Buttered corn is an easy, quick and tasty snack made with sweet corn, butter, herbs and spices. It makes for a good evening snack that is filling and delicious. Though I prefer to make this snack with fresh corn cobs or raw kernels, the recipe comes together in a jiffy if you have steamed or canned corn kernels.
I make this recipe quite frequently in the monsoons. During this time we get fresh tender corns in India. I personally to make it with desi corn which is not sweet. But nowadays it is not so easy to source it. So I make it with American sweet corn. The recipe is quick to prepare if you have a packet of steamed corn kernels.
If you do not have corn kernels, but corn cobs, then you will have to boil or steam corn cobs in water – in which some salt is added. When the corn cobs are boiled, remove the corn kernels from the cobs. This will take some time.
I had a packet of raw American corn kernels which came in handy. So it was easy for me as I only need to cook them.
This buttered corn recipe uses butter. You could use both salted or unsalted butter. If you are conscious about your diet, then you could also use olive oil instead of butter. I have used more butter, but you could use less amount or more.
Overall, its a delicious snack that you can have at any time of the day. Children are specially going to love it.
How to make Buttered Corn
Cooking corn
1. To make buttered corn, I have used corn kernels. You can also use 2 large corn cobs. Steam and then remove the kernels with a good knife. You will require about 2 cups of corn kernels.
You can steam the corn cobs in a stovetop pressure cooker, Instant pot or a pan adding water as needed.
2. Using a strainer or a bowl rinse the corn kernels couple of times in water. Then drain all the water.
3. Add the rinsed corn kernels in a pressure cooker. Also add a ½ teaspoon salt and 2 cups water.
4. Mix well. Then pressure cook for 3 to 4 whistles on medium heat. You could also boil corn kernels in a pan. Though cooking in a pan will take a longer time. You can even steam these corn kernels.
5. Let the pressure fall down on its own in the cooker. Then remove the lid.
6. In a colander or strainer, add all the contents of the cooker. Drain all the water and keep the cooked corn kernels aside.
Making buttered corn
7. Heat another pan or you can also use the same pressure cooker. Add 1 tablespoon butter. Let the butter melt. Instead of butter you can also use 2 teaspoons olive oil.
You can add less or more butter according to your preferences.
8. Then add the boiled corn kernels.
9. Stir and mix well with the butter.
10. Add 1 teaspoon mixed herbs (or herbs of your choice), ½ teaspoon black pepper powder (or crushed pepper) and salt as required. Mix again.
You can use Italian seasonings or Mexican seasonings or add herbs like oregano, basil, parsley, mint, coriander, thyme etc. The herbs can be fresh or dried.
To give some heat and spice you can opt to add red chili powder or cayenne or red chili flakes.
11. Then add 1 to 2 tablespoons of grated cheddar cheese. Adding cheese is optional. Kids would love to eat cheesy buttered corn.
12. Keep heat to a low and mix till the cheese melts.
12. Remove and serve buttered corn hot or warm. You can drizzle some lemon juice while eating. While serving garnish with any fresh herbs like coriander or mint or parsley.
If you are looking for more Corn recipes then do check:
If you made this recipe, please be sure to rate it in the recipe card below. Sign Up for my email newsletter or you can follow me on Instagram, Facebook, Youtube, Pinterest or Twitter for more vegetarian inspirations.
Buttered Corn
Ingredients
- 2 cup corn kernels
- 2 cups water for boiling the corn kernels
- 1 tablespoon Butter or 2 teaspoons olive oil
- ½ teaspoon black pepper powder or freshly crushed black pepper, add as required
- 1 teaspoon mixed herbs or any herb of your choice or italian herbs (optional)
- 1 to 2 tablespoons grated cheddar cheese (optional)
- salt as required
Instructions
Cooking corn
- Rinse the corn kernels couple of times in fresh water.
- Cook the sweet corn kernels in pressure cooker with salt and water for 3 to 4 whistles. You could also boil in a pan. Though cooking in a pan will take longer.
- If using corn cobs then pressure cook or steam them in enough water. If pressure cooking, then cook for 3 to 4 whistles.
- Drain all the water and keep the corn kernels aside.
- If using corn cobs, then let them become warm or cool. Then remove the corn kernels from the cobs carefully with a knife.
Making buttered corn
- In another pan or you could use the same pressure cooker, melt the butter.
- Then add the corn kernels, salt, herbs and black pepper. Mix well.
- Add cheese. Stir and on a low heat mix well till cheese melts. Adding cheese is optional.
- Serve buttered corn hot or warm straight away. While serving you can garnish with fresh herbs of your choice. For a slight tang drizzle some lemon juice while eating.
Notes
- You can use American sweet corn or the desi variety of Indian corn. Both work great in this recipe.
- Add your choice of herbs and seasoning. For a Mexican flavor add Mexican seasoning. For an Italian style buttered corn include Italian seasoning. You can also use Herbs de Provence. For an Indian style buttered corn add red chili powder, chaat masala, roasted cumin powder, black salt, coriander leaves and lemon juice.
- Adding cheese is optional.
- You can use salted or unsalted butter. If using salted butter then add less salt.
- The corn cobs or corn kernels can be cooked in a stovetop pressure cooker or in a pan or in the instant pot. Just add water as required while cooking.
- For best taste serve buttered corn hot or warm.
- The recipe can be scaled as per your needs.
- The approximate nutrition info is for 1 serving of buttered corn made with cheddar cheese.
Nutrition Info (Approximate values)
This Buttered Corn recipe post from the blog archives (first published in February 2010) has been updated and republished on 26 June 2021.
hey dasanna.. u r a savior.. Million thanks to u. i am your silent follower. never got a chance to thank u for all your help.
tried wheat halwa, trifle pudding, sambar, sandwich, soups, pulaos and biryanis, salan, raitas etc etc.. every time i refer to your recipe and bring material from market.
1 request is start up chicken and fish recipes also if possible. so that we nonveg eaters dont have to hunt other websites.also your app for smart phones would be great help…
I am from Goa so looking forward to meet u. Tried searching u on fb too
Regards
Priyanka
thanks a lot priyanka. your comment is very sweet and encouraging. we have an app for iOS and android. you can search with “veg recipes india” on both the stores and you will see the app.
for non veg recipes, i am unable to add them as i cook only vegetarian food at home. also i am not based in goa. we moved out of goa some years back. but good to know about you 🙂
Good recipe
I bought corn kernel to prepare butter corn at home…was wondering how to go about it..your recipe really helped.thanks.
thanks ritu.
Nice recipe… But i tried boiling it in pan and it’s taking ages… 🙁
40 minutes already n nowhere near what it should be like…
i guess the corn cobs are not tender but more matured ones. hence boiling these are taking that long.
thank u very much