Corn Chowder with Bacon

5 from 16 votes
18 Comments

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Corn chowder with bacon is a rich, hearty soup that will warm you from head to toe. The bacon in this chowder adds a delicious flavor to the potato and corn chowder base. Kids and adults love it!

Three bowls of Corn Chowder with Bacon garnished with bacon and parsley.
Featured with this Recipe:
  1. Corn Chowder
  2. Ingredients in Corn Chowder
  3. Other Ingredient Options
  4. What is Chowder?
  5. Corn Chowder with Bacon
  6. What Our Readers Say
  7. Frequently Asked Questions
  8. Other Chowders and Creamy Soups to Try:
  9. How to Make Corn Chowder
  10. Corn Chowder with Bacon Recipe

Corn Chowder

This corn chowder recipe is a favorite of almost all of my Mom’s grandkids. One of my nephews came to her during his winter break from college and begged her to make it! This recipe has never been written down before, as she makes it from memory every time she makes it. The last time she made it I stood over her and made her measure everything out so we could get it JUST right!

Then, of course, I had to share the recipe with you all! I know you will love this one as much as we all do—it’ll be a family favorite for you as well.

Soup pot of Corn Chowder with Bacon. Rolls, bowls and spoons on the side.


Ingredients in Corn Chowder

  • Bacon
  • Russet Potatoes – peeled & diced
  • Butter
  • Onion – chopped
  • Flour
  • Nonfat half-&-half
  • Cream-style corn (2 cans)
  • Salt & pepper – to taste
Potatoes, bacon, cans of cream corn, half and half, butter and flour to make Corn Chowder with Bacon.

Other Ingredient Options

  • Yukon gold potatoes
  • Chicken broth
  • Garlic
  • Celery
  • Red bell pepper
  • Thyme
  • Bay leaf
  • Heavy cream
  • Cheddar cheese
  • Fresh herbs

What is Chowder?

Simply put, a rich soup made with milk or cream containing seafood or vegetables. These days, everyone can enjoy a bowl of chowder, but in the past it was considered to simply be a poor man’s food.

Fish chowders were the first ones to hit the scene before the 16th century. The early settler’s used salt pork and ship’s biscuits in addition to the fish. Clams were also often added, giving it the name clam chowder, which is probably still the most famous chowder today.

Like most foods, the history of chowder is pretty fascinating—you can read more about corn chowder and other types of thick soups here.

Hand holding a spoon scooping a bowl of Corn Chowder with Bacon.

Corn Chowder with Bacon

What really sets this tasty corn chowder apart is the addition of bacon. It counteracts the sweetness of the corn with that salty brine flavor. It adds a welcome flavor to the potatoes that make the base of the chowder as well.

This soup is the perfect hearty meal to make for lunch or for dinner. Whichever meal you have it for, try serving this corn chowder with this biscuit recipe or these Brazilian cheese bread rolls.

Cutting board with chopped bacon and a knife for Corn Chowder.

What Our Readers Say

It appears our corn chowder recipe has been a hit with our readers as well! Here’s what some of them have had to say about this recipe:

“My whole family loved this corn chowder! Even the kids wanted more.” – Kelley

“This soup is now my favorite soup for fall! It was so easy to make and so delicious! My whole family loved it. When there are no leftovers, you know it went over well! We will definitely be making these again!” – Jenni

“This soup is the absolute perfect comfort food! Excellent to cozy up with on a cold evening.” – Whitney

Three bowls of Corn Chowder with Bacon soup garnished with bacon and parsley.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use fresh corn instead of the cream-style corn in a can?

Yes, just use our Creamed Corn recipe first so it will have the same consistency needed for the recipe. If you do use fresh corn too, I find that a sweet corn off the cob makes the best corn chowder.

Can you make corn chowder in the slow cooker?

Yes, I would estimate that it would take about 2-3 hours to make in the slow cooker and simmer rather than on the stove.

What makes a soup a chowder?

Chowder is unique because of its thick consistency and dairy base of milk or cream. Chowder usually contains vegetables like corn kernels or seafood, clam being the most common.

READ NEXT Crockpot Soup Recipes

Other Chowders and Creamy Soups to Try:

How to Make Corn Chowder

Hand holding a spoon scooping a bowl of Corn Chowder with Bacon.

Corn Chowder with Bacon

5 from 16 votes
Corn chowder is a rich, hearty soup that will warm you from head to toe. The bacon in this chowder adds a delicious flavor to the corn and potatoes. Kids and adults love it!
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Course Soup
Cuisine American
Servings 8

Video

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Cook bacon until crispy. Drain grease from bacon & crumble. Set aside.
    Cutting board with chopped bacon and a knife for Corn Chowder.
  • Boil potatoes in salted water for about 10 minutes or until soft, but not mushy. Drain and set aside.
    Cooked cube potatoes in colander for Corn Chowder with Bacon.
  • In a large pot, melt butter. Add onions and sauté over medium heat until onions become transparent. Slowly stir in flour until it is combined evenly with the butter/onions, forming a roux.
    Large pot cooking onions in butter for Corn Chowder with Bacon.
  • Gradually add half & half, whisking constantly until reaching a gravy-like consistency. If you would like it thinner, just add some milk to thin it out, but be sure to add a little more salt to keep the flavor.
    Pot of cream base for Corn Chowder with Bacon.
  • Heat over medium heat until it almost starts to boil, stirring often, then reduce heat to low. Add drained potatoes, bacon (you may want to reserve a little bacon to add as a garnish when ready to serve), corn, salt & pepper.
    Large soup pot of Corn Chowder with Bacon.
  • Heat for an additional 10 minutes or so until ready to serve.
    Three bowls of Corn Chowder with Bacon soup garnished with bacon and parsley.

Notes

Recipe Tips:

Here are some other ingredient options if you would like to mix it up:
  • Yukon gold potatoes
  • Chicken broth
  • Garlic
  • Celery
  • Red bell pepper
  • Thyme
  • Bay leaf
  • Heavy cream
  • Cheddar cheese
  • Fresh herbs

Nutrition Information

Calories: 506kcalCarbohydrates: 56gProtein: 17gFat: 25gSaturated Fat: 9gCholesterol: 44mgSodium: 790mgPotassium: 1012mgFiber: 5gSugar: 10gVitamin A: 145IUVitamin C: 20mgCalcium: 160mgIron: 5mg

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About the author

Erica Walker

Erica lives in Boise, Idaho with her husband, Jared, an attorney, and her three beautiful girls. Beyond the world of recipes, she loves adventuring with everything from kayaking, to cruising, to snowboarding and taking the family along for the thrill ride.

More about Erica Walker

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Comments

  1. 5 stars
    So yummy and I loved how easy this is!! One change – I add more bacon because, well, I really don’t think I need to explain that! 😉 Thanks for an awesome recipe!

    1. We have never done it in the crock pot before. Cream soups are tough in a crock pot because the dairy ingredients can get separated and grainy. IF you try it, let us know how it turns out!

  2. 5 stars
    This is AMAZING!!! I’ve made this at least 3 times since finding this recipe. My family loves this chowder. Only change, I add fresh garlic. Super easy, super quick, super yummy!!!

      1. 5 stars
        My mother made this ‘similar’ corn chowder. …..back when you could find Milnot!! To your recip add 1 jar minced pimento and 1 small can Hatch mild minced green peppers. Garnish with cheese; bacon and cilantro. TEXAS CORN CHOWDER 😂☄😲Yum!
        (Add a dollop guacamole if you like)

  3. 5 stars
    Absolutely delicious, I pretty much doubled the recipe, and didn’t have another can of cream corn so I added regular corn. I did screw up and get regular half and half, woops, can only imagine the calories, lol. Thanks for sharing the recipe!

  4. 5 stars
    I made this last night and it was tasty! The leftovers today were just as good! My husband dislikes corn, but he loved this and had seconds. Yum!