Corn Chowder

Delicious, tummy warming, Corn Chowder is good all winter long, cozy on a cold blowy night in front of the fire, or in front of the TV with candles lit nearby . . . here’s how to make it .  . . come and get your happiness! 

First cook 8 slices of thick-cut bacon in a large heavy pan, s l o w l y, which is the trick to crisp but bendy bacon, then drain it on paper towels.  Cut it into 1″ pieces with scissors, and set it aside (hide it from yourself, cover it with a paper towel, you know you ).

Pour off most of the bacon fat, then saute chopped onion and celery in the same pan, scraping up all that bacon goodness, until the veggies are softened, about 10 minutes.  While that’s happening . . .

. . . cut about two cups of fresh corn off the cob, into a wide bowl (in the winter, frozen corn kernels are perfectly fine, unthawed).  (BTW, see that knife?  I can’t say enough good things about it, it’s my favorite knife, does everything, made by Henckels.)

Stir the corn into the sauteed celery and onion; then add sliced carrots, one can of creamed corn, and 4 cups of milk.  Simmer gently for about 25 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the carrots are tender. (The green measuring cup?  Vintage, gotta go looking for it next time you’re out and about!)

In the fall I go out to the garden to collect chives for the finishing touch on this soup.  In winter, I use the tops of green onions, minced . . . and set them aside.

When the 25 minutes is up, stir in a half cup of heavy cream . . .

Then add red pepper flakes, ground sage, and half the reserved bacon pieces.  Stir well, heat through, and either refrigerate until later and reheat, (it’s just as good reheated), or serve immediately . . .

Ladle the chowder into soup bowls and garnish with bacon and minced chives or green onions. And that’s all there is to it!  What’s not to love? Now for the recipe!

C   O   R   N       C   H   O   W   D   E   R

  • 8 strips of thick-cut bacon
  • 1 lg. yellow onion, finely chopped
  • 2 stalks celery, chopped
  • 2 c. fresh or frozen corn kernels
  • 2 large carrots, cut into 1/2″ coins
  • 1-14 oz. can creamed corn
  • 4 c. milk
  • 1/2 c. heavy cream
  • 1/4 to 1/2 tsp. red pepper flakes (to taste; I use almost a half tsp.)
  • 1/4 tsp. ground sage
  • salt and pepper to taste
  • 3 Tbsp. minced fresh chives, or minced green onion tops

In a large heavy saucepan, slowly cook the bacon until very crisp; drain on paper towels; cut with scissors into 1″ pieces and set aside.  Pour off all but 1 Tbsp. bacon fat.  Put onion and celery into pan and cook over med. heat until softened, about 10 min.  Stir in corn, carrots, creamed corn, and milk.  Simmer gently for about 25 minutes; stirring occasionally, until carrots are tender.  Add cream, red pepper flakes, sage and half the reserved bacon pieces.  Heat through, taste for salt and pepper. Serve in soup bowls, garnished with bacon and minced chives/green onion tops. Plenty for six.  (This Corn Chowder is the recipe on page 72 of the AUTUMN BOOK…this is the soup version of that recipe, with more milk and cream added to thin it, but the recipe in the book, with garlic mashed potatoes and scallops is wonderful for a company dinner on a cold blustery night!)

                   

88 Responses to Corn Chowder

  1. Ellen says:

    I can practically taste it. Warm and yummy corn chowder!

  2. Sarah Maldonado says:

    Looks yummy! I especially like that two handled cup/bowl in the final picture. We’re having a gathering here on Tuesday, perhaps corn chowder will be on the menu! And Jack is as precious as ever…

  3. Mary says:

    HI SUSAN I,M ONE OF THOSE LACTOSE INTOLERANCE PEOPLE I CANT WAIT TILL U POST A RECIPE FOR PEOPLE LIKE ME .

    MARY CHICAGO IL

  4. Lynn McCormack says:

    How would potatos be in the chowder

  5. Kathie says:

    Made it today, here on Prince Edward Island – the kitchen is cosy with a fire in the stove and delicious corn chowder simmering on top! Thanks!!

  6. Nnacy Jo says:

    wow, thats a lay down after dinner soup, which is ok with me. Where is my book and light the fire place.
    Nancy Jo

  7. Joannie says:

    Great recipe, I replaced the carrots with potatoes and added a teaspoon of sugar. Love your emails. Joannie

  8. Michelle A says:

    Sounds and looks very yummy! I cant wait to try it. Thanks for sharing!

  9. Carin says:

    We love ALL your recipes,so as the weather turns
    colder we’ll be making your bacon corn chowder.
    Thank you!

  10. Loretta says:

    OMG….that chowder looks soooooooooooo good!!! Can’t wait to try it!! It’s a perfect thing for a cold, rainy, snowy or whatever day! Love the kitties….they are so cute! Have a great day…. loretta

  11. gerri michaels says:

    Buying the ingredients tomorrow :). Thanks Susan. PS- Your cat Jack makes me smile. I LOVE him! Happy Holidays to you and yours.

  12. Genan Kirby says:

    Yum, yum yum. I loved the dancing music with your hohoho cup in your kitchen. 🙂

  13. Betty T says:

    This looks wonderful…I’m interested in seeing your recipe for those that can’t deal with milk…dairy products don’t like me too well… 🙂

  14. Thank you for the recipe!! I am hosting a neighbor family on Tuesday. Last year I made potato soup and they requested soup again this year. It is a young family – and we are an older couple. Their children will come early in the afternoon for crafts and candy making. the youngest child and the parents will join us all for dinner – YOUR soup recipe! – and then my husband reads ‘How the Grinch Stole Christmas’ to the whole group. It has become a yearly tradition. At Halloween – when he read ‘The Ghost Eye Tree’ to the same neighbor kids and their friends on our front porch after the trick or treating was over – they reminded us about the ‘Christmas Time Dinner’ we hosted last year. I love it that children AND their parents want to come to our house and spend time with us!

  15. Jeanne says:

    Make ahead is good cause once family start arriving things get hectic.

  16. Kat says:

    I’m reading this at 6:59 a.m. and I think I want this soup for breakfast….
    Does that dashing diablo Jack also have a goatee? Looks like there’s something under that chin of his—-LOVE HIM!

  17. Oh I am going to make this chowder today!! Sounds perfect Susan!

  18. Charlsey says:

    I made this recipe on Sunday. It was a great hit. I passed it to my daughter who is serving it this week to friends. Thanks so much. Love Jack’s new game, too!

  19. Janice says:

    I know what we are having for dinner…

  20. Susan says:

    I’ll make it and take it to a Christmas party today. I made it before and just loved it! So delightfully delicious! Just what we need a on blowy, rainy-snowy
    mix winter day to warm our hearts and make us merry! Thanks for the recipe
    and pictures to guide all us “servantless cooks”! Merry Christmas!

  21. Crystal Soares says:

    This recipe sounds amazing and I would like to add the potato’s, but how many should I add?

  22. gail says:

    Corn chowder is my very very very favorite soup. My mom used to make it for me all the time when I was growing up and I always order it when it’s on the menu.
    Happy New Year!

  23. Kareng says:

    does this turn out to be a light or thick soup?

    looking for a thicker one-would that be corn stew?

    Thanks! love all things Branch 🙂

    • sbranch says:

      It’s thick, but to make sure, don’t put in all the milk, just enough to make it the way you want. It’s such a delicious recipe, I’m sure you will love it!

  24. Linda Sanderson says:

    Mmmm, this recipe sounds so good! Can’t wait to try it. It is great to see that darling Jack in his younger version, the day you brought him home. I absolutely love watching kittens grow into cats and discovering all their wonderful little quirks that make them who they are. Enjoy fall, everyone! Our colors here in Michigan are just starting, but they are really dramatic and beautiful!

  25. Kathleen Hirst says:

    Hi Susan, As I am typing, I am printing out this recipe. One night this week I am thinking of making it. Your kitchen looks lovely. I love the color you picked for the walls. I think Jack is quite dashing. I love taxedo cats. His markings are gorgeous. By the way, I can’t wait til your new book comes out. I have everyone of your books so far. Please keep up the wonderful work.

    Thank you Susan!

  26. Joannie says:

    I thought my corn chowder recipe was the best, but I,m happy to say yours is better. Love to all.

  27. Kathye Ogle says:

    I have made this chowder so many times and just love it! I’m going to make some tonight because it’s the first day of October and it is perfect for this time of year….

  28. Bonnie Hisgen says:

    I am having a going away lunch for a sweet lady later this month. Now I know just what I’m going to make. It sounds wonderful. Also will have the Apple Cider going to make our home smell yummy and oh so fall like.
    I love to read your blogs and see the beautiful pictures you share.

  29. Jojo says:

    We are making this for dinner tonight as a cold front is supposed to move through. This chowder along with some homemade bread will make a perfect feast.

  30. Kathye says:

    I am already in love with this chowder but now am obsessed with the bowl in the picture! May I ask what pattern it is please? Love your books and the site. Happy autumn!

  31. Kathye says:

    Oops, I should have read through all the previous comments as i see you already said what the pattern on the china is…..thanks <3

  32. Kathy L (Topaz112) says:

    That corn chowder looks scrumpdidelicious…will be making it real soon! Love the comfort food this time of year — mac and cheese, pot roast and mashed potatoes, soups…yummee. Love the leaves in your windows and Jack too. Happy Fall to all!

  33. Diana - Highland, IL says:

    Hi.. and happy fall.. been off the grid (internet) for a few days, but come back to this wonderful post and recipe!!! I make a sausage corn chowder that is a family favorite, but will have to try this one and compare! I am sure it will be good.. I will also add potatoes and leave out the carrots.. don’t care for cooked carrots, but give me the raw ones and I am happy.. I am a strange one! LOL… Going to a CARDINALS ballgame tonight.. Hope we can clinch the playoff spot and THAT is for sure a sign fall is here!!! Love to all the girlfriends and enjoy the day! Hopefully tomorrow I can get the rest of my decorations up. Wnat to have them up before we leave on vacation!! WHOO HOO!!

  34. Ellen says:

    This chowder is simmering away on my stove while I am typing! Smells and looks delicious. I’m so glad to have it since I can’t seem to find your Autumn book anywhere. Any chance it will be in print again?

  35. Judy from Kansas City says:

    I am going to try the corn chowder looks yummy! I am also craving pumpkin soup ! Do you have a good recipe for that Susan? Loving the change of seasons! Your blog is an inspiration !!!

  36. pauline stacey says:

    I am in England, and a friend in Maine, just gave me the link to your blog..

    oh my! I am ecstatic …. thankyou so much.. going to have to make this…

  37. Julie Stansbury says:

    There is a restaurant in Carmel,Ca. that makes a corn chowder with clams. I have it everytime we go there. I am going to make your recipe and add clams or crab. What do you think? Love your blog.

  38. Tereese Smaldino Radenbaugh says:

    Made it tonight. Delicious.

  39. Ben says:

    So far I haven’t found any meal (either baked, fried or cooked) that can’t substitute “So Delicious unsweetened coconut milk” for milk. And for heavy cream use thick canned coconut milk. I didn’t realize this until about half a year ago!

    I’m excited to try this because due to my many allergies to food (dairy, soy, gluten, and Eggs to start the list…) I have never been able to eat any kind of chowder. This one caught my interest 🙂

  40. Paula says:

    Just made your French Chicken Soup from your Autumn book….oh my goodness!!! Soooooooooo delicious!! Corn chowder is coming up next!

  41. Diane Harris says:

    Everything is better with B*A*C*O*N!

  42. rjchiodini says:

    i made your corn chowder for our wed night church last night…we were having a chili/soup cook off…i won second prize…wooden spoons!! thank you for sharing love love love your cookbooks!
    !

  43. Posted a link to your yummy corn chowder on my Facebook post tonight. It was absolutely mouth-watering yummy!!! Thanks for the sharing the deliciousness! facebook.com/mitch.kinder.1 (I made this post done at 6:35pm EST on 12/27/13 “public” so you can see the pic). I like that this has varying flavors and textures so it isn’t so bland and totally ‘corny’ haha 🙂 Thanks so much again Susan!

  44. Ann Jane Koerber says:

    I remember as a child, the “chow-dah’s” that my Nana in Maine made during the long, long winters and I grew up LOVING them. I’m happy to say that I’m a Nana now, in Massachusetts, and have her recipes and make soup or “chow-dah” or stews at least once a week in the winter. This Corn Chow-dah recipe that you share is splendid! That’s the fun of making these wonderful creations……you can tweak it anyway you want and it’s still delicious! LOVE the bacon garnish! Nana used salt port for flavor, but I have not been able to find the proper salt pork (with fat)…….so also use bacon for flavor. Do you realize, Susan, how much your blogs mean to your girlfriends? I know I love visiting it, and by the looks of all of the comments I’ve seen, hundreds of others do too! Thank You!!

  45. GardenBar says:

    It looks so beautiful and yummy. Thank you for the delicious recipe.

  46. Sheryl Kirk says:

    Hello from smoky California………..I am Sheryl from Magalia…..you know half our town burned in the 2018 Campfire along with all of Paradise. Well, we just had a week….another fire came close, called the Bear Fire. I feel safe now, but we are still packed for evacuation. Your post always takes me away to a safe, warm and cozy place. I want to make a corn chowder, but started a vegan type diet…no heavy cream or milk..no dairy..I am thinking of making this with Almond milk. What do you think??

    • sbranch says:

      I adore almond milk. I bet it will make it interesting. Possibly even better! Sage and almonds? Corn and almonds? Onions and almonds? How can it not be good? I would try it!

  47. Deb Pelton says:

    Hi Susan! This corn chowder looks wonderful! Have always made the one from Fanny Farmer’s but this sounds even better! Making your herb roasted chicken Sunday. Haven’t made it in awhile! Hubby can’t wait as it’s one of his very favorites! Also trying your chili recipe. Just got Autumn cookbook but haven’t really had time to read it yet. How I don’t have any extra time now that I’m retired I’ll never know. Think I’m just getting old and slow but I still feel young and fast! Guess that’s the important thing! Enjoy your fall, it too is my most favorite season!

  48. Victoria says:

    I am making this today. First football game today and seems like a chowder kind of day. 😋

  49. Martha Martinez says:

    Will have to try this with turkey bacon, or vegetarian style, and see how it turns out. I think it will be delish either way!!

  50. Collette says:

    I have your lovely Autumn book on my coffee table. Just ordered the ingredients for this delicious looking soup for curbside pick up in the morning! I look forward to making it for the first time this weekend! It will be turning cold Monday!

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