Creamy Herb Corn with Jalapeño
Creamy Herb Corn with Jalapeño
An EBT-friendly, decadent corn side dish that transforms simple ingredients into something special. Sweet, creamy, with just a hint of heat.
Total Cost of Ingredients Used: $5.50-$7.00
(Cost reflects only what’s used in the recipe, not full package prices)
Ingredients:
- 7 ears fresh corn on the cob
- 4 tbsp garlic and herb butter
- 1 small jalapeu00f1o (finely diced)
- 3 oz cream cheese
- .25 cup half-and-half
- Salt (to taste)
- Black pepper ( to taste)
- Dried thyme ( to taste)
Ingredients are subject to availability at local stores. Unavailable items will be automatically substituted at best-effort.
Instructions
Cut corn from cobs: Stand each corn cob upright in a bowl and use a sharp knife to cut downward, removing all kernels. Scrape the cobs with the back of the knife to extract the creamy “milk.” Discard cobs.
Sauté base: Melt ½ stick (4 tbsp) garlic and herb butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add diced jalapeño and cook for 2 minutes until slightly softened. Remove seeds for less heat.
Add corn and season: Add fresh corn kernels (with their “milk”) to the skillet. Season with salt, pepper, and thyme to taste. Stir to coat everything in the butter.
Create cream sauce: Add 3 ounces cream cheese (cut into cubes) and ¼ cup half-and-half to the skillet. Stir continuously until cream cheese melts and creates a smooth, creamy sauce coating the corn.
Simmer and serve: Cook on medium heat for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until corn is tender and sauce has thickened slightly. Taste and adjust seasoning. Serve hot as a side dish.
The ultimate comfort side dish—sweet corn in a creamy, lightly spicy sauce.
This EBT-friendly corn recipe elevates fresh corn into a restaurant-worthy side dish. Using the natural “milk” from the corn cobs along with a few creamy ingredients creates a luxurious texture without expensive components. The jalapeño adds just enough heat to balance the sweetness, making it a perfect partner for grilled meats or as a satisfying vegetarian main over rice.
Budget Grocery List + Cost Breakdown
All items EBT-eligible. Prices based on Walmart/ALDI/summer season.
Produce
Used in recipe: 7 corn on the cob ($3.50) + 1 jalapeño ($0.15)
Package cost: $3.50 (sold individually) + $0.50 (pack) = $4.00 total
Dairy & Cream
Used in recipe: Garlic & herb butter ($0.60) + cream cheese ($0.75) + half-and-half ($0.30)
Package cost: $2.50 (butter) + $1.50 (block) + $1.50 (pint) = $5.50 total
Pantry Staples
Used in recipe: Salt, pepper, dried thyme ($0.05)
Package cost: Basic spices are pantry staples with minimal per-use cost
Total Used in Recipe: $5.35-$6.85
Serves 4-6 as a side • Cost per serving: $0.90-$1.71
Note: In off-season, frozen corn kernels (4 cups) work perfectly. Adjust butter slightly if using plain butter with garlic powder and dried herbs.
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