Soups & Stews Images are for illustrative purposes only, may be inaccurate, and do not guarantee the presence or absence of specific ingredients. 
Serving
Images are for illustrative purposes only, may be inaccurate, and do not guarantee the presence or absence of specific ingredients. Corn Chowder
A creamy, comforting chowder bursting with sweet corn, potatoes, and smoky paprika.
Contains common allergens
In the app, Listahan checks these against your household automatically.
Good to know
- One-pot
Matched from this dish's own ingredients and timing. Browse more: one-pot dinners
Instructions
7 steps- 1
Melt butter in a large pot and sauté onion and red bell pepper until softened, about 5 minutes.
- 2
Sprinkle in flour and cook, stirring, 1 minute.
- 3
Gradually whisk in vegetable broth until smooth.
- 4
Add potatoes and simmer 12 minutes until tender.
- 5
Stir in corn and smoked paprika and simmer 8 minutes more.
- 6
Stir in heavy cream, season with salt and pepper, and heat through.
- 7
Garnish with chopped chives before serving.
Images are for illustrative purposes only, may be inaccurate, and do not guarantee the presence or absence of specific ingredients. Listahan Family Score™
65/100
Works for many families
Score reflects how well this recipe fits a typical busy household. In the app, your Family Score is personalized to your household's allergens, kids, and pantry.
Nutrition
per serving495
Calories
12 g
Protein
52 g
Carbs
30 g
Fat
Estimated per serving. Actual values depend on the brands and portions you use.
Listahan cooking guide
Chef notes & practical guide
Technique notes, ingredient swaps, serve-alongside ideas, storage guidance, and equipment for this recipe.
Cultural context
Corn chowder grew out of New England's long tradition of hearty, cream-based chowders, adapted from the region's seafood chowders to showcase the sweet corn that thrives in the area's short summers. It became a late-summer staple once fresh corn was abundant.
Listahan note
This version uses a light roux to thicken the base so the chowder holds together without needing to rely on the cream alone, keeping the corn's sweetness front and center.
Technique cues
- Cook the flour with the butter for a minute before adding liquid; this removes the raw flour taste that can otherwise linger in the finished chowder.
- Add the corn late in the cooking time so it stays sweet and slightly crisp instead of turning mushy and starchy.
- If using fresh corn, scrape the cobs into the pot after cutting off the kernels; the milky residue adds extra corn flavor to the broth.
Kitchen flow
- Parallel prep
- Dice the onion, pepper, and potatoes while the butter melts, so the roux comes together without a pause.
- Make-ahead
- The chowder base keeps well for a day or two before the cream is added; stir in the cream fresh when reheating to serve.
- Leftover move
- Use leftover chowder as a base for a corn and potato pot pie filling by adding a little extra flour to thicken it further.
- Cleanup rhythm
- One pot handles the roux, the simmer, and the finish; deglaze it with a splash of broth while still warm for easy cleanup.
Ingredient brief
Role, handling, and swap guidance for each key ingredient.
Corn kernels
Main vegetable
Purpose: Fresh or frozen corn provides the chowder's signature sweetness and texture.
Handling: Add it in the last 10 minutes of cooking so it stays tender-crisp rather than mushy.
Adaptation: Frozen corn works just as well as fresh outside of summer and needs no extra prep.
Potatoes
Body and starch
Purpose: They add heartiness and help thicken the chowder as they soften.
Handling: Cube them small so they cook through at the same rate as the other vegetables.
Adaptation: Yukon Gold potatoes hold their shape well; russets break down more and thicken the soup further.
Butter and flour
Roux (thickener)
Purpose: Cooking them together first creates a thickener that gives the chowder its classic clingy, spoon-coating texture.
Handling: Whisk the flour into the melted butter and cook for about a minute before adding the broth.
Adaptation: A cornstarch slurry can replace the roux if a gluten-free thickener is needed.
Red bell pepper
Sweetness and color
Purpose: It adds a mild sweetness and bright color that complements the corn.
Handling: Dice it small so it cooks through in the same time as the onion.
Adaptation: Poblano pepper adds a similar sweetness with a bit more depth and mild heat.
Heavy cream
Richness and finish
Purpose: It gives the chowder its signature velvety texture and rounds out the sweetness of the corn.
Handling: Stir it in near the end over low heat to avoid separating.
Adaptation: Half-and-half or whole milk make a lighter, less rich version.
Technique notes
- Do not rush the roux; a minute of cooking the flour and butter together removes the raw, pasty taste that undercooked roux leaves behind.
- Simmer gently once the cream is added rather than boiling, which can cause the dairy to separate or curdle.
- Taste and re-season after the cream goes in, since dairy mutes salt and the chowder often needs a touch more at the end.
Ingredient swaps
- Dairy-free direction
- Use olive oil instead of butter, a gluten-free flour blend or cornstarch to thicken, and full-fat coconut milk in place of the cream.
- Gluten-free direction
- Replace the flour roux with a cornstarch slurry stirred in near the end of cooking.
- Smokier direction
- Add a diced smoked ham hock or crumbled bacon along with the vegetables for a smokier, heartier chowder.
Serve alongside
- Crusty cornbread
- Saltine crackers
- Simple green salad
- Buttered dinner rolls
- Crisp white wine
- Light lager
- Iced sweet tea
Serving suggestions only — check pairings for your household's allergens.
Storage & reheating
- Refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
- Reheat gently over low heat, stirring often, since cream-based soups can separate if boiled.
- Freeze the chowder before adding the cream for up to 2 months; stir in fresh cream after thawing and reheating.
Equipment
- Large soup pot
- Whisk for a lump-free roux
- Sharp knife for cutting corn off the cob, if using fresh
Make this household-aware
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Plan it in Listahan
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