Butter Skillet Corn Recipe always feels like a little treat that’s incredibly easy to pull off. It’s one of those side dishes that feels like a hug on a plate—warm, sweet, buttery, and satisfying. Whether you bring it to a family meal or cook a simple weeknight dinner, I promise this one will become a favorite you love sharing with friends and family.