Easy Corn Chowder Soup Recipe

Corn chowder soup-there’s something incredibly comforting about this dish. It’s the kind of soup that can warm you from the inside out, filling your kitchen with an inviting, hearty aroma that instantly makes you feel at home. Whether you’re preparing it for a family dinner, a casual weeknight meal, or a cozy weekend gathering, corn chowder has that perfect balance of richness and lightness. The creamy texture, sweet pops of corn, and subtle seasoning work together harmoniously, creating a bowl of comfort food that’s hard to beat. And the best part? It’s incredibly easy to make!

Let’s dive into a foolproof Easy Corn Chowder Soup Recipe that you can whip up in no time. No fancy skills required-just a handful of ingredients and a little patience while the flavors meld together. Whether you’re an experienced cook or someone just starting out in the kitchen, this recipe is sure to be a hit. Ready? Let’s go!

Here’s a no-fuss corn chowder recipe that delivers maximum flavor with minimal effort. It combines the natural sweetness of corn with a creamy base, making it irresistibly comforting. Best of all, it’s ready in under an hour!

Ingredients Needed

2 Cups Of Fresh Or Frozen Corn Kernels

The star of the show! Whether it’s fresh off the cob or frozen from your last summer haul, the corn gives the chowder its signature sweetness and texture.
4 Slices Of Bacon (or ½ Cup Of Bacon Bits)

Bacon brings a salty, savory depth that balances out the natural sweetness of the corn. If you’re not a fan of bacon, turkey bacon or pancetta could be an interesting swap.
1 Medium Onion (diced)

Onion adds a layer of savoriness that complements both the corn and the bacon, infusing the chowder with a rich base flavor.
2 Cloves Of Garlic (minced)

Garlic is the seasoning hero in this dish. It’s subtle but adds a depth of flavor that makes the chowder feel well-rounded.
3 Medium Potatoes (peeled And Diced)

Potatoes add heartiness to the chowder. They absorb the flavors around them, creating little pockets of comfort in every bite.
4 Cups Of Chicken Or Vegetable Broth

The broth is the foundation of your soup’s liquid. Chicken broth will give it a more robust flavor, but vegetable broth works just as well if you’re looking for something lighter or vegetarian.
1 Cup Of Heavy Cream

The secret to that creamy texture! Heavy cream adds richness to the chowder, making it feel indulgent and smooth. If you’re looking for a lighter option, half-and-half can work too.
Salt And Pepper To Taste

Simple, yet essential! These basic seasonings enhance the natural flavors of the soup.
Fresh Herbs (optional)

Think thyme, parsley, or even dill-adding fresh herbs at the end of cooking can elevate the dish and give it a bit of brightness.

Cooking Instructions

Now that we have our ingredients, let’s walk through the easy steps to create this corn chowder:

Cook The Bacon

In a large pot, cook the bacon over medium heat until crispy. This should take about 5-7 minutes. Remove the bacon from the pot and set it aside, leaving some of the rendered fat in the pot to cook the vegetables.
Sauté The Onion And Garlic

In the same pot, add the diced onion. Sauté for about 3-4 minutes, or until it becomes translucent. Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute. You’ll start to smell that savory base forming-yum!
Add The Potatoes And Broth

Toss in the diced potatoes and pour in the chicken or vegetable broth. Stir everything together, bring it to a boil, and then reduce the heat to a simmer. Let it cook for about 10-15 minutes, or until the potatoes are tender and can easily be pierced with a fork.
Add The Corn And Cream

Once the potatoes are cooked through, add the corn and pour in the heavy cream. Stir well and let it cook for another 5-7 minutes, until the soup is hot and the flavors have melded together.
Season And Finish

Season your chowder with salt and pepper to taste. Crumble the cooked bacon into small pieces and stir it into the soup, reserving a little for garnish if you’d like. You can also sprinkle fresh herbs on top for extra flavor and color.
Serve And Enjoy!

Ladle the chowder into bowls, garnish with the reserved bacon and herbs, and serve it up hot!

Ingredient Insights

Let’s take a deeper dive into some of the key ingredients:

Corn: Corn isn’t just the main ingredient in this chowder-it’s also the flavor backbone. Its natural sweetness pairs so well with the savory bacon and creamy broth. Fresh corn brings more of a crunchy texture, while frozen corn can be just as sweet and offers more convenience. Both types work wonders!
Bacon: Bacon not only adds flavor, but it also helps develop a rich, deep umami taste in the soup. The rendered bacon fat is essential for sautéing the onion and garlic, giving the entire soup a savory foundation.
Potatoes: Potatoes absorb the flavors around them and add a satisfying creaminess to the soup. They’re also perfect for helping thicken the chowder without using flour or other thickeners. The starch released by the potatoes naturally thickens the broth.
Cream: The heavy cream gives the soup that velvety, indulgent texture we all love. If you want to cut back on calories, half-and-half can be used as a substitute, but don’t expect the same level of richness.

Expert Tips

For extra creamy chowder: After the potatoes are cooked, you can use an immersion blender to puree part of the soup. This will create a thicker, more velvety base without needing to add any additional flour or thickeners.
Use fresh corn when possible: While frozen corn is convenient, fresh corn on the cob can bring an added sweetness and flavor. If you use fresh, cut the kernels off the cob after boiling or grilling it for extra flavor depth.
Garnish with crispy bacon and herbs: Don’t skip the final touch! A little extra bacon and fresh herbs will elevate the chowder both in taste and presentation.
Make it spicy: If you like a little kick, add some red pepper flakes or a pinch of cayenne pepper during the cooking process to infuse the soup with heat.

Recipe Variations

Vegetarian Corn Chowder: Skip the bacon and use olive oil to sauté the vegetables. Opt for vegetable broth instead of chicken broth, and make sure to use a non-dairy cream (like coconut milk or cashew cream) for richness.
Add vegetables: You can include other vegetables such as bell peppers, celery, or carrots to add more texture and flavor. Just dice them small so they cook at the same rate as the potatoes.
Smoky Corn Chowder: Try adding smoked paprika or even a small amount of smoked sausage for an extra layer of smokiness and depth.
Corn and Shrimp Chowder: If you’re in the mood for seafood, shrimp can be a great addition. Just sauté them separately and add them at the end of cooking to avoid overcooking them.

Final Words

Corn chowder is the epitome of comfort food-rich, creamy, and utterly satisfying. It’s easy to make, adaptable to different dietary needs, and perfect for almost any occasion. Whether you stick with the classic recipe or get creative with variations, you’re guaranteed a delicious bowl of goodness. And the best part? It’s a recipe that you can make your own, adjusting seasonings, textures, and ingredients based on what you love most.

Easy Corn Chowder Soup Recipe