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    Home / Chilean Kitchen / Humitas Chilenas

    Humitas Chilenas

    Sweet fresh-corn packets steamed in their own husks — a gentle, summery taste of Chile.

    ⏱ 30 minPrep time
    🔥 45 minCook time
    🍽 6Servings
    🏷 Chilean KitchenCategory
    ☆☆☆☆☆No ratings yet
    Humitas Chilenas

    Humitas are Chile’s tamales of the corn season: freshly grated corn, onion, and basil simmered into a soft paste, wrapped in corn husks, and steamed until tender. They are served as a snack or side, often with a spoonful of pebre, and loved for their delicate sweetness.

    Corn husks, sweet steam, and basil

    The filling is softly sweet and creamy, with a fine, custard-like crumb and a whisper of onion and basil. Steaming in the husks gives the humitas a gentle, grassy aroma and a texture like a very moist cornbread.

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    Step by stepInstructions

    1. Carefully peel the husks from the corn, keeping the large outer leaves whole, and set them aside; strip the kernels from the cobs with a knife.
    2. Purée the corn kernels with the milk in a blender in two batches until mostly smooth but still slightly textured.
    3. Melt the butter in a large skillet over medium heat, add the onion, and cook 6 minutes until soft; add the paprika and cook 1 minute.
    4. Pour in the corn purée with the salt and sugar and cook, stirring constantly, for 10 to 12 minutes until the mixture thickens into a soft paste; stir in the basil and let cool slightly.
    5. Lay out the largest husks, place 1/3 cup of the corn paste in the center of each, fold the sides over the filling, and fold up the bottom to make a neat packet; tie with kitchen twine.
    6. Stand the packets upright in a steamer basket over simmering water, cover, and steam for 40 to 45 minutes until firm; serve warm.

    💡 Chef tips & storage

    Choose the biggest, freshest husks you can find and keep them moist under a damp towel while you work. Steamed humitas keep 3 days in the fridge and reheat gently in the steamer.

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    Recipe details

    Prep30 min
    Cook45 min
    Servings6
    CategoryChilean Kitchen
    PublishedAugust 17, 2026
    Emily — the cook behind My Comfort Recipes

    Hi, I'm Emily 🧡

    Hi, I'm Emily — the cook behind My Comfort Recipes. Simple, tested comfort food for real weeknights, written down the way grandma would. Pull up a chair. More about me →

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