Chunky Corn Chowder

I pulled this recipe for Fresh Corn Chowder from a hand-written note in an old recipe box, and it’s one of my favorites.  Loaded with fresh, chunky vegetables, this is a great soup recipe to keep on hand for fresh or frozen corn.

Love soup? Try this Chicken Sausage Tortellini Soup …warming and delicious any time of year!

Why You’ll Love this Recipe

It’s officially soup season, and this hearty corn chowder recipe is packed with fresh vegetables and great flavor. Warm soups are really welcoming when the weather is a bit chilly.

Here are the things to love about this delicious recipe:

• Coconut milk is used in place of cream, and gives the soup a silky, creamy texture
• Use fresh summer corn right off the cob or frozen corn…either will work well in this recipe
• This simple soup is easy to put together and doesn’t need hours on the stove
• It’s a very good starter for something like Classic Chicken Marsala or even a Shredded Chicken Burrito Bowl.
• After that, why not some Decorated Chocolate Covered Strawberries, Mini Caramel Apple Pies, or some Lemon Shortbread Cookies? 

Ingredients You’ll Need

For the full ingredient list and directions, please scroll down to the recipe card below. 

• Butter:  Unsalted is best
• Onions:  Both a yellow onion and a chopped leek.
• Celery, Red Bell Peppers, Carrot:  Chopped fine for color and flavor.
• Potatoes: Red or gold, about 3 cups
• Corn:  Fresh, sweet corn with the kernels cut off the cob
• Seasonings:  Miso paste, garlic powder, salt, black pepper and don’t forget a bay leaf!
• Coconut milk:  For a rich flavor in place of heavy cream
• Italian Parsley:  Chopped fine for serving.

Step-by-Step Instructions

For the full recipe and instructions, please scroll to the recipe card below.

1. Cut the vegetables – celery, onion, leek, green, peppers, carrot and cook until soft
2. Add the chopped potatoes
3. Add the broth, fresh corn kernels and seasonings
4. Gentle simmer for a bit
5. Add the coconut milk
6. Process a little bit (a cup) in the blender or with an immersion blender for overall creaminess.
7. Garnish and serve!

Cook the Vegetables

1. Make this simple corn chowder by adding the onion, leek and celery and cook on medium-high heat heat to a dutch oven until it starts to get soft, about 5 minutes.
2. Be sure to stir the bottom of the pan to scrape any bits, this is where much of the flavor is.
3. Add the chopped green and red pepper along with the carrots and continue cooking another 5 minutes or so until soft.  Make sure the mixture doesn’t brown.
4. Continue with the recipe by adding the vegetable broth and other ingredients.

Tips for Using Fresh Corn

You can use sweet summer corn for this recipe, but frozen corn works great for this recipe too.

Here’s some tips for cutting fresh corn off the cob:

1. Remove all the green outer leaves of the corn first, including the silky strings as best you can, then wash the ears and dry them with a clean kitchen towel.
2. Stand the corn cob ear up in a large bowl or cutting board with the bottom (larger end) down.
3. Cut the kernels off from the top to the bottom with a sharp knife, working on one side at a time.
4. Cut downward, as close to the base of the corn as you can.
5. The corn kernels are now ready to use

Expert Tips and Serving Suggestions

This chowder recipe is easy to make, and everyone I’ve ever served it to loves it. Here are some favorite ideas:

• How about some big warm bowls with a hearty sandwich like Naan BLT with Sun Dried Tomato Mayo or this outstanding Turkey Burger?
• Why not serve it with several different soups, like this non-dairy Pumpkin Soup and this delicious Chicken Sausage Tortellini Soup?
• I hosted a gathering just like that once, with three soups and a few salads, like Pan Roasted Pear Salad, Blackberry Goat Cheese Salad or even this very best rotisserie Chicken Salad.
• Finish it off with something simple for dessert, maybe some Triple Chocolate Cookies, or these amazing Mini Strawberry Pies!

Frequently Asked Questions

If you’ve tried Chunky Corn Chowder, or any other recipe on Studio Delicious, please rate the recipe 5 stars and tell me about it in the comments below!

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More Recipes To Try:

Superfood Salad: So good for you and super delicious too!

Apple Upside Down Cake: A seasonal favorite, and it’s a keeper

Fresh Figs, Three Ways Be inspired with new ways to eat fresh figs!

This post was updated with new text and instructions September, 2021. Original post:

I have a sign hanging on my front porch that says “Dogs Welcome, Children Must Be On A Leash.” The local Pop Warner kids came to the door selling tickets the other day and did not get the joke (“why do we have to be on a leash?”) I haven’t laughed that hard in months 🙂

Besides kids back in school fundraising for youth sports, there are signs of fall everywhere. People are tidying their yards, sweeping the garage and putting lawn furniture away. The dreaded Annual Garage Cleaning still needs to happen.

Yesterday morning I slipped on a warm jacket and went for a walk in the neighborhood, where I ran into a record number of neighbors who were friendly and chatty. Up here in the mountains, word of mouth is the primary source of news. We talked about neighborly things like getting our snowblowers serviced (there’s a long wait this year) and trimming our trees and bushes before the snow flies.

I was sad to hear the neighbors down the street are moving south – this happens a lot before winter sets in – and while I don’t blame them, I’ll miss them and their dogs. All of this walking and talking and chilly air made me crave a warm bowl of Fresh Corn Chowder.

This version is lighter than most because of using coconut milk instead of heavy cream, and by pureeing a cup or so and adding it back to the pot. Most of these ingredients are at their peak right now, so seek them out and enjoy the fall glory 🙂