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Why You’ll Love My Recipe
Looking for a warm, filling breakfast that’s ready in no time? This recipe is cozy, versatile, and so easy to make. Add any combination of toppings you like, from sweet to spicy, and enjoy a breakfast that keeps you energized for hours!
If you love delicious breakfasts like this, you’ll want to try my Blueberries and Cream Breakfast Casserole, some Apple Pie Overnight Oatmeal, or this Strawberry Pina Colada Refrigerator Parfait next!
Reader Review
My grandmother used to make this often (and I’m old.) It’s been years since I’ve eaten it, and it brought back memories. It’s just as good now as it was back then.
Karlynn’s Recipe Notes
- Skill Level: This recipe is super easy to make. It’s perfect for any morning, even if you’re in a hurry!
- Total Time: You’ll have porridge on the table in 10 minutes from start to finish.
- Variations: Cornmeal Mush is naturally very thick, so feel free to thin it with your favorite milk or cream! Almond milk, coconut milk, or dairy cream all work beautifully. Top it with fresh fruit like strawberries or sliced bananas for sweetness, or pair it with savory sides like Air Fryer Turkey Bacon, my Sausage Balls Recipe, and the Perfect Soft Boiled Eggs!
- Tools For This Recipe: You will need a large saucepan, a whisk, and a spoon for stirring and serving.
What You’ll Need for Ingredients
Yellow Cornmeal: This is the star of your porridge! Cornmeal can be fine or coarse-ground, and the texture may differ by brand. Karlynn’s Tip: Fine cornmeal cooks quickly, often thickening in just a few minutes, so watch it carefully as it cooks!
Milk: Pour a little milk over the cooked porridge to thin it to your preferred consistency and make it extra creamy.
Toppings: Classic toppings for this porridge include brown or white sugar and maple syrup. Karlynn’s Tip: Sprinkle in a pinch of cinnamon or nutmeg, a few raisins, or some sliced nuts to enhance both the flavor and texture of your porridge!
How To Make Cornmeal Porridge (Cornmeal Mush)
This is a quick overview of the recipe. The full list of ingredients & complete step-by-step instructions are in the recipe card below.
- Bring 3 cups of water to a boil.
- Mix the cornmeal, water, and salt.
- Pour the cornmeal mixture into the boiling water, whisking to avoid clumps.
- Cook, stirring constantly, for 5-8 minutes until the mixture has thickened to your desired consistency.
- Remove and place into serving bowls immediately.
- Top with brown sugar and milk to serve!
Karlynn’s Tips and Tricks for the Perfect Cornmeal Porridge (Cornmeal Mush)
- Mix Before You Boil: Always stir the cornmeal into cold water first to form a smooth paste before adding it to the boiling liquid! This prevents lumps and gives your porridge a silky smooth texture.
- Make It Your Own: This recipe is super flexible, so feel free to experiment! Try different types of milk, such as coconut, almond, or condensed milk, add fruits and nuts on top, and stir in vanilla or cinnamon. You can even skip the sweetness entirely and make a savory version of your porridge!
Storage Instructions
This porridge is best enjoyed fresh for that creamy, comforting texture, but you can absolutely store leftovers if needed.
Refrigerator: Let the porridge cool slightly, then transfer it to an airtight container. It will keep in the fridge for up to 3 days. It will thicken in the fridge as it sits, so reheat gently on the stove over low heat, adding a bit of extra milk to thin it to your liking.
Freezer: You can freeze the porridge for longer storage, but the texture might change slightly when thawed. Portion it into a freezer-safe container or zip-top bag, freeze for up to 3 months following USDA food safety guidelines, and thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating!
More Delicious Breakfast & Brunch Recipes
They say breakfast is the most important meal of the day, so why not make it delicious? Try these reader-favorite Breakfast & Brunch Recipes next:
- My Blueberry Waffles are sweet, fluffy, and simple to make at home!
- Loaded with bacon, jalapeños, and cheese, this Cornbread Casserole is pure comfort-food bliss.
- Banana Cinnamon Roll Casserole is sweet and flavorful, and you can even prepare it the night before!
And there you have it, folks! Filling, comforting, and completely customizable, this porridge is the perfect way to start your day.
Give this recipe a try, experiment with your favorite toppings, and don’t forget to share your twists in the comments below. You know that I love hearing how you make these recipes your own.
Happy Cooking!
Karlynn
Cornmeal Porridge (Cornmeal Mush)
Ingredients
- 4 cups water, divided
- 1 cup fine yellow cornmeal
- ½ teaspoon salt
Instructions
- In a large saucepan, bring 3 cups of water to a boil.
- In a small bowl, mix together the cornmeal, one cup of water and the salt.
- Slowly pour the cornmeal/milk mixture into the boiling water, whisking constantly to avoid clumps.
- Bring it to a low boil then reduce the heat to low.
- Cook, stirring constantly, for 5-8 minutes until the mixture has thickened to your desired consistency. This will depend on the type of cornmeal you used in the recipe, finer ground cornmeal will cook faster, and coarser cornmeal will take longer. taste test to make sure the cornmeal isn't crunchy still.
- Remove and place into serving bowls immediately – it starts to gel fast once it cools.
- Top with brown sugar and milk to serve.
Notes
- Cook time will depend on how coarse your cornmeal is. The finer the cornmeal, the faster it will cook, and vice versa.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Lee says
MY grandmother used to make this often (and I’m old.) It’s been years since I’ve eaten it and it brought back memories. It’s just as good now as it was back then.
Jeanne says
Love this and forgotten about it. It’s awesome for gluten-free folks as well. This recipe makes a lot! How do I use the leftovers maintaining the nice smooth texture? Thanks so much!
Charieese J Seals says
Where is the “cornmeal/milk mixture”? Where is and how much milk is to be used? The recipe only calls for water.
Jackie says
The milk is added to your bowl after you place your serving in the bowls, and the amount of milk would be how much you want.
Mel says
I thought I was the only one who grew up on this! Try Jamaican cornmeal porridge, which my husband introduced me to if you can. It’s maybe the best thing you’ll eat; it has condensed milk, vanilla, nutmeg…and it’s cooked longer until it’s super smooth. Sometimes he adds hominy corn which adds a great textural component.