Hearty Sweet Corn Chowder Recipe

Cozy Up with a Soul-Warming Sweet Corn Chowder Recipe

Golden kernels bursting with summer sweet corn chowder dance effortlessly in a creamy, rich broth that promises comfort in every spoonful.

Corn harvested at peak ripeness brings vibrant flavor to this classic soup.

Regional ingredients merge seamlessly, creating a dish that warms from the inside out.

Fresh herbs and vegetables mingle with tender potato chunks, adding depth and texture.

Simmering slowly allows each ingredient to release its unique essence into the broth.

Creamy, satisfying, and packed with wholesome goodness, this chowder delivers a symphony of flavors that will have everyone asking for seconds.

Serve this hearty meal and watch as smiles spread around the table.

Best Ways to Serve Sweet Corn Chowder

  • Cozy Comfort Companion: Pair this chowder with warm, crusty bread to soak up every delicious spoonful and enhance the hearty dining experience.
  • Protein Power Boost: Top the chowder with grilled chicken strips or crispy shredded rotisserie chicken for a protein-packed meal that turns this soup into a complete dinner.
  • Salad Sidekick: Serve alongside a crisp mixed green salad with a light vinaigrette to balance the chowder's creamy texture and add a fresh, zesty contrast to the rich soup.
  • Bacon Lover's Dream: Sprinkle extra crispy bacon bits on top for added crunch and smoky flavor, transforming this already delicious chowder into a crowd-pleasing comfort food sensation.

Store and Reheat Sweet Corn Chowder Easily

  • Quick Refrigeration Strategy: Store leftover chowder in airtight containers within 2 hours of cooking. Seal tightly to maintain freshness and prevent absorption of other refrigerator odors.
  • Optimal Cooling Timeframe: Keeps well in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. Cool completely before transferring to storage containers to prevent bacterial growth.
  • Smart Reheating Technique: Warm gently on stovetop over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally. Add a splash of additional broth or milk to restore original creamy consistency if needed. Avoid microwave to prevent separation of dairy components.
  • Freezing Recommendation: Can be frozen up to 2 months. Separate into individual portions for easier thawing. Expect slight texture changes upon defrosting – cream might slightly separate but will recombine with gentle stirring. Thaw overnight in refrigerator before reheating.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes

Total Time: 35 minutes

Calories: 285 kcal

Servings: 6

Ingredients to Make Sweet Corn Chowder Creamy & Rich

For Base Ingredients:
  • Butter or Oil: Brings rich flavor and helps sauté vegetables smoothly without sticking.
  • Onion: Adds sweet, aromatic foundation to the chowder's depth.
  • Garlic: Provides intense, sharp flavor that enhances overall taste profile.
  • Celery: Contributes crisp texture and subtle herbal undertone to the base.
For Hearty Vegetables:
  • Potatoes: Delivers creamy thickness and satisfying starchy substance to the chowder.
  • Sweet Corn: Brings natural sweetness and vibrant sunshine-like color to the dish.
For Liquid and Seasoning Components:
  • Vegetable Broth: Creates savory liquid base that infuses deep, comforting flavor.
  • Salt: Balances and intensifies all ingredient flavors.
  • Black Pepper: Adds gentle warmth and subtle spiciness.
  • Smoked Paprika: Introduces smoky, complex undertone that elevates overall taste.
  • Dried Thyme: Offers earthy, herbaceous note that complements vegetables.
  • Milk: Provides silky, smooth texture to the chowder.
  • Cornstarch: Helps thicken soup without creating heavy consistency.
  • Heavy Cream: Adds luxurious richness and velvety mouthfeel.
  • Cheese: Optional ingredient that brings tangy, melty complexity.
For Garnish:
  • Fresh Parsley: Adds bright, fresh finishing touch with vibrant green color.
  • Bacon: Optional crispy topping that introduces smoky, salty crunch.

Tools for Cooking Sweet Corn Chowder Smoothly

  • Large pot: Essential for sautéing vegetables and simmering the chowder.
  • Cutting board: Needed for chopping onions, garlic, and celery.
  • Sharp knife: Perfect for precise vegetable preparation.
  • Measuring cups and spoons: Help accurately measure ingredients.
  • Wooden spoon or spatula: Great for stirring and mixing ingredients.
  • Immersion blender (optional): Useful for creating a creamier soup texture.
  • Ladle: Helps serve the hot chowder.

Directions for Sweet Corn Chowder Done Right

  • Fire Up the Flavor Base

Warm a splash of oil in a big pot. Toss in diced onions, minced garlic, and chopped celery. Dance those veggies around until they soften and release their delicious aroma.

  • Bring in the Hearty Goodness

Tumble in chunky potato cubes and sweet corn kernels. Let them mingle with the sautéed vegetables.

  • Create a Liquid Symphony

Pour in savory broth and sprinkle in seasonings. Let the mixture bubble up, then dial down the heat. Allow everything to simmer gently until potatoes turn tender and dreamy.

  • Transform the Texture

Whisk in some milk mixed with cornstarch to give the chowder a luxurious, creamy consistency. Let it bubble softly for a few more minutes.

  • Optional Smooth Operator

For extra creaminess, grab an immersion blender and partially puree the soup. Keep some chunky bits for texture excitement.

  • Final Flavor Boost

Swirl in rich cream and sprinkle in cheese. Taste and adjust seasonings until it sings with deliciousness.

  • Serve with Style

Ladle into warm bowls. Garnish with fresh herbs and crispy bacon bits if you’re feeling fancy. Enjoy this comfort in a bowl!

Tricks to Boost Sweet Corn Chowder Flavor

  • Perfect Texture Tricks: Blend carefully to maintain some corn and potato chunks for a rustic, homemade feel that adds delightful texture to every spoonful.
  • Dairy-Free Hack: Swap heavy cream and milk with coconut milk or almond milk for a creamy plant-based version that remains rich and satisfying.
  • Vegetable Swap Magic: Experiment with seasonal vegetables like diced zucchini or bell peppers to add extra nutrition and create exciting flavor variations.
  • Low-Carb Option: Replace potatoes with cauliflower florets to reduce carbohydrates while maintaining the chowder's creamy, comforting essence.
  • Protein Power-Up: Stir in cooked diced chicken, shrimp, or crispy bacon after blending to transform this chowder into a complete meal with added protein.
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Hearty Sweet Corn Chowder Recipe

Hearty Sweet Corn Chowder Recipe


5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.6 from 16 reviews

  • Total Time: 35 minutes
  • Yield: 7 1x

Description

Rich and creamy sweet corn chowder celebrates summer’s golden harvest with a comforting blend of kernels, potatoes, and smoky bacon. Home cooks can savor this hearty soup’s warm embrace and regional American charm.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 3 cups (450g) sweet corn (fresh, frozen, or canned)
  • 2 medium potatoes, peeled and diced
  • 3 cups (720 ml) vegetable or chicken broth
  • 1 cup (240 ml) milk or half-and-half
  • 2 ribs celery, diced
  • 1 small onion, diced
  • ½ cup (120 ml) heavy cream (optional, for extra creaminess)
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tbsp butter or olive oil
  • 1 tsp salt (adjust to taste)
  • ½ tsp black pepper
  • ½ tsp smoked paprika (optional, for depth)
  • ½ tsp dried thyme
  • 2 tbsps cornstarch (mixed with 2 tbsps water, for thickening)
  • ½ cup (60g) shredded cheddar cheese (optional, for extra richness)
  • 2 tbsps chopped fresh parsley (for garnish)
  • 2 slices cooked bacon, crumbled (optional topping)

Instructions

  1. Sauté Base: Melt butter in a large pot over medium heat. Combine onions, garlic, and celery, cooking until vegetables become translucent and release their aromatic essence, creating a flavorful foundation for the chowder.
  2. Build Layers: Add potatoes and sweet corn kernels to the vegetable mixture, ensuring even distribution and allowing ingredients to marry their flavors seamlessly.
  3. Develop Broth: Pour in broth, seasoning with salt, black pepper, smoked paprika, and dried thyme. Bring to a robust boil, then reduce to a gentle simmer, allowing ingredients to infuse and tenderize for approximately 15 minutes.
  4. Thicken and Enrich: Prepare a cornstarch slurry by whisking milk until smooth. Gradually incorporate into the simmering chowder, stirring consistently to achieve a velvety texture. Use an immersion blender to partially puree the soup, preserving some vegetable and corn chunks for rustic appeal.
  5. Finalize and Finish: Stir in heavy cream and optional shredded cheese, blending until fully integrated. Adjust seasonings to balance the chowder’s depth of flavor. Serve piping hot, garnishing with fresh parsley and optional crispy bacon crumbles to elevate the dish’s complexity and texture.

Notes

  • Control Corn Texture: Avoid overcooking corn kernels to maintain their sweet, crisp texture and prevent turning mushy during simmering.
  • Create Creamy Consistency: Whisk cornstarch slurry carefully to prevent lumps and ensure smooth, velvety soup thickness without separating.
  • Boost Flavor Depth: Toast spices briefly before adding liquids to enhance their aromatic profiles and develop richer, more complex taste notes.
  • Customize Dietary Needs: Swap dairy milk with plant-based alternatives like almond or oat milk for lactose-free version; use vegetable broth for vegetarian adaptation.
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 20 minutes
  • Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
  • Method: Sautéing
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 7
  • Calories: 250
  • Sugar: 5g
  • Sodium: 500mg
  • Fat: 12g
  • Saturated Fat: 6g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 4g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 30g
  • Fiber: 3g
  • Protein: 7g
  • Cholesterol: 30mg
William Hawkins

William Hawkins

Founder & Culinary Director

Expertise

  • Modern American and Southern Cuisine
  • Farm-to-Table Practices
  • Restaurant Concept Development
  • Culinary Education and Mentorship​

Education

Sullivan University, Louisville, KY

  • Degree: Associate of Science in Culinary Arts
  • Focus: Focused on mastering culinary methods and food science, immersive externships, hands‑on training in industry‑standard kitchen labs, and equipping graduates for roles in restaurant operations.

William Hawkins isn’t just a chef, he’s a storyteller through food. From his hometown of Louisville, KY, he’s spent years refining his craft, turning local ingredients into something extraordinary. 

With classical training from Sullivan University and a career marked by innovation, mentorship, and Southern soul, William approaches every recipe with purpose. His kitchen is where old techniques meet fresh ideas, and where comfort food gets a thoughtful, modern twist. 

When he’s not building dishes from the ground up, he’s out gathering inspiration from nature, markets, and the stories people share around the table.

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