Homemade Corn Chowder Recipe - EASY GOOD IDEAS (2024)

Learn how to make the Best Corn Chowder recipe with bacon, potatoes, and lots of sweet corn. This is a hearty chowder that is perfect for lunch or dinner. Add some crusty bread on the side to soak up every last drop.

Homemade Corn Chowder Recipe - EASY GOOD IDEAS (1)

Corn chowder is a delicious soup recipe that is perfect on a chilly day. It’s made with lots of corn, potatoes, and smoky bacon in a creamy broth. This is an easy chowder recipe that doesn’t take a long time to make. Make a batch and keep it in the refrigerator for easy meals during the week.

Table of Contents
  1. What is Chowder?
  2. Ingredients
  3. How to Make Corn Chowder
  4. Potato Corn Chowder FAQs
  5. More Soup Recipes You’ll Enjoy
  6. Corn Chowder Recipe Recipe

What is Chowder?

Chowder is usually made with milk and flour, which thickens the broth giving the soup a thicker creamy texture. Chowder is usually made with either seafood or vegetables, or both.

This corn chowder recipe has a great balance of flavors – the corn is a little sweet, the bacon is salty, and the creamy soup is flavored with garlic and onions. Parsley gives the soup a little freshness, too.

What I like about this recipe is that it’s hearty and filling but still light. It won’t weigh you down like other rich, and creamy soups can do.

Homemade Corn Chowder Recipe - EASY GOOD IDEAS (2)

Ingredients

  • Bacon
  • Chopped onion
  • Minced garlic
  • Flour
  • Low-sodium chicken broth
  • Frozen corn
  • Half and half
  • Yukon Gold potatoes peeled and cut into bite-sized pieces
  • Salt and pepper
  • Chopped parsley

How to Make Corn Chowder

Line a large baking sheet with foil and lay the bacon on it in an even layer. Cook the bacon at 400°F for 15 to 25 minutes or until the bacon is crispy.

Transfer the bacon to a plate lined with paper towels to absorb the grease. Reserve a couple of tablespoons of the bacon fat on the baking sheet.

Heat the reserved bacon fat in a large pot over medium heat. Cook the onions in the bacon fat until they are soft. Add the garlic and cook it with the onions for about 30 seconds.

Add the flour and stir, so it coats the onions and garlic. Cook it for one minute while stirring constantly. Add the chicken broth and stir until the flour has dissolved into the broth. While stirring, scrape up the browned bits off the bottom of the pan.

Add the half and half, corn, potatoes. Crumble the bacon and add half of it to the pot, reserving the rest for the garnish.

Bring the chowder to a slow boil and then lower the heat to maintain a simmer. Place the lid on the pot slightly askew so that steam can escape. Simmer the soup until the potatoes are tender, about 10 to 20 minutes.

Once the potatoes are tender, season the chowder with salt and pepper before serving. Ladle it into bowls and garnish each serving with some crumbled bacon and chopped parsley.

Homemade Corn Chowder Recipe - EASY GOOD IDEAS (3)

Potato Corn Chowder FAQs

Can you use fresh corn? Yes, when corn is in season during the summer, it’s great to use in the soup. I prefer frozen corn the rest of the year because it’s a better flavor than out-of-season corn.

What potatoes are best for chowder? I like Yukon gold potatoes because they hold their shape when cooked. They’re also not as starchy as other kinds, like russets. Any waxy potatoes will work well in this soup if Yukon golds aren’t available.

Can you use heavy cream? Yes, for a more decadent chowder, you can substitute heavy cream for the half and half. Or, you can do half of each.

Can you freeze corn chowder? If you want to make the chowder ahead and freeze it, I recommend using heavy cream. It freezes really well, and you will get a better result once the soup is thawed and reheated.

How long does chowder keep? It should keep well for two to three days in the refrigerator.

If you like a hearty bowl of soup, you will love this corn chowder. I love the flavors in it, and it’s the best corn chowder I’ve ever made. We make it a lot when it’s cold, and it never disappoints.

More Soup Recipes You’ll Enjoy

  • Homemade Potato Leek Soup
  • Stuffed Pepper Soup
  • Instant Pot Chicken and Dumplings

Homemade Corn Chowder Recipe - EASY GOOD IDEAS (4)

Corn Chowder Recipe

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This is the best Corn Chowder recipe! It’s a heart chowder full of bacon, potatoes and plenty of sweet corn.

Prep Time 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time 40 minutes minutes

Yield 4 servings

Serving Size 1 serving

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Ingredients

  • 7 strips bacon cooked and chopped into small pieces
  • ½ onion chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • ¼ cup flour
  • 4 cups low sodium chicken broth
  • 16 ounces frozen corn
  • 1 cup half and half or heavy whipping cream
  • 3 large Yukon gold potatoes Peeled and cut into bite sized pieces
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Fresh parsley for garnish

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 400°F. Line a large baking sheet with aluminum foil. Cook bacon on the middle rack for 15-25 minutes. You want to have the bacon just on the crispy side. Transfer bacon to a plate with paper towels and to get the grease off. Break into small pieces. Set to the side. Try to save some of the bacon fat.

  • Preheat a large pot on medium heat. Add in a couple tablespoons of bacon fat. Then add onions for 5-7 minutes until they become soft. Stir in the garlic for about 30-45 seconds.

  • Add the flour and stir constantly for 1 minute. Then add chicken broth and stir well. Make sure the flour has dissolved and is well incorporated. Scrape any bits off the bottom of the pot.

  • Add in half and half, corn, potatoes and about half of the crumpled up bacon. Increase heat to medium high and bring the soup to a slow boil (note if using heavy whipping cream, you can turn up too high. Half and half could curdle with too high heat.). Once it slow boils reduce the heat and bring to a simmer. Cover the pot, leaving one side slightly ajar.

  • Simmer until potatoes are tender (10-20 minutes) and stir occasionally. Once the potatoes are tender, turn off heat and serve. Garnish with remaining bacon and fresh parsley. Salt and pepper to taste.

Recipe Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 524kcal | Carbohydrates: 63g | Protein: 19g | Fat: 25g | Saturated Fat: 10g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 48mg | Sodium: 365mg | Potassium: 1265mg | Fiber: 6g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 236IU | Vitamin C: 36mg | Calcium: 103mg | Iron: 3mg

Nutritional information not guaranteed to be accurate

Course Main Course

Cuisine American

Keyword bacon, corn, corn chowder, soup

Homemade Corn Chowder Recipe - EASY GOOD IDEAS (5)

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Homemade Corn Chowder Recipe - EASY GOOD IDEAS (6)

This is an easy Corn Chowder recipe that doesn’t require a ton of time. It’s made with lots of sweet corn, potatoes and smoky bacon in a creamy broth.

Homemade Corn Chowder Recipe - EASY GOOD IDEAS (2024)

FAQs

What ingredient does chowder always have? ›

Customarily, chowder included onion, potatoes, and cream. Nowadays, not all chowders adhere to these guidelines.

What is the best way to 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 corn chowder made of? ›

Onion, celery, garlic, and red bell pepper – They create the savory base of the soup. Yukon Gold potatoes – They add delicious chunks to this corn chowder recipe, and they contribute to its creamy texture. Old Bay Seasoning – It adds more savory flavor and a hint of spice. Smoked paprika – For smokiness.

What makes chowder chowder instead of soup? ›

What Is 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 thickens chowder? ›

The most classic and surefire way to thicken a broth-based soup is with a cornstarch slurry. Whisk together equal parts cornstarch (or arrowroot) and water or broth, then whisk it into the pot of soup. A good ratio to get to a pleasant thickness without your soup tasting goopy or heavy is one tablespoon.

What can I use instead of cream in chowder? ›

Milk and cornstarch

To replace 1 cup (237 mL) of heavy cream in your recipe, add 2 tablespoons (19 grams) of cornstarch to 1 cup (237 mL) of milk and stir, allowing the mixture to thicken. You can use whole milk or opt for skim milk to help slash the calories and fat content of your recipe.

Will heavy cream thicken corn chowder? ›

Heavy cream: Not only does heavy cream make this chowder wonderfully smooth, rich, and creamy, but it also helps the chowder to thicken slightly. You could substitute with half-and-half or evaporated milk, but I don't think they are as good as the cream and more prone to curdling.

Can you put milk in soup to make it creamy? ›

Yes, you can definitely add cream to your soup. Whether you use a few tablespoons or a few cups, cream gives soup a silky mouthfeel and rich flavor. You can definitely add milk or other dairy as well, though it will taste gradually less creamy as you go down in percent.

Is cornstarch good or bad for you? ›

There is little nutritional benefit to cornstarch, and it can potentially raise blood sugar. Eating cornstarch in small amounts is OK, but it should be avoided in large quantities due to its highly processed nature and lack of essential vitamins or nutrients. U.S. Department of Agriculture. Cornstarch.

What are the three types of chowder? ›

Many regional variations exist, but the three most prevalent are New England or "white" clam chowder, which includes milk or cream, Manhattan or "red" clam chowder, which includes tomatoes, and Rhode Island or "clear" clam chowder, which omits both.

What is the difference between Mexican street corn chowder and 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 makes a chowder not a stew? ›

A chowder is typically chunky, filled with ingredients like potatoes, carrots and seafood in a thick liquid. The ingredients are often chopped into smaller pieces than you'd get with a stew. The word comes from the French word for cauldron (chaudron), which is the vessel fishermen used to cook their soup in.

Can you use milk instead of cream in chowder? ›

Cream and milk can be used as substitutes in soup recipes, but it will affect the texture and flavor of the soup. Milk is a thinner liquid than cream and is generally used to add a creamy texture to soups without the added fat content. It will also give a slightly tangy flavor to the soup.

What does chowder work well with? ›

You can go for oyster crackers, warm sourdough bread, salad, french fries… the list goes on. This tasty soup is packed with clam lumps and tender potatoes. It is not only filling and indulgent – but quite easy to make.

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

hearty soups made from fish, shellfish, and/or vegetables. Although they are made in many ways, they usually contain milk and potatoes. (Many types of chowder are simply cream soups or purée soups that are not puréed but left chunky. )

Which of the following ingredients is almost always found in traditional chowders? ›

Chowder is a rich, creamy soup that often contains clams and potatoes. Seafood chowders are typical in the Northeast, with New England clam chowder being the most famous. Other seafood chowders skip the clams and swap in scallops, shrimp, lobster, crab or even fish like cod or smoked salmon.

What is the main difference between a cream soup and a chowder? ›

In my understanding, chowder is chunky, usually with pieces of potato in it, while cream soups (cream of tomato, cream of mushroom) are usually pureed and smooth. Bisques, on the other hand, were traditionally made using the shells of shellfish that were then strained out (lobster bisque.)

What is seafood chowder made of? ›

Tender shrimp, fish and scallops are combined in a creamy white wine broth with veggies. This flavor packed chowder recipe is a comfort food that can be easily enjoyed at home any day of the week! A really great New England Clam Chowder is one of our favorite ways to enjoy a bowl of comfort food.

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