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Skillet Corn With Honey Butter

Skillet corn with honey butter delivers caramelized, charred kernels tossed in a sweet-butter garlic sauce with smoked paprika and a touch of cayenne. Cook on high heat in a cast iron skillet for browned edges and a glossy finish.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: American
Calories: 300
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Corn and honey butter
  • 4 cup corn kernels fresh or frozen (thawed)
  • 4 tbsp unsalted butter divided
  • 2 tbsp honey
  • 2 clove garlic minced
  • 0.5 tsp smoked paprika
  • 0.25 tsp cayenne
  • 1 salt to taste
  • 1 black pepper to taste
  • 1 fresh chives for serving
  • 1 flaky sea salt for serving

Equipment

  • 1 cast iron skillet

Method
 

Caramelize the corn
  1. Melt 2 tablespoons butter in a large cast iron skillet over high heat. The butter should become hot and foamy but not browned.
  2. Add corn in a single layer and cook without stirring 3-4 minutes until charred on the bottom. Look for dark, caramelized spots through the kernels.
  3. Toss the corn and cook another 3-4 minutes. Continue until more edges deepen in color and the corn looks glossy.
Season and coat
  1. Reduce heat, then add garlic, smoked paprika, and cayenne and cook 1 minute. Stir to distribute and cook until fragrant.
  2. Add remaining butter and honey, then toss until the corn is coated. The sauce should look shiny and lightly cling to the kernels.
  3. Season generously with salt and black pepper. Taste and adjust so the char is balanced by sweetness and heat.
  4. Top with fresh chives and flaky sea salt. Finish right before serving for the brightest herb flavor.

Notes

Pro tip: thaw frozen corn fully and pat off excess moisture so it char-routes instead of steaming. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and rewarm in a skillet over medium heat. Freezing isn’t recommended because corn can lose texture. For a dairy-free swap, use plant-based butter in the same amounts.