Polenta vs. Cornmeal: How Do They Compare?

Polenta is a Northern Italian dish made from medium-ground or coarse-ground yellow cornmeal. Polenta comes from flint corn (usually from yellow corn kernels), which creates a coarse grind resulting in a firm paste-like product that holds its shape. Some polenta varieties include other grains like ground buckwheat or ground rice. It is most often served in Northern Italy as a side dish topped with butter and parmesan cheese and served with veggies.

When you make polenta with water, it becomes a thick, creamy mush, similar to porridge. You can also fry firm polenta to create crispy morsels that are chewy on the inside. Polenta can require long cooking times, and it might take up to forty minutes to reach your desired texture.

Cornmeal refers to a kind of ground, dried corn (making it similar to corn flour and cornstarch). The difference is in the grind: Corn flour and cornstarch are finely ground, while cornmeal is coarsely ground. Different types of cornmeal go by different names according to several variables, from its grind to its color. Polenta and grits are two kinds of cornmeal, made from yellow and white corn, respectively. Cooks use masa harina—a powdery, fine cornmeal—to make tamales or tortillas.

While polenta is a specific dish, cornmeal is the key ingredient, making them easy to confuse. Here are some ways to distinguish cornmeal from polenta:

• Coarseness: You can grind cornmeal into many textures, from stone-ground to coarsely ground to very finely ground. You can make polenta out of medium-ground or coarse-ground cornmeal. Using grains that are too small or too large for polenta may result in a less-than-ideal texture.
• Type of corn: Traditional Italian yellow corn polenta usually comes from a specific kind of Italian corn called “otto file,” which gives polenta its bright yellow color and strong corn flavor. You can make cornmeal from any kind of corn, including all yellow and white varieties.
• Uses: You can use cornmeal to make many different kinds of dishes, such as cornbread, corn muffins, and corn grits. Polenta is a specific Italian dish that you can serve as a porridge-like dish or fried in olive oil until crispy.

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