Creamy Corn Chowder Bacon (Printable version)
Velvety chowder with sweet corn, tender potatoes, and savory turkey bacon, ideal for cozy nights.
# What you need:
→ Vegetables
01 - 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
02 - 1 medium yellow onion, diced
03 - 2 celery stalks, diced
04 - 2 medium carrots, diced
05 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
06 - 3 medium Yukon Gold potatoes, peeled and diced
07 - 3 cups fresh or frozen corn kernels
→ Liquids & Dairy
08 - 3 cups low-sodium chicken or vegetable broth, gluten-free if required
09 - 1 cup whole milk
10 - 1/2 cup heavy cream
→ Meats
11 - 6 slices turkey bacon
→ Seasonings
12 - 1 teaspoon kosher salt, plus more to taste
13 - 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
14 - 1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika
15 - 1/4 teaspoon dried thyme
16 - 1 bay leaf
→ Garnish (optional)
17 - 2 tablespoons chopped fresh chives or scallions
# How To:
01 - In a large pot or Dutch oven, melt butter over medium heat. Add diced onion, celery, and carrots; cook until softened, approximately 5 to 6 minutes.
02 - Incorporate minced garlic and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant.
03 - Add diced potatoes, corn kernels, broth, whole milk, bay leaf, dried thyme, smoked paprika, kosher salt, and ground black pepper. Bring to a gentle boil, then reduce heat and simmer uncovered for 20 minutes until potatoes are tender.
04 - While the chowder simmers, cook turkey bacon in a skillet over medium heat until crisp, about 6 to 8 minutes. Transfer to paper towels and crumble into small pieces.
05 - Remove bay leaf from the pot. For a creamier texture, partially blend the chowder using an immersion blender, leaving some chunks for texture. Alternatively, blend 1 to 2 cups in a blender and return to the pot.
06 - Stir in heavy cream and half of the crumbled turkey bacon. Simmer for 2 to 3 minutes to combine flavors and heat through.
07 - Adjust seasoning to taste. Ladle chowder into bowls, garnish with remaining turkey bacon and fresh chives or scallions if desired. Serve hot.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- It tastes indulgent and creamy without feeling heavy or pretentious.
- The crispy turkey bacon adds a savory contrast that keeps every spoonful interesting.
- You can have it on the table in under an hour, making it perfect for busy weeknights.
02 -
- Don't skip the turkey bacon crisping step—it grounds the whole soup and prevents it from tasting one-dimensionally creamy.
- If your soup tastes flat after blending, it's usually because the seasonings got diluted; add a pinch more salt and it will bloom back to life.
03 -
- Cut your vegetables the same size so they soften at the same rate, which means everything's ready at the exact right moment.
- Toast your bay leaf and thyme in the hot butter for 30 seconds before adding the vegetables—it wakes up their oils and makes the whole soup taste more intentional and aromatic.