The Best Sweetcorn Chowder Recipe
A rich and hearty sweetcorn chowder featuring smoked streaky bacon, tender potatoes, and fresh vegetables simmered in a creamy broth, perfect for a comforting meal.
- Author: Cara
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Soup
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: British
Main Ingredients
- 150 g smoked streaky bacon, diced
- 1 large onion (150g), finely chopped
- 2 medium carrots (200g), diced
- 2 celery stalks (100g), diced
- 400 g new potatoes, diced
- 500 g sweetcorn (fresh, tinned, or frozen)
- 1 litre chicken or vegetable stock
- 200 ml double cream
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
- Cook the Bacon: In a large pot, cook the diced smoked streaky bacon over medium heat until crispy. Then remove the bacon pieces and set aside, keeping the rendered fat in the pot.
- Sauté Vegetables: Add the finely chopped onion, diced carrots, and celery to the pot with the bacon fat. Cook for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables have softened and become fragrant.
- Add Potatoes and Stock: Stir in the diced new potatoes and cook for 2 minutes to start softening them. Pour in the chicken or vegetable stock and bring the mixture to a boil. Lower the heat and let it simmer gently for 10 to 15 minutes until the potatoes are tender when pierced with a fork.
- Add Sweetcorn: Incorporate the sweetcorn into the pot. If using fresh or frozen sweetcorn, cook it for about 5 minutes. If using tinned sweetcorn, cook for about 3 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Add Cream and Bacon: Stir in the double cream along with the cooked bacon pieces. Allow the chowder to simmer for another 5 minutes to meld the flavors and heat through completely. Season with salt and pepper according to your taste preferences.
- Serve: Ladle the sweetcorn chowder into serving bowls and garnish generously with chopped fresh parsley to add a bright, fresh finish.
Notes
- Using smoked streaky bacon adds a rich, smoky flavor, but you can substitute with smoked ham or omit for a vegetarian version.
- Fresh, frozen, or tinned sweetcorn all work well; adjust cooking time based on the type.
- This chowder can be thickened by mashing some potatoes in the pot or adding a tablespoon of flour during sautéing for a creamier consistency.
- For a dairy-free version, replace double cream with coconut cream or a plant-based alternative.
- Leftovers keep well in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and can be reheated gently on the stovetop.
Keywords: sweetcorn chowder, corn soup, creamy chowder, bacon soup, hearty soup, British recipes