Creamy Corn Chowder with Turkey Bacon (Printable)
A hearty chowder featuring sweet corn, potatoes, and turkey bacon in a rich, creamy broth. Ready in 45 minutes for a comforting meal.
# What You'll Need:
→ Meat
01 - 6 slices turkey bacon, chopped
→ Vegetables
02 - 1 medium yellow onion, diced
03 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
04 - 2 medium Yukon Gold potatoes, peeled and diced
05 - 3 cups corn kernels (fresh or frozen)
06 - 1 celery stalk, diced
07 - 1 medium carrot, diced
→ Liquids
08 - 4 cups low-sodium chicken broth (or vegetable broth for vegetarian)
09 - 1 cup whole milk
10 - 1/2 cup heavy cream
→ Seasonings
11 - 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
12 - 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
13 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
→ Garnish
14 - 2 tablespoons fresh chives or parsley, chopped
# How To Make It:
01 - In a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat, cook the turkey bacon until crispy, about 5–7 minutes. Remove with a slotted spoon and set aside.
02 - In the same pot with reserved turkey bacon fat, add the onion, celery, and carrot. Sauté for 4–5 minutes until softened. Add garlic and cook for 1 minute more.
03 - Stir in the potatoes, corn, smoked paprika, and thyme. Cook for 2 minutes, stirring occasionally.
04 - Pour in the chicken broth and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 15 minutes, or until potatoes are tender.
05 - Using an immersion blender, blend about 1/3 of the chowder directly in the pot to create a creamy texture, or carefully transfer some to a blender and puree, then return to the pot.
06 - Stir in the milk and heavy cream. Heat gently for 2–3 minutes; do not let it boil. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
07 - Ladle chowder into bowls. Top with crispy turkey bacon and garnish with chives or parsley.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- The partial blending trick creates a velvety texture without adding any flour.
- It comes together in under an hour but tastes like it simmered all day.
02 -
- Do not let the soup boil after adding the dairy or it might separate.
- Blending just a third of the soup strikes the perfect balance between chunky and smooth.
03 -
- If you prefer a vegetarian version, use vegetable broth and skip the bacon step, starting with butter instead.
- Fresh corn cut off the cob tastes infinitely better than frozen in the summer months.