Polenta Recipes

This week, we're sharing recipes featuring whole-grain cornmeal, also known as polenta. Once cooked in water, coarse whole-grain cornmeal is a 75% food, whereas refined cornmeal is a 25% zone food. When purchasing, be sure the ingredient is corn or 100% corn, not de-germinated or enriched corn.

Want to receive more meal ideas like this in your email inbox? Sign up for the free Full Plate Living Membership

Dutch Oven Chili and Cornbread

Make it a Full Plate Meal: Serve this one pot meal for lunch or supper. It's a great recipe for camping or eating at home. Sliced apples would make for the perfect dessert.

75% fiber foods – onion, garlic, black beans, kidney beans, diced tomatoes, diced green chiles, tomato paste, whole cornmeal, apples
25% foods – flour, milk, egg, honey

Polenta with Roasted Vegetables

Make it a Full Plate Meal: Serve your roasted veggies atop 1 cup of cooked polenta. Feel free to add whichever vegetables you have on hand to your veggie mix.

75% fiber foods – whole cornmeal, bell peppers, eggplant, tomatoes, zucchini, onions, garlic, fresh rosemary, fresh thyme
25% foods – fresh parmesan cheese, butter, olive oil

Recipe Note: Use Earth Balance Whipped Buttery Spread instead of butter to reduce the amount of saturated fat in the meal.

Mediterranean Chicken Stew on Polenta

Make it a Full Plate Meal: Serve your stew on top of a cup of polenta. Not a chicken fan? Add more veggies and other beans to make the stew more filling. 

75% fiber foods – whole cornmeal, garlic, chickpeas, tomatoes, olives, parsley
25% foods – chicken, olive oil, milk, butter

Recipe Note: Skip the butter and milk and use only water to make a more slimming polenta to reduce the amount of saturated fat and calories in the overall meal.

BBQ Chickpeas and Crispy Polenta Bowl

Make it a Full Plate Meal: Serve your crispy polenta bowl as directed in the recipe.

75% fiber foods – chickpeas, whole cornmeal, asparagus, arugula/greens, tomatoes, avocado, hummus
25% foods – olive oil, cheese, BBQ sauce

Recipe Note: Opt out of the cheese to keep the 25% items in their allotted space.

Polenta Avocado Toast

Make it a Full Plate Meal: Use crispy polenta to replace bread and serve as a delicious open-faced sandwich for breakfast. End the meal with pear slices.

75% fiber foods – greens, whole cornmeal, kale, avocado, pear
25% foods – egg, olive oil, butter, parmesan cheese

Recipe Note: Skip the parmesan cheese and butter in the recipe to keep 25% items in their zone.

👉 Water-fiber foods are 75% zone foods – whole, unprocessed fruits, vegetables, beans, and cooked whole grains.