Polenta Cornmeal: What to Buy and How to Cook It
Learn what polenta is, how cornmeal grades differ and how to cook a satisfying pot.
Polenta is a dish made by cooking ground grain in liquid; today the word often refers to the cornmeal used to make it as well. Corn polenta can be served soft and creamy, or cooled until firm enough to slice and cook again.
You'll find coarse, fine and quick-cooking products on shelves. The useful first step is to read the packet: a bag labeled “polenta” and a tube of ready-cooked polenta are not asking you to do the same job.
What kind of cornmeal is polenta?
Corn polenta is often made from coarsely ground corn. In Italy, polenta can also be made with other grains or ingredients, so not every dish bearing the name is necessarily corn-based. Corn products may be whole grain or degermed; look for a whole-grain statement if that is what you want.
How to cook dry polenta
The Whole Grains Council gives 1 cup cornmeal to 4 cups liquid, simmered for about 25–30 minutes, as a general starting point. Its creamy whole-grain polenta recipe allows 30–40 minutes depending on the desired consistency. Follow the specific packet, especially for instant polenta.
Bring the liquid to a boil, add the meal gradually while stirring, then lower the heat. Stir regularly and cook until tender. If it thickens before the grains are soft, add a little hot liquid. Serve soft under a stew, mushrooms or vegetables.
To make slices, spread cooked polenta in a dish and let it cool until firm. Cut into pieces and pan-fry or bake as your recipe directs. Chill leftovers promptly rather than leaving the dish out indefinitely.
Polenta versus grits
Both are cooked ground-corn dishes, but they come from different culinary traditions and are often made with different types or grinds of corn. The Whole Grains Council notes that polenta is commonly made from flint corn, while grits are commonly made from dent corn or hominy. Some products overlap; check the grain and cooking instructions rather than treating the names as guarantees.
Is polenta gluten-free?
Plain corn is naturally gluten-free, but other polenta ingredients, flavorings or cross-contact can change that. Choose a product labeled suitable for your needs if you must avoid gluten.