Simple Summer Corn Chowder Recipe (Best Ever!)

5 from 11 reviews

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Simple Summer Corn Chowder Recipe (Best Ever!)– is the ultimate celebration of fresh, sweet corn during its peak season! Let’s dive into the heartwarming, smoky flavors that make this dish a standout at any summer table.

Serve with ciabatta bread.

A ladle of the corn chowder soup from the soup pot.
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Best Fresh Corn Chowder

WOW! This corn chowder is filled with all the best flavor. Here’s why you’ll love it:

  • Seasonal Freshness: Utilizing fresh sweet corn at the peak of its season ensures the brightest, sweetest flavors. There’s something truly special about the taste of corn fresh off the cob!
  • Rich and Creamy Texture: Combining half and half or heavy cream with the starchy goodness of Yukon gold potatoes gives this chowder an incredibly satisfying and luxuriously creamy texture.
  • Perfect Balance of Flavors: The bacon’s smokiness complements the corn’s natural sweetness, and the subtle heat from the jalapeno adds just the right amount of spice. Each spoonful is packed with flavors that harmonize wonderfully.
  • Hearty and Filling: This chowder is a meal in itself. The robust combination of bacon, potatoes, and corn makes it hearty enough to fill you up on a cool summer evening or any chilly day.

Whether it’s a casual family dinner or a festive gathering with friends, this chowder fits your dinner plans. It’s also perfect for leftovers, as the flavors continue to meld and develop when refrigerated.

You will also enjoy this baked potato soup, potato corn chowder, and Mexican soup!

A bowl of summer corn chowder with bacon and green onions on top and a spoon in the bowl. Bread on the side.

Simple Ingredients

Fresh Ingredients, Big Flavor: Despite the simplicity of the ingredients, the dish’s flavor profile is deep and complex.

ingredients for corn chowder recipe
  • Fresh Sweet Corn: The star of the show, fresh ears of corn provide a natural sweetness and crisp texture. Fresh corn adds a summery freshness that’s unmatched.
  • Crispy Bacon: Adds a smoky, salty crunch that contrasts nicely with the corn’s sweetness. When rendered, it also contributes a rich base flavor.
  • Butter: Used for sautéing the vegetables, butter imparts a rich flavor and helps form the soup’s creamy base.
  • Yellow Onion: This key aromatic provides a slightly sweet, savory depth foundational to many soups and chowders. You can use red onion.
  • Red Bell Pepper: Adds a mild, sweet flavor and vibrant color, enhancing the visual appeal and taste of the chowder.
  • Jalapeno: This pepper introduces a gentle heat to the dish, perfectly complementing the corn and cream’s sweetness. Removing the seeds moderates the spice level.
  • All-Purpose Flour: Acts as a thickener, giving the chowder its signature hearty and creamy consistency.
  • Garlic Cloves: Offers a pungent, aromatic element that deepens the overall flavor profile of the chowder.
  • Chicken or Vegetable Broth: Serves as the liquid base of the chowder, infusing it with flavor. Using a reduced-sodium broth allows better control over the seasoning.
  • Water: Helps adjust the thickness and quantity of the soup without overpowering the flavors.
  • Half and Half or Heavy Cream: This dairy component is crucial for achieving the rich, creamy texture that makes chowders so delightful.
  • Smoked Paprika: Provides a subtle smokiness that pairs wonderfully with the sweet corn and creamy elements.
  • Salt and Pepper.
  • Yukon Gold Potatoes: These potatoes have a buttery, creamy texture that holds up well in soups, absorbing flavors while adding body to the dish.

See the recipe card for quantities.

How to Make Corn Chowder

The sweet corn flavor of this chowder is unbeatable! It’s one of the best ways to use fresh summer corn. These simple steps make making an amazing chowder easy! See the recipe card at the bottom of the post for more.

How to make simple summer corn chowder step-by-step: cutting the corn off the corn ears.

Cut the corn off the cob.

How to make simple summer corn chowder step-by-step: brown the bacon in the pot.

Cook the bacon in the pot. Remove from pan and save for later.

How to make simple summer corn chowder step-by-step: add veggies to the pot and cook.

Add the veggies and cook.

How to make simple summer corn chowder step-by-step: make a roux with flour and butter and cooked veggies.

Make the roux with the veggies.

How to make simple summer corn chowder step-by-step: add the broth and the rest of the ingredients to the pot.

Add broth, bacon, and other fresh ingredients.

How to make simple summer corn chowder step-by-step: add the heavy cream.

Pour in the heavy cream.

How to make simple summer corn chowder step-by-step: blend some of the soup.

Blend some of the soup.

How to make simple summer corn chowder step-by-step: add the blended soup back to the pot.

Add the blended soup back to the pot and finish cooking.

finished soup in a soup pot.

Enjoy this luscious, creamy chowder filled with summer corn, smoky bacon, and a hint of spice! It’s perfect for a comforting meal any day of the week.

Substitutions

The recipe is easy to adjust based on dietary preferences or whatever you have on hand. Vegetarian? Use vegetable broth. Out of cream? A splash of milk, or even coconut milk, will do in a pinch. You can also use olive oil instead of butter!

A bowl of summer corn chowder with bacon and green onions on top.

Corn Chowder Variations

The next time you make this simple corn chowder change it up as one of those warm-weather soups and try these combinations.

  • Cheesy Corn Chowder: Stir in a cup of shredded cheddar or pepper jack cheese at the end of cooking for a cheesy version of this classic.
  • Chicken Corn Chowder: Add diced cooked chicken breast or leftover rotisserie chicken for additional protein, making it even more filling as a main course.
  • Spicy Chipotle Corn Chowder: Add a chipotle pepper in adobo sauce during the cooking process to inject a smoky, spicy flavor that complements the sweet corn beautifully.

Equipment

Storage

Storing: Let the chowder cool to room temperature before storing. Refrigerate in airtight containers for up to 3-4 days.

Reheating: Reheat the chowder gently on the stove over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally until hot. If the chowder seems too thick, add a little milk or broth to thin it to your desired consistency.

You can also reheat it in the microwave. Use a microwave-safe container, cover it loosely, and heat in short intervals, stirring in between to ensure even heating.

A bowl of summer corn chowder with bacon and green onions on top and a spoon in the bowl.

My Pro Tip

Recipe Tips

  • Use Fresh Corn: Whenever possible, use fresh corn off the cob. It’s sweeter and gives the chowder a fresher, more vibrant flavor. A game changer!
  • Render the Bacon Well: Cook the bacon until it’s really crispy. This will add a nice texture and rich flavor to the chowder. Plus, the rendered fat provides an excellent base for sautéing your vegetables.
  • Sauté Vegetables Properly: Don’t rush the sautéing of your onions, bell peppers, and jalapenos. Cooking them until they’re soft brings out their natural sugars, which adds depth to the chowder’s flavor.

FAQs

Can I use canned corn instead of fresh?

Yes, canned corn can be used if fresh is not available. Drain and rinse it well before using. Remember that fresh corn will give the best flavor and texture to the chowder.

Is this chowder freezer-friendly?

Cream-based soups can sometimes separate when frozen and reheated. However, if you plan to freeze this chowder, you might consider preparing it without the cream and potatoes, adding those when you reheat the soup after thawing. Freeze for up to 3 months in airtight containers.

Can I make this chowder ahead of time?

Yes, you can make this chowder ahead of time. It actually tastes better the next day as the flavors have more time to meld. Store it in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Reheat on the stove over low heat, stirring occasionally.

How do you thicken corn chowder after cooking?

If your chowder is too thin, you can make a slurry by mixing a tablespoon of cornstarch with a little cold water and then stirring it into the chowder. Let it simmer for a few more minutes to thicken. Alternatively (as I do in this recipe), blending a portion of the chowder and adding it back to the pot can also help thicken it without adding extra starch.

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cover photo corn chowder.

Simple Summer Corn Chowder Recipe (Best Ever!)


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5 from 11 reviews

  • Author: Elena
  • Total Time: 45 minutes
  • Yield: 68 servings 1x

Description

Simple Summer Corn Chowder Recipe (Best Ever!)– is the ultimate celebration of fresh, sweet corn during its peak season! Let’s dive into the heartwarming, smoky flavors that make this dish a standout at any summer table.


Ingredients

Units Scale
  • 78 ears fresh sweet corn, kernels cut off (about 5 cups)
  • 5 strips bacon, cut into small pieces
  • 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 1 medium yellow onion, chopped
  • 1/2 red bell pepper, diced
  • 1 jalapeno, diced and seeds removed
  • 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
  • 23 cloves garlic, minced
  • 4 cups reduced-sodium chicken or vegetable broth
  • 1 cup water
  • 2 cups half-and-half or heavy cream
  • 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 3/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 lb Yukon gold potatoes, diced (smaller than 1 inch)

Garnishes:

  • Green onions, chopped
  • Extra bacon, crisped
  • Additional smoked paprika

Instructions

  1. Render Bacon: In a large pot, cook bacon over medium heat until crisp. Remove, drain, and set aside, keeping drippings in the pot.
  2. Sauté Vegetables: Melt butter in the pot with bacon drippings. Sauté the onion, red pepper, and jalapeno until soft, about 3-5 minutes.
  3. Thicken Soup: Stir in flour and garlic and cook for 1 minute. Whisk, or stir in the flour until smooth and no clumps remain. Gradually add broth and water and bring to a boil, about 1 minute, until the flour mixes into the broth.
  4. Add potatoes, corn, half and half (or heavy cream), spices, and half of the cooked bacon—season with paprika, salt, and pepper and cook at a soft boil until the potatoes are fork tender. Stir occasionally.
  5. Once potatoes are cooked, carefully ladle about 3 cups of the soup into a blender and blend until well-pureed. Add this back to the pot and stir. Alternatively, you can use an immersion blender and blend the soup until your preferred consistency (as long as you do not puree the whole soup; you want to thicken it a bit).
  6. Serve: Garnish with green onions, extra bacon, and a sprinkle of smoked paprika. Serve hot with crusty bread. Enjoy!
  • Prep Time: 15 min
  • Cook Time: 30-35 minutes
  • Category: Savory
  • Method: American
  • Cuisine: American

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About Elena

My dream is to share delicious wholesome recipes that you will share around the table with all your loved ones. The memories surrounded by food are the heart and soul of CucinaByElena.

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