Cornmeal Mush

Cornmeal mush is a simple, comforting porridge made by slowly cooking cornmeal in water or milk until it thickens into a creamy, spoonable consistency. It is a traditional staple in many American and European cuisines, often served hot for breakfast or chilled and sliced for savory dishes.

🍳 View the full Cornmeal Mush recipe →

🍽️ Nutrition at a glance

This dish is primarily a source of complex carbohydrates for energy, with a moderate amount of fiber if made with whole-grain cornmeal. A typical one-cup serving of cooked mush made with water contains roughly 100-150 calories and is low in fat and protein unless enriched with additions like butter, milk, or eggs.

Nutrition breakdown

Calories	120 kcal
Protein	2.5 g
Carbs	26 g
Fat	1.5 g
Fiber	2 g
Sugar	0.5 g
Sodium	10 mg
Iron	2.5 mg
Niacin (B3)	1.8 mg
Thiamin (B1)	0.2 mg
Folate	45 mcg
Magnesium	35 mg
Phosphorus	80 mg
Zinc	0.5 mg
Copper	0.1 mg

Per 1 cup (240 g) · estimated, varies by recipe

💡 What's interesting

Culturally, cornmeal mush is a humble, versatile food with roots in colonial American and Italian (polenta) cooking, showcasing how a simple grain preparation can be adapted for both sweet and savory meals. Nutritionally, its plain form is a classic example of a filling, low-fat comfort food that serves as a blank canvas for other flavors and nutrients.