This corn chowder without cream is so delicious! It uses fresh corn, delicious potatoes, and is topped with crispy bacon for a tasty dinner.
Happy September! In most places that means cooler temps are here. Not so in Austin. It means hot 90 degree days are here for at least another month.
But still, today I’m bringing you a soup. This is a good summer soup though. It uses fresh corn, cut right off the cob to make a chowder. And no cream, so it's a delicious cream-free corn chowder!
The thickness comes from blending a little of the chowder and then adding it back to the pot before serving.
Let's talk corn.
Even though I wouldn’t call myself a pro, I’ve got some experience with fresh corn and shucking a lot of it.
My grandparents owned a farm and in the summers would grow so many rows of corn. As far as the eye could see. I definitely remember playing in between the rows, and going out to pick the corn right off the stalk.
Every summer, we’d bring a box or two of it home to our house and sit on the back patio, shucking lots of ears as a family.
But if you’ve never bought fresh corn and shucked it, it’s so easy! Simply pull all the outer leaves off. Then you can cut the ends off.
And finally, if you have some of that corn silk stubbornly attached, simply run it under some water or soak it to help loosen those strands. It's worth it to have that sweet, sweet corn right off the cob.
Substitutions and Customizations
While I love using fresh corn to make the chowder, it isn't always in season! You can definitely swap it out with frozen corn.
Want a little more spice? Add smoked paprika for a smoky flavor, or cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes for heat.
What to serve with the chowder
I love serving the chowder as is. However, it's also tasty with air fryer cheesy garlic bread or a side of peach panzanella.
How to make the fresh chowder without cream
First, get out your corn to shuck.
Once shucked, cut the kernels off the cobs.
Cook the bacon, and then set aside.
Add the butter to the pot, then cook the onion in the butter.
Add flour and garlic to the pot and stir. The whisk in the water and chicken stock.
Add potatoes, corn, thyme, and bay leaf. Bring to a boil, then simmer for 20-25 minutes.
Remove the bay leaf, then remove a little of the chowder and blend. Add back to the pot and stir to combine.
Top with bacon and enjoy!
More recipes to love
This recipe was adapted from the Summer Corn Chowder here.
Cream-free Corn Chowder with Bacon and Potatoes
Ingredients
- 4 ears corn shucked
- 3 slices thick-cut bacon
- 2 tablespoon butter
- 1 medium yellow or white onion diced
- ¼ cup all purpose flour
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 3 cups water
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1 ⅓ lb red potatoes diced
- ½ teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 bay leaf
- salt and pepper
- honey for drizzling
Instructions
- Shuck the corn if needed, removing all the silk. Cut the kernels from the cobs and set aside. Discard the cobs.
- Dice the bacon and cook over medium heat in a large stew pot, stirring as needed until bacon is cooked through. Remove the bacon from the pot with a slotted spoon, leaving the bacon grease. Place the cooked bacon on paper towels.
- Add the butter to the pot and melt. Add the onion and cook until translucent, stirring frequently.
- Sprinkle the flour and garlic into the pot and cook for 30 seconds, stirring as it cooks. Whisk in the water and the chicken stock. Bring the mixture to a boil, stirring occasionally.
- Add the potatoes and corn and stir to combine. Then stir in the thyme and bay leaf.
- Bring back to a boil, then reduce heat to medium-low and simmer for 20-25 minutes, until potatoes are tender.
- Remove the bay leaf.
- Then ladle about 2 cups of the soup into a blender. Blend until smooth, then add back into the pot. Stir to combine. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Scoop the chowder into bowls, and drizzle with honey and top with bacon bits.
Nutrition
If nutrition info is shown, values are based on an online calculator and are estimates. Please verify using your own data.
Krystal
This soup looks delicious! I might have to hunt down some corn at the farmer's market this weekend & make some. :)