Easy Corn Chowder Recipe - House of Yumm (2024)

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Thick and creamy, this hearty corn chowder soup is loaded with chunks of potato, ham, and tons of flavor! This soup is easy enough to make as a weeknight meal and, best of all, can be made with fresh, frozen, or even canned corn, making it perfect all year round!

If you love heartysoup recipes, check out ourpotato soup,easy cheeseburger soup, andMexican street corn chowder.

Easy Corn Chowder Recipe - House of Yumm (1)

why I love this recipe

This creamy sweet corn chowder is smooth, thick, and loaded with chunks of potato, corn kernels, ham, and bacon!

  • Filling:This hearty chowder is perfect for serving as a main dish but can also be served as a side with a sandwich or salad if needed.
  • Comforting:The warmth of the dish and the hearty bites of potato, corn, bacon, and ham put this recipe high on the list of comfort foods.
  • Easy to make:This easy soup can come together on the stovetop in about 30 minutes, making it a perfect weeknight dinner meal idea.

Ingredients

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  • Corn:Make this soup with fresh corn on the cob, frozen, or canned sweet corn. We’ve included instructions for each in the recipe card below.If using fresh, here’s how to cut corn off the cob.
  • Potatoes:yellow or Yukon gold potatoes are a great option. They are less starchy and hold their shape well when boiled. Plus, they blend up nicely and are smooth and creamy.
  • Flour:Use this to thicken the chowder. You can omit if needed and use a slurry of cornstarch or arrowroot powder at the end of cooking if necessary to make this dairy-free. Add the slurry to the soup and let it simmer to thicken before adding the half and half. This will prevent the dairy from separating in high heat.

How to Make Corn Chowder

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  • Cook baconto desired crispness and remove from the pot. Drain excess grease while keeping two tablespoons to cook onion and garlic. Stir in the flour and cook for an additional 2-3 minutes.
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  • Pour in the spices, chicken broth, and add potatoes, and stir together. Bring to a boil and simmer while stirring occasionally for 10-15 minutes until potatoes are slightly softened (larger chunks require longer cooking).
  • Add in the cornand cook an additional 10 minutes until the corn is heated and the potatoes are fork-tender.
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  • Reduce heat and blend a portion of the soupto get the desired thickness.
  • Add the ham and bacon back into the soup, let the meat warm up in the chowder, then remove from heat and pour in half and half to make the soup nice and creamy.Taste and adjust the seasonings with additional salt and pepper as desired.

Flavor Variations

  • Cheese: Add a handful or two of your favorite cheese, a sharp cheddar, or pepper jack for a kick of spice. Add it as the last step and stir to allow it to melt completely into the soup.
  • Fresh herbs: Garnish with fresh herbs for color and a burst of flavor. Fresh chives, parsley, or cilantro would complement this corn chowder nicely. You could also add some dried herbs to the soup during cooking such as dried thyme, or parsley.
  • Spice it up:Add some diced green chiles or jalapeño for a bit of spice that would take this corn chowder to the southwestern Tex-Mex side.
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Storage Information

  • Storage: Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.
  • Freezer: Allow to cool to room temperature, then pour into a freezer safe container. Store in the freezer for up to 3 months. Remove to the refrigerator to thaw overnight.
  • Reheating: pour into a pot and heat over medium heat on the stovetop for 10-15 minutes until warmed through.

Serving Suggestions

While this corn and potato chowder is hearty enough on it’s own, here’s some ideas to serve as a side.

  • Jalapeño Cheese Rolls
  • Cheese Quesadilla
  • Jalapeño Cheese Cornbread
  • Crispy Roasted Mexican Potatoes
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How do you thicken corn chowder?

To make this corn chowder thicker, you can blend more of the soup before adding the ham in. If you’ve already added the ham into the soup and want to make your soup thicker, you can make a slurry using cornstarch. Combine 2 tablespoons of cornstarch with a portion of the hot broth and mix together. Then add this to the soup and cook for a couple minutes until thickened.

Can I make Corn Chowder in advance and reheat it?

This corn chowder recipe is a great make ahead meal. Prepare the soup according to the recipe, allow it to cool, then store in the refrigerator in a sealed container for up to 3 days. Pour soup into a large pot or dutch oven and reheat over medium heat when ready to serve.

What’s the difference between corn soup and corn chowder?

Soups are thinner and have a broth base while chowders are rich and hearty.

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Corn Chowder Recipe

4.96 from 41 votes

Quick and easy! This hearty corn chowder is loaded with bacon, ham and potatoes. Plus it comes together in 30 minutes on the stovetop. Instructions included on how to make this in the slow cooker or instant pot. Great easy dinner idea for the family.

Easy Corn Chowder Recipe - House of Yumm (9)

Ingredients

  • 4 strips bacon
  • 1/2 cup onion diced
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • 2 tbsp all purpose flour
  • 32 ounces corn frozen or canned (approx 9 ears of corn)
  • 1 lb gold potatoes diced 1/2 inch cubes
  • 2 tsp salt
  • ¼ tsp ground black pepper
  • ¼ tsp paprika
  • 4 cups chicken broth unsalted
  • 1 cup half and half (or milk of preference)
  • 1 lb ham diced into 1/2 inch cubes

Instructions

  • In a large dutch oven or pot, cook the bacon until desired crispness, remove the bacon from the pot and set aside, keep 2 tbsp of grease, drain any excess.

  • Add the diced onion and cook until softened and translucent. Add the garlic and cook an additional 30 seconds.

  • Stir in the flour, allow this to cook for 1-2 minutes.

  • Stir in the salt, pepper, and paprika. Pour in the chicken broth. Stir to combine.

  • Add in the diced potatoes. Bring to a low simmer. Cover and cook for 10-15 minutes over medium heat.

  • Remove the lid, add in the corn and continue to cook for an additional 10 minutes until the corn is heated through and the potatoes are fork tender.

  • Turn off the heat and using an immersion blender blend up the soup to desired consistency. Be sure to leave some chunks of potato and corn in the soup. The more you blend the thicker the soup will be. IF you don't have an immersion blender, remove a portion of the soup carefully and blend in a blender or food processor. Then return to the pot.

  • Optional: sear the ham in a skillet over medium high heat for 5 minutes, turning to ensure all sides are seared.

  • Add the ham to the pot and the cooked diced bacon, setting some aside for garnishing. Stir to combine. If you skipped searing the ham, you will need to turn the heat back on under the soup pot to give the ham time to warm in the soup before moving on.

  • With the heat still off the pot, stir in the half and half.

  • Serve soup warm with a garnish of fresh chives or parsley, fresh ground pepper, and cooked bacon.

Video

Notes

  1. Fresh corn:Simply cut the corn off the cobs and use it fresh. No need to precook the corn before adding to the soup.
  2. Frozen corn:Set the corn out to defrost when you start making the soup. It will be plenty of time. Add the corn to the soup according to the recipe and it will cook through and be warmed perfectly.
  3. Canned corn:Open and drain the corn before adding to the soup. If you want to make the corn a bit thicker and sweeter, you can add a can of creamed corn as well!
  4. Instant Pot: Sauté the bacon using the sauté setting on your instant pot, remove the bacon, continue sautéing the onion and garlic. Add in the chicken broth, seasonings, potatoes and corn. Cook on High Pressure for 15 minutes and do a quick release. Blend a portion of the soup. Whisk together flour and a small amount of the hot liquid of the soup, then add this to the chowder and stir to combine. Sauté for a few minutes if needed to thicken soup. Then add in the meats.
  5. Slow Cooker: To make this soup in the slow cooker: add all ingredients to a slow cooker, MINUS the bacon, ham, flour and half and half. Cook on low for 6 hours. Blend the soup. If you still want thickness to the soup mix together equal parts flour and water (1 tablespoon each) and whisk into the soup. Cook on low an additional 30 minutes. Stir in the ham, bacon and half and half.

Nutrition

Serving: 1 | Calories: 374kcal | Carbohydrates: 39g | Protein: 21g | Fat: 17g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 7g | Trans Fat: 0.01g | Cholesterol: 48mg | Sodium: 1780mg | Potassium: 760mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 8g | Vitamin A: 387IU | Vitamin C: 18mg | Calcium: 62mg | Iron: 2mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Like this? Leave a comment below!

Recipe first published December 18, 2018. Updated September 16, 2022 with new images and information. Recipe has been slightly modified with the addition of bacon.

Photography by the talented @KJandCompany.co

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Easy Corn Chowder Recipe - House of Yumm (2024)

FAQs

What two ingredients must be present for the soup to be called a chowder? ›

Chowder is a soup with cream or milk mixed with ingredients such as potatoes, sweet corn, smoked haddock, clams and prawns, etc. Some cream-style chowders do not use cream, and are instead prepared using milk and a roux to thicken them.

What's in Panera's Mexican street corn chowder? ›

Water, Corn & Fire-Roasted Corn, Potatoes, Neufchatel Cheese (Pasteurized Milk and Cream, Salt, Cheese Culture, Carob Bean Gum), Onions, Red Bell Peppers, Roasted Poblano Peppers, Butter (Cream, Salt), Contains 2% or less of: Lime Juice, Cilantro, Garlic Powder, Dehydrated Onion, Yeast Extract, Corn Starch, Salt, Sugar ...

Does chowder have to have potatoes? ›

Customarily, chowder included onion, potatoes, and cream. Nowadays, not all chowders adhere to these guidelines. New England Clam Chowder is sometimes made with milk, whereas Manhattan Clam Chowder doesn't have any milk or cream but has a tomato base instead.

What is the difference between soup broth and chowder? ›

The difference between chowder, soup, and stew is that chowder is a soup made with broth that is thickened with flour and cream, with seafood and/or vegetables mixed in. Soup is made with water or broth and can host a variety of ingredients like pasta, vegetables, fruits, grains, meats or seafood.

What is usually a main thickening agent of chowder? ›

A roux is the most common thickener for sauces and soups and comes in three colors and strengths: white, blond, and brown.

What is the difference between a bisque and a chowder? ›

Although a bisque and a chowder are both cream-based soups and most often feature seafood, it is their consistency that defines them and makes them quite different from each other. Whereas a bisque is smooth, a chowder is chunky, chock full of hearty pieces of ingredients such as potato and clams or corn.

Why did Panera get rid of corn chowder? ›

Panera at Home Southwest Corn Chowder due to an undeclared wheat allergen. The recall is limited to 1 SKU of 16 oz.

Is Mexican street corn chowder the same as summer corn chowder? ›

The new soup is meant to evoke the taste of elote street corn, but actually is a close match to the Summer Corn Chowder. The main difference is the addition of blue corn tortilla strips and an overall spicier flavor profile.

What are the ingredients in Progresso chicken corn chowder? ›

Ingredients. Chicken Broth, Corn, Cooked White Chicken Meat, Potatoes, Celery, Onion. Contains less than 2% of: Soybean Oil, Modified Food Starch, Sugar, Smoked Bacon (pork cured with: water, salt, sodium phosphates, sodium erythorbate, sodium nitrite.

How do you thicken corn chowder? ›

Add Flour Or Cornstarch

Instead, ladle a small amount of broth into a separate bowl and let it cool. Add a few tablespoons of flour or cornstarch to the bowl and whisk until it's blended smooth. Next, bring the soup to a simmer and add the mixture back to the pot. Pro tip: Don't dump in the entire mixture at once.

What is a good substitute for potatoes in chowder? ›

Cauliflower is probably the most common substitute for potatoes. Many people singing the praises of cauliflower mash and even cauliflower rice. It's easy to fry and roast cauliflower or throw into soups and stews. And it's the one vegetable that's most likely to pass as potatoes.

What makes chowder taste like chowder? ›

What Is Clam Chowder Supposed to Taste Like? New England clam chowder is a mix of creamy soup and briny, salty, chewy clams. This is complemented with soft onions, celery, and cubed potatoes. Seasonings like pepper enhance the soup, preventing it from being bland.

What makes it a bisque? ›

A traditional French chef would define a bisque as being a thick, creamy soup made with shellfish and thickened by a paste made from their shells. Julia Child was one chef to popularize lobster bisque in the United States; her recipe uses both the shells of the lobster and rice to thicken the bisque.

What are the three types of chowder? ›

Chowder has evolved constantly over the years, with its roots dating back to the 1700s in the Northeast. Today, the 3 most popular variations are Rhode Island or “clear” chowder, Manhattan or “red” chowder, and New England or “white” chowder.

Is it better to use chicken stock or broth for soup? ›

As a result, stock is usually a healthier product, delivering a richer mouth feel and deeper flavor than broth. Stock is a versatile culinary tool that can deliver taste to any number of dishes. Darker in color and more concentrated in flavor than broth, it's ideal for use in soups, rice, sauces and more.

What qualifies chowder? ›

A chowder is a thick, creamy soup featuring diced or chopped ingredients, left chunky for a hearty final result. Traditional chowder recipes feature seafood ingredients—for instance, clams or fish—while others forgo seafood in favor of vegetables or starches, like corn.

What are the two 2 main classifications of soups? ›

Soups are similar to stews, and in some cases there may not be a clear distinction between the two; however, soups generally have more liquid (broth) than stews. In traditional French cuisine, soups are classified into two main groups: clear soups and thick soups.

What 2 ingredients are used to thicken the soup? ›

Add flour or cornflour

You can also use flour or cornflour to thicken a soup. Put a tablespoon of either into a small bowl and stir in 2-3 tbsp of the soup until you have a smooth mixture. Stir this back into the soup and bring it to a simmer.

What are the two types of chowder? ›

New England clam chowder is thick, creamy, and milky-white. Manhattan clam chowder is tomatoey, brothy, and clear. Both types share a clean, briny, and slightly-sweet flavor thanks to the clams—but that's about it.

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