The Taste of Home, Simplified
There are some dishes that just transport you back to childhood, to simpler times filled with warmth and good company. For me, it’s often the comforting aroma of a home-cooked meal simmering on the stove. Today, we will dive into a recipe that captures that very essence – a recipe that’s not just about nourishing your body, but your soul too. Get ready to embrace the ultimate weeknight comfort with a dish that’s both incredibly easy to make and bursting with flavor: Skillet Creamed Corn with Turkey.
Why Make This Recipe
Skillet Creamed Corn with Turkey is a fantastic choice for many reasons:
- Effortless One-Pan Wonder: You will love that this recipe comes together beautifully in a single skillet. This makes cleanup easy.
- Comfort Food Reinvented: We take a classic, creamed corn, and make it better with savory turkey. This creates a hearty and filling main dish.
- Quick & Delicious: This dish is great for busy weeknights. You can have it on your table in under 30 minutes, and it tastes great.
- Family-Friendly Favorite: Even picky eaters will ask for more of this creamy, delicious meal.
- Customizable & Versatile: You can easily change this recipe to fit your family’s tastes. You can add or substitute different things.
How to Make Skillet Creamed Corn with Turkey
Making Skillet Creamed Corn with Turkey is simple. You will cook the turkey and vegetables first. Then, you will make a creamy sauce. Finally, you will add the corn and let the flavors mix together.
Ingredients of Skillet Creamed Corn with Turkey
Here is what you need for this dish:
- Protein:
- Ground turkey (lean or regular)
- Dairy & Fats:
- Butter
- Heavy cream
- Milk (whole or skim)
- Cream cheese (optional, for extra creaminess)
- Vegetables:
- Canned or frozen corn (drain if canned, thaw if frozen)
- Onion (diced)
- Garlic (minced)
- Seasonings:
- Salt
- Black pepper
- Smoked paprika (for a subtle depth of flavor)
- Pinch of cayenne pepper (optional, for a hint of heat)
- Fresh chives or parsley (for garnish)
- Thickener:
- All-purpose flour or cornstarch slurry (optional, for a thicker sauce)
Directions of Skillet Creamed Corn with Turkey
Follow these steps to make your Skillet Creamed Corn with Turkey:
1. Sauté the Aromatics and Turkey
- Heat butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
- Add diced onion. Cook until it is soft and clear.
- Stir in minced garlic. Cook for another minute until it smells fragrant.
- Add ground turkey to the skillet. Break it up with a spoon. Cook until it is brown and no longer pink. Drain any extra fat.
2. Build the Creamy Base
- Sprinkle flour (if you use it) over the cooked turkey and onions. Stir constantly for 1-2 minutes to make a roux.
- Slowly pour in milk and heavy cream. Whisk without stopping to prevent lumps.
- Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer. Let it thicken a little.
- Stir in cream cheese (if you use it) until it melts and is smooth.
3. Introduce the Corn and Season
- Add the drained (or thawed) corn to the skillet.
- Season well with salt, black pepper, and smoked paprika. Add a pinch of cayenne if you want.
- Stir everything together. Make sure the corn has a good coating of the creamy sauce.
- Lower the heat to low. Cover and simmer for 5-7 minutes. This lets the flavors mix together.
4. Garnish and Serve
- Taste the dish and add more seasonings if needed.
- Garnish with fresh chives or parsley before you serve it.
How to Serve Skillet Creamed Corn with Turkey
Here are some ideas for serving your Skillet Creamed Corn with Turkey:
- Classic Comfort: Serve it with fluffy mashed potatoes or a baked sweet potato for a truly comforting meal.
- Green Side: A simple side salad or steamed green beans go perfectly with this rich dish.
- Bread Lover’s Dream: Have some warm crusty bread or cornbread. You can soak up every bit of that delicious creamy sauce.
- Hearty Brunch: This can even be a great addition to a weekend brunch!
How to Store Skillet Creamed Corn with Turkey
Skillet Creamed Corn with Turkey reheats very well. Store any leftovers in a container with a tight lid in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
Tips to Make Skillet Creamed Corn with Turkey
These tips will help you make the best Skillet Creamed Corn with Turkey:
- Corn Choice: Fresh corn on the cob is great when it is in season. Canned or frozen corn works well for convenience. Just drain canned corn completely.
- Consistency: If you want a thicker creamed corn, you can add a cornstarch slurry. Mix 1 tablespoon of cornstarch with 2 tablespoons of cold water. Add this to the simmering sauce in step 3.
- Spice Level: Adjust the cayenne pepper to your taste. You can leave it out completely for a milder dish.
- Reheating: To reheat, warm it gently on the stovetop over low heat. Stir sometimes. Or microwave it in short bursts until it is hot. You might need to add a splash of milk to make the sauce thinner when reheating.
- Don’t Overcook the Turkey: Cook it until it is just brown. This keeps it tender and moist.
- Whisk Away Lumps: When you add milk and cream, whisk without stopping. This makes a smooth sauce.
- Simmering is Key: Let the sauce simmer gently for enough time. This helps it thicken and lets the flavors truly mix.
- Taste as You Go: Always taste your food. Adjust seasonings during cooking.
Variation
You can change this recipe to fit your family’s preferences:
- Cheesy Delight: Stir in a handful of shredded cheddar, Monterey Jack, or Parmesan cheese at the end. This gives it an extra gooey texture.
- Spice It Up: Add diced green chilies or jalapeños with the onions for a spicier kick.
- Vegetable Boost: Add other quick-cooking vegetables. You can use diced bell peppers, spinach, or mushrooms with the turkey.
- Herbaceous Twist: Try dried herbs like thyme or sage. This is especially good if you want a fall flavor.
- Smoky Flavor: Cook a few slices of turkey before cooking the ground turkey. Then, crumble them and stir them in at the end for more flavor and texture.
FAQs
Q1: Can I use ground chicken instead of turkey in this Skillet Creamed Corn with Turkey recipe?
Yes, you can! Ground chicken is a great substitute for ground turkey. It will work just as well in this Skillet Creamed Corn with Turkey. The cooking time and method will stay the same.
Q2: How can I make this Skillet Creamed Corn with Turkey dairy-free?
To make this recipe dairy-free, you can use plant-based butter, unsweetened almond milk or oat milk, and a dairy-free cream cheese alternative. The taste and texture will be a little different, but still good!
Q3: What is the best way to store and reheat leftover Skillet Creamed Corn with Turkey?
Store any leftover Skillet Creamed Corn with Turkey in a container with a tight lid in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. To reheat, gently warm it on the stovetop over low heat, stirring sometimes, or microwave in short bursts until it is hot. You might need to add a splash of milk to make the sauce thinner when reheating.
Creamy Skillet Smoked Paprika Turkey and Corn
Equipment
- Large skillet
- Spoon
- Whisk
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 tbsp Butter
- 1 Diced onion
- 2 cloves Minced garlic
- 1 lb Ground turkey lean or regular
- 1 tbsp All-purpose flour optional, for thickening
- 1/2 cup Milk whole or skim
- 1/2 cup Heavy cream
- 2 tbsp Cream cheese optional
- 15 oz Corn drained can or 1.5 cups thawed frozen corn
Seasonings & Garnish
- 1/2 tsp Salt or to taste
- 1/4 tsp Black pepper or to taste
- 1 tsp Smoked paprika
- Pinch Cayenne pepper optional
- Fresh chives or parsley for garnish
Instructions
Cooking Steps
- Melt butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
- Add diced onion and cook for 3-5 minutes until soft and translucent.
- Stir in minced garlic and cook for one minute until fragrant.
- Add ground turkey, break it apart, and cook until browned, then drain excess fat.
- If using, sprinkle flour over the turkey and onions, stirring constantly for 1-2 minutes to form a roux.
- Slowly pour in milk and heavy cream, whisking continuously to avoid lumps.
- Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, allowing it to thicken slightly.
- If desired, stir in cream cheese until it melts and the sauce is smooth.
- Stir in the drained or thawed corn.
- Season with salt, black pepper, smoked paprika, and optionally a pinch of cayenne pepper.
- Stir all ingredients together to coat the corn evenly in the creamy sauce.
- Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 5-7 minutes to allow flavors to meld.
- Taste and adjust seasonings to your preference.
- Garnish with fresh chives or parsley just before serving.