Simple Creamy Corn Chowder Recipe That Warms Every Heart

Chilly evenings call for a warm, hearty southern corn chowder that wraps you in comfort and nostalgia.

Sweet kernels dance through this rich, velvety soup with delightful texture and depth.

Crisp bacon bits and tender potatoes add robust flavor to every spoonful.

Each ingredient tells a story of simple, rustic cooking that feels like a warm embrace.

creamy and satisfying, this chowder brings restaurant-quality magic to your kitchen with minimal effort.

The aroma will draw everyone to the table, eager to savor this classic comfort dish.

Grab a ladle and prepare to transform an ordinary dinner into an extraordinary culinary experience.

What Makes This Corn Chowder Special

• Develop rich, layered flavors by using bacon fat as a base and incorporating crispy bacon throughout the dish, creating a deeply satisfying meal with minimal cleanup.
• Adapt the recipe to suit different tastes by adjusting spice levels, adding extra vegetables, or making it vegetarian-friendly with simple ingredient swaps.
• Serve this chowder as a cozy family dinner, a warming lunch, or a comforting dish for potlucks and gatherings that will have everyone asking for seconds.

Ingredients for Creamy Corn Chowder

• Bacon: Provides the foundational smoky flavor and creates a rich starting point for the chowder.

• Onion, Celery, Carrots: Create a classic flavor base with layers of savory depth and aromatic sweetness.
• Garlic: Adds a pungent and warm flavor that enhances the overall complexity of the dish.

• Chicken Broth: Delivers a savory liquid foundation for the chowder's body and depth.
• Heavy Cream: Contributes to the luxurious, smooth texture and rich mouthfeel of the chowder.
• All-Purpose Flour: Helps thicken the chowder and creates a velvety, consistent texture.

• Italian Seasoning: Provides a blend of herbs that adds subtle complexity to the chowder.
• Cayenne Pepper: Optional ingredient that introduces a gentle heat and warm undertone.

• Corn: Brings natural sweetness and a classic chowder component to the dish.
• Potatoes: Adds heartiness and helps create a substantial, filling soup.

• Salt, Black Pepper: Crucial for balancing and enhancing the overall flavor profile.

How to Make Homemade Corn Chowder

Step 1: Crisp the Bacon

Chop bacon into small pieces using scissors.

Heat a large pot over medium-high heat and cook bacon until golden and crispy.

Transfer crispy bacon to a paper towel-lined plate, reserving about two tablespoons of bacon fat in the pot.

Step 2: Sauté Vegetable Base

• Chopped onions
• Diced celery
• Sliced carrots

Cook vegetables in bacon fat for 5 minutes until they soften and become fragrant.

The bacon fat will infuse the vegetables with a rich, smoky flavor.

Step 3: Bloom the Garlic

Stir in minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds.

Be careful not to burn the garlic, as it can quickly turn bitter and ruin the chowder’s delicate flavor profile.

Step 4: Create Thickening Roux

Sprinkle flour over the sautéed vegetables.

Stir continuously and cook for one minute.

This process creates a roux that will give the chowder its signature creamy texture.

Step 5: Build the Liquid Base

Pour in chicken broth, stirring thoroughly to dissolve flour and scrape up flavorful brown bits from the pot bottom.

These caramelized bits add depth to the chowder’s overall taste.

Step 6: Combine Chowder Ingredients

• Heavy cream
• Corn kernels
• Diced potatoes
• Italian seasoning
• Cayenne pepper (optional)
• Most of the cooked bacon (reserve some for garnish)

Bring mixture to a boil, then reduce to a simmer.

Step 7: Simmer to Perfection

Partially cover the pot and cook for 15-20 minutes.

Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.

Cook until potatoes become tender and can be easily pierced with a fork.

Step 8: Final Seasoning and Serving

Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper.

Serve hot in bowls, garnishing with reserved crispy bacon bits on top.

Handy Tips for Rich Corn Chowder

• Render the bacon slowly to extract maximum smoky goodness and ensure crispy texture without burning.
• Stir vegetables constantly while sautéing to develop rich flavors and avoid scorching in the bacon fat.
• Cook flour with vegetables for exactly one minute to eliminate raw flour taste and create smooth, creamy chowder consistency.
• Adjust cayenne pepper carefully to match your heat tolerance, adding just a pinch for subtle warmth without overwhelming the dish.
• Cut potatoes into uniform small cubes to ensure even cooking and perfect tenderness throughout the chowder.

Keeping and Warming Up Corn Chowder

• Store the chowder in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Place in the fridge where it will stay fresh for 3-4 days. Keep the container sealed to prevent absorption of other food odors.
• Pour cooled chowder into freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags. Leave about an inch of space at the top for expansion. Freeze for up to 2 months. Label the container with the date to track freshness.
• Transfer a single serving to a microwave-safe bowl. Cover with a microwave-safe lid or plastic wrap with a small vent. Heat on medium power in 30-second intervals, stirring between each interval until heated thoroughly. Add a splash of chicken broth if the chowder seems too thick.
• Pour chowder into a saucepan over medium-low heat. Stir frequently to prevent scorching. Add a little chicken broth or cream to restore the original creamy consistency. Heat until steaming and reaching 165°F internal temperature, which takes about 5-7 minutes.

Best Matches for Corn Chowder

• Bacon-Boosted Wine Pairing: Select a crisp Chardonnay with buttery undertones that complement the chowder's creamy texture and smoky bacon notes.
• Herb-Friendly Bread Match: Serve with a rustic sourdough or garlic-herb focaccia that can soak up the rich broth and provide delightful textural contrast.
• Refreshing Sidekick Beverage: Pour a light wheat beer or crisp pilsner to cut through the chowder's richness and cleanse the palate between spoonfuls.
• Zingy Green Accompaniment: Add a simple arugula salad with lemon vinaigrette to provide a fresh, peppery counterpoint to the hearty, creamy soup.

Corn Chowder Flavor Swaps

• Vegetarian Corn Chowder: Replace bacon with smoked paprika and use vegetable broth. Swap bacon fat with olive oil or butter alternative. Add plant-based protein like diced tofu or tempeh for extra substance.
• Dairy-Free Version: Use coconut milk instead of cream. Replace milk-based ingredients with almond or oat milk. Use nutritional yeast for cheesy flavor and creaminess.
• Low-Carb Adaptation: Swap potatoes with cauliflower chunks. Reduce corn quantity or replace with zucchini. Use xanthan gum instead of flour for thickening. Add extra protein through chicken or additional bacon.
• Spicy Southwest Variation: Add diced green chiles, jalapeños, and cumin. Include chopped cilantro as garnish. Use pepper jack cheese for extra heat. Serve with lime wedges for brightness.

FAQs

• Is this corn chowder spicy?

The chowder has a mild warmth from an optional pinch of cayenne pepper. You can easily adjust the heat level by adding more or skipping the cayenne completely for a milder version.

• Can I make this chowder vegetarian?

Yes, substitute bacon with vegetable bacon or smoked paprika for a similar depth of flavor. Replace chicken broth with vegetable broth and use plant-based cream to create a vegetarian-friendly version.

• What type of corn works best?

Fresh corn kernels are ideal for maximum flavor, but frozen corn is an excellent convenient alternative. If using fresh corn, cut kernels directly off the cob for the sweetest taste.

• How do I prevent the chowder from being too thick or thin?

Control the thickness by adjusting flour quantity or simmering time. If too thick, add more broth; if too thin, continue simmering to reduce and thicken the chowder naturally.

Creamy Corn Chowder Recipe

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4.5 from 34 reviews

• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Hearty Corn Chowder delivers summer’s sweetest harvest in a silky, comforting bowl packed with farm-fresh ingredients. Creamy kernels and rich broth invite you to savor each spoonful of pure countryside comfort.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Protein:

• 4 strips bacon

Main Ingredients:

• 4 cups frozen or fresh corn
• 2 large russet potatoes (peeled & diced)
• 4 cups chicken broth or stock
• 1 cup heavy/whipping cream

Vegetables and Seasonings:

• 1/2 medium onion (chopped small)
• 3 sticks celery (chopped small)
• 2 medium carrots (peeled & chopped small)
• 2 cloves garlic (minced)
• 1/4 cup flour
• 1/4 teaspoon italian seasoning
• 1 pinch cayenne pepper (optional)
• Salt & pepper (to taste)

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Instructions

1. Render bacon pieces in a pot over medium-high heat until crispy and golden, approximately 10 minutes. Transfer crisp bacon to a paper towel-lined plate, preserving two tablespoons of rendered fat in the pot.
2. Sauté chopped onion, celery, and carrots in remaining bacon fat for 5 minutes until vegetables soften and develop slight translucency.
3. Introduce minced garlic and cook briefly, about 30 seconds, ensuring fragrance without burning.
4. Dust vegetables with flour, stirring continuously for one minute to create a thickening base and eliminate raw flour taste.
5. Deglaze the pot with chicken broth, thoroughly dissolving flour and extracting caramelized flavor bits from pot bottom.
6. Incorporate cream, corn kernels, and diced potatoes into the liquid. Sprinkle Italian seasoning and optional cayenne for depth. Mix most of the reserved bacon into the chowder.
7. Elevate heat to high, bringing mixture to a boil, then reduce to a gentle simmer. Partially cover and cook 15-20 minutes, stirring intermittently until potatoes reach fork-tender consistency.
8. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper, tasting progressively. Serve piping hot, garnishing with remaining crisp bacon fragments.

Notes

• Opt for turkey bacon or plant-based bacon alternatives for a lighter version that still delivers smoky depth.
• Replace chicken broth with vegetable broth and skip bacon for a completely meat-free chowder that’s equally delicious.
• For extra creaminess, blend a portion of the corn and potatoes before adding back to the pot, creating a thicker, more luxurious consistency.
• Adjust cayenne pepper to match your heat tolerance, or swap with smoked paprika for a different flavor profile without intense spiciness.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 320
• Sugar: 5 g
• Sodium: 780 mg
• Fat: 20 g
• Saturated Fat: 10 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 32 g
• Fiber: 4 g
• Protein: 7 g
• Cholesterol: 60 mg