Cornmeal
Cornmeal is a meal or coarse flour made from dried corn (maize) kernels.
Cornmeal is a coarse flour made from ground, dried corn kernels. It’s a pantry staple for baking and frying, used in everything from cornbread to polenta.
What it is
Cornmeal is produced by grinding dried maize into a meal with a gritty texture. It comes in fine, medium, and coarse grinds, and in colours such as yellow, white, or blue. Stone-ground varieties retain more of the germ and hull, offering a richer flavour and texture, while roller-milled versions are finer and more shelf-stable.
Why it matters
Cornmeal is naturally gluten-free, making it a go-to for those avoiding wheat, though cross-contamination is possible in processing. It also bridges sweet and savoury cooking — from muffins to fried chicken coatings — and appears in cuisines worldwide as polenta, grits, or tortillas.
Canadian context
In Canada, cornmeal is common for cornbread, muffins, and breading. Terminology can mix with U.S. and British sources — for instance, finely ground cornmeal is sometimes labelled corn flour here, while in the UK that term typically means cornstarch.
In short
- Cornmeal is ground dried corn, sold in fine, medium, or coarse grinds.
- It is naturally gluten-free, but check labels for cross-contamination.
- Used in both sweet dishes (cornbread, muffins) and savoury (polenta, coatings).
- Canadian terminology may differ from U.S. and British labels.
Cornmeal is a common grocery and baking ingredient in Canada, especially for cornbread, muffins, coatings, and some traditional or regional dishes. Canadian readers may also encounter different terminology from U.S. and British sources, especially around corn flour and cornstarch.
Quick questions
What is cornmeal made from?
Is cornmeal gluten-free?
What is the difference between cornmeal and cornstarch?
Sources
- Merriam-Webster — https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cornmealSupports: Defines cornmeal as meal ground from corn.
- Cambridge Dictionary — https://dictionary.cambridge.org/us/dictionary/english/cornmealSupports: Describes cornmeal as rough yellow or white flour made from corn.
- Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations — https://www.fao.org/in-action/inpho/library/detail/en/c/2397/Supports: Describes cornmeal textures, grinding methods, and storage characteristics.
- Encyclopaedia Britannica — https://www.britannica.com/topic/cornmealSupports: Summarizes culinary uses of cornmeal in dishes such as polenta, griddle cakes, and cornbread.
- ScienceDirect Topics — https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/food-science/corn-mealSupports: Notes common food uses and that maize meal may be enriched in some products.