Slow Cooker Corn Chowder is a creamy, comforting soup filled with sweet corn, potatoes, and flavorful spices. This easy-to-make dish is perfect for busy days, letting the slow cooker do most of the work while you enjoy the delicious aromas filling your home.
📋 Ingredients:
- 🌽 4 cups fresh, frozen, or canned corn kernels
- 🥔 2 large potatoes, peeled and diced
- 🧅 1 large onion, chopped
- 🥕 1 carrot, peeled and diced
- 🥓 1/2 cup diced celery
- 🧄 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 🥓 6 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled (optional)
- 🌿 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 🌿 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 🧂 Salt and black pepper to taste
- 🥛 4 cups chicken or vegetable broth
- 🥛 1 cup heavy cream or half-and-half
- 🌿 Chopped fresh chives or parsley for garnish
📝 Directions:
1. Prepare Ingredients:
- If using bacon, cook it in a skillet until crispy, then crumble it. Reserve some of the bacon fat to sauté the onions and garlic, enhancing the flavor.
2. Sauté Aromatics:
- In the reserved bacon fat or some oil, sauté the onion and garlic until translucent. Transfer them to the slow cooker.
3. Combine in Slow Cooker:
- Add the corn, diced potatoes, carrot, celery, crumbled bacon, thyme, paprika, salt, pepper, and broth to the slow cooker. Stir to mix everything well.
4. Cook:
- Cover and cook on low for 7-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours, or until the potatoes are tender and the flavors are well blended.
5. Blend for Creaminess (Optional):
- For a creamier texture, use an immersion blender to blend part of the soup directly in the slow cooker. You can blend as much or as little as you like depending on whether you prefer a chunkier soup or a smoother consistency.
6. Add Cream:
- Stir in the heavy cream or half-and-half during the last 30 minutes of cooking. Adjust the seasoning with additional salt and pepper if needed.
7. Serve:
- Ladle the corn chowder into bowls and garnish with chopped chives or parsley.
🍽 Serve:
Enjoy this hearty Slow Cooker Corn Chowder as a warm, nourishing meal, especially delightful on chilly days. Serve it with crusty bread or a side salad for a complete meal.
⏱ Preparation Time: 20 minutes
⏱ Cooking Time: 7-8 hours on low or 3-4 hours on high
🍽 Servings: 6 servings
💡 Notes:
- You can add other vegetables like bell peppers or swap the potatoes for sweet potatoes for a different flavor profile.
- For a vegetarian version, omit the bacon and use vegetable broth.
This Slow Cooker Corn Chowder is not only delicious and easy to prepare but also offers the flexibility to be customized to your taste preferences and dietary needs. Enjoy the warmth and comfort it brings! 🍲✨