This creamy skillet corn with bacon is an easy and quick side dish that has a topping of crispy bacon. Use olive oil and omit the bacon to make a vegetarian side dish.
Customize Skillet Corn with Bacon
This creamy skillet corn dish with bacon is great comfort food! However, it is easy to customize to suit your taste. It has chopped jalapeno pepper to add a little heat. Red pimento peppers lend a festive color, while onions and garlic add flavor.
Use Fresh or Frozen Corn
For the best taste, use fresh, sweet corn in this dish. You don’t have to cook it before adding it to the skillet, as it will cook quickly while you stir it. Another option is to use a sweet frozen cut corn. Quickly thaw the corn while you cook the bacon by placing the sealed package in a bowl of warm water. Then, drain any water in the bag before adding it to the skillet. I don’t recommend using canned corn for this dish.
TIP: A large ear yields about 1 cup of corn, while a medium ear yields about 3/4 cup.
Add Bacon for Flavor and Crunch
This dish is made with rendered fat from cooking the chopped bacon. It adds a nice flavor to this dish and finishes it with a crunchy topping. However, if you prefer to make this a vegetarian dish, omit the bacon and use olive oil mixed with a tablespoon of butter instead. You can give it a crunchy topping by sprinkling crispy fried onions.
Add Flavor to Creamy Skillet Corn with Bacon
Enhance the flavor of this dish with onions, jalapeno peppers, and garlic. The jalapeno imparts a bit of spiciness. However, if you prefer a tamer taste, substitute 1/4 cup of chopped green bell pepper. Place the jalapeno, pepper, and garlic into an electric chopper and chop them all at once for quick preparation.
Cube the Cream Cheese
The cream cheese will melt more easily if you cut it into cubes before placing it into the skillet. It gives this dish a creamy texture. The half-and-half will thin the cream cheese and help it to melt.
Use Half-and-Half for Creamy Skillet Corn
If you are unfamiliar with the term “half-and-half,” it refers to a mixture of equal parts milk and cream. You can buy it packaged this way or make your own with whole milk and heavy cream. Also, use half-and-half to rehydrate the leftover dish if it is too dry.
Other Dishes With Corn You Might Enjoy
Click on each name to link to the recipe.
- Confetti Corn Salad
- Creamed Corn
- Cornbread Salad
- Corn Salad with Lime Dressing
- Black Beans and Corn Salad
- Texas Caviar
Easy Creamy Skillet Corn
Ingredients
- 8 bacon slices, chopped
- â…” cup red onion, chopped
- 1 large jalapeno, chopped
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 5 cups fresh corn, cut from cobs (can substitute frozen corn)
- 2 tablespoons jarred pimento, chopped
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 1 cup half and half (half milk and half cream)
- (1) 8-ounce package cream cheese, cubed
Instructions
- Cook the bacon in a large skillet until crispy. Drain on a paper towel. Remove all but 2 tablespoons of bacon drippings from the skillet and place in a small heat-proof dish for later use.
- Add the onion and jalapeno and saute until wilted. Add the garlic and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Add the corn and pimento and cook until the corn is tender. Add the leftover tablespoon of bacon grease if needed to cook the corn. Stir in the salt, black pepper, and sugar.
- Add the half-and-half and cream cheese and cook until the cheese melts. Top with crispy bacon and serve immediately.