Thanksgiving corn pudding is a warm, creamy, and slightly sweet side dish that has become a beloved part of many holiday tables. With its custard-like texture and rich corn flavor, it strikes the perfect balance between savory and sweet, offering comfort and nostalgia in every bite. This dish is often served alongside turkey, stuffing, and mashed potatoes, adding variety and a touch of indulgence to the feast.
At its core, corn pudding celebrates the simple, natural sweetness of corn. It’s made with a mixture of whole kernel corn, creamed corn, eggs, milk or cream, butter, and a touch of flour or cornmeal to help bind it all together. As it bakes, the mixture transforms into a soft, custardy pudding with golden, slightly crisp edges and a smooth, tender center.
What makes corn pudding special is its versatility. Some families prefer it more on the sweet side, while others lean into the savory notes by adding herbs, cheese, or even a little spice. No matter how it’s prepared, it’s always creamy, rich, and deeply comforting.
Corn pudding’s humble, homey nature pairs perfectly with the traditional flavors of Thanksgiving. Its mild sweetness complements savory dishes like roast turkey, gravy, stuffing, and green beans, while its soft texture adds a welcome contrast to crisp or crunchy sides.
Beyond Thanksgiving, corn pudding is a dish that often appears at other gatherings and potlucks because it’s easy to make and universally loved. It travels well, stays warm for a long time, and appeals to both kids and adults.
For drinks, corn pudding pairs nicely with a lightly oaked Chardonnay, a sparkling apple cider, or even a crisp pilsner. Its simple, comforting flavors make it a natural companion to the more robust and savory dishes that fill the Thanksgiving table.
Thanksgiving corn pudding is more than just a side dish – it’s a celebration of comfort, tradition, and the flavors of the season.
Ingredients
- 2 cups corn kernels fresh or frozen
- 1 can cream-style corn (14.75 ounces)
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- 1/2 cup butter melted
- 1 egg beaten
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1 package cornbread mix (8.5 ounces)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a baking dish.
- In a large bowl, combine the corn kernels, cream-style corn, and sugar. Mix well.
- Add the melted butter, beaten egg, and milk to the bowl. Stir until fully combined.
- Gradually add the cornbread mix to the bowl, stirring until just combined. Do not overmix.
- Pour the mixture into the prepared baking dish and smooth the top with a spatula.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 45 minutes or until the top is golden brown and the pudding is set.
- Allow to cool for a few minutes before serving. Enjoy!
Nutrition
Yum! This is SO good. Perfect side dish for Thanksgiving. Everyone loved it! 🌽
I tried this recipe and it came out too sweet for my liking. Thought it needed somethin’ else. Maybe less sugar?
Isn’t cream-style corn just sweet corn in a can? Not sure why that’s in the recipe. Kinda iffy about trying it…
I used to think that too, but cream-style corn adds a nice creaminess to the dish! You should give it a chance, it might surprise you!
Nah, it’s just a fancy way of saying mushy corn. I wouldn’t bother with it, just use normal corn!
This corn pudding is a hit at our Thanksgiving dinner! I love how easy it is to make. Definitely will be my go-to from now on!
I had high hopes but it turned out too sweet for my taste. Maybe less sugar next time?
Yeah, I also found it a bit too sweet. Next time I’ll cut down on the sugar for sure!
Can I use canned corn instead of frozen? I saw someone say that’s what they did.
This was absolutely delicious! I couldn’t stop eating it. Perfect for Thanksgiving!
OMG this is the best thing ever!! So creamy and awesome! Yum!
I made this for Thanksgiving and it was a hit! Everyone loved it! Super easy too!
I made this for a potluck and nobody wanted to take leftovers! So good!
I don’t know why people like this so much. It’s just corn and bread, right?
Eh, I don’t get it either. Corn and bread just sounds kinda plain to me. Maybe it’s an acquired taste?
I actually love this dish! It’s not just corn and bread, it’s the sweet and savory combo that makes it special. Perfect for Thanksgiving!
Ehh, it was too sweet for my taste. I prefer more savory dishes.
Yum, yum, yum! Just perfect for the holiday! 🎉
This is like magic! My family devoured it. 10/10 recommend!
I’m so glad to hear that! It’s a family favorite for sure. 😊
It turned out ok, but I think I overmixed it. Next time I’ll be more careful.
Yummy! But didn’t expect cornbread mix to be in pudding. Can it be done without?
Um, can we skip the egg? I’m not a fan of eggs in pudding. But otherwise, good.
This corn pudding is a game changer for our Thanksgiving dinner! Everyone loved it!
My kids loved it! They begged for more. Will definitely be making it again!
I don’t know why you gotta add milk. It’s just corn, right? Whatever.
Simple and delicious! Will definitely make this again!
Tried making this, but it came out all mushy. I think I added too much butter.
Maybe try less butter next time? It can make it gooey if you overdo it. Good luck!
Corn + pudding = corn pudding. Amazing math! 😂
Not bad, I guess. Just kinda basic. I thought it would be better.
This was so easy to make! Perfect side dish. I added some cheese on top and it was incredible.
I’m glad you liked it! Cheese sounds like a great addition! I’ll have to try that next time.
Really tasty but it’s too sweet for my taste. Next time, I’ll cut down the sugar a bit.
I agree! It was super sweet for me too. Maybe I should try less sugar next time.
Cutting down on sugar? Are you sure that’s a good idea? Sugar makes it yummier!
This corn pudding is to die for! So creamy and sweet! Everyone loved it at our Thanksgiving dinner!
Yum! 🍽️ This is the best recipe ever! Made it twice this month already.
I tried it with some cheddar cheese mixed in and it was fantastic! Definitely recommend it! 🧀
Really? I don’t know, this one sounds a bit too sweet for my taste. How can you call it pudding when it’s more like cake?
Wait, is cornbread the same as cornmeal? I messed it up because of that. Not sure how I feel about this.
Corn is nice but pudding should be more liquidy, right? This was more like mush to me.
I tried making it but it didn’t come out right. I think I added too much butter or something.
I just used canned corn and it worked out fine. Not too picky but I like my food simple.
But fresh corn makes it taste way better! Canned has that weird texture sometimes, don’t you think?
Canned corn is definitely a handy shortcut! I think it tastes good too, as long as you season it right.
Meh, tasted too much like vegetable. I expected a creamy texture but it was off. 🤷
I think the texture really depends on how you cook it! Maybe try less corn next time? 🤔
But it’s corn pudding! It’s supposed to taste like corn… 🙄
I like the simplicity, but I think 45 minutes was a little short for my dish size. I ended up baking closer to 55 minutes until it was set. Next time I’ll tent with foil if the top browns too fast.
Totally agree—mine took longer too. Every oven seems different, and the size of the dish changes everything. I like your foil-tent idea for stopping the top from getting too brown!
Absolutely loved it! The corn pudding was the star of our Thanksgiving dinner. Will definitely make it again!
Pretty easy and comforting. I did add a pinch of salt because it seemed a little sweet without it. Next time I might also add some cheddar for extra flavor.
This recipe is a scam! Corn pudding is supposed to be savory, not sweet! I won’t make this again.
I dunno, I followed your steps and it came out weird. Kinda gummy? Maybe I mixed too much?
I followed the recipe exactly but it turned out too mushy for me. Not sure what went wrong but maybe less milk next time?
Corn pudding? Sounds weird! But gotta admit, it was oddly delicious. “Corn” and “pudding” in one dish? Who knew?
I know right? It’s like two worlds collide! I was also surprised how good it tasted. Perfect for Thanksgiving!
Corn pudding sounds gross to me. Corn should be crunchy, not mushy! Who thought of this??
Do not overmix? Too late, I mixed a whole lot and was wondering why it became a mush. Should have read carefully! 😂
Easy to make but I think I prefer regular cornbread. This was just too sweet for my taste.
I dunno, it was alright but kind of too sweet for my taste. Maybe less sugar next time?
I don’t have cornbread mix, can I use regular flour instead? I realy want to try it!
Not a big fan of corn, but my mom made this and it was actually pretty good! Flavorful!
YUM!!!!!!! My kids loved it. They asked for seconds! 🤤
That’s fantastic to hear! Corn pudding is such a hit with kids. What a great way to bring the family together! 😊
So easy to make! I just threw everything in a bowl and it turned out great! Perfect for lazy cooks like me!
This looks too easy… Are you sure it turns out good? Maybe I should follow the recipe a bit closer.
I love how simple this is! Sometimes I just want something that doesn’t take ages to prepare. Thanks for sharing your experience!
This was a huge hit at our Thanksgiving! Everyone loved it, even my pickiest family member. Will definitely make again!
So glad to hear it was a hit! I made it too and it disappeared fast. Perfect side dish!
Really? I thought it was too sweet. Maybe I overdid the sugar? 🤔 Next time I’ll cut back.
Corn pudding?? Sounds weird. But I tried it anyway and it was actually okay. Next time I might add cheese or something.
Corn pudding actually surprised me too. The texture is kinda like a sweet-savory casserole—way better than I expected. I think cheese would be a great upgrade, especially sharp cheddar!
Corn pudding?? Not gonna lie I thought it’d be gross, like mush. But if you bake it long enough so it sets, it’s decent. Wouldn’t cheese make it too salty tho? Maybe just a little.
Yumm! Made this for potluck and everyone asked for the recipe. Win!
That’s awesome! I love when everyone enjoys my cooking too! 🥳
Really? Everyone liked it? I thought corn pudding was a bit weird. Not sure I’d make it.
Corn pudding sounds fancy but this felt kinda like store-bought casserole vibes. Family liked it, but I’m not convinced it’s better than regular cornbread.
Great dish! I used frozen corn and it was still delish. I might add some cheese next time! 🧀
This recipe is so easy! I made it for Thanksgiving and my whole family loved it! Definitely a keeper! 😍
Really? I didn’t think it would be that great since it’s just corn and cornbread mix… but I guess you can’t knock it till you try it.
I’m glad to hear that! It’s such a simple recipe, perfect for Thanksgiving. Can’t wait to try it myself! 🥳
Corn pudding? More like corn disaster! It didn’t cook right and was mushy. What went wrong?
Instructions are clear, but I think next time I do it less sugar. Just my opinion.
I think sugar is the magic in this recipe! But I get what you mean, everyone’s taste is different.
Less sugar? But that’s the best part! Ain’t Thanksgiving about indulgence?
Made this for Thanksgiving and it turned out super comforting. The top got nicely golden and it actually tastes like “real” corn pudding, not just sweet corn casserole. I used frozen corn—no issues.
We tried it but I dunno… mine came out a little too sweet and it didn’t really “set” like pudding, more like soft casserole. I used the whole can and cornbread mix exactly. Maybe my oven runs hot? Still tasted good tho.
Yes!! Thanksgiving comfort food is exactly what this sounds like. Also love that the frozen corn worked—mine usually gets weirdly watery if I don’t do something right, so that’s good to know. 😄
This corn pudding is a staple at my Thanksgiving! So yummy!
I totally agree! This corn pudding is the best part of Thanksgiving!
Looks great, but I prefer my pudding more savory. Sugar in corn pudding? Really?
So good!!
Right?? I made this for Thanksgiving and it came out so sweet and cozy. I bet it’d be even better with a little extra butter on top 😄
Mmmmm!!! So good! I added some cheese and it was perfect. Who needs fancy recipes when you got corn like this?
Not gonna lie, the butter + cornbread mix combo is rich. I loved it, but it’s definitely not a “light” side. Great if you like indulgent casseroles.
Totally agree—this one’s not light at all. The melted butter really gives it that rich, almost casserole-like comfort. Glad you loved it!
Why do you reccomend using canned corn? Fresh corn is so much better! Just saying.
Could use more seasoning… like a pinch of salt or some pepper. Also I’m not sure fresh vs frozen corn changes much, but mine was kind of watery at first.
I thought this would be better. It turned out too sweet for my taste. Not sure I would make it again.
Sorry but this recipe is way too sweet. I like my corn not dessert!
I followed the recipe, but 45 minutes felt short for my oven. The center was still wiggly, so I baked it another 15 and then it was perfect. Worth it.
Glad it worked out! Mine usually takes a bit longer too—ovens run so hot/cold. The “set” part is key; I look for the edges to firm up and the center to stop wobbling.
Not bad, but mine came out a bit too sweet. I’m not sure if the cornbread mix is doing that, but I might cut the sugar in half next time. Texture was good though.
Totally get it! That 2 tbsp sugar plus whatever sweetness is already in the cornbread mix could stack up. Cutting the sugar in half (or using a less-sweet mix) sounds like a solid next try—glad the texture still turned out good though!
Mine was also sweet. I think it’s the cream-style corn? Like, that stuff always tastes sugary to me. Next time I’ll use fresh corn and skip the sugar all together. 45 mins seems long too—maybe bake less so it doesn’t caramelize as much.
Uh… I forgot to grease the dish and it stuck a little. Tastes good, but presentation was rough. Also my oven runs hot so I pulled it early and it was slightly underdone inside.
Oof, that oven “runs hot” thing gets everyone 😅 Next time maybe check at 35–40 min and loosely cover with foil if the top browns too fast. Also greasing really matters for that cornbread mix—sorry it stuck!
Wait… you pulled it early and it was underdone inside but you still say tastes good? That sounds like my kind of mistake lol. Maybe add a little more milk so it stays softer? Also I swear oven temps are lies, mine is always off.
Wasn’t a fan. The sugar felt out of place. It should be savory, right?
Easy to make and a crowd pleaser! I doubled up for my big family gathering.
This sounds delicious! I’m definitely trying it for Thanksgiving. Thanks for sharing!
Corn pudding? Sounds weird. What’s wrong with plain corn? 🤔
Made this for Thanksgiving last year—super comforting and easy. The top got that perfect golden crust. Would totally double it for a crowd.
What kind of corn is best to use? I’m confused about fresh vs frozen.
Honestly I was skeptical about using cornbread mix—seems like it might be dry or weird. But it turned out creamy and cohesive. My family asked for seconds, so yeah… it worked.
Same here—I thought cornbread mix would make it kinda dry, but you’re right. Ours came out creamy too, not weird at all. Glad it worked for you!
Corn pudding? More like corn greatness! 🌽💖
I followed it pretty much, but I think I should’ve let it bake a little longer. Mine was a bit too soft in the middle, still tasty though.
Maybe you should’ve mixed it more so it stays firm. I always bake like 30 min only tho and it’s fine, so idk—maybe your oven runs cold? Soft in the middle usually means not enough time or too much milk.
Totally get that—45 minutes can vary a lot by oven and the dish size. Next time I’d bake 5–15 mins longer and look for it to be set in the center (a toothpick should come out pretty clean). Glad it was still tasty though!
Made this for Thanksgiving last year and it was a huge hit. Sweet, creamy, and the top actually got nicely golden. I used frozen corn and it still turned out great!
That’s awesome! I love when corn pudding actually browns on top—most mine stay kind of pale. Good tip on using frozen corn, I always worry about it getting watery.
Hmm I tried something like this but it came out way too sweet for me. Also 45 minutes feels short—mine needed like an hour to set. Maybe I used a bigger dish? Either way congrats though.
This turned out AMAZING! Even my picky eater loved it. Thanks!
So happy to hear that! Corn pudding is the best, especially for Thanksgiving. Yum!
Not sure what I did wrong, but mine came out a bit dense. Tasted okay though—just didn’t get that “pudding” set I was hoping for. Maybe I overmixed the cornbread mix?
That sounds really frustrating! With this kind of cornbread-style pudding, density usually comes from mixing too much once the cornbread mix goes in (it can get thick/starchy). Next time, stir only until you don’t see dry pockets, and let it rest 5–10 minutes before baking. Also check your baking dish—if it’s too small or deep, it can bake up denser instead of setting like pudding. Hope your next batch comes out smoother!