Publised on 05/09/2024. Last Updated on 06/12/2024 by Richard
Super easy and silky smooth vegan creamed corn. The perfect vegan Thanksgiving side dish to complete your holiday spread!
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This vegan creamed corn is rich, creamy, and the perfect balance between sweet corn kernels and a velvety, silky sauce. As a Brit, it’s one of those things that I never knew I needed in my life until I had it, and once I did, well…there was no going back. I've got a bunch of corny recipes on this blog, from buttery vegan cornbread to vegan sweetcorn fritters, but this one is super special! The combination of corn, plant-based milk, and a dash of nutritional yeast makes this vegan version way more than just a side dish. It’s a comforting side dish that will probably end up stealing the show at your next thanksgiving meal, and with my vegan stuffing, vegan gravy and perfect mashed potato, it's in good company! Oh, and did I mention I've got a gluten-free option for you? That means this vegan creamed corn is a crowd-pleaser for all your family and friends.
I’ll never forget the first time I had creamed corn. It was in a little vegan comfort food joint in New Orleans. I was there with friends, and it was one of those moments where everyone was ordering big plates of “traditional” Southern food, so I followed in suit. Obviously creamed corn featured heavily, and holy moly, I was blown away! The sweet corn, the creamy sauce…it was love at first bite. Fast forward a few years, and now it’s a regular on my Friendsgiving menu. If you're like me and love a bit of nostalgia with your Thanksgiving recipes, this one's gonna hit the spot.
The Ingredients
Alright, let’s break it down – vegan creamed corn style. These ingredients are what make this dish so epic. Remember, the full recipe with all the exact amounts is down at the bottom of this page, but here’s a little preview:
- Fresh Corn (or frozen): Fresh corn gives you that pop of sweetness that you just can’t beat. Frozen is a solid backup if you’re out of season.
- Vegan Butter: Adds that rich, indulgent flavor we all love without any dairy products.
- Plant Milk: The base for our creamy sauce.
- Nutritional Yeast: Adds a subtle umami, cheesy flavor without the cheese. It’s a game-changer for vegan versions of creamy dishes!
- Silken Tofu: For that extra dose of creaminess. Also adds extra protein and fibre, which is always a win.
- Maple Syrup: Just a touch of sweetness to balance things out.
- All Purpose Flour or Gluten-Free Flour: Helps thicken the sauce. Go gluten-free if needed!
Which Corn to Use for Vegan Creamed Corn
Now, about that corn. Ideally, you want to use fresh corn for the best results. If you’re lucky enough to score some from a local farm, go for it! Fresh corn gives you that extra snap of sweetness that you just can’t beat. But, let’s be real – not everyone has time to husk corn and all that jazz, especially if you’re prepping for a whole Thanksgiving menu.
No worries, frozen corn is the next best thing, and trust me, it works just as well in this recipe. If you only have canned corn, that’s fine too, but make sure you drain and wash it before using it. That way, you’re not dealing with too much extra liquid in your corn mixture.
The Method!
Okay, so we’ve talked ingredients, now let’s get to how we put it all together. Spoiler alert: It’s stupidly easy. As usual, the full step-by-step recipe is at the bottom of the page, but here’s the basic rundown:
- Place your sweet corn kernels in a pan with the plant milk and let ‘em cook for a couple of minutes.
- Blend together your nutritional yeast, silken tofu, melted vegan butter, flour and a touch of maple syrup until you have a creamy sauce.
- Add the remaining ingredients into the pan with the corn and stir until it thickens into that creamy consistency we all love.
- Serve with extra black pepper and fresh parsley.
Boom. That’s it. Easy, right? You’ve just made yourself some homemade vegan creamed corn.
How to Make Gluten-Free Vegan Creamed Corn
If you’re gluten-free, this recipe is super easy to adapt. Just swap out the all-purpose flour for gluten-free flour, and you’re good to go. There are some great all-purpose gluten-free flour blends out there now that will work perfectly, but I sweat by the 1:1 blend from Bob's Red Mill. The purpose of the flour in the recipe is to help the creamy base to thicken, which doesn't require the help of gluten at all, so gluten free flour will work just fine!
More Vegan Thanksgiving Sides!
Since we’re talking about Thanksgiving (or, you know, any other holiday gatherings), here are a few other vegan side dishes that’ll rock your table:
- Perfect Roast Potatoes: The crispiest you've ever tasted!
- Vegan Stuffing: Loaded with veggies and herbs, this stuffing has all the classic flavors without the dairy.
- Homemade Vegan Gravy: Sweet and tart, this is a must-have next to your vegan turkey.
- Vegan Mashed Potatoes: Creamy, butter, and oh-so-comforting.
- Easy Vegan Dinner Rolls: Soft, fluffy and sweet, every time!
Vegan Creamed Corn FAQs
Absolutely! Just be sure to drain and rinse the canned corn before you use it.
I wouldn’t recommend it. The texture might get a little funky when you thaw it out.
For sure! Just stick with unsweetened, unflavored varieties. Almond milk, soy milk, and oat milk are all great options.
Low and slow, my friends. Reheat on low heat and stir in a bit of extra non-dairy milk to keep it creamy.
Heck yeah, you can! This recipe easily scales up, so make a big batch for your next holiday meal.
So there you have it! This vegan creamed corn is creamy, dreamy, and absolutely worth adding to your rotation of side dishes. Whether you're adding it to your Thanksgiving recipes or just want a simple side dish to round out your thanksgiving dinner, this one’s a keeper.
If you end up making it, don’t forget to take a pic and tag @schoolnightvegan on social media – I wanna see how it turned out! And while you're at it, check out these other vegan thanksgiving and holiday-friendly recipes on the blog, like my Vegan Turkey Roast or my Vegan Pumpkin Pie for dessert! Your holiday gatherings just got a whole lot tastier. Enjoy!
Vegan Creamed Corn
Equipment
- Medium Saucepan
- Blender
Ingredients
- 400 g corn fresh or frozen
- 240 ml plant milk + 2 tbsp unflavoured and unsweetened
- 120 g silken tofu soft, or sub for vegan cream cheese at room temperature
- 40 g vegan butter melted
- 1 tablespoon plain white flour aka all purpose flour or sub for gluten free flour
- ½ tablespoon maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon fine sea salt
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 tablespoon nutritional yeast
- Fresh parsley for serving, finely chopped
Instructions
- Place corn and the 240ml plant milk in medium saucepan and bring to a simmer. Allow to cook over low heat for 5-8 minutes.400 g corn, 240 ml plant milk + 2 tbsp
- Meanwhile use a blender to blend the remaining 2 tablespoon plant milk and all remaining ingredients (except for the parsley) together until smooth.120 g silken tofu, 40 g vegan butter, 1 tablespoon plain white flour, ½ tablespoon maple syrup, 1 teaspoon fine sea salt, ½ teaspoon ground black pepper, 1 tablespoon nutritional yeast
- Add to the corn mixture and bring back to a gentle simmer. Cook until thickened and creamy (about 3-5 minutes) and serve with extra black pepper and a sprinkle of fresh, finely chopped parsley.Fresh parsley
Richard Makin
This worked so well! Will definitely enjoy on thanksgiving