Corn Chowder Recipe (VIDEO) (2024)

Fresh Corn Chowderloaded with summer corn at its peak of freshness. If you love the comfort of Clam Chowder, this corn chowder recipe is sure to become a new favorite. This crowd-pleasing soup is perfect for entertaining on cool summer nights.

Corn Chowder Recipe (VIDEO) (1)

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Corn Chowder Video Tutorial:

Corn chowder is quite a treat when fresh corn is abundant. We love to use both the kernels and the stripped cobbs for sweet corn flavor. This corn chowder has the creamy richness of a Potato Soup and the addition of tender corn and bacon makes every bite memorable.

Corn Chowder Recipe (VIDEO) (2)

Ingredients for Potato Corn Chowder:

The ingredients here are simple pantry and refrigerator staples that come together to make the best pot of soup.

  • Corn:on the cob is best so you can utilize the kernels and the corn milk from the husks (see below for fresh corn substitutions).
  • Potatoes: we use Yukon gold potatoes for their tender waxy texture which is perfect for a chowder.
  • Carrot, Celery, and Onion: this trio is critical to adding flavor and we use them in just about every soup recipe.
  • Bacon: Sauteeing the bacon adds and then cooking the veggies in the bacon grease adds wonderful flavor and we use the cooked bacon to garnish the soup. No one will resist that bacon topping!
  • Chicken Broth, Milk & Cream: These are the base of the corn stock. We simmer the shucked cobbs in this combination for a deeply delicious chowder base.
  • Cayenne Pepper: this simple seasoning is all you need plus salt and black pepper of course.

How to Easily Remove Corn Silk:

After the corn is shucked, it’s important to remove the silk threads for the smoothest consistency. The easiest way to remove corn silk is to brush the corn with a firm bristled brush or even a clean toothbrush. The bristles catch the silk and it comes off quickly and easily.

Corn Chowder Recipe (VIDEO) (3)

What is Corn Stock?

Using the whole cob of corn will give you the best-flavored corn stock. Allowing the stripped cobs to simmer for 20 minutes with the broth, cream, and milk draws out every bit of rich and sweet flavor from the corn. After discarding the cobs, you are left with really delicious corn stock.

Time-Saving Tip: set the corn broth to cook at the same time you are making the chowder.

How to Make Corn Chowder:

Once the corn stock is made, the steps for making corn chowder are simple. Watch the video tutorial above and you will be a pro in no time.

  1. Sautee bacon in a dutch oven until crisps and renders fat. Remove bacon to a plate.
  2. Sautee veggies (onion, celery, and carrot) in the bacon grease until softened.
  3. Add potatoes and corn kernels and season with salt, pepper, and cayenne pepper.
  4. Add corn stock into the pot and simmer until potatoes are tender.
  5. Serve in warm bowls garnished with bacon and chives.

When Corn is Not In Season:

Fresh corn on the cob and especially local produce will give this chowder the best flavor. For winter corn chowder or when fresh corn is not available, try these instead:

  • Frozen Corn: frozen is usually produced at the peak of freshness so it will work and will save you some time. Since you won’t have the cobs for making corn stock, add a 15 oz can of creamed corn for a tastier broth.
  • Canned Corn: Use (1) 15 oz can corn and (1) 15 oz can creamed corn. Add the liquid ingredients at step 3 without pre-cooking them. The liquid from the canned corn will add a boost of corn flavor.

More Corn Recipes:

If you love corn, these corn recipes are the best way to use up sweet fresh corn.

  • 15-minute Corn on the Cob – Our go-to boiled corn recipe
  • Corn Salad – with avocado and the best (EASY) dressing
  • Grilled Corn – with irresistible lemon dill butter
  • Instant Pot Corn on the Cob – juicy and perfect every time
  • Mexican Street Corn – the topping is mouthwatering good

Corn Chowder Recipe

4.98 from 733 votes

Author: Natasha of NatashasKitchen.com

Corn Chowder Recipe (VIDEO) (6)

This fresh corn chowder recipe is loaded with summer produce at its peak of freshness. This is a crowd-pleasing chowder that is perfect for entertaining on cool summer nights.

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Prep Time: 15 minutes mins

Cook Time: 30 minutes mins

Total Time: 45 minutes mins

Ingredients

Servings: 8 cups

For the Corn Stock:

  • 4 cups chicken broth
  • 1 1/2 cups milk
  • 1 cup heavy cream

For the Corn Chowder:

  • 4 cups corn kernels (from 4-5 ears corn), reserve cobs for stock
  • 4 oz (4 slices) bacon, chopped
  • 1 large onion, finely diced (1 1/2 cup)
  • 1 large carrot, cut into 1/4" dice (1 cup)
  • 3 stalks celery, finely diced (1 cup)
  • 1 lb Yukon potatoes, 3 medium, peeled and cut into 1/4" thick pieces
  • 2-3 tsp sea salt, or to taste
  • 1/4 tsp black pepper
  • 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper, or to taste
  • 2 Tbsp Chives, chopped, to garnish

Instructions

How to Make Corn Stock:

  • Cut the kernels from the cobs and set kernels aside for making chowder.* Place the bare cobs in a stockpot.

  • Add 4 cups broth, 1 1/2 cups milk, and 1 cup cream to pot. Bring to a boil then reduce heat and simmer un-covered 20 minutes while making the chowder. Use tongs to remove and discard cobs before using corn stock in step 3.

How to Make Corn Chowder:

  • Place a 5 Qt dutch oven over medium/high heat. Add chopped bacon and cook stirring occasionally until browned. Remove bacon bits with a slotted spoon and set aside.

  • In the same pot, add chopped onion, celery and carrot to the bacon fat and cook uncovered, stirring occasionally, until onion is soft (7-8 min).

  • Add sliced potatoes, 4 cups corn kernels, 2 tsp salt, 1/4 tsp black pepper, and 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper. Pour corn stock into the pot, bring to a light boil then simmer uncovered 10-15 minutes or until potatoes are tender. Season with salt and pepper to taste**. Ladle into bowls and garnish with reserved bacon and chopped chives.

Notes

*After cutting the corn off the cobs, remove as much of the silk threads as possible to give your finished chowder a smooth consistency.

**Corn can have varying degrees of sweetness, if your corn is super sweet, you can add a little more salt to balance the sweetness.

FOR A CREAMIER SOUP: transfer 1/4 of the soup to a blender and blend until smooth then stir it into the rest of your chowder.

Nutrition Per Serving

321kcal Calories30g Carbs10g Protein19g Fat9g Saturated Fat53mg Cholesterol767mg Sodium699mg Potassium3g Fiber7g Sugar2080IU Vitamin A13.3mg Vitamin C108mg Calcium2.6mg Iron

  • Full Nutrition Label
  • Nutrition Disclosure

Nutrition Facts

Corn Chowder Recipe

Amount per Serving

Calories

321

% Daily Value*

Fat

19

g

29

%

Saturated Fat

9

g

56

%

Cholesterol

53

mg

18

%

Potassium

699

mg

20

%

Carbohydrates

30

g

10

%

Fiber

3

g

13

%

Sugar

7

g

8

%

Protein

10

g

20

%

Vitamin A

2080

IU

42

%

Vitamin C

13.3

mg

16

%

Calcium

108

mg

11

%

Iron

2.6

mg

14

%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Course: Main Course, Soup

Cuisine: American

Keyword: Corn Chowder

Skill Level: Easy/Medium

Cost to Make: $$

Calories: 321

If you make this recipe, I’d love to see pics of your creations on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter! Hashtag them #natashaskitchen

Natasha Kravchuk

Corn Chowder Recipe (VIDEO) (7)

Welcome to my kitchen! I am Natasha, the blogger behind Natasha's Kitchen (since 2009). My husband and I run this blog together and share only our best, family approved and tested recipes with YOU. Thanks for stopping by! We are so happy you're here.

Read more posts by Natasha

Corn Chowder Recipe (VIDEO) (2024)

FAQs

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

In simple terms, chowder soup is a rich and creamy dish, often made with clams, seafood, and potatoes. In its very basic format chowder is a soup made with a base of broth and thickened cream.

How to thicken seafood chowder? ›

Flour: Thicken the chowder up with all-purpose flour. Seasonings: Season the fish chowder with Old Bay seasoning, salt, and pepper. Evaporated milk: Evaporated milk makes the chowder even thicker and richer.

Why is corn chowder called chowder? ›

The word chowder is a corruption of the French chaudière (“cauldron”), and chowder may have originated among Breton fishermen who brought the custom to Newfoundland, whence it spread to Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and New England.

Is it better to thicken chowder with flour or cornstarch? ›

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 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 ingredient does chowder always have? ›

Customarily, chowder included onion, potatoes, and cream.

What is the most important ingredient in soup? ›

For clear, brothy soups, stock is your most important ingredient. If you want to make a good soup, you need to use an excellently flavored stock — otherwise, the entire pot could be tasteless.

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

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.

How much cornstarch to add to chowder? ›

How Much Cornstarch to Thicken Soup? Start by using 1 tablespoon of cornstarch at a time, mixed with 2 tablespoons of water. More cornstarch slurry can be added, but be sure not to add too much. Only mix in a small amount of slurry at a time to ensure that your soup will thicken properly.

What is a good substitute for cream in chowder? ›

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.

How much roux do I need to thicken chowder? ›

1 Tbsp. flour mixed with 1 Tbsp. of butter or other fat should yield enough roux to thicken 3/4 to 1 cup of warm liquid. To avoid lumps forming, slowing whisk liquid into the roux and simmer until mixture thickens.

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.

What is the French version of chowder? ›

Getting back to chowder, it is said to have originated on the Atlantic coast of France, where la chaudrée is a soup of fish and shellfish cooked with veggies, bacon, white wine and cream.

What is the chowder capital of the world? ›

In fact, did you know that Edwards County, Illinois, is the Chowder Capital of the World? So ordained the county commissioners in 1958 as a salute to downstate chowder. Also known as southern Illinois chowder, downstate chowder bears virtually no resemblance to seafood chowder.

How do you thicken watery chowder? ›

Add flour or cornflour

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. Cook for a few minutes to allow the starch granules to burst to thicken, and to cook out any flour flavour.

How do you thicken cream of corn soup? ›

The answer to thick and smooth creamed corn

If you're short on time, add a tablespoon of rice flour straight into the runny mix and stir to combine. If rice flour isn't available, cornstarch, potato starch, or flour are also great thickeners.

What is chowder soup typically thickened with? ›

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.

Will heavy cream thicken chowder? ›

Heavy cream

Use heavy cream as a keto-friendly thickening option for your soups and broths. Heavy cream has more fat than regular whole milk, so you can add it to your soup recipes without worrying about it curdling.

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