This simple cornmeal porridge recipe comes together easily with pantry staples, for a rich, creamy Caribbean breakfast. Prepare this easy morning meal in less than 30 minutes.
Cornmeal Porridge with Coconut Milk
My family loves cornmeal porridge! Growing up in Guyana this was a staple in our home. On cooler mornings and evenings you were sure to have a cup of cornmeal porridge to warm you up. For this easy recipe I use the really fine cornmeal, which is often available in West Indian stores. It makes the porridge smooth and creamy. To keep this recipe dairy free I use coconut milk, coconut evaporated milk and coconut condensed it!
Why You’ll Love This Cornmeal Porridge Recipe
- Quick & Easy: Whip this delicious Caribbean porridge up in just 30 minutes with pantry staples.
- Supremely Creamy: This post includes two methods; the traditional way and my way! I switched up the technique and made perfectly smooth, creamy porridge without stirring or boiling.
- Breakfast Comfort Meal: Served hot, creamy, and enhanced with warm spices, this porridge is a great way to start the day; especially on a cold morning.
Cornmeal Porridge Ingredients
What I love most about this recipe is that requires just a few simple ingredients but the payoff is great; simple ingredients but big flavor.
- Fine cornmeal: Use finely ground cornmeal if you can’t find that see below for my trick to getting the porridge really smooth.
- Water: Boiling the cornmeal in water first before adding milk, ensures it cooks without lumps.
- Spices: I use cinnamon sticks, whole cloves, mace, and freshly grated nutmeg. Don’t skip the nutmeg! It provides a great aroma and taste. Freshly grated nutmeg is one of my favorite smells. Of course, you can add other spices like cardamom but I prefer to keep it simple.
- Vanilla Essence: Gives the porridge a delicious flavor. You may also add almond or mixed essence (extract).
- Coconut condensed milk: This sweetens the porridge. Alternatively, use regular condensed milk. Add to taste.
- Coconut milk: This enriches the porridge, making it thicker and creamier. You may use evaporated milk or another milk instead. Add to taste.
- Evaporate Coconut milk: Adds to the creaminess of the porridge
See recipe card for quantities.
How to Make Cornmeal Porridge
Traditionally, you make cornmeal porridge by adding the cornmeal to a pot of boiling water then stirring quickly and constantly while it cooks. The main issue with this method is that the cornmeal starts to bubble up furiously and is the temperature of molten lava! It almost always results in a close call with 3rd-degree burns.
Try my easy method for cooking cornmeal porridge instead. After I add the cornmeal to the pot of boiling water, I give it a quick stir with a whisk to incorporate the ingredients, then I reduce the heat to low, cover, and let it simmer for about 5 minutes. After 5 minutes it is perfectly cooked, smooth, and creamy! Easy Peasy! Bonus if you do this in a non-stick pot!
Storage
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat it on the stovetop over medium-low heat. You may need to add a splash of milk or water if its too thick.
Tips for the Best Cornmeal Porridge
- When preparing boiled cornmeal porridge, continuously stir so it doesn’t stick to the bottom of the pan and burn.
- Maintain the right ratio of liquid to cornmeal. This can vary based on personal preference, but a common starting point is 5 cups liquid to 1½ cup cornmeal. (This yields 4 servings.)
- Allow the porridge to cool slightly before serving, as it thickens as it cools.
Frequently Asked Questions
This porridge is rich in carbohydrates, which provides energy to the body. It also contains fiber, proteins, and is naturally gluten free.
It takes about 15-20 minutes to cook.
My family loves having cornmeal with a side of plait bread tawa toast. It also goes really well with pot bread!
Use high quality, fine cornmeal for a smoother texture and ensure you’re using enough liquid. Continuously stir the mixture if boiling or lower the heat. If it is still grainy, it may need to cook for longer.
Easy Cornmeal Porridge
Equipment
- Saucepan
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups fine cornmeal
- 5 cups water divided
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 1 teaspoon whole cloves
- 1 piece mace
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon grated nutmeg
- 1/2 cup coconut milk
- 1 cup Evaporated milk I used coconut evaporated milk
- 1/2 cup condensed milk I used coconut condensed milk
Instructions
- To a saucepan add 4 cups of water and all the whole spices and bring to a boil on medium heat. Continue to boil for 10-15 minutes or until the water changes to a brown color.
- Then combine the remaining water and the cornmeal and mix together well, ensuring there are no lumps.
- Using a sieve, you may scoop the spices out of the boiling water or you can leave them in. Then add the mixture of water and cornmeal to the boiling spiced water. With a whisk stir vigorously to incorporate ensuring there are no lumps.
- Then reduce the heat to low, cover and let simmer for about 3-5 minutes.
- Next add the vanilla extract, nutmeg, coconut milk, coconut evaporated milk and coconut condensed and mix together well.
- Serve hot!
The information listed in the recipe card is an estimate provided by an online nutrition tool. The tool evaluates ingredient names and amounts then makes calculations based on the number of servings listed for the recipe. It is provided as a general guideline and not as a precise calculation. For precise nutrition information please feel free to add the ingredients to your preferred nutrition calculator or consult a doctor or licensed nutritionist.
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Charles P. Says
This is NOT my mom’s recipe; it’s better!! I showed it to my mom, she tasted this version and she agreed.
This is my go-to site for Guyanese recipes. The book is awesome too!
Althea Brown Says
Thank you so much and what a compliment! Thank you mom.
Nancy Says
I’ll give you the benefit of the doubt on the results. Its probably delicious. However, I didn’t make it because it calls for many ingredients that are not normally in my cupboard or if they are they are ones that I wouldn’t likely use the rest of the cans’ contents afterwards. Also, I think your and my definitions of “easy” differ. While this recipe might be doable by amateur cooks, it appears to require a lot of attention.
Alana Says
Made this porridge and it was absolutely delicious!
Althea Brown Says
so glad you enjoyed it.
Shamyla Says
I made this but I was confused about the amount of water and cornmeal we are mixing separately. Was the remaining cup of water meant to be boiling? Because it did cause a lot of lumps and definitely one cup of water to 1 1/2 of cornmeal was a dry mix. It did mix well in the spiced water but with a few little lumps. Otherwise it’s a great recipe, easy breakfast and easy to adjust!
Aj Says
Just tried this and yes the water is a bit much..I also didn’t add as much condensed milk. Adjusted the spices a bit but overall very yummy
KRob Says
Are the cook times correct, should they be switched? Surely you don’t mean to boil water for 10-15 minutes and and only simmer the cornmeal for 2-3 minutes. Just doesn’t seem right. LOL
Marissa Says
I made this recipe with the recommended amount of water and cornmeal and it was very runny. I think it should be 2cups of water in the beginning for a thicker cornmeal. What’d you think?
Sisiscarlett Says
This seems so easy and delicious
Angelicque Eastman owhoka Says
The smoothest creamiest cornmeal. Thank you.
Althea Brown Says
Yesss. Thank you so much