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Delicious Skillet Creamed Corn with Turkey for holiday meals

Hearty Skillet Creamed Corn with Savory Turkey

This hearty skillet dish features a rich and creamy corn base combined with savory cooked turkey, making for a comforting and satisfying meal. Easy to prepare, it's perfect for a weeknight dinner or using up leftover turkey.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 17 minutes
Total Time 32 minutes
Servings 4 servings
Calories 480 kcal

Equipment

  • large skillet
  • whisk

Ingredients
  

For the Creamed Corn Base

  • 4 cups corn kernels fresh or frozen
  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • 1.5 cups milk whole or 2%
  • 4 ounces cream cheese softened
  • 1 teaspoon sugar optional, for sweetness balance
  • 0.5 teaspoon salt or to taste
  • 0.25 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper or to taste

For the Turkey & Flavor Boost

  • 1.5 cups cooked turkey shredded or diced (leftover roasted turkey, cooked ground turkey, or turkey sausage)
  • 1 medium medium onion finely diced
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 0.5 cup chicken or turkey broth
  • 2 tablespoons fresh herbs chopped (e.g., thyme, chives, parsley) – optional garnish

Optional Flavor Twists

  • Pinch/dash red pepper flakes or hot sauce optional
  • 0.5 cup shredded cheddar cheese optional

Instructions
 

Prep Your Ingredients

  • Finely dice the onion and mince the garlic. Prepare your corn (fresh off the cob or thawed frozen) and shred or dice your cooked turkey.

Sauté Aromatics

  • Melt butter in a large skillet over medium heat, then add the diced onion and cook until soft and clear (about 5-7 minutes). Add the minced garlic and cook for 1 more minute until fragrant.

Build the Creamy Base

  • Sprinkle flour over the softened onions and garlic, stirring to create a roux (1-2 minutes). Slowly whisk in the milk until smooth, then add softened cream cheese and whisk until melted and the sauce is thick.

Introduce the Corn and Turkey

  • Add corn kernels, cooked turkey, and chicken/turkey broth to the skillet. If desired, add red pepper flakes. Bring to a gentle simmer and cook for 5-7 minutes, stirring often, until the sauce thickens and flavors meld.

Season and Finish

  • Taste and season with salt, black pepper, and optional sugar. Stir in shredded cheddar cheese until melted, then stir in fresh herbs just before serving hot.

Notes

For an extra kick, don't shy away from the red pepper flakes or hot sauce. If using fresh corn, ensure it's sweet and tender for the best flavor. This recipe is also great with shredded rotisserie chicken as a substitute for turkey.