Creamy Corn Pudding with Crispy Onions and Herbs Recipe - Pinch of Yum
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Creamy Corn Pudding with Crispy Onions and Herbs

5 reviews / 4.6 average

I’m going to talk to you about corn pudding. I am.

But there’s so much else to say today. This life is some kinda crazy.

It’s complicated, busy, hard, and then the clouds clear and the sun comes out, until it swings back the other way again. It’s always a balance, but it seems to come in seasons, right? And I have to tell you. This has just been a really hard season for so many of our people.

Corn pudding with crispy onions and herbs on a spoon and in a baking dish.

Last night we attended the funeral for Bjork’s precious aunt Glori, to celebrate the full and joyful life she lived and the mark she left on the world. Glori was diagnosed with early onset Alzheimer’s disease at age 53 and after living with it for more than five years, she left this physical world and went home. She will be remembered for being smart, like, college professor smart, and funny, with a loud and confident laugh, and movie-star beautiful. When I think about her, I always just think about her name. Glori. Can’t you just imagine her?

I’m writing a little about Glori today because her story is on my heart, and it’s hard to write about something, ahem Thanksgiving corn pudding, when your heart is full with something so much deeper. I’m also sharing about her because I think stories like Glori’s remind us about what’s important and inspire us to live better.

Glori

“She liked being reminded of butterflies. She remembered being six or seven and crying over the fates of the butterflies in her yard after learning that they lived for only a few days. Her mother had comforted her and told her not to be sad for the butterflies, that just because their lives were short didn’t mean they were tragic. Watching them flying in the warm sun among the daisies in their garden, her mother had said to her, see, they have a beautiful life. Alice liked remembering that.”

This beautiful quote is from a book called Still Alice by Lisa Genova about a woman living with early onset Alzheimer’s disease. I actually read this book a few years ago, when Glori was first diagnosed, and it was incredibly moving, probably mostly because the main character Alice reminded me so much of Glori. If you have an open heart to the experiences of people living with dementia and a box of Kleenex at the ready, I highly recommend it. Highly, highly.

I guess it all kind of comes full circle in a weird Thanksgiving corn pudding kind of way because this is a recipe that will most likely be shared during the holidays with family and friends as we celebrate the things we’re thankful for. Things like comforting food, time with our favorite people, and health.

This recipe is actually a variation old favorite from our neighbors growing up in small town Minnesota. The original version had a box of Jiffy mix and a nice heaping cup of sour cream. For this new version, healthy is a stretch, but it has a made-from-scratch cornmeal base and Greek yogurt instead of sour cream. And BOOM. It still embodies the delicious home baked creamy corn pudding thing. Two thumbs up.

Corn pudding with crispy onions and herbs in a baking dish with a spoon.

We’re talking buttery, creamy, just slightly sticky and a little bit sweet, and the golden onion crunchification of the top layer is a force to be reckoned with. Corn pudding is my contribution to family Thanksgiving this year, and with our crew, we always, always, always, always eat the whole pan. None left. Always. It’s a crowd-pleaser and there’s no getting around it.

Happy early Thanksgiving to you! I’m grateful that we can share real life.

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A picture of Creamy Corn Pudding with Crispy Onions and Herbs

Creamy Corn Pudding with Crispy Onions and Herbs


Description

This creamy corn pudding with crispy onions and herbs is perfect for Thanksgiving. It is so simple and comes together in a flash.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 2/3 cup yellow cornmeal
  • 2/3 cup flour
  • 3 tablespoons sugar
  • 1 tablespoon baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 2 tablespoons oil
  • 1 cup light sour cream or Greek yogurt (I used a half cup of each)
  • 1/2 cup salted butter, melted
  • 1 egg
  • 1 15-ounce can regular corn, drained
  • 1 15-ounce can cream style corn
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 1/2 cups crispy onions (I buy the ones in the salad section)
  • 1/2 cup fresh chopped parsley or other herb of choice

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 350. Combine the cornmeal, flour, baking powder, sugar, salt, and oil in a bowl. Work the mixture with a fork until no longer clumpy.
  2. In a separate bowl, whisk the Greek yogurt, sour cream, butter, and egg until smooth. Add the corn, cream corn, and dry mix from step one, and stir until just combined.
  3. Pour into a greased 9×13 baking dish and bake for 30 minutes. Remove from oven, top with crispy onions, and return to oven for 5 minutes. Remove from oven and let stand for 10 minutes. Sprinkle with herbs before serving.

Notes

Nutrition information is for the corn pudding without toppings.

  • Prep Time: 7 mins
  • Cook Time: 35 mins
  • Category: Side Dish
  • Cuisine: American

Keywords: creamy corn pudding, corn pudding, thanksgiving corn pudding

Okay, one more thing. I timed myself to see how long it took to actually put this together? On the prep end, 7 minutes and 13 seconds. Heck yes.

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80 Comments

    1. Pinch of Yum Logo

      Thank you Christine. I am really interested in reading her other books now that I’ve been reminded of Still Alice again recently. She has some really strong, emotional themes but I think sometimes those are good to think about, to understand what other people are going through better.

    2. Pinch of Yum Logo

      Love corn pudding and will definitely try this.
      I highly recommend ‘Left Neglected by Lisa Genova. As a rehab nurse I saw this phenomenon often, and was amazed at the Entirety of the neglect. Very good, thorough author.

  1. Pinch of Yum Logo

    What a beautiful way to commemorate her. Food is a grounding force, thanks for sharing the story behind this dish.

    And my condolences to you and Bjork. So sorry to hear of your loss.

  2. Pinch of Yum Logo

    I am so sorry for yours and Bjork’s loss, but you wrote a beautiful post and I will have to get that book, it sound pretty awesome!

    This corn pudding could not look more perfect! Yum!

    1. Pinch of Yum Logo

      What a beautiful story. So much goodness in the love of family.
      This recipe looks wonderful. I want to make ahead to take to a friend’s party……. can I make this in an electric skillet pan or even a crackpot? OR will it be good to re-heat after a few hours? I need to drop it off like 2 hours before we gather for dinner…

  3. Pinch of Yum Logo

    I am so sorry for your and Bjork’s loss Lindsay. Glori sounds like a wonderful woman. Thank you for sharing a little bit about her with us.
    About 5 years ago, I brought old school corn pudding (the Jiffy box/sour cream kind) to our family turkey day, and they have requested I bake it every year since. I think this Thanksgiving, I’m going to pull a switcheroo for this more wholesome version. I already know they are going to love it 🙂

    1. Pinch of Yum Logo

      It’s SO ridiculously good. Almost embarrassing, since it’s so simple. But we just love it. 🙂 Glad you do too!

    2. Pinch of Yum Logo

      Hello. Did you make the pudding for thanksgiving? If so how did the family enjoy it

  4. Pinch of Yum Logo

    I’m so sorry for your guys’ loss. Glori seems like an absolute gem. 🙂

    I recently just had my first corn pudding (in Iowa no less) and it was amazing – I love the herby version here as well. I might have to put this on the Turkey Day menu this year!

  5. Pinch of Yum Logo

    I’m so sorry for your loss. Losing someone you care about hurts deeply. Prayers for the family.

  6. Pinch of Yum Logo

    I’m so sorry for your loss. It’s always hard losing someone, but I feel like this time of the year is the worst 🙁

  7. Pinch of Yum Logo

    Sorry to hear about Bjork’s grandma. She sounds like a beautiful woman. My grandfather also died of alzheimers, and I have been meaning to read that book for a while. Glad to hear it is helpful.

    And this creamy corn pudding sounds delicious, I hope you enjoy it this Thanksgiving.

  8. Pinch of Yum Logo

    I’m so sorry to hear about Bjork’s aunt. 🙁 Many hugs and prayers going out to your fam. This corn pudding looks like the perfect comfort food — definitely something I’d want to share with my loved ones at the holidays.

  9. Pinch of Yum Logo

    Sounds like Bjork’s aunt Glori was glorious to be around!
    So sorry for yalls loss – prayers for strength for yall family.

    This pudding looks great! I haven’t experimented with cornmeal, never thought it could be made into a pudding with this consistency – thanks bunches for sharing!

  10. Pinch of Yum Logo

    My thoughts are with your family. Losses such as the are huge in our lives but as you said, the sun does shine again and our losses become fond and loving memories.
    “Still Alice” is absolutely one of my most favorite books. It’s poignant, sad, happy and beautifully written. “Love Anthony” is another great book by Lisa Genova.

  11. Pinch of Yum Logo

    Still Alice is one of my favorite books! I think it stuck with me especially being told from her perspective and having people in the family with memory issues.

    Your description of Glori is beautiful. So sorry for your loss.

    1. Pinch of Yum Logo

      Yes, you’re so right. I had forgotten about that part. Like how you read from her perspective as she finds those notes and lists she left for herself…thanks for the comment Kelly.

  12. Pinch of Yum Logo

    I always thought Corn Pudding was sweet and less savory. I never really cared too much for it because of the texture. Its good but its a texture thing for me. This looks really good though.

  13. Pinch of Yum Logo

    Hi Lindsay,

    I noticed you paid a visit to my blog! Thanks so much for being supportive! Wish I could have told you that at a better time… I’m so sorry for your loss! It’s always incredibly tough to lose someone who’s really just too young to go… I hope you and Bjork can find comfort in spending time with your family on Thanksgiving!

    And I never before had heard of corn pudding (is that weird), but it sure looks intriguing!

    xoxo

  14. Pinch of Yum Logo

    this may sound odd, but is this a dessert type pudding or side dish type pudding. It looks good enough for either but as a non-american in charge of a vegetarian side dish at her first thanksgiving this year I have an ulteria motive for asking 🙂

    1. Pinch of Yum Logo

      It’s usually a side dish for us. With the onions and herbs on there, it really does taste more like your traditional corn that just happens to be baked up a bit. In my opinion, it goes perfectly with the other Thanksgiving traditional dishes like turkey, gravy, and mashed potatoes. YUM.

  15. Pinch of Yum Logo

    What a beautiful story- sounds like Glori was a dynamic woman. I love how food memories can be so strong and help remind us of those who have gone before us. Sending warm thoughts to your and Bjork from DC!

  16. Pinch of Yum Logo

    So sorry for you and Bjork’s loss. Working in healthcare, Alzheimers is one of the most diffiuclt diseases to see. I also read Still Alice a couple of years ago and it gave such great insight into Alzheimers, especially early-onset. I’m so glad you have wonderful memories of Glori!

  17. Pinch of Yum Logo

    I’m so sorry for your loss. Alzheimer’s is such an incredibly cruel disease for all of those involved. I read Still Alice on a beach in Costa Rica and cried my eyes out while laying on the sand. It’s a beautiful book.
    And on the brighter side of things, I can’t wait to make this corn pudding.