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A steaming bowl of hearty corn chowder, ready to eat

Corn Chowder

This recipe provides three delicious variations of corn chowder, offering creamy, spicy, and smoky flavors tailored to different preferences. Each version is hearty and perfect for a comforting meal.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Servings: 4 people
Calories: 350
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Basic Corn Chowder
  • 2 tbsp unsalted butter
  • 1 yellow onion chopped
  • 2 celery stalks chopped
  • 2 garlic cloves minced
  • 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
  • 4 cups vegetable broth
  • 2 medium potatoes peeled and diced
  • 4 cups fresh or frozen corn kernels
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper
For the Smoky Bacon Corn Chowder (Variation 1)
  • 4 bacon slices cooked and crumbled
For the Spicy Jalapeño Corn Chowder (Variation 2)
  • 1 jalapeño seeded and minced
  • 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
For the Herbed Ricotta Corn Chowder (Variation 3)
  • 1/2 cup ricotta cheese
  • 2 tbsp fresh chives chopped

Equipment

  • Large Pot
  • Whisk
  • Knife and Cutting Board

Method
 

Basic Corn Chowder
  1. Melt butter in a large pot over medium heat, then add onion and celery, cooking until softened for about 5-7 minutes.
  2. Stir in minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant, then whisk in flour and cook for 2 minutes forming a roux.
  3. Gradually pour in vegetable broth, stirring constantly to prevent lumps, then bring the mixture to a simmer.
  4. Add diced potatoes and cook for 10-15 minutes until tender, then stir in corn kernels and simmer for 5 minutes.
  5. Reduce heat to low, stir in heavy cream, and season with salt and pepper, being careful not to boil after adding cream.
Smoky Bacon Corn Chowder
  1. Prepare the basic corn chowder as directed in steps 1-5.
  2. Stir in the crumbled bacon just before serving, garnishing with extra bacon if desired.
Spicy Jalapeño Corn Chowder
  1. Prepare the basic corn chowder as directed in steps 1-5.
  2. Add minced jalapeño along with the onions and celery in step 1, and stir in cayenne pepper with the salt and black pepper in step 5.
Herbed Ricotta Corn Chowder
  1. Prepare the basic corn chowder as directed in steps 1-5.
  2. Gently fold in ricotta cheese at the very end, just before serving, and garnish with fresh chopped chives.

Notes

For extra flavor, roast the corn before adding it to the chowder. Adjust spice levels according to your preference. This chowder can be made vegetarian by omitting bacon or using a plant-based cream alternative.