Skip to main content
LoginSign Up

Milk Street Recipes

How to Make Polenta Firm Enough to Cut into Squares

Asked Dec 16, 2019 by Emily Z.

In the "creamy polenta with savory sauces" recipe, the texture described in the recipe is quite different than the texture in the accompanying images. Do you have any recommendations for achieving the firmer text so that it can be cut into squares? Thank you!

Have a question for Milk Street experts?

Get trusted advice from the cooks, editors, and recipe developers behind Milk Street.

Ask a Question

Don’t have an account?Sign up

Join the conversation

Sign in to join the conversation.

COMMENTS

  • John V.

    December 21, 2023

    Hi. I tried making the soft polenta today, and I’m pretty sure I followed the recipe accurately, but the end result was too watery, and I actually cooked it for an extra 10 minutes. I must admit, the flavor was great, but I need it to firm up more. Any thoughts as to what may have happened? Thx, John

  • John V.

    December 28, 2023

    Hi. I tried making the soft polenta today, and I’m pretty sure I followed the recipe accurately, but the end result was too watery, and I actually cooked it for an extra 10 minutes. I must admit, the flavor was great, but I need it to firm up more. Any thoughts as to what may have happened? Thx, John

    • Lynn ClarkMilk Street Staff

      January 4, 2024

      Hi John -

      There are a few potential things that may have caused this:

      1. Did you put the pot in the oven \uncovered\? The polenta requires some water evaporation in order to thicken.
      2. What type of Dutch oven did you use? This recipe was tested in an enameled cast iron dutch oven. Cast iron will hold heat better than, say, a stainless steel dutch oven so it's possible that the polenta may not have been as hot. It will still work in a stainless steel dutch oven, but may take longer to thicken.
      3. Different brands of polenta will thicken differently and at different rates. Because of this, we recommended Bob's Red Mill coarse-grind cornmeal or its polenta corn grits for the best results in this recipe.

      Hope that helps!

      Best,

      The Milk Street Cooking Team