Corn Chowder

Chilly days call for warm bowls of sweet, smoky Corn Chowder. This incredible soup can be made any time of year and comes together quickly, thanks to frozen corn.

Chowder may be my favorite way to enjoy sweet corn. As soon as I slurp down one bowl, I’m aching for another. This recipe is made with bacon and diced potatoes; both are optional, but add a heartiness that I absolutely love.

To make things even easier, I use frozen sweet corn. It’s easy to find and plentiful year round. But if fresh whole corn is still popping up at the market, by all means, use fresh.

Recipe ingredients:

Ingredient notes:

• Bacon: Chopped bacon adds a smoky counterpart to the sweet corn. Corn chowder with ham is is just as fabulous.
• Turmeric: This golden-hued spice boosts the yellow color of soup naturally and adds a subtle flavor.
• Potatoes: Look for the thin-skinned new baby potatoes of any color.
• Corn: To substitute fresh corn, bring a large pot of water and 1 tablespoon salt to a boil over high heat. Add 8 ears of corn and boil for 3 to 5 minutes. Plunge corn in to a large bowl of ice water. When the corn is cool enough to handle cut it off the cob and proceed with the recipe.
• Half and half: Substitute 4 ½ teaspoons melted butter plus enough whole milk to equal 1 cup for the half and half.

Step-by-step instructions:

1. First, find a big stock pot or a good-sized Dutch oven. Cook the chopped bacon on medium-high heat until crisp, then remove it and set aside for later. To the bacon grease, add the butter and onions and sauté until soft and translucent. Then stir in the flour and turmeric and cook for about one minute, so the flour loses its raw taste.
   
2. Pour in the chicken broth, potatoes, and some salt. Bring the broth to a boil, reduce the heat, and let the soup simmer until the potatoes are tender. Then stir in the corn kernels, the crisp bacon, the half-and-half, and the shredded cheese. Cook until the soup is hot and the cheese is melted, then season to taste with salt and pepper and garnish with fresh chives.
   

Recipe tips and variations:

• Keep warm in the slow cooker: Get the soup ready on the stove, then keep it warm for company in the crockpot. Turn it to LOW while the party happens.
• Freezer: Soups with dairy may have a grainy texture and separate when you thaw them out. So, if you want to freeze corn chowder, don’t add the cheese or half-and-half. Store it in a freezer-safe container, label, date, and freeze. When you reheat the soup, go ahead and add the cream and cheese.
• No potatoes: No problem! Boost up the veggies by adding diced zucchini, quinoa, or yellow lentils in place of the spuds.
• Spicy: Dice up some fresh jalapeños or serranos and add with the corn in step 3, and serve with plenty of hot sauce.
• Seafood: Don’t skip the bacon! Just add some peeled, deveined baby shrimp or lump crabmeat in with the corn and cook until just tender.

More hearty soup recipes:

• Sausage and Bean Stew
• Sweet Potato Chili with Black Beans
• Slow Cooker White Chicken Chili
• Minestrone Soup

Corn Chowder

Chilly days call for warm bowls of sweet, smoky Corn Chowder. This incredible soup can be made any time of year and comes together quickly, thanks to frozen corn.

5 from 4 votes

ReviewPrint

Prep Time 20 mins

Cook Time 35 mins

Total Time 55 mins

Servings 8 servings (2 cups each)

Course Main Course, Soup

Cuisine American

Calories 541

Ingredients 

US CustomaryMetric

• ▢ 12 ounces bacon chopped (see note 1)
• ▢ 2 large onions chopped (about 3 cups)
• ▢ 2 tablespoons butter
• ▢ 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
• ▢ 1/4 teaspoon ground turmeric (see note 2)
• ▢ 6 cups chicken broth
• ▢ 1 pound thin-skinned potatoes unpeeled and diced (see note 3)
• ▢ Salt and freshly ground black pepper
• ▢ 2 pounds frozen corn (see note 4)
• ▢ 1 cup half-and-half (see note 5)
• ▢ 6 ounces sharp cheddar cheese grated
• ▢ chopped fresh chives for garnish, optional

Instructions 

• In a large stock pot or Dutch oven or medium-high heat, cook bacon until crisp, about 5 minutes. Remove from pot and reserve. Add onions and butter and cook until softened, about 10 minutes.
• Stir in flour and turmeric and cook 1 minute. Stir in chicken broth, potatoes, and 1 teaspoon salt. Bring to boil, reduce heat, and simmer uncovered until potatoes are tender, about 15 minutes.
• Stir in corn, half-n-half, cheese, and bacon. Cook until corn is heated through and cheese is melted, about 5 minutes. Season to taste with salt and pepper (I like 1 teaspoon salt and ½ teaspoon pepper). Garnish with chives if desired.

Notes

1. Bacon: Chopped bacon adds a smoky counterpart to the sweet corn. Corn chowder with ham is is just as fabulous.
2. Turmeric: This golden-hued spice boosts the yellow color of soup naturally and adds a subtle flavor.
3. Potatoes: Look for the thin-skinned new baby potatoes of any color.
4. Corn: To substitute fresh corn, bring a large pot of water and 1 tablespoon salt to a boil over high heat. Add 12 ears of corn (you may need to work in batches) and boil for 3 to 5 minutes. Submerge ears in a large bowl of ice water. When the corn is cool enough to handle, cut it off the cob and proceed with the recipe.
5. Half and half: Substitute 4 ½ teaspoons melted butter plus enough whole milk to equal 1 cup for the half and half.
6. Yield: This Corn Chowder recipe makes a lot of soup: 16 cups or 4 quarts, enough for 8 generous servings of 2 cups each. For a party or buffet with other main dishes, plan on 1 cup of soup per person.
7. Storage: Store leftovers covered in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
8. Freezer: Soups with dairy may have a grainy texture and separate when you thaw them out. So, I don’t recommend freezing this soup.

Nutrition

Serving: 2cupsCalories: 541kcalCarbohydrates: 46gProtein: 27gFat: 30gSaturated Fat: 13gPolyunsaturated Fat: 4gMonounsaturated Fat: 10gTrans Fat: 0.2gCholesterol: 85mgSodium: 1566mgPotassium: 953mgFiber: 5gSugar: 4gVitamin A: 436IUVitamin C: 16mgCalcium: 215mgIron: 2mg

Tried this Recipe? Pin it for Later!Mention @CulinaryHill or tag #CulinaryHill!

Meggan Hill

Website | + posts

I’m the Executive Chef and head of the Culinary Hill Test Kitchen. Every recipe is developed, tested, and approved just for you.

• Meggan Hill

  https://www.culinaryhill.com/about/

  How to Butterfly Chicken Breasts
• Meggan Hill

  https://www.culinaryhill.com/about/

  Peanut Butter Pie
• Meggan Hill

  https://www.culinaryhill.com/about/

  Seven Layer Dip
• Meggan Hill

  https://www.culinaryhill.com/about/

  Smoked Tri-Tip