The Ultimate Creamy Corn Chowder with Crispy Bacon: A Year-Round Family Favorite
There’s a special kind of magic in a bowl of perfectly crafted chowder, especially when it’s brimming with sweet corn, tender potatoes, crisp bell pepper, and savory bacon. This Corn Chowder with Bacon isn’t just a meal; it’s a comforting embrace, a symphony of flavors that delights the senses. Whether you’re seeking warmth on a chilly evening or a light, flavorful dish to celebrate summer’s bounty, this recipe stands out as an enduring favorite. Its rich, creamy texture combined with the hearty elements makes it incredibly satisfying, proving that some dishes are simply too good to be confined to a single season.
This recipe offers an ideal way to utilize both fresh, peak-season corn and convenient frozen corn, ensuring its deliciousness is accessible any time of the year. It’s an effortlessly fresh and incredibly flavorful dish that will quickly become a staple in your culinary repertoire.
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For those who cherish a warm bowl of goodness, I invite you to explore more of my beloved recipes. Discover a world of comforting flavors with these 40 delectable soup, stew, and chili recipes – perfect for any mood or occasion.
A Culinary Journey: Revisiting a Beloved Corn Chowder Recipe
This particular Corn Chowder with Bacon recipe holds a special place in my heart, and its journey on this blog is a testament to its enduring appeal. I first shared this delightful creation back in March of 2008, and its popularity has led to multiple updates over the years, including refreshed photography in September 2012. Here I am, once again, bringing it back into the spotlight with new images and a renewed enthusiasm, because truly great recipes deserve to be celebrated continually.
Just a few weeks ago, I prepared this very chowder for a family dinner, and the unanimous praise it received reaffirmed my belief: this recipe needed another dedicated update. While the calendar might be flipping towards spring, and many minds turn to lighter, warmer-weather dishes, I’ve always been a firm believer that soup isn’t just a cold-weather staple. And for a chowder as vibrant and versatile as this one, especially when made with sweet, fresh corn, it truly shines regardless of the season. For me, soup is a year-round delight – a sentiment perfectly encapsulated by this comforting, yet fresh, dish.
The joy of this creamy corn chowder extends beyond seasonal boundaries. Imagine a cool summer evening, and a warm bowl of this chowder provides the perfect counterpoint. Or picture a crisp autumn afternoon, and its hearty embrace feels just right. The versatility of corn, whether harvested fresh from the garden or pulled from the freezer, ensures that this chowder remains an accessible and satisfying option no matter the time of year. It’s a testament to the fact that some flavors are simply timeless, offering comfort and satisfaction whenever they are enjoyed.
Crafting the Perfect Chowder: Ingredients and Expert Tips
As we often find ourselves transitioning between seasons, the comfort of a hearty soup can still beckon. Even as spring approaches, bringing with it the promise of lighter fare and fresh produce, my heart often yearns for the deep, satisfying flavors of a well-made chowder. While I adore the crisp vegetables and vibrant fruits of spring and summer, there’s an undeniable charm to winter’s comfort foods. Delicious soups, stews, and chilis, or a classic shepherd’s pie, have always held a starring role in my kitchen. And among all the wonderful soups I’ve created, this bacon corn chowder recipe remains my ultimate favorite – a true standout.
This particular recipe began its life as a Weight Watcher’s formulation, but over time, I’ve taken some creative liberties to elevate its flavor profile, making it a richer, more indulgent experience. While these adjustments might add a few extra calories, I wholeheartedly believe the incredible taste and texture of the final dish are worth every single one! Let me walk you through the key modifications that transform this into a truly fantastic, must-try chowder.
The Bacon Factor: Pork vs. Turkey
The original recipe called for turkey bacon, a choice I’ve never fully embraced. When it comes to bacon, I believe in going all out for that authentic, smoky flavor and crispy texture. So, my first, and arguably most impactful, change was to swap turkey bacon for good old-fashioned pork bacon. Not only does it deliver superior flavor and a satisfying crunch, but it also provides a wonderful foundation for the soup. The traditional Weight Watchers method suggested cooking bacon in water – a technique I find quite unusual, perhaps designed for the leaner turkey bacon. However, with delicious pork bacon, we get the added bonus of its rendered fat, which becomes the perfect medium for sautéing our vegetables.
Sautéing for Flavor: Harnessing Bacon Grease
Instead of sautéing the vegetables in water, as the original recipe instructed (which struck me as rather unconventional for building flavor), I opted to cook them directly in the flavorful bacon grease. This simple switch infuses the onions and bell peppers with a depth of flavor that water simply cannot replicate. The subtle smoky notes from the bacon fat permeate the vegetables, creating a richer, more complex base for the chowder.
Bell Pepper Brilliance: Red for Sweetness
While the original recipe might have specified a yellow bell pepper, I’ve found that a vibrant red bell pepper works beautifully, adding a touch of sweetness and a gorgeous pop of color to the chowder. Both yellow and red peppers offer a delightful crunch and fresh flavor, so feel free to use whichever you prefer or have on hand. The key is to get that fresh, aromatic vegetable base.
The Essential Ingredient: Salt
Perhaps the most critical adjustment I made was the addition of salt. Shockingly, the initial Weight Watchers recipe completely omitted salt. As someone who appreciates a well-seasoned dish, I couldn’t imagine serving a soup without it. Before adding salt, the chowder lacked a certain vibrancy, tasting somewhat flat. But with just a few pinches of salt, the flavors truly came alive! It brightened every ingredient, harmonizing the sweetness of the corn with the earthiness of the potatoes and the richness of the bacon. It’s a game-changer – never skip the salt!
Even with warmer weather on the horizon, I confess I won’t hesitate to enjoy a bowl of this incredible creamy corn chowder. Especially when fresh corn starts to arrive in abundance during the summer months, it becomes an absolute must-make. This chowder transcends seasons; winter, spring, summer, or fall – I would happily savor a bowl of this delightful creation any time of the year!
More Delicious Corn-Filled Soups to Explore
If you’re a fan of the sweet, vibrant flavor of corn in your soups, you’re in for a treat! This versatile ingredient truly shines in a variety of hearty and comforting bowls. Expand your culinary horizons with these other fantastic corn-focused soup recipes:
- Hearty Corn and Sausage Chowder
- Effortless Crock Pot Corn Chowder
- Smoky Grilled Corn and Potato Chowder
- Luxurious Crab and Corn Soup
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Classic Creamy Corn Chowder with Bacon
Author: Deborah Harroun
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Main Dish
Cuisine: American
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A creamy blend of sweet corn, tender potatoes, and vibrant red bell pepper, this Corn Chowder with Bacon is the ultimate comfort food. It’s the perfect way to enjoy fresh or frozen corn, delivering super fresh and incredibly flavorful results every time!
Ingredients
- 2 slices of bacon, cut into 1/2 inch pieces
- 1 small onion, diced
- 1/2 red bell pepper, seeded and chopped
- 2 1/2 cups chicken broth
- 2 medium potatoes (about 12 oz total), peeled and cubed
- 2 cups whole kernel corn, either fresh or frozen
- 1/4 cup half and half
- Salt to taste
Instructions
- Place a soup pot over medium-high heat and add the bacon. Cook until crisp. Using a slotted spoon, transfer the crispy bacon to a paper towel-lined plate to drain, reserving the bacon grease in the pot.
- Add the diced onion and chopped bell pepper to the pot with the reserved bacon grease. Sauté until the vegetables are softened, which should take approximately 5 minutes.
- Pour in the chicken broth and add the cubed potatoes to the pot. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to a simmer. Partially cover the pot and cook until the potatoes are almost tender, about 15 minutes.
- Stir in the whole kernel corn (fresh or frozen) and continue to cook for another 5 minutes, or until the corn is heated through and the potatoes are fully tender. Season the chowder generously with salt to taste.
- Carefully transfer about 2 cups of the chowder mixture to a blender or food processor. Process until smooth and creamy. This step helps thicken the chowder and create its signature velvety texture.
- Pour the blended soup back into the main pot. Stir in the half and half until well combined. Gently heat the chowder to your desired serving temperature, making sure not to boil it after adding the half and half.
- Serve the creamy corn chowder hot, topped with the reserved crispy bacon pieces. Enjoy this comforting and flavorful dish!
Recipe Notes:
This recipe has been lovingly adapted from the Weight Watchers New Complete Cookbook, with personal enhancements to maximize flavor and richness. Feel free to adjust the amount of bacon or half-and-half to suit your preference.
Nutrition Information (per serving):
Calories: 253 kcal (13%)
Carbohydrates: 41g (14%)
Protein: 10g (20%)
Fat: 4g (6%)
Saturated Fat: 2g (13%)
Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g
Trans Fat: 0g
Cholesterol: 16mg (5%)
Sodium: 369mg (16%)
Fiber: 5g (21%)
Sugar: 8g (9%)