This cornmeal fried mush recipe is the perfect Midwest breakfast. Delicious firm cornmeal (or polenta) is lightly fried in butter and drizzled with maple syrup. It’s incredibly simple and totally delicious. 

Have you ever heard of mush? Or what about polenta?

It’s the same thing, but it’s different in the way it’s prepared and eaten.

Growing up in Ohio, we always gently fried it in butter and served it with maple syrup for dipping or drizzling.

It was the perfect side dish for dinner, breakfast for dinner, or even a fast and easy dinner for one.

I have always loved it because it’s the perfect pairing of sweet and savory and can be ready in just 20 minutes.

What is fried mush?

Fried cornmeal mush is cornmeal made into a thick porridge, set up and cooled, sliced, and then lightly pan-fried in butter.

If you don’t like butter, you can use bacon fat or your oil of choice.

It’s a very southern and midwest dish that takes me right back home with every single bite!

Looking for a different but similar Southern dish? Try these easy grit cakes!

How is mush different than polenta?

Polenta and cornmeal mush are the same thing but typically served in very different ways.

Often, polenta is made into a thick porridge and then mixed with savory items like herbs, spices, and cheese. Then, it’s usually served with roasted tomatoes or topped with cooked meats.

Mush is typically eaten in the fried sliced format and served with a sweet dipping sauce like maple syrup.

It is also expected to fry up polenta like mush, but instead of serving it with maple syrup, it is served with warmed marinara sauce.

Where can I find prepared polenta or mush?

If you’re looking for the preformed logs of polenta, you can typically find them in 2 different areas of the grocery store.

The first area is by the pasta, rice, and gnocchi aisle. It is typically shelf-stable, so you’ll find it in a plastic roll on the shelf.

If you don’t see it on the shelf, it can also sometimes be found near where you find fresh pasta or egg roll wrappers.

What do I serve with fried cornmeal?

Fried cornmeal mush can be served alone with maple syrup or as a piece to a full breakfast.

Growing up, we often ate it with sausage or bacon and a few fried eggs.

It’s an excellent substitute for potatoes, pancakes, French toast, or waffles.

I love serving it with sausage because I love that sweet and savory combination.

What does fried cornmeal taste like?

It tastes very mildly of corn, as it’s just dried corn kernels ground into a fine powder.

It’s slightly sweet (naturally from the corn) but overall very mild in flavor.

How do I store fried cornmeal mush?

If you don’t eat all your mush in one sitting it can be stored in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to 3 days.

I usually reheat it in the microwave for about 30 seconds to warm it back up.

More breakfast recipes

• Chorizo Cotija Guacamole Toast
• Blackberry Lemon Dutch Baby
• 2 Ingredient Cinnamon Roll Wrapped Sausages
• Cranberry Apple Yogurt Parfait