Slow Cooker Corn Chowder


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Make restaurant-quality corn chowder with your handy dandy slow cooker! This recipe uses fire-roasted corn, bacon, and heavy cream; what can be better?

Sometimes you need something heartier than soup for dinner; that’s why we love a good chowder! Try my Slow Cooker Clam Chowder or my Slow Cooker Leftover Turkey Chowder next!

close up of corn chowder in crockpot
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Why this recipe works

Making corn chowder doesn’t need to be complicated! Just add a few ingredients to your slow cooker for the BEST and EASIEST corn chowder you will ever have. The slow cooker will soften the vegetables, and while it simmers all day, the flavors meld together.

Recipe Ingredients

corn chowder ingredients on table with text labels
  • Corn – To make this recipe special, use canned fire-roasted corn! You can find this at most supermarkets.
  • Other vegetables – Peeled russet potatoes, onion, shallots and cayenne peppers. If you can’t find the cayenne peppers, use 1/4 cup poblano peppers or one red bell pepper.
  • Vegetable Broth – This is the liquid for the soup, you can use water if desired.
  • Seasonings – I use salt, black pepper and paprika. The paprika not only adds flavor it makes the soup a pretty color.
  • Heavy Cream – This will make the soup creamy and decadent, wait to add the cream until the end of the cooking time.
  • Bacon – Bacon goes wonderful with corn and cream, so naturally you’ll see bacon in corn chowder recipes.

Step-by-Step Directions

ingredeints for corn chowder before cooking in slow cooker

Step One – Add the vegetables. , seasonings, HALF of the cooked bacon, to the slow cooker.

Step Two – Add the chicken broth, Stir. WAIT TO ADD THE CREAM. Cook on LOW for 7 hours or HIGH for 4 hours without opening the lid during the cooking time, for that will let out heat and slow the cooking process.

corn chowder after cooking with cream and bacon added

Step Three – After the cooking time is done, add the heavy cream and cook for 30 more minutes on LOW.

Step Four – Serve with the remaining bacon, you can put it on top of each bowl or stir into the finished soup.

done cooking corn chowder in slow cooker

Variations

  • Less Spicy – Instead of adding hot chile peppers, use 1 sweet red bell pepper.
  • Creamed Corn – Use one can of creamed corn in place of the whole kernel corn for a big punch of corn flavor.
  • Mexican Style – Add a can of black beans and a can of rotel tomoates for Mexican corn chowder.
2 bowls of corn chowder in front of crockpot

How to serve

  • Serve with saltine crackers.
  • Top with cheese and freshly ground black pepper
  • Cornbread is a wonderful side for chowder.

Recipe FAQs

Can I use milk or half and half instead of heavy cream?

You can but will have a thinner soup. We prefer a heavy cream so the soup has some texture.

What can I use instead of bacon for flavor?

To flavor your soup, you can use diced ham, cooked turkey bacon, or cooked and crumbled sausage (such as Jimmy Dean).

Can I make chicken corn chowder?

Yes, add just one pound of boneless skinless chicken breasts to this recipe at the beginning of cooking. Shred right before serving.

Can I freeze the leftovers?

Place in freezer containers or freezer ziplock bags and freeze for up to three months. Thaw in the fridge for about 24 hours before needing it. Warm in the microwave or stovetop.

Can I use fresh corn?

Yes! You can use 3 cups of freshly cut corn instead of canned to make your corn chowder.

How can I make my chowder thicker?

Add two tablespoons of cold water with two tablespoons of cornstarch. Stir into the finished soup and let cook for an additional 15 minutes.

close up of a bowl of corn chowder

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done cooking corn chowder in slow cooker

Slow Cooker Corn Chowder

5 from 32 votes
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 7 hours 30 minutes
Total Time: 7 hours 50 minutes
Servings: 8
You will love this dump and go recipe for Slow Cooker Corn Chowder. Such great flavors and the leftovers are even better.

Ingredients 
 

  • 32 oz. vegetable broth, or chicken broth
  • 30 oz. fire-roasted corn, drained
  • 4 cups diced and peeled russet potatoes, (about 1 pound)
  • 1/2 cup diced white onion
  • 2 shallots, sliced
  • 1-2 cayenne chiles , sliced (can use a 1/4 cup poblano pepper or a red bell pepper instead)
  • 16 oz. bacon, sliced, cooked and drained – DIVIDED
  • 1 tsp. salt
  • 1/2 tsp. black pepper
  • 1/2 tsp. paprika

WAIT TO ADD

  • 1 cup cream, ADD AT THE END

Instructions 

  • Add the vegetable broth, vegetables, seasonings, and HALF of the bacon to the slow cooker. WAIT TO ADD THE CREAM
  • Place the lid on the slow cooker. Cook on HIGH for 4 hours or LOW for 7 hours.
  • When the cooking time is done, stir in the cream. Cook for an additional 30 minutes to heat through.
  • Serve with the remaining bacon, you can stir it in, or serve on top of each bowl.

Sarah’s Notes

Can I use milk or half & half instead of heavy cream?
You can but will have a thinner soup. We prefer a heavy cream so the soup has some texture.
What can I use instead of bacon?
  • Ham
  • Turkey bacon
  • Ground sausage
Can I freeze the leftovers?
  • Yes, place in freezer containers or in freezer ziplock bags.
  • Freeze for up to three months.
  • Thaw in the fridge for about 24 hours before needing it.
  • Warm in the microwave or stovetop.
How can I make my chowder thicker?
Add two tablespoons of cold water with two tablespoons of cornstarch. Stir into the finished soup and let cook for an additional 15 minutes.
Can I use fresh corn?
Yes! You can use 3 cups of freshly cut corn instead of canned to make your corn chowder.

Nutrition

Calories: 517kcal | Carbohydrates: 41g | Protein: 13g | Fat: 35g | Saturated Fat: 15g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 5g | Monounsaturated Fat: 13g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 78mg | Sodium: 1138mg | Potassium: 737mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 8g | Vitamin A: 1096IU | Vitamin C: 20mg | Calcium: 42mg | Iron: 2mg

Nutrition info is auto-generated. This information is an estimate; if you are on a special diet, please use your own calculations.

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49 Comments

  1. Denise P Aubin says:

    Could I use almond milk and the cornstarch to thicken? We are trying to use less dairy.

    1. Sarah Olson says:

      I’m unsure how the almond milk would taste. If you’re used to it, it will be fine.

  2. Molly says:

    Hi. Haven’t tried the recipe yet, but do have the ingredients. My husband has been asking for a corn chowder and I like to try new recipes. Are there any other vegetables I can add? I personally like vegetables, plus the nutritional value. Thanks.

  3. Anonymous says:

    In your step by step instructions you forgot to type when to add the potato

    1. Sarah Olson says:

      Fixed it!