Main Course · Latin American · Dinner ·

Chilean Humitas with Corn and Basil

Name: Chilean Humitas with Corn and Basil
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 90 min
Total time: 120 min
Yield: 6 servings
Cuisine: Main Course
Ingredients: 10 ears of corn, kernels removed; 1 cup fresh basil leaves, chopped; 1/2 cup heavy cream; 3 tablespoons butter, melted; 1 tablespoon paprika; Salt, to taste; Pepper, to taste; Corn husks, cleaned and soaked; Kitchen twine, for tying; Fresh salsa, for serving; Avocado slices, for serving

Savor the authentic taste of Chile with this comforting, aromatic dish crafted from corn and fresh basil.

4.4(359 reviews)

·By Ethan Brooks·October 16, 2025

Chilean Humitas with Corn and Basil — Main Course served and photographed from above

Prep

30 min

Cook

1 h 30 min

Difficulty

Intermediate

Serves

Ingredients

Servings

For the Corn Mixture

For the Enveloping (Corn Husks)

Optional Accompaniments

Nutrition

Per serving

Calories: 284 kcal
Protein: 6 g
Carbs: 32 g
Fat: 17 g
Fiber: 6 g

Whole recipe

Total

Calories: 1705 kcal
Protein: 36 g
Carbs: 193 g
Fat: 103 g
Fiber: 36 g

Breakdown by ingredient▾

Ingredient	Cal	P	C	F	Fib
10 ears of corn kernels removed	790	28	170	10	25
1 cup fresh basil leaves chopped	5	1	1	0	1
1/2 cup heavy cream	410	3	3	44	0
3 tablespoons butter melted	300	0	0	34	0
1 tablespoon paprika	20	1	4	1	2
Salt to taste	0	0	0	0	0
Pepper to taste	0	0	0	0	0
Corn husks cleaned and soaked	0	0	0	0	0
Kitchen twine for tying	0	0	0	0	0
Fresh salsa for serving	30	1	7	0	2
Avocado slices for serving	150	2	8	14	6

These are estimates, not dietary advice.

Preparation

Get these tasks done before you start cooking.

Preparing the Corn Mixture

1
Grind the corn kernels
Grind the corn kernels in a food processor until coarsely puréed.
2
Combine ingredients
Mix in the basil leaves, heavy cream, melted butter, paprika, salt, and pepper.
3
Adjust consistency
Ensure the mixture is well combined; it should be somewhat thick.

Preparing the Corn Husks

1
Soften husks
Soak the cleaned corn husks in warm water for about 15 minutes to soften.
2
Separate husks
Carefully separate each husk, ensuring they remain whole for wrapping.
3
Prepare twine
Prepare the kitchen twine by cutting into 8-inch pieces for tying the humitas.
Tip: Do not overfill the husks to prevent tearing. Use an additional husk as a patch if needed.

How to Make Chilean Humitas with Corn and Basil

Total time: 2 h · Yields 6 servings

1
Wrap the humitas
Lay a corn husk flat, spoon about 3 tablespoons of the corn mixture onto the center, fold the sides over, then tie the ends with kitchen twine.
2
Steam the humitas
Place the wrapped humitas in a steamer basket over simmering water, cover, and steam for 45-50 minutes.
3
Check doneness
Ensure the corn mixture is cooked through by checking firmness.