To apply enzymatic hydrolysate of corn gluten meal (CGM) as nitrogen source to xanthan fermentation, we discussed the effect of protease type, enzymatic hydrolysate dosage and enzyme dosage on productive rate and viscosity of xanthan. Then, the optimal nitrogen source combined with CGM hydrolysate and the ratio of CGM hydrolysate to soybean protein were optimized by single factor experiment. The results indicated that alkaline protease pretreatment had a better effect on the following xanthan fermentation than other proteases. Productive rate and viscosity of xanthan were 24.4g/kg and 4235cp when CGM dosage was 6% and enzyme dosage was 8kU. The single factor experiments showed that soybean protein combined with CGM hydrolysate as nitrogen source was better than other proteins. Furthermore, the optimal ratio of CGM hydrolysate to soybean protein was 4:6. Under above conditions, productive rate and viscosity of xanthan could reach 32.4g/kg and 5833cp, which were consistent with the value of soybean protein as the sole nitrogen source. This study provides a new idea for the reuse of corn gluten meal and a possible low-cost approach for xanthan fermentation.