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Forkin
Side Dish

Creamy Vegan Polenta

This simple recipe creates a rich and creamy polenta, perfect as a versatile side dish. Made with fine cornmeal and vegetable broth, it's a comforting addition to any meal. Enjoy it soft or allow it to cool and firm up for baking or grilling.

An original recipe by Forkin

Total time
30 min
Serves
4
Difficulty
Easy
Per serving
198 kcal
VeganVegetarianGluten-free
Creamy Vegan Polenta

Mise en place

Ingredients

  • 1 cupfine cornmeal
  • 4 cupvegetable broth
  • 0.5 tspsalt
  • 0.25 tspblack pepper, freshly ground
  • 2 tbspnutritional yeast(optional)
  • 1 tbspvegan butter(optional)

Equipment

saucepan · whisk

The method

Step by step

  1. 1

    Bring the vegetable broth to a boil in a medium-sized saucepan over high heat.

    About 5 min

    Cook’s note: Using a larger pot than you think you need will help prevent boil-overs.

  2. 2

    Once boiling, slowly whisk in the fine cornmeal, a little at a time, to prevent lumps.

    About 2 min

    Cook’s note: Pouring the cornmeal in a steady, thin stream while whisking continuously is key for a smooth polenta.

  3. 3

    Reduce the heat to low, cover the saucepan, and let it simmer for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.

    About 20 min

    Cook’s note: Stirring every 5 minutes or so will ensure a creamy texture and prevent the bottom from burning.

  4. 4

    Remove the saucepan from the heat and stir in the salt, black pepper, nutritional yeast (if using), and vegan butter (if using).

    About 1 min

    Cook’s note: The nutritional yeast adds a cheesy flavor without dairy, and vegan butter enhances creaminess.

  5. 5

    Taste and adjust seasonings as needed, then serve immediately as a soft, creamy side.

    Cook’s note: For a firmer polenta, pour it into a shallow dish, let it cool completely, then cut into desired shapes and bake or grill.

Per serving

Nutrition

61%Score
Calories
198.1kcal
Protein
5.4g
Carbs
33.1g
Fat
5.1g
Fibre
1.1g
Sugar
1g

Estimated from the recipe’s ingredient quantities. Values can vary with brands and substitutions.

Keep it good

Storage

Store leftover polenta in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

Reheating

Reheat soft polenta with a splash of water or broth in a saucepan over low heat until warm and creamy, stirring frequently. Reheat firm polenta in the oven or pan-fry until heated through.