Slow Cooker Corn Chowder with Bacon
Warm up with creamy Slow Cooker Corn Chowder with Bacon, a hearty and comforting soup that combines sweet corn, smoky bacon, and tender potatoes in a rich, creamy base. This easy slow cooker recipe uses simple ingredients and delivers bold flavors perfect for busy days or cozy meals.
- Author: Nina
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 6-8 hours low or 3-4 hours high
- Total Time: 6 hours 15 minutes to 8 hours 15 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Appetizers
- Method: Slow Cooker
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free
Meat
Vegetables
- 4 cups corn kernels (fresh or frozen)
- 3 cups diced potatoes (Russet or Yukon Gold recommended)
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
Liquids
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 2 cups milk or half-and-half
Fats & Thickening
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
Seasonings
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
Optional Garnishes & Herbs
- Fresh parsley or chives, chopped
- Shredded cheddar or pepper jack cheese
- Crispy bacon bits
- Cook the Bacon: Fry the bacon in a skillet over medium heat until crisp and golden. Remove and drain on paper towels, reserving 1-2 tablespoons of bacon fat in the pan.
- Sauté Aromatics: Add diced onion and minced garlic to the reserved bacon fat and cook until soft and fragrant, about 3-5 minutes, building the chowder’s flavor base.
- Combine Ingredients in Slow Cooker: Transfer the sautéed onions and garlic to the slow cooker. Add the cooked bacon, corn kernels, diced potatoes, chicken broth, butter, and season with salt and pepper. Stir gently to combine.
- Slow Cook: Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours until potatoes are tender and flavors meld.
- Thicken the Chowder: About 30 minutes before serving, whisk the flour and milk (or half-and-half) together to form a slurry. Slowly stir the slurry into the slow cooker and cook until thickened to a creamy consistency.
- Final Touches: Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper as needed. Sprinkle freshly chopped herbs on top before serving for added color and flavor.
Notes
- Use starchy potatoes like Russet or Yukon Gold for a creamy texture that still holds shape.
- Don’t skip sautéing onions and garlic to deepen the chowder’s flavor.
- Reserve bacon fat for sautéing aromatics to add smoky richness.
- Add the flour slurry slowly to prevent lumps and ensure even thickening.
- If chowder is too thin, cook uncovered for the last 30 minutes to reduce and thicken.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 7g
- Cholesterol: 40mg
Keywords: slow cooker corn chowder, bacon chowder, creamy corn soup, easy slow cooker recipe, comfort food