The Creamiest Slow Cooker Corn Chowder Recipe Ever Made

Slow cooker corn chowder redefines humble ingredients into a luxurious culinary experience that resonates with comfort and nostalgia.

Gentle simmering coaxes deep, rich flavors from sweet kernels and hearty vegetables, creating a symphony of taste and texture.

Each spoonful promises a velvety embrace that speaks to traditional home cooking with modern convenience.

Regional variations showcase how this classic soup adapts to local ingredients and family traditions.

Creamy undertones blend seamlessly with rustic elements, offering a balanced and satisfying meal that feels both familiar and exciting.

Nutritious and filling, this chowder represents more than just a dish – it’s a warm hug in a bowl.

Why This Corn Chowder Is Creamy, Cozy, and Crockpot-Ready

• Unleash Effortless Comfort: This slow cooker corn chowder transforms simple ingredients into a hearty meal with minimal kitchen effort, letting the appliance do all the hard work while you relax.
• Texture Treasure Trove: Blending part of the chowder creates a creamy base while keeping some corn and potato chunks delivers an incredibly satisfying mouthfeel that keeps every spoonful interesting.
• Nutrient-Packed Winter Warmer: Packed with vegetables, this chowder offers a balanced nutritional profile, delivering 7g of protein and only 250 calories per serving, making it a guilt-free and nourishing meal for cold days.
• Flexible Flavor Canvas: Easily customize with optional toppings like crispy bacon, smoked ham, or shredded cheese, allowing each person to personalize their bowl and elevate the dining experience.

The Simple Ingredients That Make Big Flavor Happen

• Corn, Onion, Carrots, Celery, Garlic: Fresh vegetables provide a sweet and savory base with robust flavor and aromatic depth for the chowder.
• Potatoes: Starchy and hearty vegetable that creates rich, creamy texture and helps thicken the soup.
• Broth: Foundational liquid that adds depth and supports overall soup consistency.
• Thyme, Bay Leaf: Classic herbs that contribute warm, earthy undertones and complex flavor profile.
• Salt, Pepper: Essential seasonings for balancing and enhancing the overall taste.
• Butter, Cream, Half-and-Half: Rich dairy elements that create luxurious, smooth texture and add creamy richness.
• Bacon, Smoked Ham, Cheddar Cheese, Chives: Optional garnishes that provide extra flavor, texture, and visual appeal.

How to Build a Chowder That Warms You to the Core

Step 1: Prepare Vegetables and Corn

Finely chop the onion, dice the carrots and celery, mince the garlic, and peel and cube the potatoes. If using fresh corn, shuck it and remove the kernels from the cob.

Step 2: Combine Ingredients in Slow Cooker

• Corn kernels
• Chopped onion
• Diced carrots
• Diced celery
• Minced garlic
• Cubed potatoes

Pour in the broth and add thyme and bay leaf. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Step 3: Slow Cook the Chowder

Mix all ingredients thoroughly and cover the slow cooker with its lid. Cook on low for 7-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours until potatoes are tender and easily pierced with a fork.

Step 4: Blend and Finish the Chowder

Remove the bay leaf carefully. Use an immersion blender to partially blend the chowder, leaving some chunks for texture. Stir in butter and cream (or half-and-half). Taste and adjust the seasoning as needed.

Step 5: Serve and Garnish

• Crispy bacon bits
• Diced smoked ham
• Shredded cheddar cheese
• Freshly chopped chives

Tips for Smooth, Sweet, and Satisfying Spoonfuls

• Chop Uniformly: Ensure vegetables are cut to similar sizes for even cooking and consistent texture throughout the chowder.
• Layer Flavors Strategically: Add garlic and herbs at the beginning to infuse deeper, richer taste into the entire dish.
• Customize Creaminess: Control thickness by adjusting blending technique – blend more for smoother consistency or less for chunkier texture.
• Select Fresh Corn Wisely: Use fresh sweet corn kernels during summer for maximum natural sweetness and vibrant flavor profile.
• Enhance Toppings Creatively: Experiment with different garnishes like crispy pancetta, green onions, or smoked paprika to elevate the final presentation and taste.

Reheat Without Losing That Silky Texture

• Store Leftovers in Airtight Containers: Transfer cooled chowder into sealed glass or plastic containers with tight-fitting lids. Properly stored corn chowder keeps well in the refrigerator for 3-4 days, maintaining its delicious flavor and creamy texture.
• Freeze for Extended Storage: Pour chowder into freezer-safe containers, leaving about an inch of space at the top to allow for expansion. Frozen chowder stays fresh for up to 2 months. Avoid freezing portions with cream or dairy added, as these ingredients can separate during thawing.
• Reheat with Care: Warm refrigerated chowder gently in a saucepan over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally to prevent scorching. Add a splash of extra broth or milk to restore the original creamy consistency if the chowder has thickened.

The Best Sides for a Bowl of Corny Goodness

• Pair with Crusty Sourdough Bread: Tear into a warm slice of artisan sourdough to soak up the creamy chowder, adding a delightful tangy contrast to the rich, smooth soup.
• Match with Crisp Sauvignon Blanc: Uncork a chilled glass of Sauvignon Blanc to cut through the chowder's richness, its bright acidity and herbaceous notes perfectly complementing the corn and vegetable flavors.
• Serve alongside Herb-Roasted Chicken Salad: Create a light protein companion with a zesty herb-roasted chicken salad, bringing a fresh, lean element that balances the hearty chowder's creamy texture.
• Elevate with Sparkling Apple Cider: Pour a crisp, slightly sweet sparkling apple cider that provides a refreshing counterpoint to the chowder's rich and comforting profile, adding a touch of effervescence to the meal.

Flavor Tweaks That Make Every Batch Unique

• Seafood Corn Chowder: Add succulent shrimp or tender crab meat during the last hour of cooking, transforming the classic recipe into a luxurious coastal-inspired version. The seafood infuses rich maritime flavors while maintaining the creamy corn base.
• Spicy Southwest Corn Chowder: Incorporate diced green chilies, jalapeños, and a dash of cumin for a zesty kick. Top with crispy tortilla strips and fresh cilantro to amplify the southwestern character of this hearty chowder.
• Vegetarian Green Chowder: Replace chicken broth with vegetable stock and add extra vegetables like zucchini and spinach. Stir in nutritional yeast for a cheesy depth without dairy, creating a plant-based alternative that's equally satisfying and nutritious.
• Smoky Bacon Corn Chowder: Include crispy bacon pieces during cooking and use some bacon drippings for additional smoky depth. Garnish with extra crumbled bacon and a sprinkle of smoked paprika to enhance the rich, complex flavor profile.

Slow Cooker Corn Chowder Recipe

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4.7 from 18 reviews

• Total Time: 4 hours 15 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Hearty slow cooker corn chowder brings midwestern comfort to your kitchen with creamy richness and sweet corn kernels. Potato and bacon bits mingle in this soul-warming soup, promising delicious spoonfuls that welcome you home.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Ingredients:

• 4 cups (946 ml) sweet corn kernels
• 4 medium potatoes
• 4 cups (946 ml) chicken or vegetable broth

Vegetables and Aromatics:

• 2 carrots
• 1 medium onion
• 2 celery stalks
• 2 cloves garlic
• 1 bay leaf

Dairy and Seasonings:

• 1 cup (237 ml) cream or half-and-half
• 2 tablespoons (30 ml) butter
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• Salt and pepper (to taste)

Optional Garnishes:

• Chopped crispy bacon or smoked ham
• Shredded cheddar cheese
• Chopped chives

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Instructions

1. Meticulously prepare vegetables by finely chopping onions, dicing carrots and celery into uniform pieces, mincing garlic, and peeling potatoes into bite-sized cubes. For fresh corn, remove kernels from cob with precision.
2. Transfer all prepared vegetables into slow cooker, layering corn kernels, chopped onions, diced carrots, minced garlic, and potato cubes. Pour in of vegetable or chicken broth, introducing dried thyme and bay leaf for aromatic depth. Season with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper according to personal taste preference.
3. Thoroughly distribute ingredients within slow cooker, ensuring even mixture. Secure lid tightly and select cooking mode: low temperature for 6-7 hours or high temperature for 3-4 hours until potatoes reach tender consistency.
4. Once cooking completes, extract bay leaf carefully. Utilize immersion blender to partially puree chowder, maintaining some textural chunks. Incorporate unsalted butter and heavy cream, stirring gently to create luxurious consistency.
5. Taste and readjust seasoning if necessary. Ladle chowder into warm bowls, garnishing with crispy bacon bits, crumbled smoked ham, shredded sharp cheddar cheese, and freshly chopped chives for enhanced visual appeal and flavor complexity.

Notes

• Avoid soggy vegetables by chopping them into uniform, bite-sized pieces for even cooking and consistent texture throughout the chowder.
• Transform this comforting dish into a complete meal by adding cooked shredded chicken or diced ham for extra protein and heartiness.
• Keep leftover chowder fresh by storing in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days, gently reheating on the stovetop to maintain creamy consistency.
• Customize the soup’s thickness by adjusting the blending technique – blend more for a smoother texture or less for a chunkier, rustic feel.
• Elevate the flavor profile by experimenting with different herbs like rosemary or replacing thyme with fresh parsley for a bright, fresh twist.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 4 hours
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
• Method: Slow Cooking, Blending
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 250 kcal
• Sugar: 6g
• Sodium: 600mg
• Fat: 11g
• Saturated Fat: 6g
• Unsaturated Fat: 4.5g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 36g
• Fiber: 5g
• Protein: 7g
• Cholesterol: 30mg