This easy corn chowder recipe combines the smoky flavor of bacon with the natural sweetness of corn, creating a comforting and hearty dish. Perfect for a quick weeknight dinner or a cozy weekend meal, this chowder is sure to become a family favorite.
Photos of Easy Corn Chowder Recipe
While most ingredients in this corn chowder recipe are commonly found in your pantry, you might need to pick up heavy cream and bay leaf. Heavy cream adds richness and thickness to the chowder, while the bay leaf infuses a subtle depth of flavor. Be sure to grab these items on your next trip to the supermarket.
Ingredients for Easy Corn Chowder Recipe
bacon: Adds a smoky, savory flavor to the chowder.
onion: Provides a base of sweetness and depth.
celery: Adds a crunchy texture and fresh flavor.
potato: Gives body and heartiness to the chowder.
bay leaf: Infuses the soup with a subtle, aromatic flavor.
thyme: Adds an earthy, herbal note.
black pepper: Enhances the overall flavor with a bit of spiciness.
chicken broth: Forms the base of the soup, adding depth and richness.
corn: The star ingredient, providing sweetness and texture.
milk: Helps create a creamy consistency.
heavy cream: Adds richness and thickness to the chowder.
One reader, Colly Peoples says:
This easy corn chowder recipe is fantastic! The flavors blend perfectly, and the creamy texture is divine. The bacon adds a delightful crunch. It's simple to make and absolutely delicious. My family loved it, and it's now a regular in our meal rotation. Highly recommend!
Essential Techniques for Making Easy Corn Chowder
How to cook bacon: Cook the bacon in a skillet over medium heat until it is crisp. Remove the bacon and set aside, reserving the drippings for later use.
How to sauté vegetables: Sauté the onion and celery in the reserved bacon drippings over medium heat for about 5 minutes until they are tender.
How to simmer: After bringing the mixture to a boil, reduce the heat and cover the pot. Let it simmer for the specified time until the ingredients are tender.
How to blend soup: Remove 2 to 3 cups of the soup and blend it in a blender until smooth. Then, stir the blended mixture back into the pot to achieve a creamy consistency.
How to whisk: Combine the milk and heavy cream in a bowl and whisk them together until well mixed before adding to the soup.
How To Make Easy Corn Chowder
Whip up some flavorful comfort food in the form of our creamy corn chowder! It’s loaded with tasteful potatoes, bacon, and more for a tasteful soup.
Serves:
Ingredients
- 6bacon slices
- ½medium onion,diced
- ½cupcelery,sliced
- 1½cupspotato,peeled and diced
- 1bay leaf
- 1tspthyme
- black pepper,to taste
- 2cupschicken broth
- 3cupscorn,fresh or frozen
- 1cupmilk
- ½cupheavy cream
Instructions
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Cook the bacon until crisp. Set aside the drippings.
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Sauté the onion and celery in a large pot over medium heat for 5 minutes until tender.
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Add the potato, thyme, bay leaf, pepper and chicken broth to the pot.
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Bring to a boil, reduce the heat, then cover and let simmer for 8 minutes or until the potatoes are tender.
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Add the corn, then simmer for an additional 2 to 3 minutes for fresh corn or 5 to 6 minutes for frozen corn.
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Whisk together the milk and cream in a bowl.
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Add it into the soup mixture, then bring to a boil while stirring.
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Simmer for 2 minutes to thicken.
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Remove 2 to 3 cups of soup, then blend them in a blender until smooth.
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Stir the blended mixture back into the soup.
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Remove from heat, then stir in half of the bacon.
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Garnish with remaining bacon and green onions, if desired.
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Serve warm, and enjoy!
Nutrition
- Calories: 341.89kcal
- Fat: 22.21g
- Saturated Fat: 9.71g
- Trans Fat: 0.04g
- Monounsaturated Fat: 8.30g
- Polyunsaturated Fat: 2.78g
- Carbohydrates: 27.59g
- Fiber: 2.84g
- Sugar: 9.50g
- Protein: 10.76g
- Cholesterol: 52.78mg
- Sodium: 351.84mg
- Calcium: 79.45mg
- Potassium: 612.06mg
- Iron: 1.16mg
- Vitamin A: 113.46µg
- Vitamin C: 13.80mg
Crucial Technique for Perfecting Easy Corn Chowder
When sautéing the onion and celery, use the reserved bacon drippings instead of oil or butter. This will infuse the vegetables with a rich, smoky flavor that enhances the overall taste of the corn chowder.
Time-Saving Tips for Preparing Corn Chowder
Prep ingredients ahead: Chop the onion, celery, and potato the night before to save time.
Use pre-cooked bacon: Opt for pre-cooked bacon to skip the frying step.
Frozen corn: Use frozen corn instead of fresh to cut down on prep time.
Blender shortcut: Use an immersion blender directly in the pot to blend the soup, saving time on transferring to a blender.
Simmer efficiently: Keep the lid on the pot while simmering to speed up cooking.
Substitute Ingredients For Easy Corn Chowder Recipe
bacon slices - Substitute with turkey bacon: Provides a similar smoky flavor with less fat.
bacon slices - Substitute with smoked paprika: Adds a smoky flavor without using meat.
onion - Substitute with shallots: Offers a milder and slightly sweeter flavor.
celery - Substitute with fennel: Adds a slight anise flavor and similar crunch.
potato - Substitute with sweet potato: Adds a different sweetness and color to the chowder.
potato - Substitute with cauliflower: Provides a low-carb alternative with a similar texture.
bay leaf - Substitute with thyme: Adds a different herbaceous note that complements the chowder.
thyme - Substitute with oregano: Offers a similar earthy flavor.
black pepper - Substitute with white pepper: Provides a milder peppery taste without altering the color of the chowder.
chicken broth - Substitute with vegetable broth: Makes the dish vegetarian while maintaining a savory base.
corn - Substitute with frozen corn: Convenient and available year-round with similar flavor and texture.
corn - Substitute with canned corn: Easy to use and has a similar taste and texture.
milk - Substitute with almond milk: Provides a dairy-free alternative with a slightly nutty flavor.
milk - Substitute with coconut milk: Adds a creamy texture and a hint of coconut flavor.
heavy cream - Substitute with coconut cream: Offers a rich, creamy texture with a subtle coconut taste.
heavy cream - Substitute with cashew cream: Provides a dairy-free option with a rich, creamy consistency.
How to Beautifully Present Corn Chowder
Serve in a shallow, wide bowl: This allows the corn chowder to spread out, showcasing its vibrant colors and textures.
Crisp bacon garnish: Crumble the reserved bacon into small pieces and sprinkle it artfully over the top for a crunchy contrast.
Drizzle with cream: Use a small spoon to drizzle a thin line of heavy cream in a spiral or zigzag pattern on the surface of the chowder.
Fresh herbs: Garnish with finely chopped green onions or a sprig of fresh thyme to add a pop of color and a hint of freshness.
Potato cubes: Ensure the potato cubes are uniformly cut and visible, adding a rustic yet refined look to the dish.
Corn kernels: Reserve a few whole corn kernels to sprinkle on top, highlighting the main ingredient.
Pepper dusting: Lightly dust the surface with freshly ground black pepper for a touch of elegance and a hint of spice.
Bay leaf accent: Place a single bay leaf on the side of the bowl as a decorative element, indicating the depth of flavor within.
Serve with a side of crusty bread: Pair the chowder with a slice of warm, crusty bread to enhance the dining experience and provide a textural contrast.
Essential Kitchen Tools for Making Corn Chowder
Large pot: Used for sautéing the onion and celery, and for cooking the chowder.
Skillet: Ideal for cooking the bacon until crisp.
Slotted spoon: Handy for removing the cooked bacon from the skillet while leaving the drippings behind.
Cutting board: Essential for chopping the onion, celery, and potatoes.
Chef's knife: Perfect for slicing the bacon and dicing the vegetables.
Measuring cups: Necessary for measuring out the chicken broth, milk, and heavy cream.
Measuring spoons: Useful for measuring the thyme and black pepper.
Whisk: Used to mix the milk and heavy cream together before adding to the soup.
Blender: Needed to blend a portion of the soup to achieve a creamy texture.
Ladle: Ideal for serving the chowder into bowls.
Wooden spoon: Great for stirring the ingredients in the pot.
Bowl: Used for whisking together the milk and heavy cream.
Tongs: Useful for handling the bacon while it cooks and when removing it from the skillet.
Storing and Freezing Homemade Corn Chowder
- Allow the corn chowder to cool completely before storing or freezing.
- For storing in the refrigerator, transfer the cooled chowder to an airtight container and keep it refrigerated for up to 3-4 days.
- When ready to reheat, transfer the desired portion to a saucepan and heat over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, until warmed through. You may need to add a splash of chicken broth or milk to adjust the consistency.
- For freezing, transfer the cooled chowder to freezer-safe containers or resealable bags, leaving some headspace for expansion. Label the containers with the date and freeze for up to 2-3 months.
- To thaw frozen corn chowder, place it in the refrigerator overnight or until completely thawed.
- Reheat the thawed chowder in a saucepan over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, until heated through. You may need to add a little chicken broth or milk to adjust the consistency, as the chowder may thicken after freezing and thawing.
- Note: The texture of the potatoes and corn may change slightly after freezing and thawing, but the flavor of the chowder will still be delicious.
The Best Methods for Reheating Leftover Corn Chowder
Stovetop method: transfer the leftover corn chowder to a saucepan and reheat it over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally to prevent scorching. If the chowder seems too thick, add a splash of chicken broth or milk to thin it out. Heat until the chowder is warmed through and steaming, but not boiling.
Microwave method: place the desired amount of leftover corn chowder in a microwave-safe bowl. Cover the bowl with a microwave-safe lid or plastic wrap, leaving a small vent for steam to escape. Microwave on high power in 30-second intervals, stirring between each interval, until the chowder is heated through. Be careful when removing the cover, as steam can escape and cause burns.
Slow cooker method: transfer the leftover corn chowder to a slow cooker and set it to low heat. Cover and let the chowder reheat for 1-2 hours, stirring occasionally, until it's warmed through. This method is ideal if you have a large amount of leftover chowder and want to keep it warm for an extended period.
Oven method: preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Transfer the leftover corn chowder to an oven-safe dish and cover it with aluminum foil. Place the dish in the preheated oven and reheat for 15-20 minutes, or until the chowder is heated through. Stir the chowder halfway through the reheating process to ensure even heating.
Regardless of the reheating method you choose, be sure to taste the corn chowder and adjust the seasoning if needed. You may find that the flavors have mellowed or intensified during storage, so a little extra salt, pepper, or thyme can help revive the taste. If the chowder seems too thick after reheating, add a small amount of chicken broth or milk to achieve the desired consistency.
Interesting Trivia About Corn Chowder
A fun fact about this corn chowder recipe is that it combines the sweetness of corn with the savory flavor of bacon, creating a perfect balance of taste. The use of heavy cream and milk adds a rich, creamy texture, making it a comforting dish ideal for any season.
Is Making Corn Chowder at Home Cost-Effective?
This corn chowder recipe is quite cost-effective for a household. Using bacon, onion, celery, potato, corn, and basic pantry staples like chicken broth, milk, and heavy cream, it leverages affordable ingredients to create a hearty meal. The approximate cost for a household of 4 people is around $10-$12 USD. Overall Verdict: 8/10.
Is Corn Chowder Healthy or Unhealthy?
This easy corn chowder recipe, while undeniably delicious, leans more towards the unhealthy side due to several factors:
- The use of bacon, while providing a savory depth of flavor, adds saturated fat and sodium to the dish.
- Heavy cream and whole milk contribute to the rich, creamy texture but also increase the calorie and fat content.
- The recipe relies on potatoes as a thickener, which are high in carbohydrates and can cause blood sugar spikes.
However, the inclusion of vegetables like onion, celery, and corn does provide some nutritional benefits, such as fiber, vitamins, and minerals.
To make this corn chowder healthier without sacrificing taste, consider the following modifications:
- Swap the bacon for a leaner protein source, such as turkey bacon or diced chicken breast, to reduce saturated fat and calories.
- Replace the heavy cream with a lower-fat alternative, like evaporated skim milk or Greek yogurt, to maintain creaminess while cutting down on fat and calories.
- Incorporate more non-starchy vegetables into the chowder, such as carrots, bell peppers, or zucchini, to increase the nutrient density and fiber content.
- Use a combination of potatoes and cauliflower as the thickener to lower the overall carbohydrate content while still achieving a satisfying texture.
- Experiment with herbs and spices, like smoked paprika or chipotle powder, to add depth and complexity without relying on excessive salt or fat.
Our Editor's Opinion on This Corn Chowder Recipe
This corn chowder recipe is a delightful blend of flavors and textures. The use of bacon adds a smoky depth, while the combination of milk and heavy cream ensures a rich, creamy consistency. The inclusion of fresh or frozen corn makes it versatile for any season. Blending a portion of the soup creates a perfect balance between smooth and chunky. Garnishing with crispy bacon and green onions adds a nice finishing touch. Overall, it's a comforting and satisfying dish that's easy to prepare, making it a great choice for both novice and experienced cooks.
Enhance Your Easy Corn Chowder Recipe with These Unique Side Dishes:
Delicious Alternatives to Easy Corn Chowder
Appetizers and Desserts That Complement Corn Chowder
Why trust this Easy Corn Chowder Recipe:
This easy corn chowder recipe is a must-try because it combines the smoky flavor of bacon with the sweetness of corn, creating a comforting and hearty dish. The use of fresh vegetables like onion, celery, and potato ensures a nutritious meal. The addition of milk and heavy cream gives it a rich, creamy texture that is simply irresistible. Plus, the step-by-step instructions make it foolproof, even for beginners. Trust this recipe for a delicious and satisfying meal that will impress your family and friends.
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