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Creamy Summer Corn Chowder

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A light yet indulgent creamy corn chowder featuring fresh corn, smoky bacon, and a blend of milk and cream for a perfect summer comfort soup.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 cups fresh corn kernels (from 4 medium ears)
  • 4 slices bacon, chopped (or smoked turkey bacon for lighter option)
  • 1 medium yellow onion, finely diced
  • 2 celery stalks, diced
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour (use gluten-free flour for GF version)
  • 4 cups chicken broth (preferably low sodium)
  • 1 ½ cups whole milk
  • ½ cup heavy cream (optional but recommended)
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1 tablespoon fresh thyme, chopped
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 2 medium Yukon Gold potatoes, peeled and diced

Instructions

  1. Shuck the ears and carefully cut the kernels off with a sharp knife, making sure to get as much of the juicy ‘milk’ as possible (about 10 minutes).
  2. In a large pot over medium heat, cook the chopped bacon until crisp, about 6-8 minutes. Remove bacon bits with a slotted spoon, leaving rendered fat in the pot.
  3. Add butter to the bacon fat, then sauté diced onion, celery, and minced garlic for about 5 minutes until softened and fragrant, stirring occasionally.
  4. Sprinkle flour over the softened veggies and stir well to coat. Cook for 2 minutes to remove raw flour taste and start thickening.
  5. Slowly pour in chicken broth while stirring to avoid lumps. Add diced potatoes, smoked paprika, and fresh thyme. Bring to a boil, then reduce to simmer for 15-20 minutes until potatoes are tender.
  6. Stir in fresh corn kernels, whole milk, and heavy cream. Simmer gently for another 10 minutes, stirring occasionally until chowder thickens and flavors meld.
  7. Taste and season with salt and pepper as needed. Off heat, stir in an additional tablespoon of butter for extra richness. Garnish with reserved crispy bacon bits before serving.

Notes

Use organic corn for sweetest flavor. For dairy-free version, substitute milk and cream with full-fat coconut milk. If chowder is too thick, thin with broth or milk; if too thin, simmer uncovered to reduce. Render bacon fat slowly over medium-low heat to avoid bitterness. Cook flour long enough to avoid raw taste. Simmer gently after adding dairy to prevent curdling.

Nutrition

Keywords: corn chowder, summer soup, creamy soup, comfort food, bacon chowder, fresh corn recipe, easy soup, seasonal soup

Find it online: https://larameals.com/creamy-summer-corn-chowder-recipe-easy-homemade-comfort-soup/