Homemade Cornmeal Recipe | In The Kitchen With Matt (2024)

Table of Contents
Step 1: Gather the ingredients Step 2: How to make homemade cornmeal from popcorn kernels How long does homemade cornmeal last? Homemade Cornmeal Equipment Ingredients Instructions Video Notes Nutrition Matt Taylor 13 Comments Leave a Comment FAQs

Homemade Cornmeal Recipe | In The Kitchen With Matt (1)

Breads13 commentsBy Matt Taylor

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Did you know you can make homemade cornmeal using regular everyday popcorn kernels? If you ran out of cornmeal, or for some reason it isn’t available where you live, learn how to make cornmeal at home.

Making cornmeal at home is so easy to do. And it can be used in any recipe that requires cornmeal such as cornbread, corn dogs, etc.

If corn meal is readily available at your supermarket you may not want to make it at home, but it is so fun to try it at least once. It’s nice to think that, the homemade cornbread you just made was made from homemade cornmeal from popcorn kernels, haha. It is so easy to do, if I can do it, you can do it. Let’s get started!

Step 1: Gather the ingredients

Homemade Cornmeal Recipe | In The Kitchen With Matt (2)

In order to make homemade cornmeal you need just a few ingredients and tools:

  • Popcorn Kernels – I just use the really cheap store brand stuff. Or you can use feed corn or dried whole kernel corn. If you buy corn on the cob, you can set it out and let it dry for several weeks and use that too.

Tools

Step 2: How to make homemade cornmeal from popcorn kernels

Homemade Cornmeal Recipe | In The Kitchen With Matt (3)

Begin with a bowl of popcorn kernels. They are probably easier to find then dried whole kernel corn or feed corn. But you can certainly use either of those.

If you don’t mind waiting you can buy corn on the cob from the store and then just let it dry out. It will take several weeks however to dry out completely. Then you need to take the time to remove the kernels from the cob. Plus it is kind of fun just making homemade cornmeal with popcorn kernels!

Homemade Cornmeal Recipe | In The Kitchen With Matt (4)

Add the popcorn kernels to a food processor, coffee grinder, or hand crank miller. Then turn it on and blend for a few minutes. It will be really loud. Eventually the kernels will start to break down.

I generally will do it in stages.

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After blending the kernels for a few minutes, remove them and the resulting cornmeal and pour them into a strainer, shake and move the kernels around to allow the cornmeal to fall into a bowl. You can use clean hands to push them through as well.

Put the leftover kernels back in the food processor and repeat.

NOTE: If you plan to do this often, you may elect to use an actual mill/grinder so it doesn’t dull the blades of the food processor. A few times once in a while will be fine in the food processor, however.

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Keep repeating until you have broken up all the popcorn kernels into homemade cornmeal. It will take 7 to 10 minutes depending on the food processor, coffee grinder, or hand crank miller that you use.

Homemade Cornmeal Recipe | In The Kitchen With Matt (7)

And that is the basic process for making homemade cornmeal using popcorn kernels. Which the same steps will be applied to any whole kernel dried corn.

Homemade Cornmeal Recipe | In The Kitchen With Matt (8)

And now you can use that cornmeal that you just made in any recipe that calls for cornmeal. Super easy right? Enjoy!

How long does homemade cornmeal last?

If you store the cornmeal in a cool and dry place in an airtight container it will last about a year in the pantry, or 3 to 4 years frozen. Pretty awesome shelf-life.

Homemade Cornmeal Recipe | In The Kitchen With Matt (9)

Here are a few other recipes you may like:

Easy Chocolate Cupcakes

Angel Food Cake

Oreo Twix Bars

Country Fried Potatoes

Easy Sweet Cornbread

Homemade Corn Dogs

Homemade Cornmeal Recipe | In The Kitchen With Matt (10)

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

5 from 4 votes

Homemade Cornmeal

Did you know you can make cornmeal at home using popcorn kernels? Pretty awesome right? And it is so easy to make in about 10 minutes. Use the homemade cornmeal in any recipe that calls for cornmeal. If I can do it, you can do it!

Prep Time10 minutes mins

Cook Time0 minutes mins

0 minutes mins

Total Time10 minutes mins

Servings: 4 people

Calories: 138kcal

Author: Matt Taylor

Equipment

  • Food processor, coffee grinder, hand crank miller

  • Strainer

  • Bowls

Ingredients

  • 1 cup popcorn kernels or feed corn dried whole kernel corn, etc. (will make about 1 1/4 cups of cornmeal)

Instructions

  • Place the popcorn kernels in the food processor, coffee grinder, miller, etc. Blend for a few minutes until the corn starts to break down.

  • Pour the contents into a strainer or sifter and sift out the cornmeal. Then place the remaining larger kernels back in the food processor and repeat the process until what is left is a nice bowl of freshly ground cornmeal.

  • Use the cornmeal in any recipe that calls for cornmeal.

  • Store any leftover cornmeal in an airtight container, in a cool dry place like a pantry for about a year, or freeze it for a few years.

Video

How to Make Cornmeal | Easy Homemade Cornmeal Recipe

Notes

Note: You don’t normally use cornmeal by itself, but in case you do, the nutritional facts reflect that.

Homemade Cornmeal Recipe | In The Kitchen With Matt (11)

Tried this recipe?Mention @WPRecipeMaker or tag #wprecipemaker!

Nutrition

Calories: 138kcal

Do you like this recipe? Share and Pin it! Please give it a rating and comment down below, I really appreciate it.If you make it tag me on Instagram @inthekitchenwithmatt. Also, sign up for the newsletter so you won’t miss out on any of my new posts and recipes.

Tags

corn hack popcorn

Matt Taylor

YouTuber and food blogger with a passion for cooking, eating, being outdoors and watching movies. Did you know I wrote an ebook cookbook called "All Things Chocolate: 30 of my favorite chocolate recipes."? Help support the food blog and YouTube channel by buying a copy in my shop. :)

13 Comments

  1. Homemade Cornmeal Recipe | In The Kitchen With Matt (12)
    Can you use this homemade Cornmeal for Polenta??

    • Matt Taylor

      October 19, 2023 at 2:18 pm·Reply

      I haven’t tried it, so I can’t say for certain, but it may work.

  2. Keira

    October 9, 2023 at 8:25 pm·Reply

    I never knew this!

  3. Donna B

    May 1, 2023 at 5:52 pm·Reply

    Great idea! If I wanted to store the cornmeal long-term, can it be vacuum-sealed in a Mylar bag, like other dry goods?

    • Matt Taylor

      May 2, 2023 at 8:30 am·Reply

      Thank you and yes it sure can! 🙂

  4. Laura

    January 16, 2023 at 3:06 pm·Reply

    Homemade Cornmeal Recipe | In The Kitchen With Matt (13)
    Thank you these instructions! My daughter requested cornbread for dinner but when I checked my cornmeal supply it was empty. This saved me a trip to the grocery store and got dinner on the table on time. Success!!! Thanks again!

    • Matt Taylor

      January 21, 2023 at 8:55 am·Reply

      You are so very welcome!! Glad it was helpful 🙂 🙂 Glad you were able to do this workaround for homemade cornmeal.

  5. Pamela

    October 11, 2022 at 10:33 am·Reply

    Hello! I just found your site and the recipe to make corn meal out of Popcorn kernels. I just bought a food processor and tried it out. It’s great!!! I recently had hop surgery and it’s hard to get to the grocery store, and I’ve been wanting to make a recipe that requires corn meal. Now I have some. Thank you so much.

    • Matt Taylor

      October 11, 2022 at 10:50 am·Reply

      You are so very welcome! I am happy it was helpful for you.

  6. Kris Medina

    November 27, 2020 at 2:25 pm·Reply

    Homemade Cornmeal Recipe | In The Kitchen With Matt (14)
    I also live where they don’t sell cornmeal in the stores. They sell corn flour or mass but not the coarse grind. I never though of making it myself until someone asked me about my cornbread stuffing. I have a bag in my freezer but now I know that when I run out I don’t have to wait for a trip to the US to stock up on it since dried corn is readily available here. Plus I have a grain grinder attachment for my mixer. Thank you!

    • Matt Taylor

      November 27, 2020 at 3:09 pm·Reply

      You are welcome, Kris! Yeah, that grain grinder for your mixer will work awesome. 🙂 🙂

  7. Liz

    November 25, 2020 at 1:41 am·Reply

    Homemade Cornmeal Recipe | In The Kitchen With Matt (15)
    I’m one of those “people living in other countries” you referenced in your video —
    Corn flour isn’t available in Greece, and, thanks to the internet, my daughter has been dying to try American corn dogs. A google search for homemade corn flour + corn dogs led me to you, and *you* now have a new fan. Also on our weekend Thanksgiving table for the first time, ever: cornbread with honeybutter. I can’t wait!

    Thank you for this recipe and video, and thanks as well for thinking about home cooks who live outside the US.

    • Matt Taylor

      November 25, 2020 at 7:50 am·Reply

      Such a nice compliment, thank you, Liz! I am so glad this is helpful for you. Especially because we take it for granted, since cornmeal is super cheap and available at every supermarket here in the States. Have an amazing weekend!

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Homemade Cornmeal Recipe | In The Kitchen With Matt (2024)

FAQs

What is the best corn for cornmeal? ›

Both grits and cornmeal are ground from “dent” corn, a type of corn with low sugar content and a soft, starchy center. Dent corn gets its name from the slight dent in the center at the top of the kernel.

Tell Me More ›
How is cornbread made from scratch? ›

Whisk flour, cornmeal, sugar, baking powder, and salt together in a large bowl. Add milk, vegetable oil, and egg; whisk until well combined. Pour batter into the prepared pan. Bake in the preheated oven until a toothpick inserted into the center of the pan comes out clean, 20 to 25 minutes.

Learn More ›
What is the general cooking technique for cornmeal? ›

Method #1. Sprinkle the cornmeal slowly into the boiling, salted water; stirring constantly with a spoon or wire whisk. Simmer for 1/2 hour, stirring almost constantly to prevent burning. Serve hot, as a breakfast cereal or supper dish, with a pat of butter tucked in and covered with rich milk.

Show Me More ›
What are the ingredients in cornmeal? ›

Cornmeal is a coarse flour (or meal) made of ground yellow corn ranging in texture from fine to coarse grounds. Most yellow cornmeal, especially the kind found in U.S. supermarkets, is made from dent corn, which has a high starch content and a prominent corny texture.

See Details ›
What are the three types of cornmeal? ›

Yellow cornmeal has the most prominent corn flavor, while white cornmeal has a more subtle, delicate flavor (it's especially nice in a ricotta cornmeal cake). Blue cornmeal is usually an heirloom variety with indigenous roots across the American South. It has a sweet, unique flavor and striking lavender-blue color.

Get More Info ›
Which makes better cornbread white or yellow cornmeal? ›

While either white or yellow cornmeal will technically work when making cornbread, yellow does make for a softer more tender bread. Milk is what is going to make sure our bread stays nice and moist as it acts as the binding agent. Baking powder is key for getting a nice tender and fluffy crumb.

Know More ›
Can any corn be used for cornmeal? ›

Dent corn is the most common type of corn used for cornmeal, so called for the small but noticeable 'dents' at the top of each kernel. Flint corns are super hard – hence the name – and come in a range of colors, making them very popular to use as decorations, though they can also be popped for snacking.

Find Out More ›
What is the best cornmeal to buy to make cornbread? ›

What Kind of Cornmeal Is Best for Cornbread? I usually use fine cornmeal to make cornbread, but if medium-ground or coarse is all you can find, you can use that, too. Yellow cornmeal is the most common, but if you have white cornmeal, that's also fine to use.

Keep Reading ›
Why does my homemade cornbread fall apart? ›

Cornmeal gives cornbread its classic color and flavor, but too much can make your bread crumbly. Try replacing a little bit of cornmeal with flour. The specific measurements will depend on how much cornmeal and flour is in your recipe, but you should try to have more flour than cornmeal in your batter.

Learn More Now ›
Why is my homemade cornbread so dry? ›

Cornbread is known for being dry, and that's because it's not properly hydrated. This can lead to unpleasant. hard bits that get stuck in your teeth, making the final product taste even drier. Start by soaking your cornmeal and buttermilk overnight. or up to 24 hours.

Find Out More ›

How to make corn meal at home? ›

Place the corn kernels in a blender or seed grinder. Then just grind till you obtain a powder. The first go-around will yield some uneven pieces, so sieve the powder into a bowl and then re-grind the larger pieces. You may need to go for a third grind/ blend.

See More ›
How did Native Americans make cornmeal? ›

Mortars and pestles were fashioned from nearby wood and rock. Next, the dried corn kernels were placed in these mortars and pestles and ground into a powder, called cornmeal with a consistency ranging from fine to coarse. Cornmeal has come a long way since these traditional practices.

Read More ›
How much water do you use for 1 cup of cornmeal? ›

First, the Cook's Illustrated recipe uses a ratio that's slightly too low in water (three and a half cups water per cup of cornmeal), producing polenta that's still a little gritty when done. I'd recommend bumping the water up to a full four cups at the very least.

Learn More Now ›
Can you make cornmeal from any corn? ›

Popcorn – Once again, not often used in commercial cornmeal but one of the easiest homemade options. Popcorn kernels are already dry and are considered whole grain (for whole-grain cornmeal). You can use most types of corn that you have (including frozen corn, off the cob) to make homemade cornmeal.

Read The Full Story ›
Can you use corn flour to make cornmeal? ›

Corn flour and cornmeal can be used interchangeably in recipes, but know that using one for the other will yield a slightly different result. For example, if you're making pancakes or muffins, using cornmeal in place of corn flour will give them a grittier texture.

See More ›
What can I use if I don t have cornmeal? ›

Additional substitutes. There are some additional foods you can use in place of cornmeal. If you don't have any of the options above, you can consider ground oats, masa harina, bread crumbs, ground flaxseed, polenta flour, smashed cornflakes, homemade cornmeal, or hominy grits.

Explore More ›
Can popcorn kernels be ground into cornmeal? ›

Making great fresh-milled cornmeal at home is as simple as using a high speed blender. You can even use the popcorn already in your pantry. Molly Sheridan began chronicling her cooking adventures on Wonderland Kitchen in 2011.

Learn More Now ›
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