Description
Simmering with comfort, this hearty homemade corn chowder recipe brings creamy sweetness and rustic warmth to your table. Kernels of golden corn dance with velvety potatoes, creating a soul-satisfying meal you’ll crave on chilly evenings.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 3 cups corn (fresh, frozen, or canned & drained)
- 3 medium potatoes (Yukon Gold or Russet), peeled and diced
- 4 cups chicken broth (or vegetable broth)
- 1 cup heavy cream (or half-and-half for a lighter version)
Protein and Aromatics:
- 6 slices bacon, chopped (or 2 tablespoons butter for a vegetarian version)
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 celery stalks, chopped
Seasonings and Optional Toppings:
- 1 teaspoon salt (adjust to taste)
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika (optional, for depth)
- ½ teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese (optional, for extra creaminess)
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch + 3 tablespoons water (for thickening, optional)
- Chopped green onions or fresh parsley
- Extra crispy bacon bits
- A sprinkle of shredded cheese
Instructions
- Prepare the foundational flavor by rendering bacon in a spacious pot over medium heat until golden and crisp. Extract the bacon pieces with a perforated utensil, reserving the aromatic grease for sautéing. If omitting bacon, substitute with butter for a similar richness.
- Introduce diced onions and celery into the reserved bacon drippings, allowing them to soften and become translucent. Incorporate minced garlic, stirring briefly to release its fragrant essence without burning.
- Consolidate the soup’s core ingredients: sweet corn kernels, diced potatoes, aromatic chicken broth, and a harmonious blend of seasonings including salt, pepper, smoked paprika, and earthy thyme. Elevate the mixture to a rolling boil, then reduce to a gentle simmer, enabling the potatoes to tenderize and flavors to meld.
- Transform the soup’s texture by introducing velvety heavy cream and optional shredded cheddar cheese, stirring until completely integrated. For enhanced thickness, create a cornstarch slurry by whisking cornstarch with cool water, then fold into the simmering chowder and allow to thicken.
- Present the chowder in warm bowls, garnishing with the previously crisped bacon bits, freshly chopped green onions, and an additional sprinkle of cheese. Accompany with rustic bread or warm biscuits for a complete, comforting meal.
Notes
- Bacon Alternatives: Swap bacon with smoked turkey bacon or plant-based bacon bits for a lighter version that still delivers rich, smoky flavor without compromising taste.
- Dairy-Free Modification: Replace heavy cream with coconut milk or cashew cream to create a velvety texture that’s completely lactose-free and suitable for plant-based diets.
- Vegetarian Adaptation: Eliminate bacon and use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth, adding smoked salt or liquid smoke for depth of flavor that mimics the original recipe’s complexity.
- Texture Enhancement: For extra creaminess, partially mash some potatoes against the pot’s side during cooking to naturally thicken the chowder without additional cornstarch.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 9 g
- Cholesterol: 50 mg